January 18, 1931

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

Detroit, Michigan, United States

An article by discussing decorating a guest bedroom.

Calico Print Refurbishes Guest Room
By Edith B. Crumb
The problem of the new draperies, bedspreads, pillows, and other accessories for the home is not such a difficult one if the possibilities of the reproductions of the old calicos are considered, for this material is approximately 25 cents a yard and is very ideal for many articles for the home.

Suppose a small guest room is to be furnished and there is very little money to spend on it. The painting of the woodwork may be done by the home maker, if she is so inclined and does not mind to spend the time and thus save enough money to buy material for the draperies and bedspread. A coat of flat paint and a couple of coats of enamel will give a god washable finish and one that will be attractive.

Paint Woodwork Green
The woodwork in this room might be finished in a light shade of green and the walls papered ( by an experienced paper hanger) with an ivory ground paper having a light green, small conventional design. With this background the floor may be covered with a small sized hooked rugs or oval braided rag mats which may be fashioned by the home maker from rags and burlap. Old stockings cut in strips are just fine for this purpose also.

Or, small strips (approximately one and one half yards long) of light green Wilton might be used for the floor covering. These could be bound at each end.

Furniture, already in the room may be used, but it new is to be purchased, the light maple will be attractive and right now is very inexpensive. A full sixed bed, chest of drawers, and separate over mirror may be selected for this room, and either a Windsor or ladder back chair added.

A dressing table may be made by attaching a board to the wall with metal or wooden brackets and a skirt attached to this, a mirror of early American character used over it.

The glass curtains in this room may be made of a sheer quality of cream muslin, finished with one inch side hems, a three inch bottom hem and make long enough to reach to the sill. One often sees ruffled muslin curtains, but these are not as attractive as those of organdie for they are not as crisp and dainty, therefore the straight hanging curtain is the better style for the muslin.

Trim with Plain Ruffles
The over draperies may be of yellow ground calico with a tiny red and black sprigged design, these being made long enough to reach to the bottom of the apron and trimmed with ruffles of plain light green chambray. There may be ruffles of light green plain gingham or Stateen if preferred. Sometimes one finds it much easier to match a shade in Stateen than chambray and gingham sometimes comes at a little higher price, so inasmuch as economy is foremost in the scheme of this room, perhaps Stateen would be the best choice.

There may be ruffled valances as top treatment for these draperies and the tie backs may be made of the same combination of materials. The valance may have a three quarter inch heading and be put on the rod in shirred style.

Make Skirt for Table
The skirt for the dressing table may be made of the yellow ground calico trimmed with yellow ground calico trimmed with three narrow frills of the light green Stateen, the top of the table being painted green to match the woodwork. The mirror over this table may be one with a simple wood frame also finished in light green.
One each end of the dressing table may be a glass lamp of the kerosene type, electrified and equipped with a paper shade decorated with a Godey or botanical print.

This department has a leaflet on the decorating and furnishing of early American bedrooms and anyone wishing it may have it by sending their request to the Beauty in the Home Department, The Detroit News, enclosing with it a self addressed, stamped envelope.

Plaids Threaten polka Dot Reign
Plaids threaten to be to this spring what polka dots were to last. Staccato, dynamic, they have the same gay appeal but with the advantage of greater possible variety. The clever woman, however, will not wait till the spring to wear them, but will put their newness to immediate use. At the very moment, they are a superb way of introduction color under long, dark coats of fur or fabric.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.