Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/373

 FURNITURE FOR COTTAGE DWELLINGS. 3i9 from llic coiiunon nail or liook. The umbrella stand, fig. 726, might very well be made of aist iron ; and could not, in that material, cost more than a fourth of what it would r% in any description of wood ; but in this, and in similar cases, the objection is, the first expense of the pattern, which, being necessarily considerable, cannot be prudently in- curred, unless the manufacturer be secure of an extensive sale. We could wish that our furnishing ironmongers would direct a portion of that power of invention which seems to be now almost exclusively occupied in contriving bad fireplaces, to the improving of the designs and lowering the price of cabinet furniture, by the judicioxis introduction of cast iron. IMuch, we are sure, will one day be done in this way. For a small cottage, a very useful comer umbrella stand, may be formed by bending a piece of stout brass, or iron wire, somewhat in the form of c d in fig. 727, and fixing it in the angle of the porch, inmaediately within the out- side door; placuig below a corner tray of tinned or cast iron, e, to receive the water from the wet umbrellas. The use of the wire is to prevent the wet umbrellas from touching the wall, and the use of the bends in it is to keep the um- brellas or walking-sticks apai-t. 692. A Toicel Horse hsLS generaily one rail at top ; but a double rail, as in fig. 728, is a great improve- ment ; for, when a wet towel is thrown across both rails, the air has freer access to it, and it dries much sooner. It may be fonned of deal, and should at all events be painted, for the reasons given when speaking of fixed towel rails, § 610. 693. Clock-cases for cottages may be harmonised both with the style of the building and that of the other furniture, by the lines of their mouldings and the forms of their panels. Figs. 729 and 730 are examples; the former in the Gothic, and the latter in the Grecian style. 694. A Folding Screen, for keep- ing oflF the wind, is required in most cottage kitchens, particularly such as have no porch or lobby. The most suitable, where there is room, is the settle, § 636, especially with the addition of Mallet's iron castors ; but very light and efficient screens may be formed by two or more wooden frames, five feet high, and two feet wide, hinged with girth webbing or leather, so as to fold either way. llie mode of hinging, so as to admit of this, is by nailing the pieces of girth which serve as hinges, alternately to one side of