The Dining-Room and the Pantry and their Furnishings

The usual furnishings of a dining-room are a rug upon which the dining-table stands, chairs, a sideboard, and one or two serving-tables. Screens are desirable to shut off too generous a blaze from the open fire, a draught from an open window, or the entrance to a pantry. One or two cabinets for the storing of choice china and glass add to the attractiveness of the room. In some handsome houses a sunny room, smaller and less elaborately decorated and furnished than the dining-room, is set apart as the " breakfast-room." And this, like the dining-room, opens into the pantry. Occasionally a large alcove or bay window at one end or side of the dining-room is supplied with table, chairs, and china cabinet, and is thus made the breakfast-room. When this " room " is remote from the pantry, a breakfast warmer upon the serving-table adds to the ease with which the breakfast may be served. This warmer, which is of copper, is supplied with one or more alcohol lamps, and in the tray over the lamps water, coffee, and milk for the coffee may be kept hot until the moment they are needed. Ample space may also be found for a double boiler of cereal, creamed potato, or meat.

The top of the sideboard is the proper place for extra plates, tumblers, knives, forks, spoons, napkins, and cold viands, as bread, sliced meat, butter, cream, milk, water, etc. No hot articles are given place on the sideboard. The side table is the receptacle on which all hot viands are disposed.

Above: English Breakfast Warmer

THE PANTRY AND ITS FURNISHINGS
The kitchen by first right is the cook's domain. The butler's pantry so called and the dining-room are the field of the waitress's operations. The duties of the dining-room are carried on in public, and their perfect accomplishment depends in large measure upon the preparation made beforehand in the privacy of the pantry. The well-equipped pantry is furnished with a small refrigerator and a gas range, as well as with the usual cupboards, sink, etc.

The pantry (sometimes there are two) is situated between the kitchen and dining-room, and opens into each by swinging doors that make no noise; nor are these directly opposite each other. The pantry should be well lighted. The walls of the pantry are lined with enclosed shelves for china and glass, cupboards for the storing of jelly, preserves, pickles, sauces, and cheese designed for immediate use in the dining-room. There are also drawers for dish towels, salad cloths, etc. A handsome sink supplied with hot and cold water, and with ample shelf space around it, makes the washing of table ware a positive pleasure. If the refrigerator have several compartments, let each be kept for a special purpose: one for cold meats and fish; another for leftover cooked vegetables, later to be used in a salad or rechauffe, or for greens such as lettuce which keep crisp when wrapped in damp cheesecloth; and a third for milk, butter, and cream.