INTERESTING INTERIORS, AND METHODS OF MAKING THEM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue II, 14 July 1894, Page 28

INTERESTING INTERIORS, AND METHODS OF MAKING THEM.

HERE are a certain class of people to whom a door may mean nothing more thana space through which one enters or passes out of an apartment, and who seem to fancy that a window fulfils its entire purpose when it admits light. Their artistic possibilities never seem to occur to them. But they are there, nevertheless, and should not be neglected, nowadays it is regarded as

a mere draught excluder, to be more or less decoratedby what is termed a ‘ bold ’ design in crewel work. I am, of course, speaking of the average house, not those charming exceptions where draperies fall into lovely folds, and ‘ look as if they liked it,’ and where the * points ’ of each room are made the most of, instead of being passed by unnoticed. One of the most effective kinds of overdrapery is a long scarf about four times as long as the window it is to decorate is wide. This, supposing it is of serge, or art velveteen, or cretonne, should be neatly lined with sateen, the same as that lining the curtains, and edged on one side with ball fringe. Then leaving about two feet hanging on one side, it should be gathered up in the hand, passed round the pole, and allowed to hang in three graceful festoons, the same quantity being left to hang down on the other side. These pieces on either side should be arranged in fan-like revers—in other words folded so that the material and lining is seen alternately, in the design illustrated, which is doorless, and simply a decorative manner of treating a recess or archway between two rooms, the woodwork is entirely uncovered ; but in the instance of an ordinary portiere hanging on the door itself, little else is to be seen. As can be noted in the sketch, the pole is placed in the inside of the woodwork, above it coming one of those charming pieces of fretwork which can be obtained in an infinite variety of patterns, at a moderate price per toot, and enamelled any colour, or even gilded, which looks remarkably well in some rooms. It is difficult to give advice regarding the material for curtains, when one does not know where they are going, but the Digine curtains and tapestry of quaint Oriental pattern and

colouring, would both be equally suitable to such a corner as this, where ‘ books and thought’ might go hand-in hand. Apropos of draperies, the housewife will do well to see that when cleaning or sweeping is in progress the heavy curtains and portii'rcs should be removed ; and, after having been thoroughly brushed and shaken, should be allowed to hang in the air until the rooms are cleaned and ready for their return. Of course, * made ' draperies cannot be taken down, but they can be covered while the cleaning is going

Our favourite arm-chair can have no more desirable accessory than what is known as an ‘arm-chair pocket.’ Into this receptacle a handkerchief, a penknife, pencil notes of a book that may be being read, all lind their way with a surprising aptitude. The one which is here illustrated is of a particularly dainty character, and its manufacture affords an excellent opportunity for using np those scraps of brocade which from time to time we have in our possession and do not quite know what to do with. The back, which is about 10 by 7 inches, is cut out of upholsterers’canvas and faced with satin ; the pocket itself is 10 by 5A inches, and has rounded corners. It is partially covered with a pale mossgreen plush, the brocade being laid on in the manner indicated by the sketch, everywhere edged with a gold gimp or

some kind of gold or silver galon. This pocket is suspended to an arm chair, or in some instances to a screen, by means

of a fanciful ribbon folded to cross the box-pleated top of the back, and finished off in a butterfly bow, hiding a brass ring by which it can be hung. One of those little touches which add so much to the home like effect of certain pretty rooms is the taste displayed in that suggestion of feminine occupation, a work basket and the corner it occupies. It is a littte difficult to step out of the conventional in the matter of so ordinary a necessity as a work-basket; yet this is possible, and a charm-

ing article can be manufactured. A hamper shaped some thing like a cheese hamper, both high and round, is the first requisite ; this must then be enamelled some delicate tint. The one that my sketch was taken from was white, with a group of artificial oranges on the lid, tied with yellow ribbon, and lined with yellow sateen. But a great many pretty combinations of colour may be found, such as green with bunches of violets, brown with wallflowers, light blue with water lilies or la France roses. Many people find them a convenient pattern for wastepaper-baskets for the drawing-room, as the lid makes them look more tidy. A pretty screen behind the table destined for my lady’s work corner, an appropriate table and chair, and io ! the room takes on j ust the look of being furnished to be lived in—not merely as an amateur exhibition of an upholsterer’s establishment.

A lounge of some sort is indispensable in a room, and the one reproduced here is a very useful style. An affair of this

kind also affords dainty fingers an opportunity of displaying their skill in the matter of cushions which are so indispenssable an accessory to a comfortable sofa. I recently came across a beautiful cushion, which I reproduce in its entirety. The foundation is of a very pale grey silk, so pale as to be likely to be termed white by the casual observer. The embroidery of the flowers is in relief, and extremely effective. They are sown on to a gauze foundation ’in the first place ; for the large pink carnation strips of terra-cotta pink and pale yellowish cloth are required, each one inch and a half long and less than a quarter of an inch wide, the calix being composed of pale green tinted chenille, and silk and gold purl. The groups of marigolds are formed of pieces of yellow cloth fixed to a round slightly padded foundation of deep orange, the indentations of the outer rim being caught down with gold thread. Chenille is used to edge the centre of the flower, which is filled with lattice stitches in gold thread. Olive-green silk is used for the stems of all the flowers, and bronze split silk for the leaves, all of which are relieved with touches of gold thread. Flowers are so universally recognised jis a necessary part of the artistic furnishing of every room that some new ideas of arranging them will be hailed with delight. They look lovely quite simply arranged in little low bowls, and even if they are very faded on their arrival they will open up and look quite fresh if a tiny pinch of salt be put in the water. The demand for red foliage has led to its being artificially coloured ; I could not help laughing the other day seeing it

float off in the water. With the influx of flowers comes the demand for new ways of arranging them. I have seen nothing lately that has pleased me so much as the quaint Venetian yoke and pails that I have sketched here; they are so charming to bang up in the window or suspend over the dinner table; in fact, it is difficult to think of any place they would not look well in. They could be planted with ferns too, which would look particularly pretty if mixed with creeping plants that would hang over.