The Washington times., 1906-05-27

II artistically.' recently said
a young matron. whose HI
bernian wit and love of dainty table
appointments are alike well known, IN
the course of a discussion on the ex-
1ravagant floral decorations In the mod
ern entertaining
Though most OF US would prefer a
slightly more substantial diet. there is
no denying that. for women at least,
the appearance Of the table at a dinner
CT a luncheon-indeed, for the ordinary
family MEALS OF infinitely more con-
sequence than the length OF the menu
IT even the quality of the cooking.
The successful hostess, the one whose
luncheons or dinners are always most
talked Of and longest remembered. Is
not she who spends q small fortune on
elaborate courses and rarest out-of-
season delicacies. but she who has the
originality TO devise novel or striking
ways to adorn her table True. a happy
combination is desirable: beautiful fow-
ers Will not improve burnt food, or rare
cpt glass, silver and fine linen make bad
cocIling palatable.
Always important, at no time does q
beautifully appointed table count for
quite so much as upon the wedding day
Then. If ever, we want every detail to
be as perfect as ingenuity can devise
and good taste permit.
This does not necessarily imply great
expense. Some of the loveliest bride
tables have been those where the deco
rations cost nothing. This may easily
be the case when the June bride is in
question Nature is at her best, both
In woods and garden: gorgeous peonies.
fragrant roses Haunting popplies and
delicate wild flowers may be had for the
picking. All that IS necessary Is 20
know how to make the most Of them.
A Pretty Old Custom.
The old custom of a white table for a
bride had much to recommend IL The
purity of an allewhite table is very ap-
propriate: and in June. when quantities
OF white blossoms Of different kinds are
at hand. there need not be the sameness
in such decoration that is It's special
disadvantage
One bride had little money. and hesI-
tated TO vie with the handsome decora-
tons Of other brides OF the season
Her resources were beautiful old fam
ily silver, her grandmother's set Of gold
banded china, a round mahogany table,
with heavy lac doilies and big. center
piece creamy with age: a gardenful of
vines. and old-fashioned flowers end a
colored cook, whose skill necess ttated
not moments worry over the menu
itself
The table was set on porch screened
by rambler roses in full bloom, with an
outlook over the quaint box-edged gar
den.
From the roof directly over the center
OF the table was suspended a large old
umbrella frame. without a handle. the
ribs closely twined with madeira .-Ine
and spirea: 10 form canopy. Festoons
Of white clematis connected each spoke.
and trailed from them TO the place of
each guest. ending in favor. a straw
shoe painted white and filed with deli
cate ferns and white columbine-
A wedding. bell made OF the spicV
garden pink-the white variety naturally
hung from the center Of the umbrella
while in the middle of the highly uoI-
ished table-the luncheon was served
without cloth-was large. low mound
OF ferns and white poppies, surrounded
by tall silver candlesticks with white
poppy paper shades over pale green
one between each spoke of the canopy.
The decorations OF that table did not
cost cent. Yet the effect was as unique
as 1t was lovely.
Colors are now often used for bridal
tables, which is we'll. for June is q
month of riotOus color.
Roses are naturally the prime favorite.
ana rose table. especially for a dinner
Where cloth is used. Is exquisite.
Low Decorations in Favor.
They lend themselves so readily to
decoration that any artistic hostess
may easily arrange a charming table.
Nothing could be more graceful. for in
stance, than pink roses and their leaves
garlanded above the rich border of a
flet and cluny lace cloth. the center
OF the table being occupied by a low
mound of the same roses.
BY the way, low decorations are
much in favor, as they permit OF gen
eral conversation. When a high vase
IS used 1t should be slender one that