with a very
little gold in it; a gold and green Japanese leather dado; all the paint
one shade of sage-green, and a terra-cotta and white ceiling paper;
terra-cotta serge or damask curtains edged with ball fringe, and a
sage-green tablecloth with pale terra-cotta border. With the red
decoration the curtains &c. can be a rather faint pinky terra-cotta;
this produces an excellent effect, while in some rooms a dull blue would
harmonise most excellently with the red. Let me mention one other
trifle: always insist on that ghastly round in the centre of the
ceiling, above the gaselier, being removed. Workmen always say this is
impossible, just as they generally declare they cannot paint over
graining; but it is quite an easy business, and makes an immense
difference in the appearance of any room, and is another ‘little-thing’
the forgettingabout 1_s._
6_d._ to 2_s._ a yard, with good rugs scattered about. These are
expensive items, and would cost 8_l._ or 9_l._ to provide enough, and of
the right sort; but the wear of really good rugs is marvellous. I have
two large ones I bought at Treloar’s nearly ten years ago; they are in
the dining-room, where there is a great deal of wear and tear, and they
are as good now in appearance as the day I bought them, but I think they
cost me a little over 2_l._ 10_s._ each.

 [1] Since writing the above I have found my blue carpet at Messrs.
 Colbourne’s, 82 Regent Street, where it can always be procured.

Of course, if we spend on our carpets we must be prepared to save
elsewhere; our curtains need not cost us