The Natchitoches enterprise., 1922-08-03
Oft the Beaten Track

When one steps off the beaten track
and pursues the vagaries of winding
paths, one is prone to get into districts
roughly classiied-well, as erratic, and
it was vague misgivings as to saccha-
rine Pollyannishness that went west
ward, and located the Cheer Color
Shop which had been enthusiastically
heralded to me by friendly adventures.
Quaint. distinctive, outside-chapel-
like, almost and open the latch and
walk in-ah! Anything related to q
misgiving vanished as came within
the rythmic glow of the shop; Well,
why not rhythmic glow" Color, like
music, has its clirnaxes, its crescendos
and diminuendos, and the shop is 40
exposition Of this more subtle-lll
wager than anything you've expert.
enced: wont say heard or seen. I'll
steer clear of technicalities, too, since
am layman, and tell you exactly how
it impressed this visitor.
! Oriental colors, the furniture-a few
big, weli-chosen pieces for the holding
of the handwoven garE1ents-the echo
of peacock blue candlesticks and bowl
of polished walnut; shimmering mirror,
rich curtsins-all contrived to form
harmonious setting for the display of
the most unusual and exquisite things
that ever came ont of the Orient. The
seeing eyes of the Metropolitan museum
in New York consider them such.
They have purchased for their exhibit
marvellous piece of Cheer-color tapes
try, and other art galleries are follow
ing suit, for never has there come to
light before this particular form of
handiwork. But that is another story.
Mrs. Plummer, whose vivid person
ality dominates the shop, is already
known to Californians as artist, author
and interior decorator. as she has been
for the last few years engaged as
colorist and designer with Barker Bros,
having had charge of their window
displays. She is also retained as
color advisor and interior decorator by
Marshall Field in Chicago; she has
been a widely-read contributor to mag
azines dealing with home decoration,
and she is the successful composer of
Little Homespun Songs" published
by f. A. Stokes and Co.
1t was IN her travels in the Orient
that Mrs Plummer became interested
in the native skill of the Chinese
weavers, and in penetrating untravelled
parts of the vast country, with her
husband, she realized the possibilities
of the native colors. designs and tex
lures, which were unknown in other
worlds. Equally was she touched by
the hardships and stunted lives of the
myriads of the Chinese workers, and
she decided to make another trip to
China with the avowed purpose of
teaching the natives to express their
own beauty in fashion which would
be of commercial value to themselves
and to her, which would at the same
time demonstrate her theories-nay,
convictions---concerni the interpreta-
ton of soul ecstacies in color.
Yes. that may sound little vague
and ethereal to the average shopper
for sports skirts, but Mrs. Plummer, l
found, was cheerfully disposed to
waive the soul theories. the dual per-
sonalities, and what-not If the visitor
felt shy, and instead, display the colors
in sports skirts and paJamas.
Moods? Feeling? Music? Healthy
interest in golf links. tennis rackets,
sandy shore stretches? Or SILVER moon |
light. and mountain peaks. or glimmer- |
ing bathrooms, or afternoon tea on the
club verandah? Go see cheer-c0lors,
and select the very sports skirt, petit
coat, or nightie which will put you en-
rapport with said links or green or
polished floor and your enjoyment will
be trebled; Or if you couldn't bear to
invest In a nightie while the house
cried for color, find your table runner
or scarf for the grand piano. or the |
luncheon set, or couch pillows and
bring the rhythm and harmony of cheer
color into your own living room!
For these beautiful things are made
for practical use, not framing, museum
purchases Notwithstanding. and since
they have been handwoven under Mrs.
personal direction in her
Chinese shops, their strength and
are proved. Crumpled up in
her strong hands. the silks and linens
their urcrushed smoothness
on release, and testified eloquently to
her assertion that years of wear and
use would only improve them. Like
the lustrous old fabrics of our grand
parsnts, they are made of the purest
and will grow lovelier with
the passing years
In the silk factories of China, the
small children who work so patiently
are frequently injured. and their mutt
lated hands were one of the reasons
Mrs. Plummer decided to establish
where the little yellow
people would be safer, required to do
less dangerous work. She organized
weavers. embroiderers. lace-makers