Valhalla88.com

Walls and woodwork

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:06:19 +0000

The walls and woodwork are a soft blue and in pleasing contrast to the honey colored maple, four poster bed. This, of course in the important piece, and it shows the wisdom of having one good piece rather than many which are ordinary or usual. A chest of drawers, a table and two rush set chairs are the only other good wood pieces. The hand made fillet canopy is most effective for the tester top bed. Similar ones may be found in shops or they can be made to order. Equally effective and important in the decorative scheme is the handmade quilt. The old pattern, which is both colorful and attractive, is in a crewel design and stitch. This is the sort of work you could easy do yourself and it goes fast. But use good unbleached muslin. Next in importance are the colorful hooked rugs. There could be three; before the fireplace, by the dressing table and one as you enter the room. Another could well be placed by the bed. The straw colored cotton rep draperies are hung from beneath a scalloped valance of the same material. The charm of the room result from taste exercised not money spent. Perhaps you can find at an antique shop an old bed, for less money than a new one. Scatter rugs cost less than a room sized rug. The draperies and skirt on the dressing table which is in the niche on the other side of the fireplace, at be anything from calico to taffeta and yet look charming.

An attractive colonial atmosphere is gained with a few fine pieces of furniture, the fillet canopy, crewel embroidered bedspread, hooked rugs of the period and the old fashioned Franklin stove. The dressing table, hidden by the chimney breast, has a skirt to match the plain straw colored draperies. The hooked rugs such as those right one, the chaise lounge and the bedspread bring in varied colors.

Colonial

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:04:09 +0000

Such a paper could be used throughout the room, or from the ceiling to the floor on this wall, or be set in a border of paint or wallpaper from the top of the beds to the ceiling. If used as a panel the width including the border is usually the width of the beds. Ornaments –few and useful: the use of ornaments depends more upon the taste of the occupant than upon the style of the room. But generally speaking both in contemporary and in modern decorating, ornaments must be either useful or in good decorative taste. In a bedroom especially, there is a little place for anything but lamps and dressing tables articles, unless the room is used as a sitting room or has a mantel, bookshelf, or desk. In room opposite, note absence of ornaments and the usefulness of a floor lamp which serves as reading light for bed and easy chair.

Write net with ball fringe is used for the draped curtain and the simple, natural wood dressing table. This may have a glass or mirror top and a standing mirror. Heavy candlewick bedspreads to match a color, rose, yellow or pink in the wallpaper hive contrast to the blond wood beds. Here the bedspreads and full length striped draperies give the contrasting note to the plain walls and floor. An economical idea is to be buy two bedspreads and cut one in two for the draperies. A narrow fringe makes a nice finish for the draperies which, in a sturdy material require no lining.

Of course atmosphere is the hardest quality to capture in decorating. It is like personality in people; some have it, some do not. So it is with rooms. The one opposite, though simple, has a real colonial atmosphere. It is in an old house with deep, recessed windows, low ceilings, and a fireplace where an old fashioned Franklin stove has been set.

Single bedroom

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:51:25 +0000

The mahogany bed with its open head and foot board is given character by yellow rayon head roll with a full, gathered valance to match. The tailored spread is of a quilted fabric of same color. Swags over top of net curtains match the bed valance. This room is in the 18^th century feeling as a rule, smaller room are used for single bedrooms but they may be little gems and have everything in them that is needed, including the luxury of a chaise lounge, desk, and dressing table, though they have the same articles of furniture, bedroom may be just as different as people are different and really should express individuality. Compare the picture at left with that on the next page. They are as different as could be, yet the same elements of furniture are used in both. The point of departure is deciding on the type of room you want.

Chairs and tables are as important in bedrooms as in living rooms. The photographs show the comfort to be had from small easy chairs and tables by windows. Although a small table by the window is better than nothing, I advice using as large a table as space will permit. Show me the woman who does not need a table. Closet fro two: order is the first rule of the closet. Build convenient shelves and drawers; fit with rods, hangers, shoe and that hat racks which help to keep order and are a real comfort. Work out what you need in fittings and do it colorfully. Paint or paper the walls and hangers with the gay color in your scheme. Make your garment bag of transparent cellophane cloth and trim with bright colored bindings or use gaily flower chintz or a solid color contrasting with the walls.