COLOUR IN THE HOME.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19668, 11 July 1929, Page 4

COLOUR IN THE HOME.

INTERIOR DECORATION. BANISHING DREARIN ESS. Colour and light! These words Blight well be termed the heart'a desires of the modern home-maker, a London authority observes. Never before in the bistory of interior decoration had there been such a wealth of colour, such a displav of vide windows flung open at the" merest hint of sunlight and mild treatbs?. The days of stuffy apartments, of a-ast-eollecting carpets and upholutery. and carefully shrouded glass, are past. The present "generation insists on brightness and fresh air in the home, declaring that these are the right of every householder. The vises of mirrors to add to the impression of light in a room have long been reeognised, and many will remember the attempts, in Victorian rooms, to lessen the gloom of an interior by hanging a mirror in its darkest corner r;i a vain effort, it would seem, to attract and retain some of the light flooding the outer world. That the eft'ort ssrved only to intensify the dreariness of the room is recognised now. Yet it may be said that the Victorians with their mirrors placed in vain attempts to attract the sunshine pointed out the path so eagerly followed by modern house-builders and decorators. More and more glass is being used in the home to-day. Wide windows, win-dow-ledges of glass, tops for dining and boudoir tables and in the kitchen glaes sinks and cupboards and towel rails, are but a few of the uses to which modern glass can be put. In a dining room as fully supplied | with glass as possible, the light coming j through the wide windows of the apart- j ment would be reflected in a deep win- t dow sill of black glass. On this could be displayed pots of bulbs and indoor plants, while a long mirror let into the wall furthest from the light would repeat the charming picture of blossom starred window-ledge, blue sky of the outer world r.nd gaily coloured window hangings. Glass on the dining room table would prevent its polished surface from scratching, while the overhanging lamp of leaded glass, while casting a richly-glowing light, could be chosen to harmonise the colour scheme of the room. In the bedrooms the use of glass is ] practically confined to the windows, , though here again it can be utilised j to panel the walls, mirrors taking the place of glass at intervals. Supposing the colour echeme were lemon-yellow with ivory-white paint work and painted furniture picked out in harmonising tones of yellow, the deep window sill might be covered with coloured glass to match the wall. The doors of the hanging cupboards on the wall would be coloured glass and lined with mirrors. The effect would be no"t only novel but charming, the hangings of net and shot silk in tones of deep yellow and ivory completing a very attractive interior. Year by year the kitchen sees improvements by means of labour-saving devices and bright colour schemes. It benefits, together with the bathroom, i more than any other corner of the home, ■ by the lavish use of glass. Thus tables, j dressers, and cupboards, piate-racks and ] drains can all be improved. Work is ; economised by the use of glass tops on i tables, dressers and cupboards. It means j easier cleaning and the absence of stains and scars on the paintwork, while a I glaßs drainage board is much to be preferred to the usual sort made of wood, < generally damp, and, however much scrubbed, difficult to keep spotless. The fact that thick glass can be had in a variety of colours aids the interior decorator. There is no need for any kitchen to be drab, where shades rang' ing from blue to rose and green are used to make gay the tables and cupboards, harmonising with brightly tinted curtains, wall-papers, oilcloths, etc. In the bathroom, which the modern, decorator treats so lavishly, often spending on it more care and forethought than on any other room in the home, glass is of supreme importance. I'rom the mirrored walls to the towel rails all should be of glass, white or coloured, according to individual taste. Here, as in the kitchen, work is saved and a bright atmosphere, in keeping with modern tendencies, is achieved. The uses of glass ia the home are innumerable. From the glass baking dish found in all modern kitchens, to the | delicately-coloured opalescent lampshades, bowls, and rare modern vases in the drawing-room, all are either practical or beautiful, asd net rarely, both.