NEW MODES INSPIRED BY “OLD MASTERS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17246, 12 January 1924, Page 18

NEW MODES INSPIRED BY “OLD MASTERS.”

Although women like to follow fash ion, yet, contradictory though it may appear, many also like to express ori ginalitv in the clothes they wear. A well known Italian dress designer pro vides an opportunity to women to sat isfy their desires for originality in dres by creating models which are made in the fashion of the moment, but are decorated with gorgeous designs taken from tlio paintings of the old Italian masters. The result is very effective, partieu larly so because the decoration is done in such a way as to become a permanent part of the materials emplo3 r ed. It is almost startling to see on a teagown a familiar Leonardo da Vinci de aicn, or the well-known decorative motive which one finds on the mantles of Carpaccio's Madonnas. It is only necessary to note the pic ture ou the walls of many houses to i

I realise liow few people trouble to see that their water-colour sketches, oil ! paintings and prints harmonise with each other arid with the paper on the walls. A very crude and brightly coloured wallpaper will “kill” any picture, hut it is also possible for one picture tu spoil the effect of another. ALTERED THE BALANCE It is said that one of Turner's cold sea pictures-- showing grey waves—brightly coloured landscape. The great master stood for a few moments look ing at. his picture, then, fetching his palette, he painted in a vermilion buoyright in the centre of the scene, which, of course, entirely altered the balance ot tho two paintings hung side by side. It is easy to select pictures which harmonise with one another, and with the wallpaper and various details of the room in which they are to hang, but if ono has a collection of pictures of different kinds—heirlooms possibly—it i is not always easy to arrange them.

In many cases much can be accomplished by changing the wallpaper. OPEN L.xNDSCAPES. Bright pictures and open landscapes should be hung against a dark grey paper having very little pattern upon it. A paper made tip of two shades of grey—such as that depicted in the accompanying sketch —should be ideal. It is difficult, of course, to lay down any hard and last rules regarding the arrangement of pictures. At the same time it must be admitted that some pictures cannot be harmonised on ac count of serious defects in colouring or drawing. Landscapes which give a sense of space and distance are very refreshing to the eye. if one lives in a town whei the view is somewhat restricted, few pictures of this kind hung again s a quiet paper of a subdued tint have a very pleasing effect. TO RESTORE SUEDE. When suede gloves or bags have be-

come greasy the leather may bo restored by being rubbed with hue emery paper. This method may also be adopted in the case of suede shoes, but it is worth while giving a more complete cleaningFirst of all stuff the shoes with tissue paper and then rub them thoroughly with a rag which has been soaked in spirits of turpentine. Continue rubbing until all marks disappear, and then hang the shoes in a draughtv place until they are dry and all smcli of the turpentine has vanished.