The experience of the author is that the most attractive, inexpensive furniture is that made by the Leavens factory in Boston.  This furniture is so popular with all interior decorators that it needs no further advertising.  Order for each single iron bed two foot boards, instead of a head and a footboard.  This the factory will supply upon demand.  Then have your bed painted one of the colours you have chosen as in the colour scheme for your room.  Say, the prevailing note of your chintz.  Have two rolls made, to use at the head and foot (which are now of equal height) and cover these and the bed with chintz, or, if preferred, with sun-proof material in one of the other colours in your chintz.  By this treatment your cheap iron bed of ungainly proportions, has attained the quality of an interesting, as well as unique, “day-bed.”

PLATE XXII

     Two designs for day-beds which are done in colours to suit the
     scheme of any room.

These beds are fitted with box springs and a luxurious mattress of feathers or down, covered with silk or chintz, coverlet and cushions of similar material, in colours harmonising with beds.  If desired, these lounges can be made higher from the floor.

[Illustration:  Two Styles of Day-beds]

The most attractive cheap bureau is one ordered “in the plain” from the factory, and painted like the bed.  If you would entirely remove the factory look, have the mirror taken off the bureau and hang it on the wall over what, by your operation, has become a chest of drawers.  If you want a long mirror in your rooms, the cheapest variety is mirror glass, fastened to the back of doors with picture moulding to match woodwork.  This is also the cheapest variety of over-mantel mirrors.  We have seen it used with great success, let into walls of narrow halls and bedrooms and framed with a dull-gold moulding in the style of room.

For chairs, use the straight wooden ones which are made to match the bureau, and paint them like the bed and bureau.

For comfortable arm-chairs, wicker ones with chintz-covered pads for seat and back are best for the price, and these can also be painted.

Cheap tables, which match the bureau, when painted will do nicely as a small writing-table or a night-table for water, clock, book, etc.

If the floors are new and of hard wood, wax them and use a square of plain velvet carpet in a dark tone of your dominant colour.  Or if economy is your aim, use attractive rag rugs which are very cheap and will wash.

If your floors are old and you intend using a large velvet square, paint the edges of the floor white, or some pale shade to match the colour of the walls.  Or, use filling all over the floor.  If you cannot afford either and must use small rugs, stain or paint your floors a dark colour, to be practical, and use only necessary rugs; that is, one before bed, bureau and fireplace.