IN HER SUN-ROOM

A sun-room as the name implies, is a room planned to admit as much sun
as is possible. An easy way to get the greatest amount of light and sun
is to enclose a steam heated porch with glass which may be removed at
will. Sometimes part of a conservatory is turned into a sun-room,
awnings, rugs, chairs, tables, couches, making it a fascinating lounge
or breakfast room, useful, too, at the tea hour. Often when building a
house a room on the sunny side is given one, two, or three glass sides.
To trick the senses, ferns and flowering plants, birds and fountains are
used as decorations, suggesting out-of-doors.

PLATE XIII

Portrait by Gilbert Stuart of Dona Matilda, Stoughton de
Jaudenes. (Metropolitan Museum.)

We use this portrait to illustrate the period when woman's
line was obliterated by the excessive decoration of her
costume.

The interest attached to this charming example of her time
lies in colour and detail. It is as if the bewitching Dona
Matilda were holding up her clothes with her person. Her
outline is that of a ruffled canary. How difficult for her
to forget her material trappings, when they are so many, and
yet she looks light of heart.

For sharp contrast we suggest that our reader turn at once
to the portrait by Sargent (Plate XV) which is distinguished
for its clean-cut outline and also the distinction arrived
at through elimination of detail in the way of trimming. The
costume hangs on the woman, suspended by jewelled chains
from her shoulders.

The Sargent has the simplicity of the Classic Greek; the
Gilbert Stuart portrait, the amusing fascination of Marie
Antoinette detail.

The gown is white satin, with small gold flowers scattered
over its surface. The head-dress surmounting the powdered
hair is of white satin with seed-pearl ornaments.

The background is a dead-rose velvet curtain, draped to show
blue sky, veiled by clouds. The same dead-rose on table and
chair covering. The book on table has a softly toned calf
cover. Gilbert Stuart was fond of working in this particular
colour note.

[Illustration: _Metropolitan Museum of Art_
_Eighteenth Century Costume Portrait by Gilbert Stewart_]

The woman who would add to the charm of her sun-room in Winter by
keeping up the illusion of Summer, will wear Summer clothes when in it,
that is, the sa