HOUSE DECORATIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6090, 29 January 1898, Page 3

HOUSE DECORATIONS.

THE NEWF-SJ_ THING. In the new autumnal decorations for houses, both small and great, draperies are (writes the Paris correspondent of Modern Society) decidedly the most important feature—draperies, too, in the exact definition of the word, not falling portieres and, perhaps, simple lambrequins at the doors, mantelshelves, and windows, but yards and yards of fringed,embroidered, and variously decorated fabrics, looped and gathered wherever an opportunity offers. This winter, not only the chimney-piece, but the mirror above it, the doors, the beds, the divans, and dressing tables are all literally and completely dressed in strict compliance with the period of a Bourbon King whose fashions have never been imitated before. It is his Majesty Louis XVIII who is now a la mode, and the style of decoration he employed is^ happily, almost distinct from any of the Louis revivals in Paris. The upholsterers of his day not only advocated draperies whereever they were possible, but a great abundance and variety of material. Velvet is nearly always the foundation hanging, upon which, even, for a single door and window four different kinds of silk or brocade are frequently draped in festoons or loops the festoons invariably falling from rosette knots ; and, oddly enough Quantities of fringes feathers, and ribbons are used to heighten the effect Pea cock feathers are being adopted for this kind of adornment. Drawing-room doors showing this style of decoration— framed and carved to imitate the joints of a Japanese bamboo richly gilded— were hunjr wit h curtains of the richest crimson satin brocaded m large peacock designs in yellow and blue, and headed by a lambrequin oT--1 valance of Aubusson velvet in brilliant fcon es of peacock green %nred with blue.;

placed above the door, fell an exquisite scarf of soft yellow silk ; the whole beinosurmounted by a pyramid of peacock feathers, beneath which the iridescent breast plumage of the same bird was set in two Oriental fans. Carved rosettes of gilded wood and broad bands of yellow satin ribbon served to catch the silken draperies on either side of the doors. This mixture of colour may appear loud, garish, or in doubtful taste, but the actual effect was beautiful. Throughout the velvets, satins, and silks, and even in tho tapestry xipholstery, deep rose and the varying tones of peacock blue and green predominate. Big full-blown roses, arrow-pierced double hearts, tasselled trumpets, and trails of variegated morning glories are the favourite designs woven into these decorative stuffs of the first half of the century — all of them a great relief from medallions, wreaths, flcurs-de-lys, and miniature ovals of the eighteenth century periods, of which we have seen so much during the last few years.