The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-09-30
DRAPED DRESSING TABLE AIDS
individuality May Be Adeed
by Following Old StNe--
Almost Any Conceivable
Color or Material Can Be
Used Effectively.
BY Molly Elliott


Charming individuality may
be given the bedroom by the
draping of the dressing table
in the fascinating style of
Catherine de Medici, whose
table de toilette" draped in
faded wine colored velvet with
gold braid and tassel trimming
looked out over the valley of
the Loire.
In a twentieth century home.
whose white painted exterior and
light and airy interior seem q far
cry from the thick walled brick and
heavily draped recesses, the 7draped
dressing table has equal charm.
The drapery for one of these
charming little labels may be of
almost any conceivable color or
fabric. And, more interesting still,
old tables or dressers can be so
easily converted into one of these
smart little affairs that a clever
woman can do wonders with some
Of her discarded pieces.
Height Important
1t is important that the table be
the right height. twenty-nine inches
from the floor and the right shape
and proportion to suit the type of
room. A large kidney-shaped table
would not do well draped in chintz
in a small guest room nor would a
small straight table be suitable TO
drape with heavy elaborate satin or
taffeta and placed in large French
bedroom. The top must be flush
with the drawer. If an old table is
being used the front edge of the
top should be cut off. II an old
dresser is being used tie lower
drawer can be removed and the
center cut out TO make 1t comfort
able for the knees and the lower
space used for slippers and the two
drawers for bottles and cold
cream jars and the like.
The more complete tables have two
or three small drawers running to
the floor on each side. The more
convenient type have two open
shelves at either side OF the center.
making an accessible place. A still
better arrangement is to have wings
made of wooden Stats or wall board
on hinges. The skirt may be at
tached to these and swung back
while the table is In use. Semi-cir-
cular and kidney shaped tables
make the most interesting treat
ment, but a narrow table from thirty
two to forty inches long and from
sixteen to eighteen inches deep pro-
vides about the right dimensions.
Best Finish
The best finish is one coat OF fiat
paint and one Of enamel to match
the color OF the material or the pre-
color in the room. This
gives a more pleasing appearance
when the curtains are drawn back.
The simplest and cheapest finish is
q good coat Of shellac both inside
and out. Always the inside OF the
drawers are shellaced. The top is
left free OF any finish, being COW
cred with the material and tackled.
After the table is painted a piece
of outing flannel is tackled TO the top
and then the top material, gay
chintz or taffeta or satin and organ
die is tackled smoothly, but not too
tightly. The skirt is either pleated
or gathered and tackled into place
next. If the table has no wings the
skirt should be made in three sec
lions. one for the center and one for
the drawers on either side The cen
ter piece Is tackd to the drawer and
pulls out with II. 1t is possible to
use a strip OF patent snappers tackled
to the edge of the table and make
the skirt detachable. If 1t is of some
delicate or light material that may
need frequent changing.
Covered Mirror
The mirror frame may be covered
TO match the table, using puffs of the
lacking the first to the in
side frame, next to the mirror and
pulling the putting straight and
tight around to the back and tack
ing 1t into place. Old mirrors may
be used in this way. Or they may
be painted to match q table with
glazed chintz drapery.
Interest is added by the use of the
right kind of trimming which must
be in the same character as the
drapery material. Velvets call for
heavy gold braid or tassel fringe;
satins, silk fringe or fringe made of
silk covered molds: brocades, very
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