Furniture still simple in its lines but of more expensive character will enlarge the scope of Modern decoration. Except for settees we have not yet employed upholstered pieces. Clumsy overstuffed chairs, as well as those "Morris" chairs which contain a vast quantity of lumber, should distinctly be avoided in the small house or apartment; but the "thin-armed" sofas and chairs and the "wing" chairs are often appropriate and desirable. A fine example of the former is shown in Plate 84 and of the latter and a love-seat in Plate 112.

Neither have we as yet touched upon the living-room which also must serve as a reception-room, and which therefore is desired to contain rather handsomer furniture than that so far considered. This may be realised by such types as are shown in Plate 125 in addition to the sofas just mentioned. As gate-leg tables, Windsor chairs, and four-post beds are distinctly historic and yet are appropriate to Modern furnishing, because of their simple character, so these pieces of Dutch origin, whether by way of Queen Anne or of modern derivation, are equally available. The arch-back chairs have a quaintly formal air and the pieces in printed linen are delightful. The chaise-longue or reading-couch would be charming at a window, and not less so at the foot of twin beds in a bedroom.

The use of such pieces as have now been mentioned, together with a good book-case and desk such as those in Plate 57, console table and a seating-stool or two, will insure an attractive result and will also be a departure from the method of furnishing by suite. This latter is an advantage that cannot always be obtained in comparatively inexpensive furnishing. The Farthingale chair and table above it in Plate 107 are also useful in the same way. How such uniformity may be broken up in the dining-room has already been shown; it is more difficult in bedrooms, as such furniture is generally made in suites, but the introduction of an odd piece or two - such as the chaise-longue already mentioned - will obviate monotony. A box-seat with an attractive piece of drapery thrown over it is another possibility. Many bedroom sets are now made with the alternative "vanity" bureau. Not one of them will be illustrated in these pages: their very form is almost sure to produce top-heaviness in design, and, as a friend of the writer's pertinently or impertinently remarks: "They seem to go with powdered noses".

While upon the subject of bedrooms it may be said that if there should happen to be a slight recess in the wall where the head of the bed is to go - unfortunately it is seldom the case - this recess may be draped attractively at top and sides.

PLATE 57. DESK. Height, 40 in., Width, 34 in.

LIBRARY TABLE. Length, 54 in., Width, 38 in.

BOOK-CASE. Height, 50 in., Width, 48 in. MAHOGANY.

Also Solid Mahogany Gate-leg Tables with octagonal, elliptical an circular tops and in various sizes.

Manufactured by Davies-Putnam Co., Grand Rapids. Mich.

PLATE 58. REPRESENTATIVE PIECES FROM 3 BEDROOM SUITES OF MAPLE FINISHED IN OLD IVORY ENAMEL.

Manufactured by Northern Furniture Co., Sheboygan, Wis.

PLATE 59 A. A SMALL, INEXPENSIVE ENCLOSED PORCH.

A Japanese lantern used over the electric light.

PLATE 59 B. A BREAKFAST-ROOM FOR ALL-THE-YEAR ROUND USE.

Painted furniture, plain-tone rug, and rep curtains.

Other bedroom suites are illustrated in Plates 58 and 59. The first of these are not strictly Sheraton, Hepplewhite or Louis XVI, but all are of simple generally Neo-Classic design. They therefore occupy a middle ground, and may without incongruity be used both in Period houses and in Modern furnishing. The set for the small child is also excellent and its ivory enamel may readily be cleaned with a damp cloth. One of the other sets is to be obtained in French grey, which is less usual than ivory;* another is supplied in both American walnut and antique mahogany finish. The lines of all are graceful and refined.

Whenever it is possible so to do the bedroom should be used for retiring purposes only, and other occupations, such as sewing, kept out. This is, however, not always possible in small premises. Bachelors or maids may indeed be obliged to use one room for almost everything; in such cases the day-bed will prove an institution.

V. Additional Rooms

As has been remarked, the adjective "small" as applied to the house is an elastic term, and the same is true of apartments. There may frequently exist in these larger premises opportunities not yet considered, or but partially so, such as rooms which may be used as the separate drawing- or reception-room, morning-rooms, card-rooms, boudoirs, especially effective guest-chambers and sun-rooms. Some schemes and suggestions for these will follow in the next Section but two very attractive simple sun-rooms are illustrated here (Plates 59A and 59B).

* Ivory furniture has been a good deal overdone in America of recent years and grey, darker tones, or natural wood is at present preferable.