Plates, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, and 23 show a representative selection from a very large assortment of furniture that has been made here for a number of years and which has found its place in many American homes. It is mostly of oak, though there are some pieces of ash, birch and mahogany. All except the latter are supplied in three finishes - either stained in shades to be chosen by the purchaser, enamelled in any colour selected, or enamelled and decorated. They are also furnished, where so desired, unfinished, so that they may be treated in any way chosen by the householder or decorator.

For the convenience of the reader it may be mentioned that all this particular line of furniture is sold direct and not through the dealer, and that the manufacturers send to intending purchasers envelopes of loose sheets illustrating it and detailing the particulars of size, weight, and the like, with colour-chart of the various stains and price-list of the separate pieces. Other inexpensive furniture, procurable through dealers, is also shown in this section in Plates 18-21 and 24-28.

To return for the present to that first mentioned, it will be seen as we proceed that certain pieces are susceptible of two or more uses, and, as that is often the case with other furniture as well, it is a point to be remembered; for in moving from one property to another different adjustments in the new home from those obtaining in the former one are often advisable.

It is also to be noted that the furniture illustrated in this first section falls, generally, into two classes - straight-line and turned-leg pieces. The first is usually the least expensive. In selecting, it is desirable to keep each room coherent in this respect of form, though both may be used in the same house or apartment. Where there is existing furniture it is naturally wiser to choose that which best accompanies what is already in use. Frequently the pieces at present occupying two or more rooms may be weeded out and the most desirable specimens gathered into one, when the rooms thus vacated may be newly furnished throughout, so securing freshness and a coherent result.

PLATE 14. STRAIGHT-LINE LIVING-ROOM FURNITURE.

Manufactured and Sold by William Leavens & Co., Inc., Boston. Mass.

The fumiture shown on Plates 14-17 is of oak or birch in various stains as desired or in enamel. See text.

PLATE 15. STRAIGHT-LINE BEDROOM AND DINING-ROOM FURNITURE.

Manufactured and Sold by William Leavens & Co., Inc., Boston, Mass.

We may begin with the living-room.

As the first necessity of comfort is seating space, the first piece illustrated (Plate 14) is a settee. The leather covering of seat and pillows is not however advised, as the opportunity for colour is lost. This will be considered later. This settee is supplied in both five feet and six feet lengths and it is worth mentioning that the smaller is the more advantageous where it is to be placed at the side of a fireplace, as it only juts that distance out upon the floor space. The slat back is also a good feature, because its openness of appearance preserves the spaciousness of the room. But, in considering seating-space, facilities other than the settee are to be remembered. The day-bed has of late years come into its own, and it is frequently a great convenience in small premises, where, with pillows, it makes an attractive piece of seating-furniture by day and a bed, if necessary, at night. Good examples are illustrated in Plates 17 and 25. The boxcouch is also useful in the same ways, affords a certain amount of storage-space, and may be made most attractive. Wicker furniture should not be forgotten, and a few pieces, either painted or plain, mingled with the wooden pieces often add interest when colourful fabrics are used on the cushions. Here, then, is already a wide choice of facilities.

Comfortable, inviting chairs are needed, and for cheap arm-chairs there is nothing better than the wicker just referred to. The line of furniture first mentioned contains a large number of arm- and side-chairs, not illustrated here, from which a further selection may be made, and there are also many good ones - and many bad ones - to be found in the general market.

An excellent bookcase is shown in Plate 14, and this is also supplied half the breadth and with single door. Both table- and drop-leaf desks are illustrated here, and a table with drawer. This table has a top 32 x 18 inches and it will at once be seen that it is therefore an excellent occasional-table which could be used either against the wall or on the floor-space in a living-room, or would be convenient in bedroom or sewing-room, or would make an available serving-table in the dining room.

So with the last piece of furniture on this plate and the more ornamental example on Plate 23. These are primarily intended as seats for dressing-tables, but, as the writer will continually suggest individual furnishing in these pages, he strongly commends the use in the living-room of seating-stools. These are chair-height - 17 1/4 inches - and one or two of them conveniently placed and attractively cushioned and tasselled, as later will be detailed, give the unusual touch and are particularly handy to drop down upon for a moment or to draw up quickly when one is engaged in a short conversation.