Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/367

 FURNITURE FOR COTTAGE DWELLINGS. 343 tion of common glass prepared as looking-glass, nie same may be done in Grecian cottages by imitating a Grecian window. By placing mirrors of this kind so as to reflect the best exterior views, apparent extent, variety, and gaiety may sometimes be added to even smitll rooms. Where it is desired to have richly ornamented frames, they can be had in great variety, and at a very moderate price, made of the papier mache of Bielefield and Haselden (see § 568), or of a composition manufactured by Jackson of Rathbone Place. 677. Dressing-glasses may have tlieir frames made either in the Grecian or Gothic style. Fig. 715 is the ordinary form, improved in the style of design, so as to har- monise with Grecian forms; and, if the supporters were of cast-iron bronzed, it might be recommended : but, made of wood, it is not heavy enough to resist the action of the wind against the back of the glass when the window is open ; and, accordingly, bed-room glasses of this description are very frequently blown down and broken. Fig. 714 is 715 also a Design in tlie Grecian style, with a plinth or base of solid wood, on which it stands. Such glasses are called by cabinet-makers plateau glasses ; and they are far preferable to the common sort, for obvious reasons. Figs. 716 and 717 are Designs for plateau glasses in the Gothic style, which are given principally to show that style should be attended to in minor as well as in major articles of furniture. Fig. 717 has a drawer for trinkets, &c. 716 717 678. Fenders should be low, and may be narrow, when the fuel chamber is placed low ; and more especially when the beveled front bais and drawer, § 599, fig. 534, are used. The lower and narrower the fender, the more heat, other circumstances being the same, will be radiated into the room. The front of the fender, unless very low indeed, ought always to be of open work, in order to admit through it the radiation from the fire. The forms and lines and general style of the fender ought to be the same as those of the grate ; and both ought to harmonise with the chimney-piece. We have seen a cottage fender with a well hole inside for containing coals ; thus serving instead of a coal scuttle, and at the same time drying the fuel so as to diminish the quantity of smoke produced ; in this case the fender and its well fitted into a sunk panel in the hearth, and as it was in the house of a toll bar keeper, who had to sit up all night, it proved convenient ; because the coals were always at hand, and burned readily when put on the fire. Fenders should have stands for fire-irons, unless a substitute is provided by holders being screwed to the grate. The cheapest kind of cottage fenders are of painted wire, and these may do for parlours and bed-rooms; but there are very handsome and cheap fenders of cast iron, which are much more appropriate tor kitchens. 679. Fire-irons, stoves, and grates, w hen of polished iron or steel, require a great deal