When  possible,  it  is  pleasant  and
convenient  to  have  two  living  rooms
thrown  together  by  folding  or  sliding
doors,  with  a  grill  and  portieres  or
other  suitable  draperies  across  the
opening.  The  effect  of  many  country
homes  could  be  greatly  improved  by
cutting  an  arch  or  square  opening
abowt  the  width  and  height  of  two
ordinary  doors  placed  side  by  side  or
slightly  wider,  so  as  to  throw  two
living  rooms  into  one.  Suitable  fold-
ing or  sliding  doors,  while  desirable,
are  not  necessary,  as  the  oj^ening  can
be  closed  by  means  of  heavy  hang-
ings sliding  on  a  rod,

"Front  Room." — Large  houses  and
ample  means  will,  of  course,  suggest
other  living  rooms,  as  the  library,
music  room,  a  special  sewing  room,
and  the  like.  But  these  are  neither
necessary    nor    possible    in    ordinary


households,  and  the  "front  room"
may  be  made  not  only  more  habitable
but  also  more  attractive  to  callers
and  guests  by  the  presence  of  a
piano  or  other  musical  instrument,
and  by  low  bookcases  built  along  the
walls,  three  or  four  shelves  high,  to
hold  the  family  collection  of  books,
and  stained  or  painted  to  match  the
woodwork.  Tlie  top  of  these  book-
cases may  be  finished  by  a  shelf
about  breast  higli,  or  slightly  lower,
on  which  plaster-of-Paris  casts,  vases,
or  flowers  and  other  appropriate  ob-
jects may  be  displayed.  A  "front
room"  having  the  walls  hung  with
suitable  cloth  or  paper  in  solid  col-
ors, or  two-toned  shades  of  brown  or
green,  with  shades  of  green  or  tan,
and  hangings  to  match  the  M^all  cov-
erings; a  hard-wood  floor  waxed  and
oiled,  or  floor  stained  or  painted  in
imitation  of  hard  wood,  or  a  solid-
color  floor  covering  of  denim  or  in-
grain filler,  with  rugs  of  Oriental
patterns  and  appropriate  furniture,
will  have  a.  distinctly  modern  and
artistic   atmosphere.
