Evening star., 1938-01-04

the minimum space. To be sure,
there must be room for q table and
chairs and the circulation OF a maid,
but, beyond that, with mirrors and
reflections you may create the illu-
sion OF space. Mirror walls and table
tops are no longer luxury for the
fortunate ones only. They are within
the reach Of the moderate purse. and
are made to Withstand weight; nor
need you fear that the first dropped
teaspoon will bring you seven years
bad luck. They cannot be destroyed
by the sun shining on them, for mod
ern mirrors are backed with copper
and last indefinitely. Mirror glass is
made in many tints and colors to
blend with any interior, and there is
no other single item OF decoration
that so quickly gives an effect of space
in a minute area, as we'll as a very
well-dressed appearance.
1t Is even possible to get an effect
OF height as we'll as space. To do this
you must arrange a succession OF long
vertical lines, but in 80 doing you
must Use care that 1t does not look
as though the side walls were falling
IN around you! Try striped draperies
at the windows, all the way from the
ceiling to the floor. They are very
smart this year. Between windows,
and in all available space, use panels
OF mirror glass. At the floor line use
= heavy band of black or some dark
| color for accent and to carry your eye
continuously around the room. Re-
move all the unnecessary details from
the room and keep the furniture low
and sleek and simple in design.
+ X X
COLOR is another important item
in making a room seem large.
Very light pastels that are greyed in
tone have q tendency to increase
space. All the shadow tones give an
effect of distance, soft blue, mauve
grey. grey-green. Bright colors hem
you IN. even white in a very tiny
space is oppressive. A room that is
very small but has a high ceiling
gains space by horizontal lines. This
may be secured by bands of design or
color about 10 inches down from the
ceiling line, or by mirrors secured to
the walls and running horizontally.
This plan Of acquiring space by
the use OF mirrors is practical in many
ways. You might use it in making
getting away place out of an
alcove in the living room which has
never seemed large enough for any
thing. Or If you have a "barn-like"
bedroom in an old house, the bay
window end of it might become a
charming personal corner for chaise
lounge or your own desk. 1t is some
times just as difficult to achieve pri-
vacy in large house as in small
one-and this person who finds it
difficult to collect her thoughts in
large space will love the intimate
charm OF her own reading or writing
corner.
Modern household economists have
worked out the necessary dimensions
for working area which is accurate
almost to the inch. for equipment and
circulation. Space and sunlight In
large cities today becomes more and
more expensive Within 20 years we
will be conserving energy by covering
the smallest possible amount of space
in our household tasks, conserving
space by using every trick known to
artists. decorators and architects for
an effect of spaciousness and we prob
ably will be better of with the filtered
air, artificial sunlight and effect of
light than we are with the newest
substitute that comes in through the
occasional window.
Have you any questions you would
like to ask about furnishing or deco
rating your home: If 50, write to
Margaret NOVEL; in care Of the
Woman's Page Of The Evening Star,
and the answer will appear in her
column on the earliest Saturday that
space permits.