HINTS ON HOUSE FURNISHING, WITH COMPLIMENTS OF Bfotnal Finite and ffl’fg Go. 6th AVENUE AND 17th STREET, Nos. 263 Sixth. Avenue and 104 and 106 West 17th Street, NEW YORK. HINTS ON HOUSE FURNISHING, WITH COMPLIMENTS OF THE 6th Avenue and 17th Street, Nos. 263 Sixth Avenue and 104 and 106 W. Seventeenth St, NEW Y O R K . 'fP'HE unsatisfied demand for something new necessitates constant change in fejS Furniture, as in every other branch of industry; new ideas come to pur- chaser and to maker, and to harmonize these, new styles must be wrought and presented. After many years’ experience in wood-working, we are entirely competent to do the very best work in that line ; we employ in every department the most skilled workmen, and our designers are thoroughly educated, and fully alive to the wants and demands of the present time. Our factories are extensive, fully equipped and rightly adapted for the work required ; personal supervision is given to the smallest details of our business, whether as to making, finishing or delivering goods. We cannot do justice to our Carpet Department by describing its stock, but a visit will convince anyone that it is the most complete and largest in the city. Bear in mind that shoppers to our warerooms will labor under no dis- advantage, as it is a pleasure to show goods, and a large and commodious passenger elevator passes through the building. Under these conditions we are enabled to speak confidently of our ability to produce, largely and promptly, goods that cannot be surpassed in elegance of design, reliability of the work, and beauty and durability of the finish. We seek, therefore, a share of your patronage, and guarantee satisfactory dealings in every particular. All letters of inquiry, etc., will receive our full and im- mediate attention. THE MUTUAL PUI^NITUI^E 60., 2G3 Sixth Avenue, Near 17th St. NEW YORK. MUTUAL FURNITURE .COLUMBIA iMVjERSilY HINTS ON When our advice is sought in the purchase of Furniture we always give the first place to qualities of usefulness, durability and perfection of workmanship ; and the second to a consideration of beauty and artistic value. If a piece of cab- inet furniture is well made it should last from fifty to a hundred years, but if badly put together it becomes a source of annoyance and expense from the day it is purchased. THE HALL. — In entering a house the Hall or Vestibule is naturally the first division of a house that meets the eye, and should, therefore, be of a quiet and undemonstrative nature, or else it should give the key-note to the entire house. In any case the furniture as well as the decoration and wall-paper should be in a lower tone than the rest of the house, never richer. An umbrella stand, a hat rack or some other appliance for hats and coats, are the necessary requisites for a hall. The choice of color depends largely upon the treatment of the walls. Light or dark oak, or American walnut, are useful woods, if the decoration admits of it. Antique oak, however, is the prevailing wood for Halls. Many householders use matting, while others who wish a noiseless floor-cov- ering think that nothing can equal a Brussels carpet. Whatever you put in the Hall, aim at a broad effect in carpeting the stairway. The stair-carpet should, of course, be carefully chosen to harmonize with the general scheme of the staircase and Hall. In the matter of wall-paper for the vestibule and stairway creamy yellow or buff, pale fawn, pale salmon, or light tones of Indian red, pale sage green, turquoise blue, are among the tints to be recommended. Grays are apt to have a gloomy effect, unless relieved by paint- ings or engravings. Take care not to let your hall overpower the rooms which are entered from it, but let it be subordinate and leading up to the colors of the reception-room. THE DINING-ROOM. — If the walls of the dining-room are dull red your dining-room furniture may be of light oak, or very dark oak. Mahogany or walnut stands well against sage or olive green, or dull gray blue. The furniture of a dining-room should of course be more substantial than that of the Drawing- room. In selecting a sideboard every one must be guided to some extent by individual taste. Tiles, painted leather, and carving in low relief, are all effective additions either to a sideboard or a cabinet. Round-cornered furniture is perhaps COMPANY, NEW YORK. FURNISHING. a little less dangerous than square with small children, but this is the sole advantage. Besides the sideboard, there are the extension table, side table, chairs, lounge, etc., all of which must harmonize with each other and with the side- board. Take care to get the best proportion and sizes possible for your dining- table, as much comfort depends on this. The length of the table when closed should not be too great, or it will be cumbrous to move. A dining-room chair should be strong, not too heavy to move, and comfortable. The seat and back may be upholstered or not. Favorite materials for covering dining chairs are Plain and Embossed Leather. In covering the Dining-room colored India mattings are sometimes used. Brussels carpet is the cheapest and best wearing for ordinary purposes, though a good Turkey carpet will prove in the long run an economical investment. If the carpet and walls are full of patterns and various colors, the curtains will be best of one color only, or two shades of the same color. A certain rich- ness and heaviness of decoration is not unbecoming in this room. Where oil paintings are hung, plain sage or olive green, or dull red walls make a good back- ground ; these may be painted, or suitable wall-papers provided. Pompeian red has been considerably used, and is very effective as well as tasteful. There are likewise the French leather papers, Japanese and real leathers, painted can- vas, or even some of the printed cretonnes, and a variety of means of covering the walls. THE DRAWING-ROOM OR PARLOR. — This room should be suited as nearly as possible to the varied purposes of recreation, social and intel- lectual, uniformly associated with its name. It is useless to have a lot of stiff high chairs. Rather vary the seats as much as possible, taking care they are not too high. Convenient ottomans in out-of-the-way angles and recesses are of use, as they relieve the centre of the room. The drawing-room admits of as much freedom of arrangement as you like, under certain graceful restraints. Choose out a convenient spot for your piano- forte, as much in the dark as possible. Then consider the best form of cabinet for your room, and, if possible, place it at the other end away from the piano. A moderate sized writing-table, pedestal, fancy table or flower-stand may stand in a recess or window. One or two small tables may also be distributed around the room. A small cabinet for music will generally fill in somewhere along the MUTUAL FURNITURE If the parlor seems too long, or you wish to break the line somewhere, a low folding screen, with painted or embroidered panels in a light framework may be introduced with good effect. It has been a fashion of late years to introduce a mirror with an elaborate arrangement of gilded framework, reaching from the ceiling nearly to the floor. The windows may be heavily draped with curtains of handsome material in keeping with the furniture. Lace curtains and lambrequins are also largely used. The Cabinet is an artistic piece of furniture for the Parlor, and may be made to contain books, portfolios, music, trinkets, and portable drawing-room property of various sorts. As a rule, a beveled mirror should occupy some portion of the back. Artistic bronzes, easels, corner stands, etc., are all suitable to the Drawing- room. Tt is impossible to lay down any set rules for the practical arrangement of an artistically furnished parlor. The walls, mirrors, sofas, chairs, pictures, rugs, etc., should form one continuous, harmonious, though varied panorama of pleas- ing forms and colors. The carpet and drapery should also fall into the scheme of the decoration, so that when we leave the roum it is with a feeling that it con- tains an indescribable something which soothes and gratifies our mind and senses — sweetness and light — refinement and beauty — although we are at a loss to tell precisely the causes which contribute to our satisfaction. Other rooms are more or less of a utilitarian order, but in the Parlor fancy reigns supreme, and our spirits find free scope, unfettered by the weightier cares of life. Whatever of poetry, of art, or of culture there is in us, will manifest itself in the furnishing and decoration of the Drawing-room. > THE LIBRARY . — If this room is set apart as a Library proper its arrangement will naturally take the form of a series of convenient book-shelves, closely and methodically filled. In most households, however, it is also a study or home office, a smoking and lounging room, a schoolroom, anteroom, etc. When this is the case it should be furnished in a pleasant and useful manner. It should contain two or more large desks, a heavy writing-table, fitted with drawers and cupboards for the reception of papers and manuscripts, besides many other conveniences for study or recreation. A certain rude, effective style is permis- sible in a nondescript room which would be out of place elsewhere. THE BEDROOM. — The furniture of a Bedroom presents no great difficulties in the way of selection, the different pieces being dictated by the re- quirements of rest and of the toilet. Walnut, ash, oak, mahogany, birch, or other sets may be selected. It is unnecessary to state that the bedstead should be the most comfortable and convenient one you can afford to purchase. The folding bed has become very popular, being so constructed as to fold up into the exact resemblance of a bureau, book-case, desk, wardrobe, sofa, mantel, parlor pier glass, or parlor cabinet. Folding beds are designed for sit- ting-rooms, or bedchambers used as sitting-rooms or boudoirs. The crowding COMPANY, NEW YORK. of large families into small spaces has considerably developed the “ folding ” or ■ “ combination” furniture. The greatest space occupied by furniture is the bed, and it is naturally desired to change its position from the horizontal to the vertical during the day. It frequently saves the expense of renting an additional room. Similar combinations in other articles of furniture have also come into vogue. The bedstead was formerly altogether of wood, now it is frequently of brass or iron, but the wood bedstead more completely furnishes the room. Touching the question of wall-paper, it is best not to select too sombre or too glaring shades. The Bedroom should look cool as well as cleanly. Whatever carpet is chosen it should be one of unobtrusive color. If you have a room of which the style is a little too sombre, then lighten it and brighten it by all the means in your power. If it be inclined to be garish and glaring, then subdue it. Straw matting is the next best thing to no carpet at all. The drapery should be light and not massive. Chenille or Turkoman with Swiss or Nottingham lace inside is not expensive and to be had in a variety of designs. Cretonnes are comely, too, if care be taken to avoid the very gaudy ones. Too much attention can scarcely be expended on our sleeping-rooms, in order that we may have them wholesome, convenient and cheerful. It is im- possible to over-estimate the value of refreshing sleep to a busy people like the Americans, particularly to the city folks, who are obliged to do much brain work. A couch or lounge, for instance, should not be omitted from a bedroom when the occupant can afford one. This resting-place is very tempting for an after- noon or evening nap. It should be low and broad, and comfortable enough to serve as a bed on occasion. In selecting a Bedroom set the preference seems to be for light-colored wood, finished in oils and of a design that is graceful rather than heavy. A full suit of bedroom furniture consists of bedstead, bureau, washstand, two small chairs, armchair, rocking-chair, couch, towel-rack, small table, mantel mirror and wardrobe. A bedroom set of the “Cottage ” style of furniture can be bought or ordered in any color that you may fancy. Cherry, antique oak, mahogany, walnut, and olive furnish a room in a very tasteful manner. One or two attractive pictures on the wall produce a very cheerful effect. CARPETS. — It has been truly said that to go through our Carpet Department is to wander over the lands of the Orient. The tread upon soft car- pets is one of the luxuries that adds greatly to the comfort of modern rooms. Our immense stock comprises an endless variety of carpets, rugs and mattings, all of our own designs. You may have your choice from endless patterns of beautiful Wiltons, Moquettes, Axminsters, Goblins, Velvets, Body and Tapestry Brussels, Extra and Medium Superfine Ingrains, Three-ply ; Coir and Napier Mattings ; Stair pads ; Venetian and Damask Stair carpets. As a means of aiding you to select exactly MUTUAL FURNITURE what you want, we would suggest walking through our Carpet Department, where all of the above are displayed in rich profusion. There is no greater embellishment to a room than a handsome floor-covering. In the Bedroom and Parlor, some sort of Carpet is well nigh indispensable. A room with fine furniture on bare floors must necessarily seem cold and incongru- ous. On the other hand, when a carpet is supplied in harmony with the furniture and wall decoration, a room always gains in congeniality, refinement and pictur- esque appearance. You will find in our stock exquisite carpets of every conceiv- able design, and suitable for any apartment of the house. UPHOLSTERING DEPARTMENT. — Our facilities for up- holstering and manufacturing furniture to order are unrivalled. We can make furni- ture en suite for each separate room. Customers can make their own selections from our large supply of coverings and frames. The manufacture of fancy pieces is another accommodation we extend to our patrons. If you have a set of furniture from which a chair or sofa or any other article is missing, we can supply it, either from our immense stock or by making it to order. Deceptions are entirely foreign to our mode of manufacture. Under no circumstances do we resort to Excelsior, salt hay , or tow in our Upholstering department. In making joints we use a dowel, not wishing to trust to the cheap glue with which nearly all the “ bargain” furniture is joined— to be put assunder. The fabrics used in covering are among the newest importations. These include Goblins, Silk and Parisian Tapestries, Prussian and Parisian Velours, Silk and Mohair plushes, spun Silk, petite points, the ever popular hair cloth, and novelty- goods of every description. GENERAL ADVICE ABOUT FURNISHING. — The ques- tion whether a house should be furnished throughout in one style or whether each room may represent a different style is easily disposed of. A house should be furnished harmoniously throughout, and not be a series of violent contrasts in style. On the other hand, the purity of style which insists on every' article, even to the timepiece and fire tongs, in a room having the same points of family like- ness is a dull, narrow, uncongenial rule, and those who advocate it fail to recog- nize the broad principle underlying all true art. It takes a good while to become a tolerable judge of furniture, and the safest plan is to go to a house of established reputation like the Mutual Furniture Company. Our success has been owing largely to the fact that our customers not only get the full value of their money, but are so thoroughly satisfied that they generally return for future purchases, and in many instances obtain for us the patronage of their friends and acquaintances. There are many things in life you can afford to do by halves, but furnishing is not one of them. The most economical plan is to buy your furniture from a large concern — where the magnitude of the business makes it feasible to keep in stock a large assortment of modern and antique styles. The Mutual Furniture COMPANY, NEW YORK. Company is enabled to do this by employing competent hands to manufacture from original designs sets of furniture so planned that they can be made in quan- tities and of the best workmanship. Our wood is well seasoned and all the parts are put together in the most scientific way — only violence can break our furniture. It has always been our aim to supply the public with well-designed and well-made furniture — both for beauty and use — at reasonable rates. We are not offering bargains by palming off inferior sets as first-class goods. We keep the best workmen that are to be had on good wages all the year round. Only the best materials are used for covering, and our exceptional facilities make it possible for us to manufacture furniture in all the prevailing styles. By glan- cing through this catalogue you will readily see that by dealing with us you can procure sumptuous, substantial and stylish suits of furniture in great variety and of the very best make. If you will honor us with a visit to our warerooms, we can ensure you of courteous treatment, and whether you decide to purchase anything or not, you will certainly be impressed with the fact that there is no other house that can compete with our prices, considering the first-class quality of our furniture. You will save money by ascertaining how reasonable our rates are. This can be done by consulting us either personally or by letter. We employ a number of gentlemen who are experts in suiting furniture to the interior decoration of a house, and we are always willing, when appealed to in such matters, to send them to the apartments of customers, who will thus be enabled to select suits in harmony with the background and wall-paper. This novel feature of our business has always given great satisfaction, and is especially recommended in cases where it is not desired to change the decorations already provided. Another accommodation which we extend to everyone, irrespective of class or condition, is our custom of cheerfully giving estimates. This system will be found of especial advantage to out-of-town customers. If you wish to know the exact cost of furnishing a room, flat or a whole house, and you cannot visit our mammoth warerooms in person, send or write for an estimate. ADVANTAGES TO BE CONSIDERED.— The advantages to be derived by dealing with the Mutual Furniture Company are : Customers may select from the newest designs. Our furniture is all hand-made, from seasoned lumber. We employ competent workmen in every department. We supervise our own manufactures. Our salesmen are polite, and consider it no trouble to show goods. Our rates are reasonable, and satisfaction is guaranteed. Cordial welcome and courteous treatment are ensured to all who visit our Mammoth Warerooms, at 263 Sixth Avenue and 104 and 106 West 17th Street, New York. MUTUAL FURNITURE SUPERB CARPETS. No. 1 . — Furniture and Carpet Wareroom, showing the effect of Furniture on the several designs and colorings of Carpets. This mode of displaying goods enables a person to furnish with a view to harmony in colors. &c. A visit to our Carpet and Rug Department will sat- isfy the most fastidious that no pains have been spared in selecting this stock, as both in color and design they are all that could be wished for. Our Carpet stock consists of Moquettes, Wiltons, Body Brussels, Tapes- tries and Ingrains. COMPANY, NEW YORK. No. 2. — Ladies' Boudoir, generally furnished in Moquette Carpet, Dagastan Bug Couches, Keception Chair in Velour, with fringe to corre- spond, Centre Table with plush cover and Sewing Table, wood top. To give this room a rich effect it should be furnished in Cherry or solid Ma- hogany. A Cheval Glass and Dressing-table are necessary to complete the furnishing of this room. Mantel Mirrors made to order. Designs fur- nished and estimates given. MUTUAL FURNITURE PARLOR FURNITURE'. No. 3. — A heavy Turkish suit of 8 pieces, carved Centre Table, Pedestals, Portieres and Turkoman Curtains, Mantel and Window Lambrequins, Mantel and Pier Glasses. This room should he carpeted in Moquette, Wilton or Axminster. We can fearlessly state that our stock of Parlor Furniture exceeds any that can be seen in this country. The room devoted to this branch of our business covers IX acres. To have an idea of the beauty, both in designs and coverings, of the Parlor Suits contained in these LIBRARY FURNITURE. No. 4.— Library. Furnished with Leather Arm-chair and Rocker; also one or two small Chairs, as the size of the room may permit; Book-case, Writing-desk and Table, the latter either in cloth, leather or wood top. Antique Oak is the most fashionable wood nowadays with which to fur- nish Libraries. mammoth warerooms, one must visit them; callers will be put to no inconvenience in doing so, as we have a large passenger elevator going through the six floors MUTUAL FURNITURE BEDROOM FURNITURE. No. 5. — Bedrooms are generally furnished with Bedstead, Dressing Bureau and Washstand, in Mahogany, Cherry, Oak or Walnut, with or without Marble tops; 2 small over stuffed Chairs, one Arm and one Back- ing Chair and Couch, all covered in French Cretonnes; also a Mantel Mir- ror and Wardrobe to correspond with the Bedstead and Dressing Bureau. The Drapery of this room is generally of light material. Swiss Curtains seem to prevail in the furnishing of Bedrooms. Our Shade Department is complete in all respects. COMPANY, NEW YORK. RECEPTION-ROOM FURNITURE. No. 6. — Reception-room. Too much attention cannot be given to the furnishing of this room, as its Draperies have to correspond in a certain measure with the colorings of the Carpet and Furniture cover; as a rule, Lambrequins and heavy festooning are used in the drapery of this room. A Conversation Chair, Divan, Sofa, Arm-chair, Window and two odd Reception Chairs, covered in heavy Tapestries. A Mantel Mirror and pair of Pedes- tals complete its furnishing— (not forgetting the conventional Piano). A visit to our warerooms is money saved. DINING-ROOM FURNITURE. No. 7. — Dining-room. Buffet Side Table, Pillar Extension Table, six Side, two Arm Chairs and a Lounge, all in Leather, generally constitute the furnishing of this room, and, like a Library, it is fashionable to furnish in Antique Oak. Breakfast and Ante-room. Furniture in general use in Breakfast-room con-, sists of lightly Upholstered Chairs, with fancy backs, six in number, two Arm- chairs and Rocker; the latter is often Rattan or Cane seat; a Side and English Breakfast Table. The Ante-room is generally furnished with a few odd pieces and Divan, covered in light Silk Tapestries, and a Centre-Table. A few Turkish or Dagastan Rugs lend a richness to this room, which should not be overlooked in its furnishing. COMPANY, NEW YORK DRAWING-ROOM FURNITURE. No. 8. — Drawing-room or Parlor. These rooms, as a rule, are fur- nished something in the Reception-room style, hut heavier, with double Pier Glasses and Mantel Mirrors. The upholstery work in these rooms should be in heavy Tapestry, Gobelins and Fringes; a handsomely carved Centre Table is used in both rooms. Parlor and Drawing-room suits now in use consist of Sofa, Divan, and five odd pieces. Care should be taken in selecting covers for these suits, as they should in all cases be in har- mony with the Draperies. Mutual Furniture and M’fg Co. pne® list. Parlor Suits, in oak, ... from “ walnut, “ cherry, “ mahogany, Chamber Suits, in antique ash, “ “ oak, “ “ walnut, “ “ mahogany, Dining Hoorn Extension Tables, in all woods, “ Side Boards, ... “ Chairs, ... Tables, - from $1.25 to $4.00. Chairs, Pier and Mantel Mirrors, of all woods and designs, Standing and Hanging Cabinets, in all woods and designs, Hat Backs and Easels, “ “ Book Cases, “ ' Folding Beds, “ “ Lounges, in all coverings, “ “ $35.00 to $200.00 35.00 to 200.00 45.00 to 300.00 55.00 to 500.00 17.00 to 80.00 23.00 to 250.00 23.00 to 375.00 35.00 to 450.00 8.00 to 75.00 9.00 to 150.00 .50 to 12.00 .40 to 2.75 12.00 to 125.00 6.50 to 30.00 5.00 to 90.00 1.00 to 12.50 10.75 to 95.00 10.00 to 80.00 CARPETS. Moquette, a large assortment of latest designs, Velvets, “ Body Brussels, Tapestry, “ Ingrains, “ % < t U from $1.25 to $2.50 per yard. 1.15 to 1.75 .75 to 1.50 .50 to 1.00 .45 to 1.10 Bugs, China Matting and Oil Cloth at equally low prices. You can furnish your house 20 per cent, less at our establishment than any other house in the trade. TERMS MADE TO SUIT. Our Illustrated Catalogue of 132 pages, showing over 4SO new designs of everything requisite to furnish a home, sent free on receipt of IS cents to cover postage and packing. Mutual Furniture and M’fg Go., 263 Sixth Avenue and 104 and 106 W. 17th Street, NEW PATENT SIDEBOARD REFRIGERATOR. Asli, Oak and Walnut. Beveled Plates. Mutual Furniture Co.’s NEW BUILDINGS, 6th Ave. and 17th St., New York.