Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-02-01
How to Decorate Pianos to Secure
Artistic Effects.

HOW 10 decorate ftauos 10 secure
Artistic Effects.
MANY DEVICES REsoRTED ro-1NDIA SILK IN
GRACEFUL FoLDs-EFFECTIvE WHITE scARFs.
BOTH FOB PROTECTION AND oRSAMENr-A
CAPITAL USE FOR A aRANDMorHER's SHAWL
There is one piece of furniture that for bulk
and ugliness will interfere seriously with any
scheme for decoration. This is of course the
piano, for, though melodious, it is not beauti-
full, and is always thing to be endured and
not admired in an artistic apartment Ispeak
Of course Of the ordinary pisna, with frame Of
rosewood or ebony. Cases can be made, and
have been, for special places and people that
quite alter ones views Of the appearance Of
this universal musical instrument If one is
blessed with lively imagination piano might
be designed in thought which would be a fit
ting shrine for the enhancing music to be
evoked from it. 1t is only millionaires and
people Of such financial comfort however, who
can carry out these charming little ideas Of
their own. The majority must take the piano
IN Its usual dark and clumsy exterior, there
fore, and be thankful to have it at all
PIANO DECORATIONS.
To pailiate its lack of beauty, which every
one is eager to do, many devices are resorted
TO and much variety Of ornamentation is the
result. For q long time felt was in high favor
as a material just suited to the needs Of grace
full CD piano decoration. A straight, stiff lam
brequin or scarf was the style Of shape selected
and we all know the effect! Now a change has
come and with Improvement in other matters
of household art the piano is also. quite trans
figured with our advanced ideas. The style
of piano is an important thing in considering
its adaptability to ornament. The upright
is at the same time the most common and
the most susceptible of good effects
in decoration. The good result most easily
achieved Is by carelessly draping a length
of India silk in graceful folds, with
ends hanging irregularly; that is,
with one shorter than the other, for instance
This, however, from the fact of its beng SO
easily done, is left to the uninventive mind to
adopt, while something more original is sought
after by many people. The painted and en-
broidered scarfs of silk boiling cloth are ar
ranged similarly to the India silk, but are less
SLOPPY looking, as some individual taste must
be displayed i'll both design and execution.
The Japanese embroideries on crepe are es-
pecially effective as piano decorations, and with
their soft colorings will tone in with almost any
room. White is beginning to be used for piano
drapery, and with some surroundings nothing
could be prettier than this lack of color with
the dark wood Of the piano in striking contrast.
With white scarf the ornaments set on the
piano may be of brilliant or even vivid color
ing and the effect will be excellent. Take. for
instance,
SCARF OF WHITE JAPANESE SILK CREPE,
charming fabric for any use it can be put to.
The length should be 80 yards long, with
hem inches wide, hemstitched at each end.
few rather small flowers, conventionalized,
or some pretty geometrlcai form, may be pow
dered over the ends for the depth of Is inches
Along the front edge OF the crepe a few of
these flowers may also be scattered. The
prettlest way to work this design would be
with gold thread, using single strand and
working the flowers solid. Surprising the scarf
to be completed the best way of putting it on is
10 drape 1t with several irregular festoons. hold
ing these in place by ornaments heavy enough
to make all secure. jar of bright yellow with
white chrysanthemums In relief would be an
effective piece of pottery for one thing. A
bronze, a slender vase and number of smaller
articles can all be used to accent these folds
and festoons. Groups Of ornaments are
affected by some artistic people, instead Of scat
tering them about singiy. very good effect
favorite spot to choose for the display of any
bit of drapery that is especially unique or rare
or beautiful. One sometimes sees fall OF en-
broidery on piano which looks as il it might
have been a part OF the vestments of some
priest, SO rich in gold and colored silks is
it. Travellers in foreign lands have opportu-
mites of collecting such interesting scraps,
which make most attractive decorations in
their homes.
ANOTHER PRETTY WAY
OF adjoining a. piano is to have very deep lace
in full frill across the ends and front, while a
smooth covering is over the top, 70 which this
lace is attached. This last is an effective decora-
ton when large patterned lace is used and
handsome ornaments are scattered over the ton
Sconces of old silver or brass are a great addi-
ton to the looks of piano when the drapery
is arranged so that they do not interfere. Piano
lamps or umbrella lamps, they are also
called, are great convenience when the piano is
at distance from a gas light Square and grand
pianos are much less susceptible of decoration
in the way OF drapery than the upright
young lady made covering for her grand
piano, however, which was excellent as a pro-
lection, while it was not to be despised as an
ornament Dark olive turcoman was the
material chosen. while the decoration consisted
wholly of a fringe made by raveling the goods
and braiding the strands into tassles. As the
turcoman only ravels one way to make a good
fringe these rawlings were tied into the
material on the other side, thus making the
finish.
FOR SQUARE PIANOS
straight scarfs wide enough to cover the top
when closed and folding back when the piano
is opened are as satisfactory as anything. These
should be long enough to have the ends hang
down far enough to show any decoration which
may be applied to it. Iurcoman is very good
for such a scarf; it needs no lining. II plush,
velour or any single faced goods is used
lining is necessary, otherwise the wrong side
shows when the scarf is thrown back on OPEN
ing the piano. Embroidery has been much
used in the past on such scarfs. but as good a
decoration anu finish anything is the deep
fringe which comes In beautiful coloring and
with cords of irregular lengths. ending off In
fluffy tasses. grand piano which came to
my notice some time ago was most artisticalIv
covered with q large crepe shawl of Japanese
workmanship. The color was rich red while
heavy embroidery in varied shades was all over
the surface. BY some clever management and
without at all altering the square of the shawl
1t was draped 80 as to at once display its beauty
and be most decorative to on the piano.
Whoever is so fortunate as to have had q
grandmother who owned one of the lovely old
fashioned silk shawls with changeable colors
and deep fringe need seek no further for
piano drapery. Whether square or ''long"
shawl it can be turned to good account in this
way. 1t will also probably cause the lucky
possessor to be more or less enyied for the
unique and charming effect given her room by
this adaptation OF the ancient to the modern
wants. it Is not ALWAYS the people who have
themselves Of them. With tact and taste, how
ever, there is scarcely any such heirloom that
cannot be made to 1T into q modern drawing
room or boudoir with great success. No matter
il a thing 10 pretty in itself how old IL is; in
fact age enhances its value to many persons,
aud certainly very good effects are secured by
this commingling OF the old styles with the
new in house furnishing.
Old Gent Cooking for pair Of stout shoes for
boy)-"Can you warrant these shoes?"
Dealer-sT know Of pair of the same make