TABLE DECORATIONS 9 



The contents of the Lists of contrasts may 

 of course be looked upon as somewhat elastic, and 

 can be deviated from more or less if necessary, 

 providing the whole scheme is not materially 

 altered. 



There are, moreover, many flowers which may be 

 added to almost any others without creating a too 

 mixed appearance; they are Lily of the Valley, 

 Gypsophilla, Heuchera, Humea elegans, and similar 

 light and feathery flowers. If doubt is ever felt 

 about a contrast it is better to give up the idea at 

 once, as first impressions in matters of colour are 

 almost invariably the most reliable. 



When indulging in contrasts, always endeavour 

 to make them as forcible as possible. Weak com- 

 binations get weaker still under artificial light and 

 always convey a want of artistic determination. 

 Although it is always advisable, when decorating 

 either a small or large table, to employ one kind of 

 flower, or at most two, it is quite possible to make 

 exquisite colour-schemes of a great number of 

 flowers. It is, however, always somewhat danger- 

 ous, but, once a departure be made from the two- 

 flower idea, it really does not matter how many 

 kinds are employed, as the work in hand must then 

 be looked upon as purely a colour-scheme, and, if it 



