Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/1104

 1080 COTTAGE, FAllM, AXD VILLA AllCH riECTURE 1U82 linings were formerly common, but they have now given way to plain white or spotted ones ; the reason for which is, that the latter will admit of being washed, without injuring ihe colour of the spots, which the former do not. Dimity curtains, for both beds and windows, are considered in good taste, especially in the country, where they keep long clean. Moreen used to be employed for the hangings of best beds and bed-room win- dows; but it is now considered as apt to harbour moths and other vermin; and there- fore, in these economical times, it is much less used than formerly. It has, however, the advantage of not taking fire so readily as chintz or dimity ; but were these latter, imme- diately after being washed, dipped in a solution of alum in clear water, they would be "•endercd much less liable to injury from fire than moreen, or any other stuff of which wool is the basis. Any one may prove this, by trying the effects of a solution of alum on a cambric pocket handkerchief 21:53. French Bedstead. Fig. 1984, to a scale of half an inch to a foot, is a French bedstead with a circidar top ; and with round projecting pillars in front, in which the castors are concealed. The drapery may be of chintz, dimity, or muslin, so as to cor- respond with the window curtains of the room. 2134. Bed Pillars. Fig. 1983 shows four patterns which may be executed in mahogany, oak, or beech ; or they may be made of deal, and painted and grained. These four patterns of bed-pillars will be considered by most persons, as well cabinet- makers as others, to be very handsome ; and it may be worth while to enquire in what their beauty consists. The first thing that strikes the eye in them, after surveying their general form, is the quantity of carving with which they are decorated, and the different rarrow-turned necks or mouldings, which occur on that portion of the pillar, which is