DECORATION OF INTERIORS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19178, 8 December 1927, Page 4

DECORATION OF INTERIORS.

UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES HOME COMFORT THE KEYNOTE. Modern interior decorating is so manifold in its latitude that it offers to the decorator unlimited opportunities and privileges to display his artistic ability. In the first place, if we scrutinise the architecture of v our modern •\ homes, I am free to say that our architects have, in the majority of cases, not confined themselves to the severe period styles of the past centuries, writes •Frank M. Shulz, in tht "Decorator," London. lam inclined to feel that they have intelligently sacrificed period architecture for modern home comfort and habitableness, which has given us homes second to no other country. On account of the liberty in design, which has been taken by architects in their conception of our modorn homes, we, as decorators, have found it necessary, in keeping apace with the times, to become creative and distinctive in their treatment. The art of interior home decoration is most successfully carried out when the mechanical labour is concealed to create an artistic effect. To produce this effect, wall coverings, and applied textures, and thoir colourings, furniture, draperies, floor coverings, and light effects, both natural and artificial, must be given careful study and consideration.

The ;rcatment of ceiling, walls, and woodwork, of a room is generally accepted as a complimentary effect to the contemplated decorative furnishing scheme. They should provido an appropriate and offectivo background both in colour and design for the general setting. Here, texture, design, and colour should bo given most careful consideration, because without their harmonious aid no decorative achemo can be. successfully carried out. »In tiie treatment of rooms in our modern home, the colours, designs, and applied textures on wails and ceilings are most important. In living rooms, dining-rooms, and halls, rough or semi-rough textures, suitably coloured with hardwood or painted and antiqued wood to harmonise with the furniture, recommend themselves. Living rooms in subtle subdued deep colourings on ceilings, sidewalls, and woodwork with furnishings in 'owing, exotic colourings are commendable. Bedrooms, colourful and cheerful in their furnishings, witli subdued walls and woodwork, lend tone and comfort to the home and the introduction of a cheerful bathroom with colour in walls, woodwork, and tjle is a pleasing innovation.

.For a period of about five years we have been successfully combining Italian, Spanish, and English types of period furniture and using them with pleasing decorative results in living rooms, dining-rooms, and halls Draperies and furniture coverings of rich colourings in velours, damasks, brocades and tapestries have been used with them, disregarding their period design to some extent, but more seriously considering their colourings. Very effective decoratively-painted valances and carved cornices have been much in demand.

Bedroom furniture painted, decorated and antiqued, as well as plain and inlaid hardwood, have helped make our homes exceptionally attractive, The use of ornaifienta) iron copper, pewter, and brans in the form of grilles, railings, doors, electric fixtures, and lamps of every description have been a most successful decorative medium in our modern home. A feature which should recpive the most careful consideration by the decorator is the proper distribution of light both in volume and quality The volume should be sufficient to properly light the "ooms while the quality and tone should he such as to create an atmosphere of comr fort and ease tp the genera) decorative scheme. •

Living as we are in the greatest fad age the world has over experiepced, we are realising the return of the French periods which are asserting themselves in our newest fabric and furniture de? signs. I was rather in hopes that the return of the oJ<3 French periods would be superseded by the influence of the marvellous exhibition of Modern Decorative Bnd Industrial Art, held in the City of Paris in 192q. This exhibition produced creations which may be considered a forerunner of the twentieth century style. Although still in its infancy, Europe's most capable architects, decorators, and designers are putting forth untiring efforts to perfect and develep this new creation.

PERMITS ISSUED. INCREASED ACTIVITY. The building trado appears definitely to be recovering from the depression of the winter, the figures for permits issued by the City Council for November showing a sound increase ovey those for the corresponding month of 1926. The inner area shows an increase of £13,500 in the value of work author rised. Figures for all wards are given in the following comparison:—

NOVEMBER, 1927. Ward. Value. No. £ Inner area ... 17,000 5 Outer area ... 1,419 3 St. Albans ... 15,343 35 Sydenham ... 3,719 • 11 Linwood 8,930 24 Sprevdon ... 11,369 18 Woolston ... 3,817 11 Totals ... 64,657 107 NOVEMBER, 1926. Ward. Value. No. ' Inner area ... 3,580 3 Outer area ... J* St. Albans 17,1(54 * Sydenham ... 5,211 12 Linwood ••• 10,810 23 Spreydon ••• 5,917 13 Woolston ... 3,665 8 Totals ... 48,§59 85

The value of the 117 permits issued in October was £73,612. Fifty-seven dwellings and pine other buildings were included in the permits, while 35 were for alterations and additions to dwellings, and seven to other buildings. One permit was issued for the demolition of a dwelling and two for other huildings. The value represented in the new dwellings authorised was £41,497.