Floors are the foundation, and to appear to lie in their appropriate place, they should be darker than the walls.

In the present consideration they are of great importance, for large rugs are costly and for inexpensive furnishing they are unnecessary. If the floors be attractive, or made so, a few small rugs are amply sufficient both for comfort and appearance; for the well polished floor, with reflective surface, is in itself a thing of beauty (See Plate 2). Whether it be the usual hardwood floor or differently treated, the result is equally good. In order not to halt the progress of this discussion full suggestions regarding various finishes are given in Part IV of this volume.

If rugs must be inexpensive, rag-rugs are especially commended to the reader's attention. Many of these are very attractive and various in their colourings. Anyone inclined to despise them will see that a large one is advantageously used upon the floor of such an excellent dining-room as that shown in Plate 96, and it may be said that they are to be preferred to cheap and tawdry rugs of greater pretensions, and are in much better taste. They are easily washed and good ones hold their colour for years. Cotton, linen, or woollen rugs in solid tones with border of darker or contrasting colour are also excellent, though the latter are more expensive. Braided rugs should not be forgotten, and if one is the possessor of good old hooked rugs he is indeed fortunate. Among the woollen rugs those with blocks about a foot square, in two tones or two colours, may now be secured at a reasonable price. These are very smart.

The purchase of very light summer rugs is to be deprecated, for they soil almost immediately, are too light in "value" to lie down well upon the floor, and so destroy the repose of the room. Very light effects in rag-rugs are likewise to be avoided. On the other hand dulness and heaviness of colour are not less undesirable.