A MODERN NOTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 3

A MODERN NOTE

AWATEA’S DECORATIONS HARMONY ACHIEVED The modern note which is introduced throughout the new Union Company luxury liner Awatea, launched recently at Barrow-in-Furness, England, is restrained in character, rich without pretension, and in every way suitable to the amenities of a high-powered pas senger liner. The panelling is in plywood faced with beautifully figured veneers, many of which are of Emp'.ro origin, several being indigenous to the Southern Hemisphere. The walls of the first-class lining saloon are panelled in Nigerian cherrywood, Sapeli, and rosewood, relief being obtained by horizontal mouldings finished in vermilion and by metalwork of rustless steel. The lighting is of particular interest. This lias a beginning in the enclosure of the port lights with glazed metalwork screens skilfully floodlighted. Then, continuous hands of overhead lighting give greater emphasis to the length of the saloon. These are gradually stepped toward the centre where a large well opens up to the raised roof, from the middle of which a continuous fitting of magnificent proportions gives brilliant illumination. The sides of the raised roof are covered with plate mirror glass, and flic repetition of reflections shows an effect which is both decorative and interesting. Metalwork balustrades form the front of the orchestral gallery at the forward end, and also to the alt end, in way of the entrance hall on “A” deck. ‘The floor is covered in rubber of simple and attractive designs, in colours which harmonise with, the general scheme. Comfortable armchairs, an adequate number of dumb waiters and sideboards —ensuring excellent service and appointments selected with discriminations, all combine_ to complete this most up-to-date luxurious ‘ restaurant. A staircase and lift, all panelled in Sapcli mahogany, lead up through “A fleck to the promenade deck, on which The public rooms arc situated. SYMBOLIC PANELS The chief of these, the lounge, is panled in figured ash relieved with walnut, the general appearance is of lightness and gaiety. A striking feature of the central portion of the room is the large lacquered panels which form a sliding cover to the permanent cinema screen. The scene depicted on the panels is symbolic of the Pacific Ocean and its discovery, and is beautifully worked in gold, silver, and colour, on a background of soft greyish green. This gives the keynote to the colour decoration and the furnishings are in sympathy. The floor is laid in rubber of simple design, having in addition a large square of hardwood parquetry to the centre, to he used as a dance floor. _ Ino lounge is complete is every way in accordance with its character and purpose. Passing forward from the. through the entrance hall, with its staircase, panelled in Australian walnut, givin" access to the foremost part of the ship, a delightful glimpse is caught of the screened annexe which forms a small writing-room and the ship s library. Fitment writing desks and bookcases in sycamore and Zebraiio make the most of the space available and the lighting is by a most ingenious and novel arrangement. Metal troughs are suspended from the centre of three flat covings running across the ceiling and down the sides, and gives an even distribution of light over the whole room and making this space a feature of the entrance.

FIGURED WOODWORK The music-room is of severely simple design/ elegant by means of the novel plan, and the wealth of pattern in the English sycamore veneer of the panelling 5s of an exceedingly rich and rare figure. The case of the grand piano is semi-circular shape. There are tall casement and French windows which open out oil to the observation deck, an enclosed space simply decorated in attractive colour. Aft to the' end of the first-class promenade .another deck space, forms a verandah and .open-air dancing space. The walls are simply treated in colour relieved by surrounds to the windows and doorways of teak, jj-tid by the decorative panels on the aftermost bulkhead portraying in a vivid and vital manner “Dancing Through the Ages. Wide folding glazed screens give access forward to the smoking-room. Ibis latter is a very modern room, quite distinct from the accepted idea, it becomes common to all, and with this in view the unusual character is understood. Panelling in Australian maple of beautiful colour and figure, are features in the way of the cocktail bar and the fireplace, which is introduced perhaps as a concession to the smokeroom idea, and give focal points of interest. The casement windows are screened with obscured sliding glass panels, sandblasted with designs in abstract ornament. The lighting combines the best features of concealed and semi-direct methods, and in conjunction with the brightly-colour-ed coverings of the furniture, gives a most cheerful and spirited air to the room. Clubrooms are provided for men and women forward of the smoking-room. One is attractively panelled in East Indian satinwood, and the other in English brown oak. Showcases in entrance halls add to the general interest and are arranged in good positions for the display of novelties of all kinds which are likely to appeal to passengers. In the tourist public rooms figured veneers are used—Burma mahogany, Canadian maple, and English brown oak are typical. Furniture and furnishings are_ in keeping, and they equal the comfort and luxury of the larger, spaces. : In the first-class cabins, there are fourteen double berths and eleven single berth special cabins, each being panelled in a different combination of beautiful veneers, ranging from the delicate colours of maple, sycamore, and satinwood, to the richer tones of cherrywood,’ walnut, and mahogany. Each room is furnished in harmony.