Youth's Educator For Home And Society

CHAPTER XVIII

THE GUEST CHAMBER.

OPINIONS and customs have changed considerably within the past few years, on many points. Once it was thought absolutely necessary to have a room set apart for the honored guest, whose splendid appointments should eclipse the remainder of the sleeping rooms. When there were no visitors at the house it was shut up and left to its silence and loneliness. These chambers were made quite elegant, but they somehow lacked the home feeling of the more modern room provided for friends.

A more sensible and just feeling is growing that one's household should all be cared for, and that no special outlay should be made with reference to any 'particular portion of the dwelling. But every house should have a room or two set apart 'for the use of the cherished guest within your gates, and this can be made both cheery and inviting, by the exercise 'of a little taste and small expense.

CHILDREN'S ROOMS.

We would have the little one's rooms so near to 225 the mother, that she could exercise constant supervision of them. A room next the mother's should be devoted to them, with a door cut between the two; and thus she would have ready access to them, at the first call. Children should never be put to sleep with servants or a very old person, no matter how cramped for sleeping room you may be.

SELECT A PLEASANT ROOM.

The guest chamber should be one of the pleasantest rooms in the house. A large and nicely furnished apartment so that a guest would not be made uncomfortable for want of room. It should not be too far away from the other members of the family, or a sense of loneliness and isolation will be induced. Nor should it be so near that the noise and stir of housekeeping will disturb their rest too early in the morning.

CARING FOR GUESTS.

Every care should be taken to make the guest feel that he is surrounded with kind and loving guardianship. But the ordinary routine of the home-life should not be so disarranged that the presence of a guest will come to be considered almost an infliction. It is injurious to children to allow any intrusion or interruption of the daily routine of their lives and is especially displeasing to them.

VENTILATION OF SLEEPING ROOMS.

All chambers should be well ventilated from the outside. A room where the morning sun streams in is to be preferred, when it is obtainable, and in point of health has advantages over the dark, close, rooms lit by side lights, found in many of the city houses.

NOT ROOM ENOUGH.

There are many times when one or two guest chambers will not suffice for the number the family may be entertaining. In that case, the children may be disposed of by occupying less roomy quarters, and sacrificing their personal comfort to that of their parent's friends. It can be made a source of pleasant contriving how to crowd a dozen people into the space where less than half that number are placed usually, and the children will get a great deal of fun out of the affair.

NOT TOO ELABORATE.

We do not wish to be understood as inferring that the guest chamber may not be made a pleasant resting place; but we do object to their being made so elegant as to utterly eclipse all the other apartments. We would have every sleeping room; from the little ones up to the oldest member of the home circle made attractive as taste can make it. We do not admire such violent contrasts as are afforded occasionally, where the family occupy rooms scantily and, even meanly furnished, and no effort is made to beautify. The cracked glass or comb with half the teeth gone, rickety chairs, torn towels, etc., are relegated to these apartments, for "they are good enough for home-use," while most elaborate pains are bestowed upon the – show-room we had almost said-guest chamber; thus making the room intended for company, and which is only in use now and then, a veritable "bower of beauty."

A DETRIMENT TO CHILDREN.

This course will have a bad effect upon the minds of the children of a household. It tends to make them unrefined and careless of outward appearances, and they learn to do their daily tasks in a slipshod, half-finished way. Seeing no attempt at making the home attractive, they do not take pride in it, themselves. A feeling of discontent is engendered. They visit, in their turn, and seeing the taste and cultivation displayed elsewhere, they ask – "Why can we riot have a pretty room like this?" It has still more injurious effects in the, example that is set of putting on a "company dress" as it were, and curtailing the comforts that belong to the occupants of the home. If parents cannot afford much, let them have that, little all the time, and cordially invite your friends to share with you. Each member will thus take a interest in all that pertains to the welfare of home, and will mutually strive to adorn and brighten its surroundings.

WHAT SHOULD IT BE?

The guest chamber should be noticeable for three things: The taste and judgment shown in its furnishing; its air of home-like comfort and ready access; and the scrupulous cleanliness which should prevail.

SUITABILITY OF FURNISHING.

Every room in a house, no matter whether attic or parlor, should be planned and furnished with an eye to harmony. The articles of furniture should correspond to the size and shape of the room, and the position in that room which the furniture is to occupy. The same regard must be paid to the colors of the walls, the draperies, and all other things. Sleeping rooms should always be decorated with light, pleasing tints. Nothing somber or gloomy should have a place here: One involuntarily shivers when he recalls the pomp and massiveness of the state chambers of days gone by – the funeral hangings of velvet, the lofty couch, the armored knights, the dim light of wax tapers casting their flickering shadows into the gloomy depths. A thousand times more desirable are the guest chambers of to-day, with bright draperies, and sunny outlook!

If one's taste inclines him to dark furniture these light shades of wall and ornaments will harmonize very well; but our individual preference would always be for light-colored furniture for a sleeping room,

ARRIVAL OF A GUEST.

When a guest arrives, at once show him to the room he is to occupy, that he may remove the dust of travel, and prepare for the meal which should follow at once for his special refreshment, unless it chances that the usual family meal is close at hand.

The chamber should be in perfect order, and provided with plenty of towels, a hair-brush and comb, and fine soap.

THE BED.

This should be wholesome and clean, the mattress, thick and soft. The sheets should be snowy-white, and the clothing for the couch should be ample. The outside spread should be of pure white material, or else a delicate blue, gray or pink. Red and somber counterpanes should be banished from our chambers. The pillows should be large and square, of down or hair. The latter are much liked by people who are subject to headaches.

An extra pair of blankets or a comforter should be neatly folded and laid across the foot of the bed, or on a chair at hand, for the use of the guest, should the usual covers be insufficient.

LAMPS.

All sleeping rooms should be provided with a small night lamp, for those who do not like a dark room, A small lamp is preferable to a gas-jet turned down low, as the least draft from outside is liable to extinguish that, and the odor from escaping gas is intolerable. A small lamp is better, but do not turn that down; the flame from a lamp with a tiny .tube, is not sufficiently bright to disturb one's slumbers. It can easily be shaded by a paper or book.

FURNITURE IN A CHAMBER.

A room for sleeping should never be overcrowded with furniture. But there are some articles that are indispensable, as a lounge, for the comfort of the guest in the day-time. A rocker is a very nice adjunct, and few can resist the temptation of using them, in spite of what physicians say against them. They are also very handy if the visitor happens to be a lady with a young child,

CHAIRS.

These should be light and graceful, and decorated with embroidered scarfs with fringed ends or trimmed with chenille balls which are so reasonable in price. The pretty little Madras scarfs are very charming, and not at all expensive. They may be knotted loosely over the chair or back of the lounge, and give it a picturesque look.

PICTURES.

There should not be many pictures, and those which are hung, should be chosen from simple subjects. Children's heads and still-life are the most appropriate.

CURTAINS.

Some people are partial to heavy draperies, but in that, as all the other accessories, lightness and cheerfulness are more in keeping. Use light and floating material, and make the curtains hang so full that when draped they will serve the double purpose of softening the glare of the morning light, and secluding the inmates of the room from view. Swiss muslin, gay Madras, or some of the prettily striped cheese cloth, looped with bright-colored ribbons, has a good effect.

TINTED WALLS.

The walls should be in subdued and: delicate tints. A narrow border helps ornament them. When carpets are used, they must be bright and cheerful, and the pattern rather small. Many ladies object to carpets, considering them harborers of dust; they are also heavy to remove and cleanse; both of which objections are reasonable. Oiled floors, straw matting, and heavy rugs are substituted for carpets in many homes of means.

WHAT IS NEEDED.

Among the useful additions to the guest's chamber is a sewing basket, a few shelves for books, a dressing case, and a footstool. It is not merely a place where your guest passes the night, but must be made convenient and alluring, so that should he or she be so inclined, a rest can be obtained during the busy hours of day.

WRITING MATERIALS.

A stand or small desk well-stocked with stationery, for the use of those who come unprepared with writing materials, would be appreciated. Such additions to the room give it a more home-like air.

ACCESSORIES NECESSARY.

On the dresser should be found a nail-brush, comb, shoe-buttoner, hair-brush and pincushion. The hairbrush can be kept clean by adding spirits of ammonia to a basin of water, and passing the brush through it several times; then rinse and stand it upright, resting on the point of the handle, to drain.

At least a couple of drawers in the bureau should be left empty, for the convenience of the visitor who may make a prolonged stay.

Do not forget a small basket for scraps of paper and combings of hair. This should be emptied every morning.

And the match-box – keep it filled. What a lovely feeling it will give, if you are restless and wish to rise; you try to light the gas, and there are no matches to be found. The careful hostess will look to it that all these simple details are attended to.

A WATER BOTTLE.

A water bottle is better adapted for drinking water, as it is less exposed to the air of the sleeping room than a pitcher. The water and a tumbler should be sent into the room fresh, just before retiring.

It is to be hoped that the hostess will not forget to prepare her windows with screens, and the bed with a netting, to keep out those pests of city and country – mosquitoes.

The etiquette which pertains to every department of social life is to be observed here. The guest must be made welcome to the comforts provided. The articles specified are all necessary to promote that comfort, and although many expensive ones can be added, still those we have described can be made by home ingenuity and a moderate outlay in money, and should have a place in every sleeping room, increasing the pleasure of the family as well as that of the guest.

Beautify to your hearts content, but not at the expense of other's comfort, and never sacrifice taste to display.

Have the best you can afford – but let the home circle share it each day. Your guest will thus never take you at a disadvantage, but will find you ever ready to dispense your hospitality in a simple, unaffected manner.