A room often needs, for sake of balance, to be weighted by colour on
the window sides more than your heavy curtains (silk or cretonne)
contribute when drawn back; in such a case decorators use coloured
gauze for sash curtains in one, two or three shades and layers, which
are so filmy and delicate both in texture and colouring that they
allow air and light to pass through them, the effect being charming.

Another way to obtain the required colour value at your windows is the
revival of glazed linens, with beautiful coloured designs, made up
into shades. These are very attractive in a sunny room where the
strong light brings out the design of flowers, fruits or foliage.
Plate X shows a room in which this style of shade is used with great
success. It is to be especially commended in such a case as Plate X,
where no curtains are used at windows. Here the figured linen shade is
a deliberate contribution to the decorative scheme of the room and
completes it as no other material could.

Awnings can make or mar a house, give it style or keep it in the class
of the commonplace. So choose carefully with reference to the colour
of your house. The fact that awnings show up at a great distance and
never "in the hand," as it were, argues in favour of clear stripes, in
two colours and of even size, with as few extra threads of other
colours as possible.


PLATE XI

Shows a part of a fine, old Italian refectory table, and one of
the chairs, also antiques, which are beautifully proportioned and
made comfortable with cushions of dark red velvet, in colour like