Wall tables, or consoles, may be of the same wood as the woodwork or of marble, or of some dark polished wood.  There are no more useful pieces of furniture than consoles, and yet we only see them in great houses.  Why?  Because they are simple, and we haven’t yet learned to demand the simple.  I have had many interesting old console-tables of wrought iron support and marble tops copied, and I have designed others that were mere semi-circles of white painted wood supported by four slender legs, but whether they be marble or pine the effect is always simple.  There are charming consoles that have come to us from the Eighteenth Century, consoles made in pairs, so that they may stand against the wall as serving-tables, or be placed together to form one round table.  This is a very good arrangement where people have one large living room or hall in which they dine and which also serves all the purpose of daily intercourse.  This entirely removes any suggestion of a dining-room, as the consoles may be separated and stand against the wall during the day.

Many modern houses are being built without the conventional dining-room we have known so long, there being instead an open-air breakfast room which may be glazed in winter and screened in summer.  People have come to their senses at last, and realize that there is nothing so pleasant as eating outdoors.  The annual migration of Americans to Europe is responsible for the introduction of this excellent custom.  French houses are always equipped with some outdoor place for eating.  Some of them have, in addition to the inclosed porch, a fascinating pavilion built in the garden, where breakfast and tea may be served.  Modern mechanical conveniences and the inexpensive electric apparatus make it possible to serve meals at this distance from the house and keep them hot in the meantime.  One may prepare one’s own coffee and toast at table, with the green trees and flowers and birds all around.

Eating outdoors makes for good health and long life and good temper, everyone knows that.  The simplest meal seems a gala affair when everyone is radiant and cheerful, whereas a long and elaborate meal served indoors is usually depressing.

XIV

THE BEDROOM

In olden times people rarely slept in their bedrooms, which were mostly chambres de parade, where everyone was received and much business was transacted.  The real bedroom was usually a smallish closet nearby.  These chambres de parade were very splendid, the beds raised on a dais, and hung with fine damasks and tapestries—­tapestries thick with bullion fringes.  The horror of fresh air felt by our ancestors was well illustrated here.  No draughts from ill-constructed windows or badly hung doors could reach the sleeper in such a bed.

[Illustration:  AN OLD PAINTED BED OF THE LOUIS XVI.  PERIOD]