To Make a Davenport.—To utilize an old-fashioned heavy bedstead of valuable hard wood, as mahogany, oak, cherry, or walnut, that has been re placed by an iron or brass bed, lower the headboard by sawing off the legs, and taking out the panels. Lower the footboard in the same way. Saw it in two and use it for arms. Use one rail for the front part below the seat. Use the other rail and any removable pan els from the headboard to furnish the remainder of the siding. Even the rail brackets may be used to furnish the front at the lower edge of the rail. Have an upholsterer prepare a suit able top cushion of cloth or leather to match the wood. Make the seat of any cheap wood, as it will be covered by the cushion. The seat may be hinged, if desired, and thus provide underneath a receptacle for any de sired purpose. Anyone handy with tools can do this work, or a local cab inet maker can be employed at slight expense.
Or, to utilize an old-fashioned post bedstead, saw off the posts and make them into pedestals for lawn seats, chairs, taborets, tables, and similar articles.
Center Table.—Have a low center table, with a reading lamp or a hang ing lamp suspended over it, drawn out from the wall, and covered with books and periodicals, so that all the mem bers of the family can gather about it. Cover this with a suitable cloth to harmonize with the color scheme of the room. The opportunity thus sug gested of drawing up a number 'of chairs invites just the sort of infor mal social life that is so much needed in every community, and that cements the family bond as well as strengthens the ties of neighborliness.
Tea Table.—Have, if possible, in one corner of the room a small, low table with an alcohol lamp and suitable tea things for making a cup of tea with out going for it to the kitchen. This simple expression of hospitality gives a note of good cheer that is much needed in modern social life. There need be no formality suggested by a cup of tea offered to a caller even in the most quiet neighborhoods, and having all of the needful articles at hand helps to give the serving of tea an air of grace and naturalness.
Chairs.—Select chairs as other fur niture for simplicity and durability, and avoid complicated affairs such as the patent rockers, carved or stamped furniture, and all elaborate designs and decorations. The lines of the Morris chair suggest ease and comfort, and they are to be strongly recom mended. Chairs of willow and wicker work are graceful, comfortable, and satisfactory. Of course, mahogany and other hard woods will be selected by those who can afford them. As to design, the Colonial models and the Craftsman and Mission styles of furni ture are among the most satisfactory.
Taboret.—The low stand or taboret holding a graceful fern or other potted plant in a suitable jardiniere adds an agreeable touch of grace and color to the living room.
Music. — The modern invention of the mechanical piano player has un locked many a dusty piano and opened the whole world of music to thousands of homes. Heretofore the cost of a musical education has restricted the natural love of music in most families to but a. few simple hymns and tunes that almost anyone could play. Hence the piano need no longer be regarded as necessarily confined to homes where some member of the family has a pro nounced musical talent. Certainly nothing signifies more, with the pos sible exception of a collection of good books, than a musical instrument in the family living room.
Care of Piano.—To keep the piano or organ in good condition, arrange to have the atmosphere of the room dry, but not too dry, and at a moderate and even temperature. If the atmos phere is damp, there is a tendency for the wires to rust and the keys to stick. A dry heat without any moisture in the air will tend to check the varnish and also to injure the adjustment of a musical instrument. Hence, if rooms are heated by hot air, hang a small galvanized iron pail containing water from the under side of the register, so that the heated draught in coming up will bring a small amount of mois ture with it.
Or, if gas or coal stoves are used for heating, place a suitable vessel of wa ter on the top of the stove. The slight resulting moisture will be beneficial to all the furniture, although the piano will perhaps suffer most from the lack of it. The slight humidity is also good for the health of the family.
Do not stand the piano close against an outer wall, which may be damp or chilled from frost in winter, and if pos sible keep it out of a direct draught. If an upright piano, tack a dust cover of denim or other suitable material across the back to exclude dust, leav ing flaps wide enough to be thrown over the piano when sweeping. These can hang down behind the piano when not in use. Take care that no small articles laid on the keys find their way inside of the instrument. Have a mu sic cabinet, so as to keep the top of the instrument free from books and sheet music. Keep the piano closed when not in use, and have it tuned three or four times a year, or oftener, if necessary. If it is not kept up to pitch it will not stay in tune when required. An hour or two of practice on a piano each day will keep it in the best condition. But, if possible, every key on the keyboard should be struck at least once daily.