Evening star., 1948-10-12
Basic Furniture
May Be Selected
Like Basic Dress
Writer Advises You
To Consider Versatility,
Style ond QuuIity
BY Elsni Sokes
Ssshien Editor ef The Sfos

ysshions In the home do not
ehanss as often as do fashions in
ready-to-wear. However. what is
trle Of dress fashions-good style is
never out OF style is true Of home
furnishings. Good lines, good colors,
good fabrics, with sound inspira-
tonal undertones bear out the
statement that nothing Is new ex-
cept the way: it Is used"
There is o definite tie-in between
fashion in the home and prevail
ing taShionx, In clothing. Mems
clothing. though, never seems to in
fiuence home furnishings. But con-
trast 1t with the fact that when
hustle backed dresses reappeared on
the fashion scene q brisk trade In
overscaled chairs resulted.
Many brilliant Washington host
esses who entertain a lot in their
homes choose hostess gowns that
successfully contrast with the decor
In their homes. They work on the
theory of what is an elaborate
gown worth when 1t Is completely
out Of keeping with rooms decora-
ton, or II It clashes with the color
scheme. One leading fashion mag
azine plays up all Of It's fashions in
backgrounds that are In keeping
with the designs.
When looking for q good costume
outfit, you are guided by your own
likes and those Of people in whose
fashion tastes you have confidence.
When thinking of decorating your
home or your apartment, it is wise
to think along the same lines.
Basic pieces in your home should be
thought Of as you would buy your
basic black dress, always taking into
consideration versatility. wearabil-
ity and good looks.
In q recent conversation with
John Greer, Georgetown decor
ator. he pointed out that adding
accessories should come later.
Accessories In the home are the
Jewels placed tn their proper set
ting when chosen correctly and with
an eye really to complementing the
basic home furnishings.
He added that most people would
do we'll to think long about items
such as sofas, chairs, tables, etc.,
for they must remain in q home
for quite q while.
Here in the East, many families
have "hand-me-downs." These heir
looms possess the ability to give
individual distinction to any room
when played up properly. A good
decorator should be able to blend
the old with the new. He knows
what style will be tomorrow and
what was yesterday.
To your fine basic piece, he might
suggest accessories that will give
dash, and the newest In colors and
fabrics to add the pick up" quality
needed IN the room or rooms.
There is less entertaining going on
In homes today than ever before.
Many persons in all income brackets
ind entertaining outside their homes
Q little easier and in some rare in
stances more to their liking.
II one delves deeply enough, one
often discovers that many persons
are ashamed Of their homes.
Some feel they do not spend
enough time in their homes to war
rant the expense to outfit it cor
rectly. They would be very surprised
to know what many decorators have
found out-a pleasant atmosphere
in q home is conducive to finding"
time to be at home.
A harmonious home is achieved
through the artful blending Of many
home items such as tableware, rugs,
china, silverware, etc.. with other
home furnishings. How a home
functions for its occupants also
figures Importantly in home har-
Inony. q
If Sister Sue is wild about fashion
and sccumulates a lot Of hats, shoes
and dresses, q storage problem pre-
sents itself. Happily, modern homes
today possess utility in extra large
doses. A solution to the storage