“QUEEN ANNE” STYLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 687, 12 June 1929, Page 6

“QUEEN ANNE” STYLE

HOW TO FURNISH A SMALL DRAWING-ROOM For many people tlie style of furni- | ture commonly known as “Queen j Anne” has a particular attraction, and it is a style peculiarly adapted to the furnishing of a small drawingroom. writes G.C.S. in the “Homes and Gardens,” in an article on furnishing a small drawing-room. For the walls nothing looks better j than painted panelling. If the walls j are merely to be distempered, then a I broken white, ivory or parchment I tone would be suitable; or if wallpaper is desired perhaps the most effective is one of a light biscuit colour, either plain or with white strips of biscuit and silver alternating. The woodwork should he painted a light cream to tone with the wallpaper, and the frieze, if one is desired, should be plain white. The carpet or rugs should be of an Eastern design, and the predominating colours might well be a rather dull old rose and purple, with a little biscuit and very dark blue in the details. Curtains must, of course, harmonise with the carpet and the upholstery of the furniture. For the covers of chair seats or the loose covers of chairs or settee, j a chintz of Eastern pattern may he used with success. Turning now to the various pieces i of furniture needed, the principal piece may be a tallboy. Tallboys may be divided roughly into two classes: those which are to all intents and purposes two chests of drawers, one set on top of the other, and those which are mounted on legs or stands. Tallboys may sometimes be met with in which the main body is of walnut, while the drawer fronts, etc., are of walnut veneer on deal or pine, the drawer sides and backs being of beech and the drawer bottoms of oak; or, again, the whole drawer fronts, sides and bottoms, may be of oak with the front veneered in walnut. A side table will be found very suitable for the display of any small pieces of valued china or silver, and very pleasing is a secretaire or writing bureau. The chairs needed for the room may include two or three small chairs of “Queen Anne” type, an armchair and a chesterfield, and as genuine old samples are rare and costly, modern reproductions look quite well. A

folding table for cards and for tea must be regarded as essential, and one or two stools are useful accessories. A piano is one of the customary items of a drawing-room, but is always rather difficult to accommodate in a room furnished in a period style. It needs to be placed so that it is not too insistent. In the case of an upright piano, perhaps the best arrangement is to place it where its hack may be covered with a piece of brocade or embroidery. A Queen Anne stool will serve as a music stool. In keeping with the scheme will be some pieces of blue and white china, displayed either on the mantelshelf or in a lacquered corner cupboard. On the walls may be hung some water colours, while a mirror veneered in walnut, with perhaps a small strip of gilt gesso-work inside, will add further interest. Finally, a grandfather clock may find a place in the room, its front veneered or lacquered according to choice.