Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-10
System in New Furnishings
Means Economy to Family
Various Advantages Offered in Decorating and
Lighting Suggestions for the New Year.
Choosing Color Scheme.

cuts the height of the room. When set
Ting the question of the length that
your window draperies should be- there
are only two lengths permissible, one
reaching to the window sill and the
other to about one inch from the floor
None of the in-between lengths Is cor
rect.
Choose clear colors for window cur
tains, so that the light coming through
into your room will give the appear
ance of filtered sunlight. If your room
does not get direct sunlight, cream,
beige, ecru and gold coloring will give
you sunlight effect. If you have a
good view, do not shut it out, but draw
back the curtains and frame the view
for those within.
Window Shades.
The purpose of the window shade is
to give privacy to room and to exclude
light. Either shades of a very grayed
color or shades which are of different
color on each side should be used.
Choosing shades of different color on
either side makes 1t possible to have
them both the same color as the wall
and the outside of the house. If the
shades are of the same color through
out the house, the outside appearance
of the house will be greatly improved.
Plain shades are much better than
those which have fringes and lace on
them or those made with the lower edge
in the shape of scallops. Sometim,
when there is no color in the rest of
the window decoration glazed chintz
roller shades may be used in breakfast
rooms and kitchens. Chintz shades can
both harmonic with the dominant
color in the room and repeat the color
of the wall. No roller shades need to be
nSed ~ draW curtains are Used.
Wall Hangings.
Fabrics hung upon wall can relieve
the bare or cold appearance of a room
better even than picture. 1t is not
so much the design in hanging as 1t Is
the mingling and reflection of colors
that causes a wall fabric to enrich
room. Wall hangings do not need TO
be either expensive or rare. Charm of
color, texture and pattern is all that is
necessary. Even small homes can now
make use of wall fabrics in simple ma
terials. Wall cretonnes can be ar
ranged to form the backgrounds for
mirrors that are detached from the
bureaus or dressing tables under them.
Charming India prints, printed linens
and Mexican and Indian blankets make
very effective wall decorations if the
colorings harmonic with the wall paper
and other furnishings.
Old bedspreads, handwoven in color,
make interesting wall hangings and lit
tie bits of Chinese embroidery make ex-
uuisite wall decorations. Upholstery art
needlework designs can be worked up
into panels. Old silk or satin dresses
and evening wraps can sometimes be
converted into rich hangings. Finish
ings to wall hahgings can be produced
by hemming or binding with silk, satin.
ribbon or velvet. Wall fabrics may be
used to hide soiled places on the wall
or faded spots on wall paper.
Effective Lighting.
The usual living room is combina-
ton reception room, parlor and library.
as we'll as the place where the family
congregates when company is not pres
ent. For this reason, it presents special
problems in lighting. Each bit OF IL
Illumination in any room is determined
by the colors used in the decoration OF
the room. Certain colors reflect light.
while others absorb it. Dark walls and
dark furniture make more light neces-
sary.
The color scheme of a room must be
considered when deciding upon the In
tensity of the lamps and the color OF
the shades to be used. Shades must be
CHOSEN to harmonic with the general
color scheme of the room. All lights
should be so hidden beneath shades
that none of the globe itself can be seen
from an ordinary position. Rose. cream
and yellow shades make the light look
mellow and warm. Blue and green pro-
duce cold effect.
An effectively lighted dining table
catches and holds the attention OF the
diners and the low intensity OF a soft
and perhaps different tint of the sur
rounding room shuts them In and helps
to increase the quiet intimacy of the
meal. The table itself should be the
brightest spot In the room.
The kitchen should be well lighted
from the ceiling and a wall bracket or
well-shaded drop light placed over the
sink.
In bed rooms. for general illumina-
ton, an overhead fixture of cluster or
bowl type Is suitable. Wall brackets
may be used on both sides of dresser
or chiffonier and when properly placed
and shaded provide ideal lighting. Two
small boudoir lamps would also solve
the problem, one placed on each side of
the dressing table, making 1t possible
to move the light so that 1t will reflect
into the mirror from different angles.
Wall brackets will give enough light
for small bath room, but central
fixture is best for a large bath room.
Closets of all description need a small
light.