THE DUCHESS LEADS THE WAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20077, 6 April 1935, Page 11

THE DUCHESS LEADS THE WAY

ROYAL BRIDE’S FURNISHING SCHEMES It is especially interesting, though not surprising, to know that the Duchess of Kent originates her own colour schemes, is intensely interested in such matters and supervises each minute detail of her new home. Her new bedroom will call for special attention, and is the first Royal suite to be painted in the enchanting offwhite tone which is now known as “distressed-white.” The panelled walls are being painted distressed-white, and what is known as “rubbed” silver. The whole room has been planned around the bed with its magnificent white velvet-quilted bedspread, presented by the Royal School of Needlework. The shaped head of the bed will be covered with stitched satin of the curtains.

It is to set these treasures of needlework off to the best advantage that the whole room has been redesigned. Thus a silver and white picture reflected itself in the mirror glass in a delightful way. But the Duchess felt something was lacking . . . some depth, something to pin the cloudy shimmer down. So, just before she sailed off on her cruise, she bought a deep prune-brown carpet, and to her delight and the Duke’s, it makes a perfect setting for the room.

Leading from this room is the black and silver bathroom, the walls of which were painted by the Spanish artist, Sert. By a clever illusion, a fountain appears to be playing over the white bath, which is set in a silver aclove. The curtains are silver, and the glass top of the bath table is set on a silver pedestal.

Comparatively few changes are being made as regards wall alterations in other rooms. The Duke and Duchess, of course, will have their own furniture and furnishings. The dining room, with its green marble walls and the four alabaster swans in alcoves, is being left as it is. So, too, is the lounge, lined with bookcases, on the first floor, and the drawing room, which overlooks Belgrave Square, and has stripped wooden panelling on the walls.

On this floor, at the back, is the Duchess’s boudoir, the walls of which are covered with stripped pine and lined with bookcases. This room, too, with the exception of a slight alteration to the bookcases, will remain as it is, with damask curtains to match the ■wood.

It is also interesting to note that there are no “rose-bud” designs featuring in the fabric furnishings of this lovely modernised home. And it might surprise many to learn that no les a personage than the Prince of Wales recently launched the anti-rose-bud campaign at the Royal Academy Exhibition of British Art in Industry. The Prince is keenly interested in modern trends of decoration, many of which he has adopted at Fort Belvedere.. This modern trend revolves around geometrical and geopraphical motifs for hangings, even furniture and glassware.

The geographical trend in furniture fabrics owes its inspiration to the Duchess of York’s mother. A new printed linen portrays Glamis Castle, from photographs lent for the purpose

by Lady Strathmore. The Italian gardens are depicted, and also the famous sundial, and the castle is surrounded by Scottish trees—firs, larches and birches. Lady Strathmore is having the castle windows hung with these linen “photographs,” which have been made for her in a series of special colourings.