The FASHION REVIEW

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 296, 11 July 1929, Page 2

The FASHION REVIEW

by ; a '•I/ll 111 A S

SUZETTE

DECORATING THE HOUSE. Every woman, whether engaged or heartfree, married, widowed or divorced, has the home of her dreams. She may never quite realise that home that is immaterial. It is there in her mind, and how real. She can plan, decorate and redecorate to her heart’s content. There is no one to gainsay her, no problem of money. All she needs is a little time and the precious gift of imagination. Let her keep that home beautiful, its bronzes gleaming, its windows wide, and her spirit will never flag. However, it is to the engaged girl we would speak, and she—of course she is going to realise her dreams, although her grandmother has so often reproached her with not knowing one end of a needle from the other, to which she has impiously replied that she knows which end to screw into the gramophone. But bless her heart, the moment she becomes engaged she shows that what her father paid in school fees was not entirely wasted. And probably because she is fresh and enthusiastic the trousseau gains in daintiness and inspiration, and after all is said and done one cannot go far without inspiration. Well, then, what about discovering your colour schemes first, for bedroom, bathroom, drawingroom, etc., not by happy accident but by process of thought? Perhaps you have seen some never-to-be-forgotten room. Go to the garden, to nature. Then write your impressions down. Here are four—larkspur and golden aquilegia, cornflour poppies and wheat, hollyhock and delphinium, the green depths of a pool, the mauve and rose tints of an evening sky. Then you may begin on your ecru linens for buffet scarves, betweenmeals cloths and luncheon sets. You may prefer white worked in colours to carry out the tones of your china and glass ware, or the room may need vivid splashes of colour worked in white. “ Boxed ” flowers (a chainstitched square enclosing a satin stitched flower) lend a quaint simplicity that must be repeated in the china.

Every bride will have in reserve a beautiful Italian cut work set. This can again be in colours, but worked in white on a fine Irish linen will indeed be a valuable and exquisite piece of workmanship. So simple, too, and the designs are lovely. Just what are beds wearing? Of course there are aspiring artificial silks in wonderfully-blended shades, sophisticated satin appliqued covers, and exquisite spreads of linen and fabulous lace ; but the girl who works her own bed spread is likely to imbue her room with most individuality. Here is one I saw—morning glories, mauve and pink running over a jade trellis on white muslin—so fresh.

Pillow cases and sheets are pastels or white with guest towels to match. All have embroidered motifs. Coloured or white towels wli'cl# take the tints of the bathroom are decorated with cut work or flower designs enclosing large monograms. A whole blue, jade and gold bedroom ensemble was carried out in a wonderful peacock design ; which brings me to quilt and cushions. These were handworked in the famous new-revived Italian quilting and were really magnificent. For myself, T would rather the jay bird or the homely barn door fowl d’sport itself on my quilt than tiring the peacock indoors. However, everybody to their taste. And if one has a grandmother who can work miracles in tatting—so much the better.