and one sees on
the shelves of the corner cupboards a wonderful collection of old
china, much of it done in rich gold. At night the whole is illuminated
with invisible electric bulbs. The gleaming effect is quite
marvellous.

The seat-pads on chairs, are made of hides, gilded all over, and on
the gilt the owner has painted large baskets holding fruit and flowers
done in gay colours. The long Jacobean bench has a golden cushion with
baskets painted on it in gay colours.

A part of the wonderful gold china is used at every meal, and the rest
of it being left on the shelves of the four cupboards with their
Pompeian red lining, when lit up, forms part of the glowing blaze of
colour, concentrated in all four corners of this unique room.

The Jacobean library in this house has the same black oak effect for
panelling and at the windows, hang long, red silk curtains, with deep
borders of gold on which are painted gay flowers. This blaze of colour
is truly Jacobean and recalls the bedroom at Knole, occupied by James
I where the bed-curtains were of red silk embroidered in gorgeous
gold, and the high post bedstead heavily carved, covered with gold and
silver tissue, lined with red silk, its head-board carved and gilded.

Another room at Knole was known as the "Spangle" bedroom. James I gave
the furniture in it to Lionel, Earl of Middlesex. Bed curtains, as
well as the seats of chairs and stools, are of crimson, heavily
embroidered in gold and silver.

CHAPTER XXIX

UNCONVENTIONAL BREAKFAST-ROOMS AND SPORTS BALCONIES

"Sun-rooms" are now a feature of country and some town houses. One of
the first we remember was in Madrid, at the home of Canovas del
Castillo, Prime Minister during the Regency. Dejeuner used to be
served at one end of the conservatory, in the shadow of tall palms,
while fountains played, birds with gay plumage sang, and the air was
as fragrant as the tropics. For comfort, deep red rugs were put down
on the white marble floors. Which reminds us that in many Spanish
hand-made rugs, what is known as "Isabella white" figures
conspicuously. The term arises from the following story. It seems that
Queen Isabella during the progress of some war, vowed she would not
have her linen washed until her army returned victorious. The war was
long, hence the term!

In furnishing a conservatory or porch breakfast room, it is best to
use some variety of informal tables and chairs, such as painted
furniture, willow