Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-29
TABLE TON
IS THE KEYNOTE OF
GOOD TASTE.
One Variety Of Flowers Arranged
in Low Bowls and
Vases.

Written for The Star.
Simplicity and refinement provide the
keynote for the well-appointed table of to-
day. The era of plush centerpieces and satin
ribbon sashes has passed away. So, too
has the looking glass lake, with china
ducks and swans placidly resting on its
surface and an island of ferns and flowers
rising mountainously in the middle Tall
decorations, whether Of flowers or ported
plants. are, in fact, tabooed among up-to-
date hostesses. There never was shadow
of reasonable excuse for their popularity.
Nothing is more exasperating than to be
seated at a table where one can only guess
at the identity of ones opposite neighbor
The present-day table appointments are
exquisitely chaste. Linens embroidered In
colors are seen only at luncheons. when no
tablecloth is used At dinner all the table
napery is pure white, this being the only
correct background for the glittering serv-
ices Of silver and cut glass. If wax tapers
are used they are placed in low and rather
broad holders Of silver. bronze or porce-
lain. and are usually fitted with silk shades
representing the flower predominating in
the table decorations. Often. however, cleo
trio lights are substituted for candles, each
bulb being concealed in the heart of a
flower These are much prettier than can
dies, and are less liable to accident
The popular centerpiece for ordinary use
Is low-growing fern. set in squat jar
dtniere OF silver porcelain. There is no
daintier ornament for the round table. and
1t has been discovered that the delicate fern
fronts of soft green have peculiarly har-
monlous erect, not only upon the table ap-
pointments, but upon the guests. Green is a
restful color. and discordance simply can
not long exist where 1t Is the dominant
note. 1t blends too, with gowns of all
shades. while flowers Of brilliant hue often
m a 10 COY on1n
the table.
Individuality is aimed at in everything
nowadays. and especially in able decora-
tons. A society woman who has a large
following has lately set the fashion Of hav-
ing all floral decorations composed of her
favorite flowers. These happen to be or
chids and as she Is fortunately rich
enough to indulge her tastes no other bios
SONS are ever seen on her table. Another
fashion leader. who rejoices in the poetic
name OF Iris, has adopted her name-aower
for her emblem. The iris, or feur-de-lis Is
scarcely less beautiful than the orchid and
even the wild variety Ia extremely decora-
tive. When cut flowers are used. they may
be combined with few sprays Of maiden
hair fern.
Long stemmed roses, carnations or chrys-
anthemums are sometimes strewn upon the
tableclOth instead of being placed in vases
II artistically arranged the effect is pleas
ing, but the flowers wither quickly. When
long-stemmed blossoms are placed in vases
the latter are invariably of transparent
crystal, extremely slender and too high to
obscure the vision Of those seated at the
table Moreover, not more than two or three
blossoms at most are placed in each. A bou-
quet of flowers. or set piece" of any
kind is never seen.
1t is considered ill-bred nowadays to-
place fruit upon the table; consequently the
once inevitable epergne, piled high with
dollhouse delicacies is among the things
that were and are not. Baskets of porce-
lain or crystal are now preferred to fruit
dishes, and these, with the rest of the des-
sert service, are arranged upon the side
board, whence they are transferred to the
table when needed.