Milford chronicle., 1928-01-27
LACQUERED FURNITURE IN GAY
COLORS NOW IN VOGUE
By Gertrude Woodcock

Perhaps the most welcome change
that has come to interior decoration
in recent years is the return of col
or. And certainly one OF the most
pleasing features of this return has
been the revival of lacquered furni-
ture. The art of decorating cabinets,
chests, and such pieces with lacquer
is not new. In an earlier century
than this it reached a high stage of
perfection in the Orient Only late
ly, however, has the fashion been
popularized, for only lately has it
been within the financial means of
most of us. Products are now on the
market which make it possible, with
little time and less expense, to
transform a marred and time-worn
piece into one which not only looks
new but is artistic and fits exactly
into the modern scheme Of furnish
ings.
No room is now complete without
it's touch of brilliance. Where we
once had sombre living rooms and
dining rooms, and even the bed
CncllUSl was hOnC -OO OlASAL a lCW
years back, we now lind the gayest
effects in color and design. If the
furniture is walnut or oak, or of
other dark finish, color is introduc-
ed in a single piece, brightly lac
quered. An old secretary or cab
met is especially adapted to this
treatment, or any small piece such
as a nest of tables, footstoOl, a
magazine rack, or set of hanging
bookshelves.
Chinese red, vermillion and jade
green are the most popular lacquer
colors for odd pieces of this type. An
attractive combination for a secre-
tary is jade green, antiqued and
trimmed with a small line of dull
gCld, and the inside Of the secretary
lacquered burnt orange. Where
bright colored piece is used in CON-
bination with dark furniture. a glaze
antique finish gives 4 certain soft
ness of tone which is pleasing. An
tiquing may be done by applying a
glaze of pieuna or unlbeT with a
brush, 10 the dry lacquer surface
and wiping over it with q flannel
cloth. Enough of the glaze remains
in the cracks AMI grooves and to a
lesser extent on fiat surfaces to give
the desired effect.
Decalcomanias make attractive
decorations. They are simply trans
ferred and when dry given a coat OF
varnish, clear lacquer or shellac. In
case they are used in combination
with antiquing, the design is first
the antiquing done next,
and finally the clear coating applied
lover the design Only)
LACQUER for interior use may be
applied to any new wood; or to an
old painted or varnished piece that
is dry, very hard and in good con-
dition. It should not, however, be
applied to a newly painted surface.
In the case of new unfinished wood
it is customary to use wood filler
which is brushed and rubbed on, and
The excess rubbed off. When the
surface is entirely hard, which re-
1uires about twenty-four to forty
sight hours drying, it is then in a
receptive condition for the brushing
acauer. An old painted or varnish-
ID surface may best be sanded be-
ore the work is begun. Instead of
being stroked back and forth, as in
he case of paint, lacquer is flowed
IN" with full brush, smoothing It
self out. In case it fails to do so,
t may be gone over very quickly
With a brush which has been dipped
n a little lacquer thinner. 1t is al
yays best. however, to avoid going
,ver the surface. If the lacquer
ails to go on smoothly, it may be
hat it requires thinning. Only a
acouer thinner is used for this pur-
,ose. Any enamel brush may be
lsed for lacquer work but many
,eople consider a brush of soft hair
he most satisfactory. If these points
ire kept in mind and directions on
he can followed with care, there
hould be no difficulty in getting
,ood results.
LACQUER makes it possible to have
he most attractive furniture at
mall cost. An old piece can al
yays be transformed successfully.
)r in case you haven't precisely the
hing you want, you can get untn-
she'd pieces at small cost. With the
increased demand for enameled and
acuuered furniture, wide choice is
eing offered with an especially var
ed selection in the odd pieces for
r..1. 1.oa,,o,, &c en- xuidolv I1sed