A FURNITURE ROMANCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 21 June 1926, Page 8

A FURNITURE ROMANCE

The designs of Chippendale, Shcriton, llepplcwhito ,th« brothers Adam, and others did much to establish the British reputation for excellence of desimi and workmanship in furniture; but, (says Mr W .11. Bea.ble, in “Romances of Great Businesses”), these advantages were confined to the very wealthy and I ho homes of tho English middle and lower classes, during 'nearly the whole of Queen Victoria’s reign, lacked almost every characteristic • of harmonious and aesthetic taste, flic matDletup chiffonier; glaring carpets with suggestions of erns and foliage; the übiquitous antimacassar; the atrocious rep coverings on French furniture; the wax (lowers; the glass-covered clock were all characteristics of the Victorian era. Nous avons change tqufc cela. . loday the most modest home is furnished in exquisite harmony and perfect taste, and the villa- competes with the mansion in the perfection of its appointments and the beauty of its surroundings. ami although not so luxurious is no’ less refined and harmonious. Em- Ibis changed condition we are indelileil, in a great-, measure, lo a young enthusiast, who had dreamt of career at the Bar with visions of the Woolsack, but being compelled to .join his father’s business as a furniture manufacturer, brought into play his wonderful gifts of imagination, 'a boundless energy, ■mil.a determination to reach the highest pinacle of achievement in his vocation. The hoy who harangued imaginary juries in the little study at the top of' the house when all the rest of the family were peacefully sleeping, and who " at ten years of ago, frequented the Liverpool assizes for forensic inspiration, evolulionised home furnishing and decoration in this country, built up a great British reputation for this branch of art and industry throughout the world, maintained the high standard of a two-century old business and ' developed it into one of outstanding importance, and became a pqer of the 'teal 111. Lord Waring was born of an old

Norwegian family from Varinger Fiord, who founded Wavingstown in Ulster some three centuries ago, and has, throughout its life, shown himself fully possessed of all tho vigour and enterprise of his ancestors.