Housekeepers often prefer carpets to bare floors, and rugs for the
reason that they "show the dirt" less. It is for this very reason that
bare floors are best. Dirt is something to remove rather than conceal,
and bare floors and rugs are more easily cleaned than carpets.

Covering the entire floor with plain filling, as a base for rugs, is an
alternative for either hardwood or stained floors. It should be in the
deeper tone of the color employed as a main part of the room's decoration.

When carpets are used, those in the hall, parlor, and dining-room should
not be fitted into the corners, but a space should intervene between
their edges and the walls. This may be filled with wood-carpetry, which,
like all devices which suggest continuation of fine material through
unseen parts, gives an air of art and elegance at comparatively little
expense. Otherwise the floor, if hardwood, should be finished; if of
other wood, stained and varnished. The carpet square is kept in position
with brass-headed pins sold for the purpose.

Articles of furniture which are suitable for a parlor used chiefly as
a reception room are light side chairs, and a settee, cane-seated with
dark frames, or willow chairs, and settee, stained a dark hue, and
brightened up with pretty cushions. These are not dear, so a little
extra expense may be incurred in buying the parlor-table, which should
be graceful in design and of rich dark wood, preferably mahogany, or in
mahogany finish. A small table, of similar design and finish, should
serve for afternoon tea, and a pretty desk stand near a window, with
writing materials for the use of guests. There should be a clock upon
the mantelpiece, and a few other articles of vertu, such as a vase or
so, a bronze statuette, etc., all harmonized by the common possession
of artistic elegance.