WORK COLUMN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XIX, 7 May 1898, Page 590

WORK COLUMN.

Whether people have made up their minds to l>e less comfortable, or to lie comfortable in some other way, has not yet transpired, but the fact remains that there is no longer quite the craze for the conventional cosy corner that there was. [suppose it ceased to please when the novelty of white-painted pillars and balustrades, enclosing a part of the room furnished somewhat differently to the rest of the apartment, wore off. For my own part, 1 think one of the most practical cosy corners (if the word is still to lie retained inour vocabulary) is a place where one can recline at full length in absolute comfort ; such a place is of unspeakable use to the busy woman. To attempt to rest on that curved ami twisted couch, commonly known as a drawing-room sofa, is simply to prolong the hours of restless torture before the weary one can seek her bed. Now and then, one conies across deep old-fashioned Chesterfield couches upon which one can recline uncramped ami untwisted, but these are few and far lietween ami cost much *if they are not already household possessions. Now, this lounge in my sketch is one of the most comfortable and, at the

same time, economical that can possibly lie arranged. It consists of a covered-in spring mattress placed on the floor, and draped with one of the Oriental printed cotton coverlets which can be obtained for a few shillings. The back need not be wadded or upholstered in any way, but it certainly looks prettier with a background also of Indian cotton which can be bought quite cheaply ; but against this back must be placed quite a multiplicity of big, soft cushions. These are an expensive item certainly, but if you wait and pick them up here and thereat sales, cover them with tapestry or pieces of silk, surrounding them with frills of deep cheap Indian silk, you will have a delightful nook ami one where you can take your ease and read, or dream those happy hours away that you may have at your disposal. The printed Indian cotton is usually obtainable in dark red. It wears well, and does not easily get dirty. Readers may find useful this drawing of a very charming scissors case which was presented to me the other day. It would make a pretty gift, suitable for almost anyone, for who could object to having so useful and delightful an object on their dressing-table? The case was cut out of cardboard and then covered with very tine flannel. Over this was tightly stretched a pale shade of mauve chiffon studded with blue turquoise arranged in the form of shamrocks, and lightly connected the one with the other by strands of fine crystal beads, the ease being lined throughout with pale blue silk matching the turquoise. The same ideaeould, of course, be carried out in a variety of ways. Tan-coloured peau d e sue de, embroidered in gold, would have a charming effect. Plain silk could lie used, and the monogram of the owner worked in satin stitch ; in fact, only the idea needs to be given for a host of different suggestions to arise in one’s mind.

Ethel.