WOMAN’S EXPRESSION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 965, 7 May 1930, Page 6

WOMAN’S EXPRESSION

SETTING OF THE ROOM There are as many sides to the character of a woman with personality as there are facets in a diamond. The light leaps and trembles on the facets turned toward it just as the mood of a woman is influenced by her environment. A woman’s desire should never be to dominate her setting, but to fit it with the subtlety and grace which will bring out her personality to its greatest advantage. In her drawing-room it is the formal, conventional side of her character that she encourages. Dignity, simplicity, spaciousness and comfort are blended with exquisite taste. Orchids, roses or dahlias add their beauty to the background where she receives her guests in the elaborate evening or afternoon gowns which so well become her elegant figure. In her boudoir a lovely woman is far less unapproachable. She writes letters in its homely atmosphere, and the pretty well-used sewing basket in the corner gives, evidence that she plies her needle industriously on occasions. A great bowl of violets stands on her low solid writing-desk and photographs of her friends adorn the walls.

But it is her bedroom which is most expressive of a woman. A famous bedroom is that of Josephine Beaukarnais at La Malmaison. Something of the languid seductive personality of the little Creole lingers in the ancient atmosphere of Malmaison where she retired after her divorce. The dark red hangings of her strange dome-shaped bedroom and the sombre dark red hangings on the massive four-poster are oppressive, with a hint of the fatalism which was such a feature of superstitious Josephine’s character.

In tlie centre of the dome-shaped ceiling is painted a starry sky. Even after more than a century it is easy to visualise the long-dead owner of the small sombre bedroom at Malmaison.

The lovely modern room in the illustration combines a certain chaste severity with great artistry and luxury. The exquisite panelling is rescued from an Italian villa.

The wonderful candelabra is more ornamental than useful, and the lighting above the bed is cleverly concealed.

It is no effort to imagine the serene womaii of quality who has chosen this beautiful bedroom as the setting for her tranquil charms.