“& Company” of every firm of architects, there would be an evolution in home building which would lengthen the lives and shorten the labors of “lady-managers” in many lands.  When that comfortable wish becomes a reality, let us hope that “Let there be light” will be printed in large black letters across the space to be occupied by each closet in every house plan, for the average closet is so dark that even a self-respecting family skeleton would decline to occupy it, evil though its deeds are supposed to be.  The downpour of the miscellaneous collection of a closet’s shelves upon the blind groper after some particular package thereon, gives convincing proof that absence of light means presence of confusion; while it also invites the elusive moth to come in and make himself at home—­which he does.

THE LINEN CLOSET

But after all, it is a blessed good thing to have some closets, even dark ones, and proper care and attention will go a long way toward remedying their defects.  Clothes closets we must have, china closets we usually have, and linen closets we sometimes have, not always.  To the housewife who possesses a linen closet it is a source of particular pride, and the stocking and care of it her very special pleasure.  Its drawers should be deep and its shelves wide and well apart—­not less than eighteen inches, and even more in the case of the upper ones, for the accommodation of the reserve supply of blankets, quilts, and other bed coverings.  Arrange on the lower shelves the piles of counterpanes, sheets, and pillowcases in constant use, linen and cotton in separate piles, and those of the same size together.  Washcloths and towels, heavy, fine, bath and hand, have each their own pile on shelf or in drawer, according to room.  Shams and other dainty bed accessories go into the drawers, one of which may be dedicated to the neat strips and tight rolls of old linen and cotton cloth, worn-out underclothing, etc., as they gradually accumulate.  Where no provision is made for a linen closet, a case of the wardrobe type, built along the inner wall of a wide hall, answers the purpose very well, and is not unpleasing to the eye if made to harmonize with the other woodwork.  A closet of this kind may vary in width from four to six feet, with swinging or sliding doors, preferably the latter, and drawers and shelves, or shelves alone.  Or there may be a cupboard above and shelves below, or vice versa.

CLOTHES CLOSETS

Clothes closets of this description can also be built against unoccupied bedroom walls, the objection to the number of doors thus introduced being offset by the great convenience of having one’s clothing immediately at hand, exposed to light and to view directly the doors are opened, for we find things by sight here, not by faith.  Angles and recesses which have no special excuse for being are easily converted