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Colourful Simplicity
In The Home
There was once a cyni- cal writer who gave this advice to a young begin- ner: "If you have written a line that pleases you, cut it out!”
Which sounds not merely discouraging, but ridiculous.
It does, however, make a point in favour of omission. Omission is in itself an art. How? Take, for exam- ple, the houses and homes of to-day not by any means the most ex- pensive or luxurious homes; those. whose owners have consulted up to-date builders and designers as to the practical equipment of their
rooms,
For the rodern furniture”
"I hate those modern rooms and
is now hushed in the land. Once the word "modern" used in this regard -suggested every exaggeration of colour and design; ugly, uncom- fortable steel chairs, cubist angles, over-bright paint the kind of room which you might see at an exhibi- tion, murmuring affrightedly, "I should hate to have to live in it." Now, on their own showing, the designers and decorators of to-day are expressing a totally different mood. They are as much concern- ed with streamline efficiency as the makers of modern cars. They are producing simple, practical rooms and furnishings which achieve beauty by their function.
Not only do they believe eliminating all
in
unnecessary orna- ment and abolishing the over- elaborate details of another period (if you look at a living-room photo- graphed only ten years ago you can see how the whole picture has the
9
THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 28, 1938.
The curtains at this bay window are of maize-coloured spun satin; the walls carry on the colour unity in yellow-fawn. The casy chair is upholstered in white, and the green glass-topped table has a · chromium frame and legs.
appearance of "too many things" f omission. Perhaps you have a is a background, of freedom in line about it), but they will have none small dining-room. of the merely startling modernities. occurred to you
Has it ever and space, of practical equipment Steel chairs of freakish design are of seating at the table is made a
that the problem and comfort. to their mind not only hideous but simple matter by running a wooden their roomy seats, broad arms and setting the table within reach of uncomfortable; armchairs, with form along two or three walls, and low backs, are planned for comfort it, instead of in the middle of the wall, and with the greatest simplicity of line. room with the necessary And they accord perfectly with en- thusiasm for space as a necessary feature of the modern room. Built- in cupboards and bookshelves, un obtrusive lighting effects and plain patternless materials all have their share in this effect of space.
In the accompanying photo- graphs you may see how perfectly these ideas are carried out. If you yourself are planning any redecora- tion for this spring you can learn some valuable hints from the art
as
In the bedroom. The dressing- table is cellulosed in cream colour, are the cupboards. The cur- tains are. of stretched cellophane, and the bedspread of finecorded cream silk. A carpet of dark blue and a pale blue wallpaper with a white dot complete the scheme. The rug is of natural lambskin.
Cupboard, and fireplace fitment alike are of natural sycamore, and. the upholstery of the comfortable, wide armed modern chairs is in
easily on this page
The dressing-table photographed will show you how a mirror set against the the simplest of glass taking up unnecessary space?
chairs shelves can give the modern effect really attractive idea which can be ever, while the plain, straight-hang- A without any elaboration whatso- carried pensively. The paint upon the form the room illustrated, follow per- out simply and inex ing curtains and narrow pelmet, in and the cushion padding should, of fectly the lines of room and win- course, harmonise with the colours dow. of your room.
Beside the armchair, the table This is only one of the many that holds ash-trays, books or a simplifying your own home, which simple. The same may be observed suggestions for beautifying and vase of flowers is the last degree
graphs of the most modern ideas in above. Everywhere there is space, can be found by studying photo of the low bookshelves shown
decoration. You will catch the beauty. and, comfort-in three quick impression of a room that words, the modern purpose.
The Housewives' Notebook
GOOD polish for mahogany A
is made of equal parts of linseed oil, paraffin oil, and vine- gar, and one tablespoon of methy- lated spirits. Rub in sparingly and polish with a soft cloth. For oak, use linseed oil. For enamel, use turpentine and water.
To
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10 clean copper articles which are very soiled, use equal parts of salt and vinegar. After this, rinse in warm water to re- move any acid and give a final: polish with a soft cloth.
have peeled
ables which have stained your hands, such as potatoes, onions, etc., rub your hands with lemon juice, and you will find that the stains have quite disappear- ed.:
WOODEN spoons are better
for all cooking purposes,, with the exception of making curry. Curry penetrates the wood and renders the spoon unfit for other mixing.
T
10 frost a window, make
strong mixture of vine-. gar and epsom salts and paint the glass with a cloth dipped in the solution.
stains are stubborn; when THEN ingrained, some ink
fresh, they can easily removed, especially if you use milk, fresh or sour. For an old. ink-stain, dissolve some oxalic acid in boil- ing water and immerse the stain- ed part in the solution. Iron mould will yield to the same treat- ment. Do not use oxalic acid for coloured things, as it is too strong, and will fade the colour.
STAR
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If
1TARCH has many uses. you powder it, it is an -cellent silver-cleaner. It will re- move stains from wallpaper when nothing else will. A lump of starch added to the water when washing the windows will remove. the dirt quickly. Also, it is good for insect bites.
CLEAN
coffee grounds, like tea-leaves, may be used for sweeping floors, to prevent the dust rising. Damp paper, torn into shreds, may also be used for the same purpose.
BEETLES, Cockroaches, and
other pests may be quite cleared away by the use of borax. Sprinkle it round the kitchen and pantry, and renew it every few days; the insects will disappear in a week.