WHEN PLANNING A STUDY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20728, 11 February 1939, Page 18 (Supplement)

WHEN PLANNING A STUDY

Simplicity the Key Note

If we are to judge from the houses which are being erected to-day, the study as a room is fast disappearing, except in homes where it is a vital necessity. To a man who has lived in bachelor quarters, the loss of a place where he can keep all his special odds, and ends must be acute, and if there is no other place available, be would indeed be thankful if the spare bedroom, so seldom used, -were given over to his exclusive use. In the main, masculine taste in decoration and furniture is simple, though men will live silent and uncomplaining in a room whose floral wallpapen and chintz is anathema to them, hence, although they say so little, they appreciate the more any effort that is made to give them congenial surroundings. Good simplicity must be the keynote. No creaking chair springs or cupboard doors that have literally to be wrfenched open. Solid comfort is what is needed—and plain surfaces. A brown study, in the concrete and not the abstract, stands a good chance of being successful if the colour scheme is carefully worked out and the brown is not overdone. Like all good decorators, we will begin our scheme with walls and ceiling, and paint, paper or distemper them a deep ivory, substituting warm maize if the room is dark or faces north. A plain nut brown carpet fitted right to the skirting will be the next step. Except in rare cases men dislike polished floors and rugs, and if comfort is to be the first consideration they are, of course, quite right. The furniture could be of light or

dark oak, or, nicer still, Australian walnut or cherry Wood. There should not be too much; leave plenty of room for leg-stretching and the housing of golf clubs, fishing tackle and the rest. But what there is must be well made and substantial. Include a desk, plenty of bookshelves, a fireside table, and a cabinet of some sort to house smokes and drinks. At least two comfortable chairs must find a home in this room. These offer an opportunity of introducing a third colour note into the picture. It might be coral pink—not too pink; or a deep rust colour, depending mainly on the colour of the walls. Old Bleach linen, which is being used so much on many of our largest liners for upholstery, is a splendid choice. It wears for years and years, and will withstand repeated visits to the laundry. The upholstery linen is quite different in texture from dress linen, of course. It is soft and has a silky sheen. It is made in many attractive* colours and patterns, and is hard to beat in a room where change is seldom welcomed. I The lighting in this room is important. A centre light and a desk or reading lamp worked independently will be sufficient if strip lighting is out of the question on account of expense. Let the shades be simple. Real parchment ones would be a sensible choice and would accord well with the brown scheme. Do not overdo the accessories. ODe or two old prints, copper rum measures for holding flowers or leaves, and a rack for newspapers and periodicals are just a few suggestions.