MODERN FURNITURE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19985, 18 December 1934, Page 12

MODERN FURNITURE

NOTE OF GAIETY Although there is dignity about old furniture which gives it a definite air, there is a refreshing quality of indefinable joie de vivre about modern furniture, and it achieves what it sets out to do. It is, in the casual parlance of the day, amusing. Much is forgiven people and things in 1934 if they are amusing, but much modern furniture which is described by its casual modern owners as “amusing” has a great deal more to commend it.

Of course, there are always the extremists who trim their off-white American cloth curtains with rows and rows of buttons until they resemble nothing more than the dress of the pearlie queen; and others who use small drums painted white, or else some exotic colours, for their occasional tables; but these oddities do not represent the true modern furniture any more than the terrible “what-nots” and flimsy bric-a-brac represented in the real furniture of a bygone day. The main thing to-day is to create an atmosphere of space, allied to colour; or if the newest off-white shades are chosen for the decoration, then subtle colour is introduced in rugs, curtains, or cushions ,or else a bold contrast is supplied by ebony black pieces which give a dignified note to the room. The built-in bookcases are essentially modern, and the, wide chairs combine comfort with a good line, while the lack of fuss or undue ornamentation is supremely restful. Stripes are used extensively in modern furniture and furnishings,and usually are vertical in design. When the colours are not too startling the effect of striped curtains is very good, and give character to a long old-fashioned window, at the same time taking away from its height.