Milford chronicle., 1928-03-23
PAINTED FURNITURE NOW IN
VOGUE
BY Jean Overton

ern interior is the pleasing use OF
color. In planning room, once the
type of furnishings lave been deter
mined, the pivotal point is the color
scheme. The change from our late
ly sOmbre interiors has been emf
phatic, for not only have draperies,
upholstery, etc., been affected, but
walls, woodwork and even furniture.
Painted furniture has at all times
been acceptable for many uses, and
throughout the history Of furniture
some of the most artistic pieces have
been in color. But at no time has 1t
fitted In so perfectly with the gen
eral scheme of furnishings as at
present.
Chintzes and cretOnnes of gay and
cOIorful design, plain rugs OF deep,
rich hue, light walls and woodwork
for such a setting, which is typl-
cal in the modern home, painted and
Iacuuered furniture seem especially
designed. 1t is perhaps even more
welcome in a sombre room that has
not been renovated to meet the
modern demand for color. Here
single piece, brightly lacquered IN
Chinese red or jade green, may do
much to brighten things up. IN
dull bedroom or dining room, paint
ed furniture throughout will be the
better choice.
The vogue for color, especially IN
furniture, is a happy one, for 1t
brings within the reach of people OF
moderate means pieces of the most
artistic kind. In addition to the
more usual type of painted or enam-
eled furniture-breakfas sets in
blues, greens or yellow, bedroom
sets in ivory, gray or green, nursery
and kitchen furniture-there are
many modern reproductions that
bear much of the artistic quality of
the antique pieces, the exquisite
Venetian cabinets, the dainty bed
room furniture of the period of Louis
XVI, and the lacquered chests done
with such perfection in the Orient.
The beauty of this furniture de-
pends largely upon decoration. The
finest pieces are finished with an
antique glaze, transparent coating
generally of raw sienna or burnt
umber, wiped over to give high
lights here and there in the dull,
artistic finish. Decoration in soft
semi-transparent cOlors-free hand
or tencil designs or even decalco-
manias-adds to the richness of
these pieces. The design is COM
pleted before the antiquing is done
and its colors given a soft, rich tone
with the glaze coating which is used
more heavily about the decorative
designs, as well as in grooves, cor
ners, etc. High lights show on the
large, fiat surfaces.
A secretary or cabinet is often
lined on the inside with a contrast
ing color. A very attractive combi-
nation for a cabinet or secretary is
jade green or yellow Ochre, antiqued
to dull shade, and decorated with a
free hand design in several soft
tones. A trim of dull gold stripping
decorates the drawers or doors. The
inside is painted a fiat burnt orange,
which is not antiqued.
1t is often possible to find in an
tique shops pieces of unusually good J
lines that may be had at low cost
because the finish is hopelessly par
red. Such pieces may be refinished =,
after using a paint and varnish le-
mover, or in some cases sandpaper-
ing will be sufficient New unfinish-
ed pieces of good lines are also to be
had at moderate cost.
Painted furniture has the advan-
tage of being inexpensive. But its
intrinsic beauty. rather. and its fit
ness for the modern scheme of fur
have established it in faN or.
In no way can the bedroom be made
quite so dainty or the sunrOom quite
so cheerful as with furniture of this
type. In no way can the living room
be given greater distinction than
with single fine lacquered piece. 1t
IS the choice of those who can afford
The best and is yet within the reach
)f those with whom practical con-
;ideratiOns of necessity come first.