STRAY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 94, 15 January 1929, Page 15

STRAY NOTES

OAK FURNITURE The beauty of good design combined with excellent workmanship, to say nothing of that halo of romance wliich age casts over the most ordinary articles, has, quite rightly, created a desire tor the possession of old oak furniture, says an English writer. A wonderful atmosphere can be readily created with the help of these charming pieces. Obviously, with a rapidly increasing population the demand is far greater than the supply- This gives ample opportunity for the clever faker, and although his principles are immoral, there is much to he said for the beauty of some of his pieces. This is, however, the beauty of a clever copyist who knows what to copy; if you buy these pieces at a fair price and with the full knowledge that they are reproductions, we have little cause for complaint. To those who feel a desire to strike out on more strictly artistic lines it becomes necessary to seek an artist who is creating modern furniture which for good design and excellent workmanship can hold its own when compared with the old pieces. Also, we should bear in mind that modern furniture has certain distinct advantages over the old. It should be stronger and in a better state of repair, better able to withstand the. wear and tear of everyday use. It is designed to meet the uses of to-day. and therefore more in accord with the spirit of our times. There are. no doubt, people to whom all this will make a very strong appeal. To work on traditional lines and willingly acknowledge the influence of early examples in what we do to-day does not by any means show a lack of originality. What it does show is a very wise and proper desire to make, full use of the priceless heritage of artistic treasure that the ages have handed down to us. A full appreciation of the beauties of the past, combined with the knowledge of present needs, is more calculated to produce the perfect modern article than an overwhelming desire to be different from anything that has gone before. What is so desirable is to find furniture which is quite up to date and fulfils present-day needs amply, and yet does not make changes just for the sake of change where no useful purpose exists. Fortunately there are designers who appreciate this, with the happy result that there is some very exceflent modern oak furniture to be had. This admirably fits into the simple scheme of a well-designed modern house, creating that atmosphere of simple good taste which wo hope some day may be associated with our own times. Much of the modern oak furniture is now left a light colour, either flat or polished. This, combined with the gny colouring of printed linens. (loinnshS and other curtain fabrics gives an air of brightness which is very charming. If we wish to have a distinctive room furnished with modern onk we shall be. no doubt, more inclined to search about for really rood pieces made hr individual artist craftsmen rather than acnuire standard designs that aye being placed on the market in quantity. e There is always an interest in sucn ncouisit’ons. and there should be a great future for the designers of really good and rnorlnrn enk furniture.