The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-05
decorating tie Gable.
Simple Flowers i'm Simple Dishes Give
Dainty Effects

Dainty Effects.
II IS in decorating the dinner table that
the taste Of the mistress. her eye for
coloring and her aptitude at artistic ef-
fects are more clearly shown than in al
most any other effort to beauty the
home.
II one has the best and rarest OF royal
Worcester and Sevres in quantities, and
q greenhouse at ones disposal tho mat
ter Of table decorations, as far as flow
ers so, resolves itself into a very simple
matter; but the results, as we are all
ready to testify. are nothing alarming
after ell. Some women will give more OF
an air TO the table by using a few velvety
pansies and some feathery green like that
OF carrot tops IN a common pressed glass
bowl than others Will secure with price
less bowl Of eggshell thinness and a dozen
orchids.
And. speaking Of bowls or bOwl-shaped
dishes for flowers. there's nothing that
lends itself much better for this pur-
pose than a finger bowl. IL seems 20 be
tho right shape and depth for the stems
OF almost all kinds OF flowers and ioli-
age.
And delicate effects are to be got by
using 50 many kinds OF foliage without
a trace Of flower. They give a de-
iightfui air OF freshness and GOODNESS 10
a dinner table in the hottest night. And
here is where the woman with DISCERN
Ing eyes uses a gayly embroidered dolly
for the center of the table-One OF roses
or OF chrysanthemums or Of strawber-
ries--and In It's center a bowl Of feathery
maid OF the mist.
But o. the crime it IS 10 put a dish/of
gaudy nasturtiums on a dolly embroid-
cred with flowers Of the feldl
If there must be an embroidered dolly
In the center Of the table upon which
the hostess is determined 10 put flowers,
then let its pattern be Of maidenhair
fern. its colors of the coolest and leafiest
green. and on & put a glass of flowers
having but very little mixed with them
in thu way Of foliage.
Anu to revert again 10 the subject Of
fower receptacles, nothing is prettier
thhl the empty ginger jar. Fill one
with some common field daisies or with
ox-eyed daisies some tine, and see what
a charming effect IS had. Or use them
for nasturtiums or for marigolds or for
flowers of any hue save blue.
For blue flowers, lobelia or ragged sail
Off. use one OF those pate Qe lOlc Elde
tureens that YOU have been saving. one
OF those having little black border
around It, and see what an exquisite ORR
entail effect awaits your efforts.
And then utilize some OF your liquor
or rhine wine bottles for lOng-stemmed
wild flowers. for golden rod or for the
cardinal flower. and see what you shall
sec.
And later a chrysanthemum or two may
be put into them. And don't forget the
decorative effect OF the Wild asters used
in these receptacles.
And after this, explore for yourself and
make daring combinatons-the simpler
they are the more beautiful. Dip a vt
into the japanese theories OF decoration.
that ali endeavor should aim as far as
possible 10 convey the beauty and growth
OF each individual plant.
But these hints, OF course. are only for
the housekeepers who stand in need Of
them. They are for the woman who
wants simplicity on Informal occasions
and who has but the commonest garden
flowers from which 20 select. or the road
side and field 10 lay under her command
for the Frightening OF her table.-Epicure.