ROYAL SUITES DISPLAYED

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30066, 26 February 1963, Page 2

ROYAL SUITES DISPLAYED

The art of a successful host is to make guests feel at home; and the furniture supplied for the personal use of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. reproduced at is was from traditional designs familiar in the Royal Household, contributed to make the Royal Visitiks at ease during their brief visit to Christchurch this month.

A sriection from the nn|e of more than 30 pieces of furniture used by the Royal couple in their private suites in the United Service Hotel la now on display in the windows of a city store. He who believes that the day of the wood-carver’s eraft la gone will have the fallacy dispelled after a few moments’ study of the detail which has gone into each piece. As in much highly-prised antique work, the principal material is solid mahogany and plume veneer facing whose selections indicate remarkably facile matching. The Queen's bedroom suite follows the famed Louis styling and features hand shaped Louis legs; and the atmosphere of more spacious days is recalled with intricate pediments—arrangements of lightly-carved scrolls and leaves—looking down from atop the broad, mirrored dressing table. The woodwork has a pleasantlymeUow effect which the craftsmen have achieved by giving it a patina finish. The Duke’s bedroom suite to a fine example of Chippendale design but French influence is again seen in the Bergere. lounge suites. Tn addition, there to occasional furniture, all of it delightfully produced with ropework about the table edges, shell-carving on leg knees, and delicate tracery on aprons between the legs. To present this furniture in authentic pattern, ornate antique brass hardware has been used; and upholstery has been covered with rich brocade of soft, restful tonings. Ladies may be interested to observe particularly the deep-buttoned beck of the bedroom chairs, and to know that the cushions of the lounge suites are loose-filled for deep comfort. The display is most recent of many similar selections of Royal furniture specially made by A J White. Ltd, in the firm’s last century of business. The window presentation is in good taste and is simplicity itself, with accompanying photographs to show how the furniture was

placed in the hotel tor use by their Royal Highnesses —PAA.