THE ART OF HOME-MAKING.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 188, 9 August 1924, Page 22

THE ART OF HOME-MAKING.

When Nature puts on the first, tints of spring and golden sunlight filters through to every nook, the desire for bright furnishings becomes irresistible. Our grandmothers were satisfied with an easy programme; they replaced the red curtains, which had made winter so cosy, by crisply laundered lace ones, obliterated fire grate 3by screen or

needlework samples, renewed antimacassars and runners, and assembled J hyacynth glasses, fern-pots and plantbowls to nurture their special proteges of sprouting life. The great range and cheapness of present day furnishings makes us more I ambitious, but both skill and imaginai tion are necessary if we are to justify I our originality. j Nothing makes a room more attractive : than a beautiful colour scheme. 'Primarily, the choice of colour depends Jon the furniture. For instance, while I oak—the least exacting—looks well sur- , rounded by almost any colour, mahogany is at its best against crimson and silvery greys with a suggestion of rose pink, i Orange is especially fascinating with I dark oak, bringing almost a glint of ! sunshine on dull days, and royal blue is i its affinity. Walnut and satinwood , harmonise so restfully with Arbusson effects, though gold goes well with the former, while grey, light blue or black . sets off the latter. I It is very helpful to think out a few colour schemes before embarking upon the choice of new fabrics. One alternative may work out more cheaply than another, and even some almost discarded stuffs may, in this way, be given a new lease of life. ; A medley of incongruous designs is always rather distressing. To avoid such a conflict one is often driven to employ a single design throughout a room, relieved by plain material to tone. A fairly safe plan, however, when using many designs, is to keep them cither entirely floral, or else geometric and Oriental. The latter blend with brightly coloured striped fabrics. i As regards texture, shadow tissues, printed linens, chintzes and cretonnes go well together, and are especially suitable when the walls are of a plain art ! colour. If furniture coverings, however, are already in velvet or tapestry, and loose covers are not desired, damask or brocaded hangings are called for. A great change can sometimes be effected in a room by simple rearrangement of the furniture for summer use. Especially when there is a good outlook, tables, chairs, and settee should be spread in an open fashion to take full advantage of the windows. This may entail moving other pieces, but it often happens that some of these—like many antiques—look all the better for being in a subdued light. Flowers give life to a room in ' summer -as a fire does in winter.