Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-30
9aily eagle
TABLE DECORATION. ,
Good Taste Prevails Once More
Over Silly Asthetic Kinks.
i6ilk mas ncsIgned Its Pretensions as a
Substitute for Linen-C1car Glass the
Correct Thing-Brass Kettles
for tho Taxable.

Substitute for Linen-Clcar Glass the
Correct Thing-Brass Kettles
for tho Tea-Tabie.
The table-cloth, says the Chicago Tribune,
Is naturally the first question to be consid-
cred in setting table, and, to many wonl-
en-, 1t is the most important Silk is no
longer considered an elegant substitute for
linen. Nothing isshandsomer or more effect
i've than damask of purest white. 1t makes
the best background for floral decorations;
and, strongest recommendation of all to the
extravagant 1t Is much more costly than
silk or satin. The newest table-cioths are
all hem-stitched by hand They come in
patterns Of delicate designs.
The linenis exquisitely fnein texture, and
the hem-stitching is frequently elaborated
with 6ne-drawn work. The cheapest Of
these table-cloths, with napkins to match.
are $50. while they vary, according to size,
from $50 to S75-good price, for plain inenf
But ii these white cloths seem too simple
and unobtrusive IN style, even more costly
ones are provided to meet the demands Of
the wealthy. Plain linen embroidered in
dainty silks makes the highest-priced table
covering.
Flowers are scattered in artistic profusiop
over the whole cloth. The embroidering IL
done by slilIful hands, as it must be as
smooth and exact as if woven in the linen.
Yellow and pink are the fsvorite colors for
these emhrolderies. The embroidered table
cloths are edged with lace, and cost from
$50 up to $500
Colored luncheon cloths are no longer
fashionable, although the colored borders
are more or less used. Fringed table
cloths are still In high favor, and to the
superficial observer they seem moro ele-
CANT than those with hem-stitched borders.
Pretty fringed cloths may be bought for
go or S15, and even less. Fringe always
appeals to the feminine eye. Every house
keeper covets at least one fringed table
cloth, but, alasl from practical considera-
tions, fringe is not always to be recon-
mended, because it will knot or tangle, and
few servants can be taught to properly
laundry fringed articles.
Many of the new cloths come in squares
to suit the round tables now so fashionable.
All of the most elegant luncheons and sup
pers are this season served at round tables,
which are charmingly adapted for socabil-
ity. Unfortunately, the scope of the round
table Is limited. 1t is impossible to use
round table that will seat more than six
teen or eighteen, while twelve is the num-
Der ordinarily accommodated by medium
sized table Round tables admit of most
artistic decoration. Round center pieces OF
boiling cloth, embroidered linen, or hand
some lace are used. These center-pieces
are often lined with silk, and they give a
touch Of color to the cloth. A low bowl of
flowers, mound of ferns, a candelabrum
or shaded lamp placed ia the center, will
make sufficient decoration for round
ssble.
The woman with limited means who reads
about round tables and signs because hers
is OF the square extension pattern need not
despair, for little ingenuity will provide
every woman with Handicapped table
All that is necessary Is to order carpenter
or furniture dealer to make circular top of
pine, or other common wood. The top
should be six or eight feet in diameter and
provided with clamps that will fasten it Sc
curely to the abridged form of the square
extension table.
Small napkins and doilies are still uni
versally used, although the decline of the
finger-bowl apparently reduces their sphere
of usefulness. They are, however, SO dainty,
so decorative and SO costly that no woman
will dispense with them. They are used on
Che bread plate, in the cake-basket and be-
meath the butter-dish; they are thrown over
the Saratoga potatoes, they are placed like
an individual table-cloth beneath each plate,
and they form little islands of fringe, upon
which salt and pepper boxes are placed like
miniature silver lighthouses. These doiliee
are costly trifies They are il various
styles, and come in sets, with the long
scarfs for the center of square or oblong
tables. Embroidered linen, boiling cloth,
and pineapple silk are used, and the doilies
cost from so to SOS a dozen. But the in
dustrioas woman need not buy her doiliea
or table sca-fs. Pretty ones may be made
at slight expense by embroidering plain
linen with wash silks. Tray covers are
much used beneath the silver tea service at
the foot of the table. The tray covers are
hem-stitched or fringed all around and they
may be ornamented in outline patterns.
With the improved and delicate taste in
tape covering the rage for colored glass
ware and calico effects in china has de-
clined. Clear glass is now the only thing
used on the table-if it can be cut-glass SO
much the better. There has been an effort
to revive the glass cream pitcher and sugar
bowl Of our grandmothers' time, while the
quaint china coffee-pot was to accompany
them; but silver is still preferred by the
majority OF people. China, unless it be the
most costly, is decorated with delicate
traceries and tiny threads of gold. Every
day dishes show great Improvement, and
people now buy less coloring and better
glaze The Japanese porcelains find con-
slant and ready sale, for they are reasona-
bic in price and the decorations are always
models of conventional treatment.
The brass kettle is now a fixture on every
tea table and the army of tea drinkers
ought to return thanks to whoever intro
duced it. With the disappearance of boiled
tea the National health ought to improve.
The custom of making tea on the table in
PRODUCES another pretty and quaint piece Of
fancy work-the tea coy. The tea coy of
our grandmothers was large knitted affair
half oval in shape and resembling mans
cap in appearance. The tea coy of to-day
has, like every thing else, been subjected
to an aesthetic metamorphosis. 1t is now
made of painted channels SKIN, oolored plush
or quilted satin, lined with eider-down. A
tassel or bow of ribbon is placed on top SO
that it may be easily removed from the tea
pot when the tea is sufficiently STEPPED.