BRIGHT COSY ROOMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 May 1927, Page 17

BRIGHT COSY ROOMS.

When the weather turns cold and fogs, an ddanip, dull days are unpleasantly frequent, the interior of a house becomes of greater importance than ever. So. much comfort can be gained in cold weather by cosy, warm and bright rooms that no amount of thought and trouble given to planning our homes for winter should be grudged. The fireplace becomes the centre'of attraction then, and, nat'mially, as much of the l furniture as is convenient should be grouped round it. JEasy chairs, couches and settees should leave their summer stations by the window and be put into position near the hearth. A low tea-able for that delight-

fully intimate, meal —afternoon tea. by the fireside—should be inc’uded in every sitting-room. A fender stool, one or two low chairs, a poufffe and footstools, and a warm hearth, Are all aids to fireside comfort. A reading lamp on a. table or bookcase of exactly the right height, and a place •to put a-work-basket, papers and books .should be found near the first in a well-ordered home. Shades on electric light, "gas or candles, curtains and cushions can do much to bake or mar the comfort of a room in winter. If vour colour scheme will permit it, choose warm glowing colours to shade your lights in the dark days. Soft, deep pinks, rich crimsons, warm shades of wine, apricot and orange ,give a very cheerful atmosphere to a room, even' when fog is clinging to the windows.

Dark curtains, or at least .substantial ones, to. draw across at night and shut out the gloom outside are essential in a cojsv room. Choose them; if possible, in colours to match the light shades, an din such materials as velvet, serge, brocade, corded silk. Bolton sheeting, or heavy kinds of casement cloths. A lining gives weight to a curtain, and is also a means of introducing colour when it is undesirable to _ have it in the curtain itself. For instance, a house facing .a road looks best when all its curtains match. If a neutral shade, such as oatmeal, pale grey, or fawn is chosen, different coloured schemes in the various rooms can easily be contrived. A band of embroidery or stencilling is a means of introducing colours into curtains.