THE UGLY MANTELPIECE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 222, 12 June 1908, Page 5

THE UGLY MANTELPIECE.

* '/° : J! ? tru 'y hideous mantelpiece is (says the Argus") a question that continually perplexes those who live in Rouses with httings of thirty or- forty years g l il er ° ill- Preset' a tendency to regard the-white marble: mantelpiece as an ■abomination, but, really it- -is not, and . it is caryed or heavily fluted it is a treasure, ana - should be prized as such. The : real_ horror ;is one of: mottled \brawh-like marble, , and nothing-can be said in-favour of so palpable a failure. The- only thine . to begone, is to obtain one .of the wooden mantel casings, lyhich aro not the expensive item they wero a few years ago, and •they have the . advantage , of: being easily altered to fit' other fireplaces. If such a complete metamorphosis is impossible, a coat of good ' enamel paint will, probably be better to • look at than the objectionable-' marble, which wiir not be. permanently injured u'nderneath .by the application of the paint i c rem ? re . cal 'efully. The development 01 the fireplace is ..a: most interesting domes- •'*'? "subject,- and; wonders can be, accomplished with, many, an ugly , mantelpiece by -the ingenious use .of;old 'chrved bed-posts and so ,on. A wido shelf is also essential to a good' effcct, and. this can be easily'fixed over_the narrow one; .or handsomer still in .effect,.; is to;have the new. shelf placed; a foot higher than the; narrow one,' and use the • latter.as,an-.unde'r-shelf, for small- treasures. ■ According to tho. artistic and hygienic standard--of;the day, it, is better to leave a ■ fireplace undisguised than to try to hide . its shortcomings - with draperies and purtains. . Tho,' only- possible clothing for a shelf is a . narrow slip-strip to Ijang over in front about; three or four i inches.-. Fringes and tassels.quickly absorb smoke and grime, and the ; . ; strip : is better quite plain, though good Chineseor • other embroidery is: permissible at the.extreme edge. ' :