Cosy Corners.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13450, 23 November 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

Cosy Corners.

"-'HINTS TO HOUSE BUILDERS. Cosy corners are -quite'the fashion now, but unfortunately 1 a large percentage oi the people who follow this fashion seem tf. have ho conception of what the name implies/. " ■ _ - ■ Many of the -so-called cosy. corners might better "be< named- stuffy comevS, .arranged as they are with the- seat oveihung, with draperies,• arms, 'grotesque heads, et:Q.' . A (<; ,- corner should be true to its name. The term means a snug, comfortable place ■ to rest and chat. The name camt fi ; om the French-causer, to converse, chat, gossip, etc; ■ Years', ago, in large rooms. in the old : fasliiotied houses which, were, onh 1 heated by open fires, it was quite commoi to have "one or two/ places in the i;oomf made cosy and comfortable with the aid. of screens and draperies., The. cosy cor- ; ner when properly arranged makes,.a most attractive spot in a. large room. . There is neither space nor reason: for having then; in small rooms. ' Partial snugness,. and comfort are the 'aims of."the -cosy corner. To secure ' privacy, portable or stationary Screens may be - -employee!. In. these cor. ners there should be good light, .rooiri enough for a built-in seat, ccucli, or sofa a few chairs, a small table, some rests; and plenty of. pillow; for- the couch. The irfaterials used, tin kind of seat, and the general finish giver . to a corner must be. modified by the char acter, finish, and furnishing of the. rooir ■. in which it is to be arranged. The cosv corner in the .dining-room must be treated differently from that in • any other room. Hers the seat should be built, in, arid, if 'possible, it should take in r sides of/the 'wall, curving in- the corner.. Have this a box seat.; make it about twenty inches wide and fourteen - high : this will' allow for a cushion • about/ four inches thick. -Enclose each end ofrthe with a wooden panel twenty inches widf and about five or five feet and a half high, measuring from. the- floor. If one prefers, the- lower part of' the panel may : be, solid and the upper paat" be in fretwork oi turned column. Over the seat, and in a line with the top of the end panels, bulla shallow cabinfets, having them abou twelve inches -high and six inches deep. Have these cabinetG irregular in size and finish closing some with, wooden dooi.s. others with glas* doors, and leaving som* without doorsi • • In some cabinets put hooks on wliicli to hang daintv bits of china. Fill flie cabinets, with * glass, china, ■■ etc. Place pieces of. pottery, brass, or pewter on the toppabi-. nets. Cover the cushions with leather,^ matting ere 1 -mine, rep., or- any suitable material. Pillows, as many as you wish Or can afford, can be,piled upop the. seat. These ideas may be enlarged upon or simplified, as one's taste to purse may dictiltFor a coiner in a sitting-room choosr onV near a window; here place a 1.""£?> comfortable sofa . or couch. Behind this place hangings of such material and colorings as are suitable, and will harmonise with the furnishings of the. room, .nave some bookshelves, where magazines, .short stories; etc.,. may be kept. Have a smalbut- strong table, oil which place a read-, ino* lamp, a fsw comfoVifible chauS, n. foot--rest' or ' two, and plenty of sofa pillows, and vou have tl>* "essentials for a comfortable ccst corner. Partially cut this, off with any kind of a strong and lathei high screen. , , There are certain personal touches, such as pictures, bric-a-brac, -work-table- writ--' in<T-desk, etc., "n'liich each woman will add for herself. If one owns a home the seat could be built in with bookshelves at each end. A long shelf the height of the bookshelves might be placed above thr seat. Picturrr. and ornaments ' could ; be placed on top of the bookcase and on the shelf If a cooi effect is desired the furniture could be in rattan or bamboo. Chairs,

tables, book-shelves; and generous sofas or davenports can lte purchased these wares.- Pillows and cushions should give the note of colour. It protects the wallf> and-gives a g ream sense of cosiness to have some kind o hanging at' the back of the laige sea For this one may emply 'leather, Japanese matting, tapestry, or fabric that wil give a soft, background. Art serge, malting. .or leather nmy be tacked on peifectlv smooth and finished at the top with a narrow moulding. The moulding, however, is not. essential • Any of the soit fabrics may be put on in the same manner, or tliev can be shirred on a small rod. If lip-htness and colour, -.rather than richness, be desired, the walls in ay e draped with Indian prints, Madras, or blue- .crepe. •' The Berea P?f Mr ®« np an ft d f spreads make soft hangings. If at ° ne e ° f warmth is desired, felt'may be employed.