HOME DECORATIONS. 
A Mantel Lambrequin with Design in Lustra 
Painting. 
T HE material for the lambrequin may be of plush, vel¬ 
vet, velveteen or satin ; the quantity will, of course, 
depend upon the shape and the size of the mantelpiece. 
Bold or conventional designs are more suitable for this 
work than the more delicate ones, as a lustrous effect is 
the point to be gained. Depressed plush is very beauti¬ 
ful, for, as the name implies, the whole design is de- 
the depth desired will be found most convenient, although 
in case a draped lambrequin is preferred the ends can be 
decorated. 
Lustra painting has somewhat the appearance of the 
tinsel embroidery which has of late been so much used, 
but the decoration is much less difficult. 
The bronzes are prepared in powders, and these are 
mixed before applying to the material on which they are 
to be used, with liquids of which there are two, the 
“ general medium ” and “ special medium.” 
The colors can be purchased in boxes with all that is 
Design for Mantel Lambrequin in Lustra Painting. 
pressed, or stamped in upon the plush, thus giving a 
smoother groundwork to paint upon. It is, however, 
rather more expensive than the plain. On the plain 
plush, or whatever material is used, the design should be 
stamped as for embroidery. The one given for the lam¬ 
brequin is of Virginia creeper, and should be painted 
with the tints of its brilliant autumn coloring of crimson 
and carmine. 
If crimson or gold will harmonize with the coloring of 
the room for which the lambrequin is intended, either will 
prove a pretty background for the design. In order that 
the painting may be displayed to the best advantage, a 
straight piece fitted smoothly round the mantelpiece and 
necessary for the work, as the water and the oil color 
boxes are prepared, or the powders can be obtained by 
the ounce if desired. 
The colors are as follows : Pale, rich and green gold, 
lemon, orange, fire, brown, pale and middle pink, car¬ 
mine, dull red, light, dark and dull green, sparkling sil¬ 
ver, silver, black, and light and dark purples. 
A large china palette, with wells in which to mix the 
paints, and rather large sable brushes are best for apply¬ 
ing the colors, which, in most instances, are used without 
mixing other shades with them; should it be necessary to 
do so, however, practice will prove the best teacher. 
When using the liquids for mixing the powders the 
