HOUSE DECORATION.

Observer, Volume II, Issue 47, 6 August 1881, Page 535

HOUSE DECORATION.

materials, with a border of- hand embroidery, done by the ladies of the house on a strip of the same material and sewn on. These look exceedingly well, and amply repay the time bestowed upon them. The mantelpiece border should he of the same material and embroidered with the same patterns as the curtains, but — I forgot, we are still supposed to be outside. The doorstep is done with red raddle instead of white hearthstone ; the door painted dark green, Avith a neat brass knocker. The maid who opens the door wears a plain short black dress, muslin bib apron, straight collar fastened with a small brooch, and white muslin mob cap with a black bow in front and no other trimming. In the hall there is a dado of matting, the top edged with split bamboo; the walls distempered sage green, terra-cotta, or straw colour. Outside the doors leading into the passage little Axminster mats, 5s each, replace the old red thread or woollen ones. These are made with the same patterns as Persian rugs, and can be got at Maple's, in Tottenham Court-road, London, or at any large furnishing warehouse. The Dining Room : The colour of this room very much depends upon the number of pictures. If there are many, a dull greyish coiour is the best background ; if they are merely a few prints in dark frames, nothing looks better or costs less than to have the walls distempered terra-cotta colour. Of course the paints should match the walls, being done in two shades. The floor is generally coloured with dark oak stain for about a foot of margin, in the centre is an Indian carpet or dark coloured felt, according to the means of the occupier. Indian carpets have a rich deep pile, one 16ft x 18ft costs about £20 ; felt, to cover the same area, perhaps £4. But, of course, the former is four times as durable. Dining tables are made narrower than they used to be, some of oak, stained or plain, others of mahogany, but with straight and less cumbersome legs than those in fashion during the last ten years. If the table is wide and the joints carved on the sideboard, places for two, instead of for the host

(By Our Lady Correspondent in London.)

London, June 11th. Dear Observer, — I was much surprised to hear from you that the good jieople of New Zealand have no idea how to beautify their homes, and are perfect " philistines " as regards house decoration. I shall only be too delighted to lend Avhat little assistance I can to better this melancholy state of things, and by way of a beginning have thrown together a brief description of how we decorate" our houses in England : — To begin with the exterior : The outside of the house is usually coloured dark red as high as the first story. Venetian blinds, green or otherwise, are tabooed ; white lace curtains are supplanted by Madras muslin, either cream colour or with a mixture of olive green and very pale blue, or terra-cotta, which is used both for long curtains or short bedroom ones, instead of the old white muslin blinds. Wire blinds are going out rapidly, and several inventions have taken their place The most expensive and by far the prettiest are the stained glass blinds, , put across just as the old wire ones were, they are made of little panes of glass about four inches square of pale coloured glass either plain or Avith slight designs painted on them, lines of lead, plain or gilt, separate each pane, the whole, being enclosed in a light Avooden frame Avith screAvs, can easily be taken doAvn or put up atAvill. Another and an easier plan is the wicker screen which also looks very well, but in smoky toAvns is apt to get dirty. The third and most economical practice is short, curtains of Madras muslin or Indian silk. The heavier curtains are seldom now of rep, unless it is dyed a very subdued green. Of course the thing is to have curtains of plush or stamped velvet, brocade or tapestry ; but after these come all sorts of self-coloured serges and soft

and hostess only, are set at each end. This promotes conversation, and very often prevents a dinner from being stiff. The sideboard is either Chippendale or dark stained oak, if the latter, probably a revival of an old oak chest with a piece of carving added on the back. In the corner stands a tall eight-day clock. The chairs are either tall straight-backed oak, with finely carved arm-chairs for the host and hostess, or Chippendale, *. c. having a light framework of mahogany. In the matter of pictures it is as well to remember that a really beautiful print may be bought for far less than the veriest daub. In an artistic journal called the Portfolio, sold by the Fine Art Society, 148, New Bond-street, price 2s 6d, there are often most exquisite etchings by the best artists. In the October number of 1880 and the June number, 1881 there were two of the best that have yet appeared. Some of these framed in unvarnished black with a narrow gold mount look very well. (To he continued.)

Scene: the wharf. Time: Sunday evening, 8.30 p.m. Maria Jane (Sunday school teacher) : "Was you at church to-night, dawlin' ?" Alphonso: "Oh, yes, of course; never miss church, you know." Maria Jane : "And you didn't see me ?" Alphonso : " Very sing'lar, but I didn't." Maria Jane : " And didn't you see father sitting near the door ?" Alphonso : " Oh, yaas, of course I saw the old man." Maria Jane: " Did you see old with him " Alphonso : " Oh, yes, of course." Maria Jane : " Oh, you nasty story teller ! They wasn't there at all. They went to the Waikato on Saturday, and haven't come back." Alphonso : "Maria, I'm shocked at you. I was only trying you. Don't you know that to suggest a falsehood is as bad as telling one ?"