Modern Finishes

The dining room is one of the most important rooms in the house and should be treated with much thought and care. The popular fumed oak finish is very practical and is growing in favor daily, although the early English is a good finish, as is also the beautiful flaked quartered golden oak. With the exception of the several mahogany finishes, these three just named are practically all that go into the modern dining room. The darker finishes, early English and fumed oak, are mostly used in the straight line effects such as arts and crafts or so-called mission lines. The golden oak finishes at present run to colonial and claw foot designs, and will no doubt always be staple.

In mahogany, the period furniture designs predominate, with the colonial in the lead, while the Sheraton is a close second. English ideas present suits in the stained oaks and are growing in demand. Any of these make a handsome setting for a room.

Dining Tables

When planning for the dining table, be sure the size of the table is known before buying the table linen. The size of the dining room must be considered before one can determine the size of table wanted. Round pedestal tables measuring forty-eight or fifty-four inches in diameter when closed, are most in demand. Such tables are provided with pedestal lucks which allow an extension of the top to six feet without pulling the base of the table apart In the period styles a great many leg tables are used. The table most in demand is that which measures eight feet when extended. Tables can be had in lengths up to and including twelve feet. Some are so made that the tops may be easily removed in halves, a nice feature when moving. Metal pins archest for the leaves or fillers, as they are stronger and more secure than wooden pins, and overcome the fault of the leaves binding and the edges splitting when placed next to and adjoining each other. It is sometimes necessary to leave one of the fillers or leaves in the table, and at a little extra cost, leaves may be had with small aprons on the end which drop and continue the rim of the table, in which the unsightly break ordinarily appears. The finer tables usually have these features, which prove a valuable asset when doilies are used.

Table Pads

Every table should have a table pad to go under the cloth, to prevent marring the top by hot dishes or by the accidental spilling of liquids. To select a table mat is no easy problem, as there are about fifty different kinds of pads on the market. Asbestos table pads are the most numerous and are very satisfactory. Asbestos will, however, absorb moisture and consequently will hold any liquid which might be spilled on the table. Such pads are liable to stick to the table when anything hot is placed on them, and especially so in damp weather, as they absorb moisture. Although asbestos is fireproof, it will contain and hold heat.

Cork is the greatest insulator of heat known. The next is felt, made from hemp straw. After that comes the "wool felt," which in most table pads is used with a liner of asbestos.

Buy a table pad which is liquid proof over the entire surface and at the joints, made so by an oil cloth or imitation leather top. This kind can be washed, which is absolutely essential to cleanliness, and if anything is spilled it will not ruin the beautifully finished table by going through the mat. Sections of mats to cover the leaves can be procured, in case a leaf or two is necessary to secure a greater length. They also help to produce a perfectly even surface.