FLOORS AND WALLS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 129, 2 June 1928, Page 14

FLOORS AND WALLS

When tlio beautifying of the homo is under consideration, hints from any source aro always welcome, but when so notablo an architect and furniture designer as Sir Edwin Lutyon instructs on the subject, where is the woman who will not greedily listen? (asks an English writer). That his ideas of decorative effects in such connection arc extraordinarily varied and comprehensive but adds to interest. Those women fortunate 'enough to have seen in England and elsewhere the beautiful and intricate schemes originated by him, and brought to their present perfection ' under his supervision, will expect, doubtless, plans and suggestions not to be entertained in view of the outlay necessarily incurred. A delightful surprise awaits you. In the house occupied by Sir Edwin Lutyon—an : 'eighteenth century building in Mansfield street, London—a strangely unusual scene is presented. You, knowing the compass of his art, would expect perhaps elaboration in all directions; ornateness contrived wherever possible; carpets, richly colourful, luxu-. riously soft and silent. Instead—what would you find? ,"Baro painted floors"—so we are told. There aro throughout the entire house but two or three carpets. Sever, rooms, of the reception order, are spread with a rug or two —but paint is the floor covering chiefly prominent. The housewife, living way back in the bush in a small, grey, four-roomed house, should derive both consolation and inspiration from this fact. The rough, knotted boards of the floor are not, after all, quite as hopeless as hitherto been supposed. Plane them until smooth, scrub them, and, when dry, paint in any colour preferred. For the purpose employ enamel or other good quaJity paint. ' The great architect who is giving us "this so valuable lesson, combines a floor painted rod with walls similarly treated in a delicate shade of green. Grey, or primrose-yellow walls would equally charmingly associate. A bluish-green floor is also included —and another, painted green in a shade approaching ■ reseda.