The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-02-09
Winter Table Decorations.

The fashion Of strips of colored plush
or velvet in the center of the table Is
quite popular. Some ladies use strips
Of handsome brocade as being newer
than either velvet or satin. Nothing
looks better than a strip of crimson vel.
vet or plush, with small crystal vases
on it, each containing line rose. 1t Is
also effective to put small china shells
on the table. filled with vari-colored
bon bOns. II r quantity of flowers can
be obtained it is extremely pretty TO
edge the velvet with the dark green
leaves of the rose, the leaves resting
half on the velvet and half on the table,
cloth. the flowers placed ut intervals on
the leaves and the stalks concealed by
the same. A golden brown plush CEN
terpiece looks extremely well, edged
with yellow and white pompOn chrys-
anthemums; fern, ivy or some other
green should be- used as well rs the
grayish chrysanthcmum leaves. When
y centerpiece is edged with leaves or
flowers care should always be taken to
place them half on it and half on the
table-cloth. With the decoration last
described specimen glasses with fine
large chrysanthemums are most appro-
pirate. When brocade Of more than
one color Is used for the centerpiece 1t
is more general not to put flowers upon
il. as its cOlors are apt to distract the
eye from them; il Is frequently finished
off with fringe to match the cOlOrs or
with raveled-out fringe. knotted ma
crane fashion, aud the specimen glasses
L.. toh ~l1xL l1f
each guest. Small bouquets Of violets
are very usual for these. One Of tho
prettiest designs for the new year IL to
have the centerpiece of mOss-green or
olive plush; edge It with rose leaves
among which peep out as many BIOS
SONS as can be obtained of the common
monthly rose. A peculiar decoration
we once saw was q centerpiece vi black
plush; across il was u lattice work form.
cd entirely of the yellow flowers OF the
Jaspinum auditorium, and in the CEN
ter OF each division was tiny china
basket Of brightly cOlored bon bons--
Another centerpiece of black stamped
velvet, the pattern outlined In gold. was
cut out into deep scallops, edged with
gold fringe; and on the table-cloth, In
the center Of each scollop with tiny
bunch of berries Of the Pyracantha tied
with black and gold ribbon. the ends Of
which lay Oh the cloth. Some hand.
some gold ornaments were placed on
the brocade. Looking-glass, than which
In summer few things are prettier as q
plateau, looks rather cold for winter, II
used il should be surrounded by dark
leaves and flowers OF decided tint; holly
looks well. When velvet centerpiece
is used. one point should always be
kept in mind, namely, that It considers
bly, mars the eject to crowd too many
things upon it. whether they be flower
vases. pieces OF plate, or small recepta-
cles for sweetmeats. Also, the center
piece must always have an edging.
either of leaves and flowers laid half on
it and half on the cloth, or else OF some
sort of fringe. of which. for either velvet
or plush chenille is the best. Lace is
not TO be recommended, as its white
ness against the table-cloth gives no re-
lief.-NeU York Journal.