Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-16

original little dinners through the
winter are now on the lookout
for quaint and pretty conceits in
decorations and menu. Now, II
ever. is the time for thinking of things
Japanese. If a prospective entertainer is
interested In the mikado's country she cam
not do better than invite her guests to din
ner and decorate the table la Japonaise.
Many women are lucky enough to pos
sess japanese small silver. some of which
is very lovely. Among other things which
add to the attractiveness OF an oriental
decoration are little salt cellars in the
shape of lotus flowers, with saltspoons TAX
ing the form of petals Others initiate
chrysanthemums, having spoons with leaf
shaped bowls. Exquisite bonbon dishes
come in the shape Of maple leaves with
tiny frogs or beetles perched ON the ends
Then there are lamp stands in the shape
Of lotus flowers, with Japanese shades that
are stunning. Indeed, one can entirely fur
nish q table with articles symbolic of the
Land of the Rising Sun. The owner Of
treasures of this description is ideally
equipped to give japanese dinner party
more especially If she is the proud possess
sor Of a Nankin dinner service. Even
should these enviable things be denied her
a trip to an oriental shop, cleverly laid
out plan and skillful, busy fingers will pro-
duce wonderfully effective results.
The Japanese cherry blossom, with It's
delicate pink petals, Is well known ana
often used ornamentally, but dinner
scheme of decoration carried out with
these flowers and their color1ng as the
main idea is both effective and uncommon.
Everything used must of course be in keep
ing and should be of light and delicate
texture. The table CENTER which is an I'M
portant feature, is Of Japanese gauze of
the palest pink imaginable. On this cloth
is painted a border of cherry blossoms. Ii
this centerpiece is too difficult to procure,
an excellent substitute may be found in
plain pink gauze or chiffon put on In bill
lowy folds. Little fans are introduced here
and there in the filmy fabric to form a
border. On a pinch Grape paper could be
employed for this purpose. either white.
with design over 1T of cherry blossoms.
or pale pink decorated with paper fans.
To come back to the original proposition
the painted gauze centerpiece-ft should
be oblong in shape and spread on the table
perfectly fat From the centerpfece run
the palest pink gauze ribbons, each termi-
mating at the place of guest with ro-
settle or bow holding small spray OF imi-
tation cherry blossoms. The ribbons run
also to the four corners of the table ana
fall over the edge in cascade of bows and
cherry blossoms. This decoration calls for
q square table, but could be changed TO
suit round board.
In the middle OF the table Is placed
basket shaped like the Japanese lotus
flower. This can be made to order at any
basket making place. or If one is skillful IN
using rafffa q dainty basket can be made
at home It is white with pale pink at the
tips of the petals. The support for the
basket is in the shape OF a lotus leai anu anu
colored green, or fashioned in green rama
If of home manufacture. Fill the basket
with sprays of cherry blossoms. keeping
the arrangement as low as possible, for