THE CHARM OF HAND-PAINTED TILES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 142, 18 June 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE CHARM OF HAND-PAINTED TILES

Plain tiles for wall surfaces have been in pretty general use for a long time. Their cleanliness, brightness particularly suitable for business preand hygienic properties make them particularly suitable for business premises, institutions of various sorts, and for bathrooms, kitchens, and nurseries in private houses. , Hand-painted tiles are being introduced more and more in conjunction with the plain ones, but their full possibilities are not even yet fully realised. Even one hand-painted tile to break the monotony of an otherwise plain surface has a strikingly decora tivo effect, and several tiles, each | having a distinct subject, greatly add to the interest. Used in this way they are excellent for nurseries, children’s hospital wards and nursery schools. Tho designs that can be chosen are endless. A set of farm “cameos,” for instance, are most attractive. Two horses ploughing a field, with several furrows already completed; two or three cows browsing in a meadow, with trees in the distance, and a stream meandering through; a proud peacock, with tail outspread, strutting in front of a barn; a rooster “singing” his hymn of praise to the rising sun from the top bar of a gate, or a single filo of ganders waddling homewards aro suitable subjects. Paintfed in natural colours these make delightful miniature pictures. Wild animals seen in their natural surroundings, game birds such as pheasants and partridges, with a heather background, a few “bunnies” playing around the mouth of their burrow, flights of birds, and fish swimming in water are equally good. Flower studies provide another wide field of choice; popular books for both grown-ups and children are most pro* lific of inspiration, whether favourite characters or particular scenes are taken as the theme. Introduced into nursery walls here and there, or forming the top of nursery tables alternately with plain tiles, they are a constant source of delight to the youngsters. A pretty idea for modern nursery schools is to have each child’s peg in the cloakroom distinguished by its own particular tile, no two being exactly alike. Children more readily remember a picture than a number.

Tiles with floral or bird subjects are very attractive for the fronts of window boxes. They look so clean and bright and are not affected by tho weather as paint is. Single tiles make delightful tea-pot and hot water jug stands for the table. If a square of cork is glued on the under side there is no danger of the table being scratched with the tile or marked with the heat.