The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-01-20
Home Gossip.


Ladies' scarcely realize the possibilities
of chamois leather. 1t is an excellent
material for decorative purposes. 1t
takes color well, and is besides so soft
and pliable that it can be very readily
embroidered; in addition to this it an
swers well for designs in dry color.
Several years ago paper curtains were
| in great demand in England. They were
usually in imitation of eastern designs,
and were, also, lined with paper and
| Innings being differently decorated. An
attempt has been made to introduce them
here, but hitherto not very successfully.
They are, of course, much cheaper than
| hangings of worste materials, and, as
| they have glazed surface, they can be
| readily shaken or wiped free from dust.
A novelty in lace curtains is an
nounced. which consists in the peculiar
| ity of the design rather than in anything
special in the fabric itself. It represents,
| within border of floral design, a win
dow with drapery and a view in
prospective beyond. The idea may be
new, but is certainly not artistic.
The fashionable table lamp to-day is
mounted upon beautifully painted vase
of spheroid form, and is often of very
great. value, choice porcelain being
selected for this purpose.
Some of the most beautiful carving by
ladies is carried out in cedar wood. They
are specially adapted for glove boxes and
other small articles.
The table d'oyleys are now often EN-
| broidered in the center only. An initial
letter is frequently selected, and within
| a fanciful or grotesque figure is Garfield
out in raised dotted embroidery.
| A novelty is about to be introduced for
bedrooms In the shape of draped toi-
let table. The foundation is of ordinary
wood, and above the table an upper
frame is supplied with swinging mir
/ ror. The drapery is arranged upon q
projecting shelf above the frame and fes-
tooned around the glass, which is also
decorated with double ruching of the
material. Usually paper muslin of
light color is selected as g background,
and spotted Swiss supplies the material
of the drapery itself.
/ Crystal is growing in favor. Most
beautiful center-pieces for the lunch
table are in vogue, deeply cut in this
material, and new shape has super
seded the globular. 1t is not unlike q
crescent.
Iridescent mother-of- pearl is much
\
/ dies, &C. It is often richly carved, but
| still more frequently inlaid with gold
| and silver.
Braiding is to become popular again.
Rounded soutache will be used, as the
designs can be examined in raised work
| by its use. It Is easy to give Eastern
effects by carrying out free design upon
| muslin. serum, or thin materials of any
kind.
| The effect of applique work, which is
| given to the popular jute and linen
pushes so much in use now is gained by
the great attention that is paid to the eff
feet of light and shade. Even without
the outline embroidery in gold thread,
which gives them their handsome finish,
the same result is largely effected.
Cushions for deep cane chairs are
made of tufted plush or.satin, and as an
accompaniment strip of the same ma
terial and color is embroidered as scarf
for the back and finished off with deep
fringe, which is often of rich quality.
A handsome ornament for the parlor
wall consists of small cabinet in carved
wood, the doors of which open down
ward and by means of movable supports
form writing desk. Frequently the
panels are either painted or pieces oil
embroidery are mounted upon them.
Oddly shaped tables are much in de-
mand. Some of them are round and
just low enough to reach laly's elbows
as she sits at work, and are rotatary.
Others are round in front and straight
at the back, and aresupported upon..h hall
recumbent figures. Tables of every
shape are to be had for decoration al
home, and are covered with iute plush
embroidered in raised figures or simply
finished off by deep fringe.
Ornamental figures in terra Gotta are
seen everywhere. By the introduction
of color an immense variety in effect is
| gained, and where only moderately used
it is as beautiful as effective.
Il Menu cards can be beautifully deco.
rated at home. They should be in three
folds, like miniature screens, and each
fold should bear a different floral OIL
emblematic device. The outer one. ii
possible, should have as decoration the
monogram of the guest by whose plate il
is placed.
Vegetables may be esthetically beau.
tiful, but the attempt to introduce them
as appropriate decoration for table mats
and doylies has not proved successful;
fruits, blossoms or fancy figures are far
more suitable.