The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-02-28
THE BLANK SPACES.
A PROFESSIONAL DECORATOR TELLS
HOW TO BEAUTlFY THEM.
Sharp Angles Removed by a Little Drapery.
Arranging the Piano SO That 1t Is orna-
mental as Well as Usefui-The Mantel Is
Another Difficulty For the Uninitiated.

Arranging the Piano SO That 1t Is Orna-i
Another Difficulty For the Uninitiated.
Recently the writer asked Miss Lewis.
professional decorator, how she was ar
ranging and ornamepting tables, mantels
and, more than all, the piano, that indis-
pensable triangle of furniture, so torment
ing to the artistically inclined.
'sUnless you place your piano with its
back to the room the case is hopeless, - she
said. tsThis position is not only good from
decorative standpoint, but performer
likes to be shielded by the instrument"
Then she enumerated various graceful
ways to cover the polished baroness of this
musical instrument.
To hang a square Of tapestry over the
back from brass rod is exceedingly strik-
ings ndfe possible, Let the painted subject
relateIte music or sentiment and have st
sutficisntly large to cover the surfaeeLof
the plano.
If the tapestry is very fine, its surface
should be unspoiled by additions. Across
the top of the piano laysa scarf of liberty
silk or another painted panel. Tho only
bric-a- brao that combines with this ORA
perry is a pair of candelabra, the quainter
in style the better. D. it
Algerian stripes, Bagdad tapestry or
Persian prints make good backgrounds.
The cost is $125 a yard and width so
inches. With this as a foundation many
schemes may be carried out.
Bas-relief heads in plaster can be swung
on it without injuring the wood of tho
piano. Medallions of Beethoven, Mozart
or Wagner can be purchased for 81 each
A long panel Of oherubs goes we'll, or a
line of delft or japanese plates.
A low settle has comfortable resting
place underneath this. Either a box seat
upholstered in dark, contrasting stuff or
one of the 81 SO green wooden settles, sold
to artists, would serve. A number of
cushions placed on the seat against the
piano add to the coziness and grace of the
decoration.
There is a Fifth avenue house where
the tea table is placed against the draped
back of the piano, the polished old silver
showing well against the Persian colors.
Chinese and Turkish skirts, heavily
embroidered, to be found at large dry
goods shops, make most artistic drapery.
They are laid over the top of the instru-
ment and fall far downward over the back.
A curtain of dark velvet serving under
meath as a backg ground adds to the rich
ness. A few fine bits of eastern china or
| pottery, if one possesses them, serve adj
1nirably as ornaments, but in lieu of these
a bowl of roses and several small photos
| framed in gold or silver are all that the
age calls for.
Whatever other color your room is made
up in, put something rich and full of color
on the back piano. excepting, Of course,
in an elaborate drawing room, upholstered
in fairy colors.
A like system of draping is effective for
the nantel wall-that is, for those who
do not possess large mirror, an artistic
wall or that abomination, mantel cab
met. Even with a mirror background
of rich toned stripes or colonial silks is
more than pretty. This curtain is hung
without fulIness from the ceiling molding
by hooks. W.
Far down near the mantel place q mir
TOR or long relief Of plaster, such as
the cherubs, the Parthenon frieze or any
one of like ilk.
Do not burden the mantel wall with
ornaments in pairs. Have individual ar
ticles distantly placed, and you will be as
artistic as the japanese. In the land of
the fan onlyone object of value is brought
out at time and placed for admiration in
niche. More would be artistic sacrilege
If one does not care for the Persian
tones, a background can be supplied of
| figured burlap. Put on as closely as wall
| paper, it forms an excellent pa.
A scarf of bright hued ibe,ss- silk on
the lnantel board is pretty, twisted in a
heroic sailors knot in the center and the
ends ourving along the board.
| In the matter of ornaments remember
| that royal Worcester and other bowls and
vases of china are no longer in use. I'll
| A Bohemian bowl q dozen exquisitely
framed photographs, apair of candelabra
are in good taste. The decorators object
to even so many things. Severe silaplic-
/ ityl$shoalu rule the shelf, they sag3 Bwo
i good hits OF brie-a-brao at most serting
the purpose.
Some housewives are placing q divan
under the mantel. If the air gets its heat
from a register, this plan serves, and the
varied cushions heaped to the overhanging
scarf lend color. 1t is better taste, how
ever, to display the fireplace, arranging it
in decorative fashion.
1 Tn,