Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-25
sum MER F|xIN GS
Good Time Now to Make
Fresh Selections.
UPHOLSTERY FABRICS
VARIETY OF MATERIALS FOR
THE HOT WEATHER.
Cretonne and Other Cottons and
Pretty Ways Of U.s.
ing Them
UPHOLSTERY FABRICS

uary, which April used to show in a nat
ural way, before etherizing and forcing
brought the blooms to perfection in the
depths of winter.
In the shops from January l the thinnest
of hot-weathe dress materials are the spe-
cial displays, and the choicest novelties
come to the fore there to entfce pur-
chasers, who, If they hesitate, are lost,
for often 1t is impossible to duplicate these
earlier fabrics, when the legitimate time
comes for making and wearing the fimy
gowns, so attractive as one sees them
first with snow and sleet, the portion OF
weather that falleth to US.
In the same comparatively new fashion
the furniture shops exploit at this season
the newest charming things In summer
furnishings.
All the dainty colors used for summer
gowns seem to be matched in wicker fur
niture and the cretonnes with which they
are fitted.
For several seasons past as spring drew
near one might see pretty green or scarlet
wicker furniture, but now many shades
In addition are displayed, and one may
match costume If one wishes.
The Dainty Shades.
Lavender, pale blue deep blue and pink.
as well as the older colors used, are all
to be obtained in delightful shapes and
fine enamel finish.
White, of course has been used before,
but usually an ivory shade was chosen.
Now novelty consists of blue-White,
which Is almost the prettiest thing shoWn'
ami the variety OF pieces makes the FUR
uishing of many rooms possible If desired.
In reading the other day l came across
the advice to buy willow furniture, but NOT
rattan, as in the latter the shapes ana
decoration are so tasteless. 1t Is true, anu
it is we'll to bear this in mind if one or
the other is to be selected for summer use.
The variety of chairs in the willow or
wicker-as the terms seem lnterchangeaple
is very large, and among the imported
ores are many English shapes. There Is
nothing prettier or more comfortable than
the winged chair, with padded CUSHIONS
fitted to the seat, back and wings
Dainty and Gay.
In white enamel finish, with fittings Of
cretonne with white ground and Powered
pattern of medium size. in which soft
red predominates, the effect Is so daintily
CAV that a whole summer of delicious sights
and sounds seems to spring into being at
the first glimpse of 1t.
Couches of course. are to be found, ana
also pretty settees of different sizes ana
shapes. if little more formal furnishing Is
wanted.
The tables are also numerous, among
them our old friends with lower shelf, In
both round square and oblong shapes; ana,
besides are some novelties, the most strik-
ing, perhaps, being commodious writing
table, with high back and small shelves,
like pigeon holes -
At Lawn Tea Parties. "a -
The fashion for using willow furniture on
lawns is much followed in England, espe-
cially for serving tea. So we are the ben
eficiarIes, and the little tea table with fold
ing shelves is a most convenient accessory.
as well as the plate holder for cakes and
mullins This consists of three wicker
shelves, the shape and size of a plate, with
a frame holding them sufficiently far apart
to make the whole affair about three feet
high.
Cretonne, for ali 1t has been used so many
years. never was more popular than at
present, judging by the variety and beauty
of its designs and coloring. Cretonne is a
generic term. and includes variety of fab
RIGS, for instance. the art ticking which
has within few years come Into the mar
ket and to stay, apparently, for It's texture
is so firm that 1t makes curtains that hang
we'll: its patterns are almost
invariably good. usually beautiful Its colors
au fat, and 1t launders perfectly and is so
reasonable in price that limited purses may
indulge in It,
The Art Tickings.
The ground of art ticking is generally a
pure white, and it's designs floral, both in
small and large size. 1t Is apparently
fadeless, too. My attention was called to
some curtains at east windows, which had
previously served a season at west win
dows, and the colors were absolutely I'M
changed as compared with the goods used
In other parts of the room removed from
the light.
This pure white ground is in contrast
to most French cretonne in which a pink
ish cream ground is apt to predominant
This, too, is most serviceable and 1 have
seen some which has been in use for twen-
ty years and in spite of wear and washing
its pink and buff ground and beautiful
flowers have no appearance of being faded.
though. of course, its colors have softened
by time and wear.
The dimities are all charming, the dotted
grounds and floral designs being the pref
test.
Birds and Flowers.
Linen taffeta Is in the same category.
and there are also the English chintzes.
which have a highly glazed surface and
usually enormous designs of flowers, with
sometimes birds or parrots in addition.
Just now there Is a great fancy for Gre
tonnes to match wall papers, and they are
so exactly alike that in the shops it is diff
fcult to tell which Is paper and which the
woven material.
These make charming rooms with either
wicker or mahogany furniture, for they
are generally used with one or the other.
Saline, something like cretonne, and
much liked some years ago, Is Still to be
had, but it is not such favorite as form
erly, on account of being easily rumpled,
as it is light in weight.
The large designs are the ones most
liked at present, though charming stripes
of small flowers are numerous and will
always find admirers and purchasers in
women of conservative tastes.
Make Pretty Effects.
While these pretty cotton goods, by what
ever name they are called, are specially
suitable for summer and country use, many
led rooms in town houses are thus furnish
ed, and every year their number increases.
In no other way with similar outlay can
such a good effect be obtained, and the
durability of such furnishings Is beyond
question.
The prices have considerable range, for
have seen a shirt-waist box covered in
charming blue and white cotton goods at
10 cents yard, and the linen taffetas are
$3.50. and almost anywhere between can
something pretty and desirable be found.
The widths of these materials vary from
81 inches to the linen taffetas, which are
the widest, at 81, but one yard Is perhaps
the most general width used.
In Cretonne Room.
Charming little tables are covered en-
tirely with the goods when used in Gre
tonne room; any shape desired can be made
of pine and the cover fitted tightly on and