COSY HALLS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue VI, 10 August 1895, Page 182

COSY HALLS.

ACH cold day we wish our house were warmer, at least most of us do. Noching could be more conducive to the cosiness of a hall and staircase than if a little more attention were to be expended on that half-way landing between the ground and the first floors in town houses. We, perhaps, have not to suffer as much as our immediate ancestors from the small glass arrangements, consisting chiefly of brown glass panes set into vivid pink or purple borders, but all the same this particular landing is very apt to extend into glass of some sort, not sufficiently ambitious to be styled a conservatory, and by no means a joy to the beholder at this season of the year. In fact, many a housewife is fain to put up curtains to hide the desolate draught-creating recess, which in summer time may have been gay and bright with flowers ; but curtains are not the best draught,excluders. Better results are attained if the following directions.be carried out. A pleasant little rest-ing-place will replace the spot where the colds of the entire household probably originated. In the first place strips of paper should be pasted over the worst fitting of the joins, and then the interior must be entirely lined with grey ‘under carpet’ felt, which is not an expensive material. Now comes the pleasantest part of the undertaking, the decoration —which can be treated in a variety of ways ; but. as it is for a temporary nnrprse, it is better that it should not be too formal or elaborate in character. Palaunpouies in lovely neb O. leu tai colourings would be excellent

for the purpose, and would hang in good, straight folds from the ceiling to the floor. Or the whole thing could be carried out in the printed Java cottons, in China blues, reds or yellows, one being stretched across the felt ceiling, canght here and there by strings to the ceiling, so as to have the soft eff. co of being stuffed and buttoned. If the conservatory is very high it might be well to have a dado of coloured Indian matting. Plenty of cushions will be required

if it is to be a really comfortable lounge, and they should be as various as possible, consistent with being harmonious. Two or three Moorish coffee stools are both useful, and add greatly to the general effect, those of carved teak, inlaid with pearl, being greatly preferable to the kind more commonly met with. The felt on the floor must be covered with rugs. Persian, of course, are the nicest, but less expensive makes will answer the purpose. I have not touched on the windows yet; they will probably require special treatment, according to their outlook and light; diaped with curtains of plain coloured silks they would look well, or printed Indian cotton might be used. Japanese fretwork would be very light and graceful, and a flight of cranes might be introduced on the glass behind this.

An excellent way of filling np an unnecessary window, or one that looks out on an ngly view, is to have the lower part built out into a small alcove, lined with plush, with a small shelf running round it, and brackets for china ; at the back a little window is covered with a gilded fretwork, and in front a space is left which can be filled up as the owner desires ; one of the advantages is that light is not excluded from the top of the window or from the top of the alcove, so that it would be especially suitable for the small libraries where the back window looks out on to a mews, and yet where light is distinctly needed.

* Good-morning, children, said a suburban doctor, as he met three or four little children on their way to school; • and how are you this morning?' •We dursen’t tell you,' replied the oldest, a boy of eight. * Dare not tell me !’ exclaimed the doctor. * And why not ?’ * ’Cause papa said that last year it cost him over ten pounds to come and ask us how we were.’