340 ACCESSORIES

Fireplace Equipment. Well-designed large and plain andirons,
fender, tongs, scuttle, and firescreen, matching the hardware of
the room and conforming to its mood, should be chosen. For
examples see pages 26, 101, 106, and 460. The wood basket, too,
should be decorative and suitable. In the summertime the fireplace
hole may be hidden by an attractive screen or by a large arrange-
ment of leaves.

Mirrors. More than any other element in decoration mirrors
produce a feeling of spaciousness. Entire walls of mirror are most
effective and are not so costly as one would suppose from the
price of small mirrors. Over the fireplace a mirror panel to the
ceiling is highly decorative. In a bedroom a mirror door is essen-
tial. Permanent reflections in mirrors should be pleasing.

Attractive hanging mirrors are difficult to find. It is often ad-
visable to have mirror frames made from appropriate picture mold-
ings. Lucite-framed mirrors are particularly effective in Modern
rooms. Unframed mirrors are suitable in some period settings and
in Modern schemes. Mirrors of different types are shown on
pages 26, 87, 300, 460, and 478.

Screens. A screen should be decorative, should suit its sur-
roundings, and should be large enough to be really useful. Among
recent introductions are screens decorated with greatly enlarged
photographs of plants or scenery. Mirror screens are impressive;
white-painted shutters are informal. Sometimes it is possible to
find two inexpensive plain screens that can be fastened together,
making six sections. Objectionable decorations can be painted
over or covered. A carpenter or even an amateur can make
wooden frames for screens and cover the center with matting,
reed, bamboo, grass cloth, painted hardware cloth, fabric, ply-
wood, composition board, or a translucent composition over screen
wire. See pages 119 and 261 for utilitarian screens.

A screen may serve in a Modem living room to separate the
dining area from the conversation area. In old houses screens are
often needed to conceal poor architectural features. A tall screen
sometimes provides a balance for a door, window, or tall piece of
furniture. Screens are also useful for protection from glare or
drafts. A screen adds to comfort and privacy in a bedroom occu-
pied by two persons*