MAKE YOUR MANTELPIECE ATTRACTIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 18 (Supplement)

MAKE YOUR MANTELPIECE ATTRACTIVE

IMPORTANT FEATURE OF ROOM , There are two features of a room which arrest one's attention as soon as one enters. One is the window, the other the mantelpiece. In the winter especially, when almost invariably we walk over to the fire as soon as we enter a room, the mantelpiece should be made a really decorative feature. Only too often, unfortunately, it is given a rloek and an ornament or two, chosen for no special reason, but just put there to fill an empty space. As often as not the space between the rloek and the wall is used as a sort of letter-rack by the entire family. Invitations, bills, addresses and so forth arc thrust, there, no doubt on I lie principle that when they are not out of sight they will not be out of mind. . .. , , . But this bad habit does not add to the beauty of the mantelpiece. It must not be treated os a convenient shelf for the depositing of odds and ends, bu! must he regarded as an important feature of a room. Arrangements for Various Types of Rooms Tlie actual arrangement that is chosen depends naturally upon the t'-pr of mantelpiece. In the cottage rooms which appear to be so popular to-day tin: actual shelf may be of dark oak with beams in the wall above. Willow pattern china, pewter plates and mugs, brass or copper at! look well against such a background. The jugs or mugs could be hung upon hooks from the actual shelf, and perhaps from another shelf flxed above. . . . , . If vou adopt this Idea do not Imagine that a clock must be included as well* \ single plate or dish will look much better. On the mantelpiece of a house s<-en recently there was a collection of brass figures. Thes«* had been gathered from all over the world, and the history of tur.h made the mantelpiece a most interesting place.