San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-30

southwest and southern states, where
Spain has so indelibly left her impress
not only in architecture and articles
of furniture. but in the very customs
of the people.
In New England and the northern
states, however. dining room set
created along Georgian lines. or the
American expression of the Directory
as exemplfied by the delightfully."- light
a d NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
type of furniture, the Duncan Phyffe.
In this simple dining room we are
creating let us be careful not TO intro
duce more furniture Than is actually
used. Buffet and china cabinet, table
with its complement of chairs, is all
that is absolutely essential and all that
we should use unless in our dining
room there is place for serving table.
Where economy of space is prime
consideration, the gateleg tables are
indispensable for they can always be
closed and placed against the wall
when not in use. A unique idea which
has been given us by one manufacture
er is a set of dining room furniture IN
which the dining room table consists
of three distinct and dependent parts
"A rectangular table with semi
circular console table at each end.
When less space is needed at the table
the consoles may. be placed against
the wall and used as serving tables,
or placed together in corner FORM
ing a circular table.
Few Accessories Needed.
The decorative accessories which We
place in our dining room often COM
pletely mar the effect produced by
fine furniture and beautiful floor and
wall coverings. There is not much OPP
portunity to use accessories in this
room. On the top of our serving ia
Bile. or buffet, there may be touch of
color in linen runner, simply heni-
STITCHED at the ends, with perhaps a
band of black or contrasting color for
variety. If we prefer, natural linen
may be used in place of the colored.
A few pieces of silver of distinction
mot more than three) may be placed
on the side tables. Rather than use
ordinary silver, which will add nath-
ing Of interest to the room, it is pre-
ferable to use two candlesticks of
colorful pottery, with a painted tray
standing aaginst the wall. The tapered
candles in contrasting tones to the
pottery itself. are attractive.
A large flat brilliant bowl of flow
ers may be used, though care must
be taken that it bears a distinct color
relation to the prevailing color note
in the room. 1t must either be IN
absolute contrast or of the same tones
though lighter or darker in value.
Cleaning brass is very effective for
the dining room and copper is so right
in tone that it is always a decided
addition to any color scheme But,
whatever elso we do not do, avoid a
bar-room display of cut glass and sill
yer. 1t makes absolutely no differ
ence if it is the most expensive kind
of cut glass. 1t is rarely beautiful
and the same amount Of money would
purchase q charming bit of Tiffany or
Bohemian glassware infinitely more
attractive. Merely because we own
these things does not excuse us for
vulgarly displaying them all at once.
1t may seem unnecessary TO suggest
that. il We have once taken china
painting" lessons, we would certainly
be wise and assuredly more artistic
to keep the jars and vases and choc-
late sets and individual bone-dishes
out of sight. Above all, there must
be simplicity in the dining room.
Elimination will do more for most
of our homes than any other remedy.
Use Of Pictures.
A mooted question is that concern
ing the use of pictures on the dining
room wall. Generally speaking, it is
not advisable to use them though there
are reproductions of old flower studies
which are effective. Often these are
placed in polychrome, octagonal
frames the picture itself being similar
to oils in effect. Dull Colds, and reds,
as in zinnias. or the deep purple or
golden yellow of grapes, with dull
green leaves and clear touch of del
phinium blue as a contrasting note,
will create quite sufficient color for
any dining room. Because flowers
and fruit of this type are suggested
let us not for a moment consider us
ing the ordinary dining room flower
and fruit pictures. They are absolutely
unlike in effect and in artistic worth
Instead of q picture, hanging may
be placed above a buffet or serving
table. This need not be a tapestry.
for unless a tapestry is Of artistic val
ne it should not be used and il it is
worthy its cost will be prohibitive for
the average dining room. A piece Of
brOcaded material, good in design and
color. will be attractive and suitable
for the purpose. 1t should. of course
carefully harmonic with the color in
window draperies. rugs and other
color features in the room. Candles on
either side, of contrasting note, will
assist in creating interesting unit. Not
only does O hanging serve its purpose
because of its color but it is effective
in creating that relationship Of wall
and flower furnishing which is so ne
cessary.
Our dining room furniture must be
placed in groups carefully planned
and each related to the other in scale
purpose and general effect. In this
way we create unity and dignity in
our dining room.
After our room has been furnished
and the accessories chosen. the final
touch must be added. and this can be
done by our lights. In fact. n warm
rich glow cast over the room com
pletely transforms il. We must al
ways avoid the unshaded central chan
deliers though in its place We may
use a chandelier holding electric can
dies. softly shaded. Candles on n ia
bic are always delightful. Wall scores
with shield-shades. add diffused light
to the room and prevent the far cor
ners of the room from being gloomy.
Tall torcheres on either side OF the
sidebord or serving table, with parch-
ment or mica shades. will give n
warm glow and also assist in Great
| ing our floor groups.
Whether our candles are reflected
in the mirror depths of polished ma