10 
KERAMIC STUDIO 
THE LINEN PAGE. 
JETTA EHLERS ------ p AGE Editor 
18 East Kinney Street, Newark, N. J. 
A LITTLE CHAT ABOUT TABLE FURNISHINGS 
ANOTHER example of the use of figured linens is shown 
in this month's illustration. This is part of a set made 
of an exquisite Russian hand-woven linen. This it is impossi- 
ble to procure now on account of the war, but it is shown be- 
cause it is so full of suggestion. The edge is a simple filet 
border of very fine oyster white French linen thread. 
The whole set is most unusual, and will I am sure be an 
inspiration to some workers. It is through the courtesy of 
Marshal Fry, whose property it is, that I am able to show it. 
While it may be impossible to get linen just like this, I feel 
sure that there are things of the same order to be had which 
would work up beautifully. Of course, where a material is 
so beautiful in itself, it needs very little if any decoration. 
The little filet edge on this Russian set so repeats the lace like 
weave of the linen, that it seems a perfect finish. The set 
consists of runner, table mats, and napkins. There is a linen 
which has a tiny all-over design woven in that would make up 
well. This comes in the cream white only, but could be used 
with color either in applique or crochet. An interesting set 
was worked out for the servants quarters of a country house, 
combining heavy unbleached muslin and blue and white 
checked gingham. The checks were about a half inch square. 
This was applied in bands upon the cloth and napkins, in 
much the same manner as the blue and white set shown in 
the January number. Blue willow ware was used with this. 
Sash curtains of cream voile with bands of gingham made the 
curtains for the dining room, the whole effect being most 
cheery and attractive So you see very ordinary material 
may serve to bring about successful results. To consider 
the arrangement of a table as a problem in design, may come 
as a new thought to some workers. If ever one had an op- 
portunity to demonstrate in a practical way good space divi- 
sion, this is it. There was a day when hospitality was weighed 
by the enormous quantity and variety of food spread before 
the guest. "The table groaned," is a time honored expres- 
sion. No worthy old fashioned company supper, set forth 
less ' than four or five kinds of cake, and as many sorts of 
preserves and pickles. One had indigestion before the meal 
even began. Now we choose rather to have a smaller but 
still abundant menu, finely cooked and exquisitely served. 
The table no longer groans, but is ever and ever growing more 
a thing of beauty, where the interior decorator may exercise 
all the finest things of his art. 
The point of interest in arranging the table seems naturally 
to be the center piece. This may be beautifully arranged flowers 
in bowl, vase or basket. Or it may be a basket of fruit, or a 
metal comport with fruit. Whatever it is, let it be some- 
thing choice in both form and color. There is a great fancy 
for the artificial fruits just at present for this decoration, and 
one may find in certain shops in New York the most exquisite 
things in this line. They are, sad to say, exceedingly expen- 
sive and therefore out of the reach of most of us. There are 
beautiful clusters of grapes, both the dark purple-black and 
the greenish white, that look as though they would melt in 
one's mouth, which they wont, being made of glass. They 
cost the neat little sum of three dollars a rather small cluster. 
A beautiful luscious looking pear cost three fifty. There are, 
however, some things which may be picked up at a much 
lower figure. A friend told recently of discovering back on 
the top shelf of a little used closet, an old fashioned mound of 
wax fruits under a glass shade. Some of the things were 
really very good, and were soon making a fine bit of color in a 
brass comport on a fine old mahogany sideboard. And a bit 
of good color is what we most want in this arrangement of the 
center, whether it be flowers or fruit. Poking' about through 
the shops the other day on the lookout for new things some 
candles were discovered which made a strong appeal. These 
were made of beeswax, and were lovely in color, a sort of grey- 
ish yellow brown. In pewter candlesticks these would be a 
joy. One could build up a whole table scheme from them. 
They are twenty-five cents a pair. Candles for the table are 
largely used without shades. There is a simple dignity about 
them used in this fashion which seems to fit in better with 
some of the things we are trying to do. Another sort which is 
much used is the church or altar candle. These have a yellow 
tone which goes nicely with the colored linens. They are 
bought by the pound. The green bay berry candles are also 
used and look well with brass or copper candlesticks. Of 
course with the very simple linens and china we are planning, 
only candlesticks of simple line and color will harmonize. Do 
not choose elaborate or highly decorated ones for use with 
these things. They don't "belong". In planning your table 
aim to have a symetrical arrangement. Avoid crowding things, 
and remember that simplicity, in this as in the linens, is the 
keynote of good taste. Because it is simple, it need not lack 
in elegance and distinction. Do not place things about the 
centerpiece in a hap-hazzard fashion, but place them care- 
fully, with the thought of good space division uppermost. 
Keep experimenting as you go along, and do not be afraid, 
to try some daring things. Rather something decidedly ex- 
treme once in a while than to stagnate. 
