The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-07
FOR FEMININE READERS
CHINA AND GLASS FOR A DAINTY IA
BILE NEED NOT BE COSTLY.
The Very Best HandiwOrk Is What
Scotsman rs n Judge of Dress
Practical CIubwOmen.

1t must be said here, in the guise of a
note of warning, that all sorts of cheap
colored glass are to be avoided. says a
writer in the Woman's Home Companion
in an article on artistic table furnishings.
They never look we'll, and to the cultivated
person betray a great lack of refinement.
Nearly all persons can have an occasional
piece of cut glass. 1t must be m
that this can be purchased much cheaper if
one will be satisfied with patterns that are
not absolutely new; but these may be even
more dainty than the others. If only a few
pieces of cut glass are within ones limit,
a great amount of satisfaction may be
gained by careful choosing. A bowl for
salad (since the green of the lettuce looks
dainty and cool therein). a pitcher for
cream and one or two small dishes for
olives and celery will make quite a showing.
A salad bowl can always be used for berries
and other desserts. and the small dishes for
a variety of small things. almonds, bon
bons or jellies. A slender cut glass vase
for a few flowers is an excellent point from
which to work out endless combinations in
table decoration.
A very large amount OF china is not a ne
cessity for a really dainty table. In select
lAA6Y III viz AAOo " ANNh "a NJ 4baAA
tity do duty for all occasions there should
be very little decoration and almost no
| color. A plain white china, thin and of good
| design, is a very good choice for the main
stay. To this add a few dishes with gold
decoration, and if color is wanted supply it
by flowers, cakes and desserts. Too much
color in table appointment is very weari-
some. 1t is we'll to hesitate before buying
80 90 nhfna Tor oDa fhfnn
some pieces are sure TO be broken, and If
they can DE duplicated IL will be expensive
TO do so; then. one set of dishes constantly
used is very firing both to ourselves and TO
Some will probably be fortunate enough to
have a few quaint old pieces of china, either
that with the dainty and quaint little flower
sprigs or else with odd go. tracing. To
those l suggest the plan of supplementing
these treasures in such a way that the
newer china will serve as a background TO
bring out the full strength and beauty OF
these rare antiques.
After careful consideration an excellent
plan has been evolved for my own needs
that may assist some one else. An old
| fashioned white and gold tea set came into
my possession, and at the same time a din
ner set of about one hundred pieces In a
very pale blue and brown pattern. Out OF
the two and with the addition OF two dozen
extra plates and some after-dinner coffee
cups. I can manage a dinner of six or eight
courses nicely. For oysters l bought a set
of plates with just a tiny design in faint
blue. For soup l use the plates belonging
to the dinner set. For fish L bought at a
special sale some plates with a pattern OF
duh blush green, "A fsh platter, sauce boat
and dish for potatoes at a ridiculOusly low
figure. The coloring is similar. but the de-
sign heavier. At the same time l bought a
round chop plate suitable. too. for a course
uncheonl. For salad ] have a cut glass
BOWL. and some rather small plates with
punches Of arbutus in a lovely shade OF
pink: these cost q cents apiece. L have
1uite enough china for comfortable serving
So before buying consider IL the best re-
-uits will not come from getting china for
he courses instead OF the complete set
There are sure TO be too many pieces of one
ind and not enough Of another In a set
n serving in this way a very effective
scheme is TO start with little or no color
nd decoration, and work up 10 the elab-
orate designs at the last.
Fine china needs care in washing and dry
] ing. and should never be placed In nervous