DECORATIVE IRON WORK

Evening Star, Issue 21750, 19 June 1934, Page 2

DECORATIVE IRON WORK

GRACE AND BEAUTY OF LINE INCREASING USE IN HOMES In few New Zealand homos nun it be said that adequate use has ever been made of the delicate wroughtiron work which has added such distinction to Continental homes in botli tile old and modern styles of architecture. Perhaps the peculiar development of bungalow architecture in the dominion has narrowed the scope for the use of iron, biit there is now a growing demand for wrought-iron decorations, both interior and exterior, in small homes overseas that will probably soon have its effect in New Zealand designs. Ornamental ironwork may be said to be appropriate for every architectural style, the only caution being that its character, quantity, and weight should depend largely upon the style and size of the house. It should be remembered that a few pieces of wrought iron-carefully worked out with attention to detail and judiciously used, will do far more, towards eli-

The above illustration, which was reproduced from an Lnglish journal, shows a mahogany table 'which is believed to have been tlic property of, Lord Nelson. A well-known London firm of furniture dertlel-s consider the table to be worth £IOO provided that the ownership attributed to Lord Nelson can be proved.

riching the appearance of the house than an over-supply of cheaply constructed and poorly designed material. BEAUTY IN LITTLE. It is not bulk, but n feeling,of grace and beauty of line that makes it distinctive and charming. When well designed and executed in a craftsmanlike manner it adds an undeniable atmosphere to any home! Whereas in a former day wrought iron in many houses was confined to builders’ hardware, now there arc objects of every variety for utilitarian purposes as well as lor embellishment both within and without the homo. A list might properly include fences and gates, stoep, stair, and balcony railings and window grilles, as well as boot scrapers, door knockers, hinges, shutter hold-fasts, house numbers, aiid lanterns f6r the exterior. Then there are such items as interior balcony and stair rails, electric fittings, bridge, floor and table lamps, candlesticks, mirror frames, fire screens and irons, fire tools and fenders, curtain poles, and brackets for a wide variety of purposes. INTERIOR GATES. Wronght-iron gates now separate living rooms and hallways, though perhaps not fashioned on so,massive a scale as was usual some hundreds of years ago. Naturally, as far as decorative ironwork is concerned, requirements differ with different styles or periods of architecture, ’ Perhaps there is less iron Used in the English type of house than in many other styles, but even with tile English house, when it is adopted to New Zealand Jiving conditions and climate, there are many way in which it may be employed with attractive results. For example, shutter binges and hold-backs of wrought iron, door nails, handle and locker, lock plates and hinges, terrace or stoep rails, driveway gates, gutter straps and brackets, lanterns bracketed out from the wall, tie rods and ornamental washers for a high chimney—all nr any of these may be used in the New Zealand home based on English types. Within this style of home, too, wrought iron may he used in a variety of ways that will add to the individuality of its furnishings. It is in the Spanish and Italian house that hnnd-wrougkt iron has flourished to a marked degree. These stylos require for their exterior treatment balconies and window grilles, flower-pot holders, ornamental brackets, wroughtiron arches and edgings for windows and locks, gates, lanterns, and so on. For the Mediterranean style interior, wronght-iroli chairs and tables are in order as well as gates between rooms, sconces, and curtain-poles and the like. Much of the interesting wrought iron in the Spanish house was made for the kitchen and fireplace.

In the field of illumination, wroifgbtiron figures prominently both from the utilitarian and the decorative aspects. Lanterns, sconces, portable lamps, candle-sticks, and chandeliers of tliis material lend their decorative note to the interiors of houses of every wellknown style.

Kucalyptus oil is often efficacious in removing stains from flimsy fabrics, especially when the stain is caused by an oily liquid. Dab tbc oil liberally on the spot and gently rub it with a clean rag, working from the outside towards the centre. Do not allow to dry on or a ring will be left.