SWEET LAVENDER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 13, 23 December 1911, Page 8

SWEET LAVENDER.

There is something excessively pleasing in the faint perfume of lavender; and just now the sweet scent of the dried or frosh flowers about a. room or ill one's personal belongings is considered most desirable. The recent renvoi of tho use and appreciation of line uapery and house linen lias doubtless (says an Australian writer) had a good deal to do with .tho return to favour of Ihe dull grey and raauvo blossoms. Housekeepers who (alco pride in their well-stored linen-presses strew their shelves with sprays of long-stemmed lavender, lied with rich ribbons, and theso in themselves make nretty presents for Christmas time. Tne lavender bag, either, for travellers or- ( ..Ktay-at-homes, is another idea which, tliougli perhaps not very new ilself, can be worked up into something highly ornamental. With (ho djslinct tendency of the hour to a revival of needlework, wide ribbons of thick silk nre made up into charming bags, ami considerable ingenuity i,s exorcised in designing original patterns for (heir embroidery and shape. Hunches of lavender stiravs held by cxnuisito riblwns is one of tho favourite fancics of (lie Frenchwoman of fashion. She throws (hem among soft cushions, she uses them lo lay on tho dinner lable, and I hoy. freqnendy adorn her afternoon tea tray. To fill tho unus?d grate during the summer months wi(h largo bouquets of lavender is among (ho excellent, ways of employing this old world llowcr, and tho notion provides an excuse for.the introduction of ribbons, which are now chosen for household decoration as well as for personal adornment.