October 10, 1944

Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Susan Salser

Detroit, Michigan, United States

An Edith B. Crumb interior design column.

Old Chest Not Only Useful but Can Keynote a Room​
By Edith B. Crumb

Mrs. W. T. seems to think she is abused because she has to include in her household furnishings an old chest which she has just recently inherited.

From her description of it, I would say that it is an American Empire chest in tiger maple and cherry. It has three small drawers across the top, one drawer back of a molding front (really concealed), one very deep one and three shallow ones.

Frankly, I cannot sympathize with Mrs. T. To my mind, she is in the fortunate position of having a fine old piece of furniture around which to build a room, or which may be a room's odd piece that will serve many purposes and in the long run prove to be a very good friend, indeed.

A chest is one othe most accommodating pieces of furniture we have. It may be used in hall, living room, library, breakfast room, bedroom or kitchen.
Mrs. T.'s chest is one of the larger ones that would only be appropriate for living room, dining room or bedroom; but as one of the important pieces in a dining room scheme, it would be lovely.

Because it is of maple and cherry it allows for an interesting grouping of furniture.

The table in this group might be of cherry, drop leaf style - not too delicate in design, however, for the Empire type is a heavy one and does not mix well with delicacy. Rope or turned legs, of which there should be eight, would be appropriate and the table leaves should be almost floor length.

Chairs for this might be of maple; Hitchcock style would be a good choice, with the seats either wooden or rush.

For a server, a small sewing table with two drawers and drop leaves might be used effectively.

As a background for these furnishings, wall paper in rust brown and tan is suggested - the design, a small repeat one similar to that seen in old trunk lining papers. The woodwork may match the ground to the paper or, if it is pine, have a honey finish.

The floor covering might be a large oval braided rag rug in hit-and-miss effect. At the window there might be sash curtains (straight, one pair for the upper and one for the lower) of white organdie, voile, balloon cloth or some other sheer cotton material trimmed down the front edges and across the bottom at the inner edges of the hems with two-inch bands of bright blue ground percale with a small calico design.

This percale could also be used for the covering of pads for the Hitchcock chairs, with the seams finished with self ruffles.

Mrs. T. should search shops for some opalescent sandwich glass knobs for this chest, as these were probably the original drawer hardware.

Brass candlesticks, old blue and white pitchers, sugar bowls and handleless cups may be arranged on the top of the chest.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.