FURNISHING FABRICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 501, 2 November 1928, Page 5

FURNISHING FABRICS

CHARM AND DAINTINESS OF MODERN HANGINGS

The pendulum of furnishing fashions has lately swung from somewhat violent futurism to simple and unobtrustive ISth century French materials. The “toiles de Jouy” are among the most attractive of the French designs. Their little vignettes of Watteauesque life breathe an air of romance and idealism which pnoves most restful to tired nerves. Often the colour in these materials is very low in tone, the pictures having the effect of etchings, while the frames and the streamers are in mauve or some shade of purple. French sprigged linens are demureness itself and are especially suitable for the young girl’s room, where all should be fresh and dainty. Some restrict themselves to black and white, while others venture into crimsons and greens in all, the general impression is one of airy lightness. Little pinspots punctuate the ground of some French cretonnes powdered with small blossoms and leaves. Among the frankly modern materials from France are some decorated with little figures, dancing, walking or playing. These are drawn, not realistically, but in humorous, angular fashion, by prominent artists of the day. Such materials look their best combined with plain materials for chair-covers and hangings, a method which sijows up their character to better effect. Plain French muslin and mosquito net are much favoured for window curtains. Their filmy charms are sometimes enhanced by insertions of fine filet lace, designed after originals in the Cluny Museum, Paris. L.M.