Swedish Use of Color

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18769, 27 July 1935, Page 10

Swedish Use of Color

J OYE of color is a hig.ily chnia'-ter-istie feature of Swollen, ami a visit to tho summer lionies on tlio ■ islands around Stockholm or in the beautiful forest scenery of Dalec-arli.x iis an education in its use, writes Honor Stuart, in the Glasgow Herald. I The Swede has the good taste to insist upon simple furnishings for his summer house, but the plain* painted wood furniture is so charming in hue • —lime-green or blackbird ’s egg blue, warm russet or a sunny yellow, the natural grain of the wood being utilised for decoration, with perhaps some simple “motif ” in addition — that the eye is perfectly satisfied’ and one feels instinctively that anything mote elaborate would jar. Brcnvn amt Gold. ' Hi a country where the timber industry is a staple one, it is, of course, natural flint this should be the medium employed, 'but it comes almost with a sense-of surprise that its decorative use should be of so advanced ju nature.'if the walls are but of pitch ' pine, tire wood is painted or oiled into a beautiful’symphony of gold and {brown;;the - floors are wood' too, and | the carpets are woven from ancient | designs where peasant instinct, tt.sually sure and sound, is evident, j There are i/‘ w hangings or draperties, and the cushions and covers for I window seat or table are severe amt 1 richly colored. Exquisite Taste. There is one villa which is a revelation of wluit can be done in this way. It happens to be the gift of a wealthy Swede to invalid members of his own profession, but Hie exquisite ; taste displayed might be that of tin | art connoisseur. A skilful architect has modelled* the house from an ancient Swedish country residence; there are loggias opening from every storey, which gives upon tile river or the pinewood. And here, too, a sure hand bus blended the colors of-furniture and hangings into perfect harmony: reds and browns that suggest the forest anil the bright berries of autumn; blues that mirror the river or the sky; green of birch leaves and purple of heather: grey of the plumage of the mountain birds.