STORY OF A HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 126, 30 May 1935, Page 19

STORY OF A HOME

"DESIGNS FOR LIVING"

"There was once a young couple who wanted to get married, but because times were hard and the high ] cost of matrimony rather staggered ! them, they hesitated on the brink, thinking of the cost of carpets and i cretonnes, of beds and bedding, of arm- ' chairs, and other accessories essential ! to the comfort of modern young things , who go into housekeeping," begins an i article in the women's supplement of i the "Sydney Morning Herald." ; Then the young gentleman, con- '' tinues the writer, "who was also <>n , artist, began to "make drawings of tables and chairs, because, even though they had decided that they . were too poor to marry, it was nice to think about it and to do a bit of '. planning for some distant date obscured in the mists of the future. One day, the young man went to visit a friend, who lived in that quaint suburb built upon a crag overlooking Middle Harbour, and his visit brought him into contact with the architect and founder of the suburb, who, as everybody knows, has definite ideas on 'designs for living.' He believes, among other things, that given an adequately constructed habitation, a good central fireplace, and good floor coverings, there is very little need for expensive furniture. His enthusiasm on the subject of furnishing fired the young man, who thereupon decided to marry the young lady of his choice and take up residence in a cottage on the crag. And so they were married and— This should be the end of the story, but, as everyone who ever married knows, it is really only the beginning of the story. "FAITH IN A GOOD CARPET." The question of ways and means still had to be decided, and there was still all the furniture to be bought. "Pin your faith in a good carpet," was ■ a piece of advice that clung. So they bought them two valuable Chinese rugs, one a glorious bit of colour, which is best described as pink clay of rather a darkish tinge. It isn't vieux rose and it isn't rust,, but a warm, glowing colour between the two, the exact pinky mushroom tint of the weathered .oak of which the furniture has been made. There is a bamboo design from opposite corners which introduces the contrasting colour note. The other carpetris in a deep turquoise blue, the exact shade indeterminate, since it changes with the changing hours of the day and according to the quality of the light within the room. WAIXS WITHOUT PAPERS. Twenty years ago, when most of us were thinking in terms of "art, mod. bungalows," of dark brick or light stucco, with small sets of leadlight windows set in coyly above the fireplace, and with doors panelled in wood and with no more than a panel of glass set in the upper half, this architect was using large slabs of plate-glass set low in the walls of his livingrooms, and his windows were constructed with light wooden frames very similar to the steel-framed windows of today, which are designed to let in all the light possible.. Also, his outer doors- were constructed all of glass, with just a narrow beading and the minimum of wood in their construction, so that the light came into the room from the floor up. He also had a number of other ideas, such as walls, without paper, but with their rough surfaces treated in oil colours, central island fireplaces constructed of lovely pinky sandstone their surf ace undented with mantelpiece, but occasionally with rectangular cupboards of glass set in niches or panels for the purpose of taking wall-prints. AIL of which fit into the modern scheme of furnishings and which form a charming background to the furniture designed by the young artist, of ( our story. THE LIVING-ROOM. Let. us peep into his ; iiying-room, where already we have the Chinese carpet, the stone. fireplace, and..the plateglass windows showing a lovely glimpse of Middle Harbour across a tree-clad gully. There was need for very little extra embellishment to this room. >'•.'; • The windows have been treated with plain cream corded crash darned through with a black thread and hung double so that very little stitching save of the hems and tops was^necessary. The; windows reach; right across, the room and round the corners :<«v either side, so the young pair decided to fill those 'corners with seats, which were also divans, and,' when needed for extra visitors—beds. These couches, divans, or beds, consist of a wooden frame of .generous width, into which thick mattresses have been set and upholstered in two- tones of bottle green, black, -and ochre corded repp in a bold plaid design. Each couch is fitted with'two great .square bolster cushions which fit into the head "and shoulder of the window, embrasure and which, being detached, can " be off when, the couch is needed as an extra bed, and ordinary pillows substituted. - ■ ■■ ■ The pnly other lounge chair jn the room.is covered in plain oatmeal covered burlap, which is a note of relief from the. patterned fabric Chairs, table, and sideboard were designed by the artist himself, and carried out in; weathered oak, which, waxed, shows that lovely pinky tinge which is the exact foil'for the-carpet Chairs follow a.modified Chinese design, the reflex table is long and stands on solid ends,1 the modern sideboard combines the duties of bookcase7 as well, and, fitted as it is with silver and cutlery drawers at the top, shelves in the centre for a colourful disarray of books, and cupboards for linen and glassware at the bottom, js a very useful and ornamental piece of furniture. " . "-; Low jugs of flowering gum and geebung seem to suit-the surroundings to perfection, and a bright splash, -of zinnias in an amber glass bowl in. the rectangular side .window sill echoes the tones of pink,' green, and ochre in floor coverings and furnishings. \<\ LACQUERED FURNITURE.In the bedroom,, the Chinese; rug having eaten so'heavily into thVbank balance,' all furniture was designed and built by the artist himself. You will remember that the carpet is : a changing turquoise blue. ■. The- lacquered furniture is in a delicate shade of duck egg, which is neither blue'^nbr green. The window hangings, upholstered stool seat, and chair covering are in lustreless black velveteen. The dressing table has a cheval mirror raised on a shallow platform so that the. cupboards' built into the walls in place of -a' wardrobe need no mirrors. One side of .this skilfully planned dressing table carries-all the paraphernalia of the- dressing table, the other is devoted to,drawer space; arranged in shelves like a Ipughboy. The handles are in black enamel, which matches the black velvet upholstery. . . ■ . .'-.;■. There is a breakfast-room *in "which plain wooden furniture has'been lacquered ivory white and'a gay drugget floor covering used.' The cost of this room was. very small. Window curtains are of white voile, and the effect of filtered sunlight through the. gree# shrubs beyond in the garden is charming indeed. So far the furnishing of this, cottage home has progressed nb/fufttieij^but when it does, the raftist designer' is ready with fresh'plans-and- drawings.