October 6, 2010

Library Spotlight - “Household Elegancies”

Browsing through the stacks at the Arboretum Library can reveal some hidden and unexpected gems.  The book Household Elegancies: Suggestions in Household Art and Tasteful Home Decorating by Mrs. C. S. Jones and Henry T. Williams is a very interesting book from 1875 describing a variety of crafts and home decor projects.  The book is well illustrated with highly detailed drawings and includes directions for a variety of projects including making wax flowers, leather-work and decorative picture frames.  Many of the projects have floral themes and the text is filled with such gems as, “Probably no one article of modern invention and ingenuity has afforded greater satisfaction than wall-pockets.”  Check out this and other books about nature-based crafts at the Arboretum Library.