THE MODERN HOME

Southland Times, Issue 22991, 10 September 1936, Page 15

THE MODERN HOME

Furnishing Display

Followers of dress fashions have learnt that the secret of success in dressing well is simplicity with touches of originality. Followers of furnishing fashions must learn the same if they are to make a success of the modern trend in furniture and interior decoration. There is little to say about the modern furniture except that it is simplicity itself. It is purely functional and there is nothing superfluous about it. There is an idea that it is cold and uncomfortable—this is utterly mistaken for with the judicious use of colour it can be made the essence of cosiness. The all important point in successful f urn “ ishing is the uniformity of colour and design. In the colour there are distinct families of shades—mix these and trouble is the result. The same applies to designs. These salient points . and many more are at present being illustrated in a practical manner by H. and J. Smith, Ltd., in their hall where there is a comprehensive home furnishing display. The Drawing Room. Possibly the room a woman thinks of first and takes the most pride in is her drawing room. Here the chairs and sofa are upholstered in a soft green tapestry. The heavy curtains are of rust chenille velvet and fall from _ a simple box pelmet of cream, which continues in an unbroken line the horizontal wall decoration, also in varying shades of green. The carpet forms, as all carpets should, a background for the colour scheme, but has enough pattern to make it interesting. Individual colour notes are introduced in the cushions. The Bedroom. Tastes in bedrooms differ considerably; some prefer the rather severe type of room, while others like frills. The keynote of a very attractive room is the Queensland walnut of the furniture. The lovely grain of this wood has been relied on for the richness in the scheme. Green is the predominating colour; the curtains'of green brocade are hung from a simple box pelmet and the bedspread is the same material. The carpet is a handsome chintz affair and is one of the most successful designs of Frank Brangwyn, the English artist. Cream enamel has been used in another bedroom where green is again the predominating colour. This would make an ideal guest room. It has twin beds and frilly green net curtains and bedspreads. The low kidney-shaped dressing table has a green skirt and a grey mottled carpet forms an unusual but successful foundation. An original note of colour is introduced in the pink lamp and shade. A simple bedroom in black oak illustrates admirably that modern furniture can be made to look warm and inviting, for it is furnished in rose pink satin to tone with the predominating pink in the chintz carpet. Unusual treatment in hangings and bedspreads is found in the double bedroom where the furniture is red pine. The carpet is a floral one and floral and plain taffetas have been combined in a successful way to carry out its colour scheme which is chiefly blue. The Dining-Room. Important, but often not considered sufficiently so, is the dining-room. Modern furniture lends itself particularly well to this type of room where furniture is at a minimum. Southland beech makes the refectory table and chairs and streamlined buffet in an all green dining-room. The chairs are covered in the new green tweed to match the green curtains and carpet. In this room a contrasting colour is introduced in the red mottled tiles of the fireplace. Autumn colours are carried out in another dining-room where the furniture is oak. The very streamlined buffet has a collapsible front which, when let down, forms a practical table for dishes. An entirely new note is struck in the wall mirror of three-toned glass in gold, pink and white. The Bathroom. Americans consider the bathroom the most important room in the house, and rightly so. One of the most pleasing aspects of modern designing and furnishing is that due consideration is given the bathroom. What could be a more pleasing colour scheme than green and black? This bathroom is interesting in that it introduces the new idea of spraying the walls with washable paint. In this case green has been chosen to match the bath, pedestal basin and floor covering. The dado and bath-surround are of black vitrolite. Study and Office. Sombre colours have been chosen for a study and manager’s office. In the former there is a handsome walnut desk and a stately grand piano. The attractive fireplace is of mottled tiles to match the stipple carpet. Oak is used for the manager’s desk and chairs and the latter are upholstered in dark red leather. An efficient looking filing cabinet and green cross-striped curtains complete the scheme and give the room an air of precision and restfulness. When furnishing a room it should always be remembered that the fireplace is the focal point. Fireplaces are more attractive than ever and can be chosen to fit in with any colour scheme and furniture design. The new mottled tiles make a pleasing change from the everlasting brick of the last few years. Throughout the- display insulating board has been used for the walls. In car-h room it is treated differently, in different colours and designs, and as well as being practical it is indeed pleasing to look at.