The Washington herald., 1911-05-20
RUSSIAN CRASH Is
ATTRACTIVE STYLE
For Breakfast and Luncheon
Table Covers.

Those who like occasionally to slip away
from conventional table furnishings can
now find luncheon napery appointments
OF Russian crash in lovely soft tones OF
gray. centerpiece serviette. plate and glass
doilies being all in gray.
Instead of the usual silver or glass
vase jar, or bowl for flowers copper or
brass is used, small brass or copper re-
ceptacles for, nuts or bonbons being also
selected.
The question Of china also comes in for
its share Of attention, as in order to have
it harmonic with this rather severe
style of table furnishings only simply
decorated pieces are used.
Simplicity and harmony Of color are
keynotes of this style of furnishing. Wha,
could be more restful on a hot summer
day than a table set in gray linen and
Celadon china? Celadon Is such a soft,
cool green that it seems to melt into
the gray of the linen.
This gray linen is beautiful in texture
and color, and while it is extremely
pretty when made up plain there are
many ways of embellishing it; first. the
shape may be either square or circular
the edge may be tiny hem, scarcely
more than a roll with the narrowes,
possible edge Of heavy lace whipped on
or 1t may be closely buttonholed, or q
heavy lace or crocheted border may be
the finish.
Simple Cross-stitch Border.
One idea is a simple cross stitch Dor.
der: just inside the hem. done In white
or another gray tone or even in a color
to harmonic with the china. but the
most beautiful of all is the italian drawn
work, which, you know. does not resem'
BILE drawnwork at all. but rather resem-
bles inserts of heavy embroidery and
weaving. This launders perfectly and
wears well.
There is still another treatment that is
a revival of an old art: 1t consists Of an
appropriate design printed on the line
from a wood block. Wood block print
ing is new to this age. and those who
know anything about 1t realize its deco
rative possibilities.
1t Is here that discrimination enters
largely into the scheme, for 1t is not
every design that can be utilized in wood
block printing for table linen. The de-
sign, which must be extremely simple
and made with reference to the shape
and size of the piece Of linen. Is hrst
drawn and then cut into the wood.
The cutting of the block may be done
by any one who carves In wood. or II
may be done by any one after COM
paratively little study, and is most in
teresting. The color Is then put on the
block and printed on the linen. The
process, which is simple, is done in oils
SO that laundering Is feasible
Attrnctfveness of Gray Linen.
To return to the attractiveness of the
gray linens. could anything be more at
tractive than a breakfast table set with
Russian crash and copper?
A large circular piece of gray linen,
reaching only to the edge of the table. is
finished with an edge of heavy lace an
inch or two in width inside the lace Is
a conventional border, printed or In
cross-stitch, in rich yellow; the china
is plain yellow, a copper bowl for fruit
or flowers, a COPPER tray and coffee pot
with accessories.
Unless seen one can have no idea how
pretty the effect is; 1t is so cheerful
and 1t diffuses such a glow of warmth
and color that II puts one in Q good
humor. an essential at the morning meal
OF course gray linen is not TO be
thought of for formal meals, which re-
quire handsome damaks and everything
to correspond, but for luncheon and
breakfast it is charming, especially for
use In summer cottages where the in
mates live simply. 1t is inexpensive
can be utilized in many ways, launders
beautifully, and is most durable.