Winter Decorating, Winter Home Decor

Winter Decorating, Winter Home Decor

It is wholly possible for us to arrive at the stage where our house has more the appearance of a summer cottage than a winter dwelling. We can be carried away by our spring enthusiasm for flowered chintz upholstery, wicker furniture and flimsy sunfast hangings. But when winter comes, we are forced to take into account the chilling drafts. Light wicker furniture alone refuses to look snug and cosy on wintry nights.

There are many changes to be made when winter comes, and those without too great expense of either time or money.

First of all, the rugs should be laid on the floor. Uncovered floors are drafty. Painted or matting floors had best be laid with any of the variety of carpeting or rugs in woolen weaves. Reversible Smyrnas, Wiltons or any rugs with a nap weave are warmer than the flat tapestry weaves. Charming imitations of Chinese rugs come for the dining room in soft tans and grays with designs in blue. The colors are warm in tone.

If we wish to cover our bare floors for only a few months, inexpensive rugs may be woven from old carpets. These are very thick and warm, and, if a little extra brown or red be added, they will serve as an excellent beginning to "warm up" our interior. No matter how heavy the furniture and draperies are, if the floor be left uncovered, the effect of coziness is lost. Therefore the floor covering is the first winter furnishing to attend to.

The winter walls are best papered in tones of brown, tan and yellow. In fact, for all-year service these colors are best. Yellow may be cooled by combining with it some lavender.

Pictures taken down in the spring should be put back on the walls, and the etchings and black and white prints changed for colored prints in brown and gold frames. Over the fireplace hang some cheerful picture that embodies the spirit of the household.

There are splendid curtain substitutes for the cretonne and madras of summer days. For the dining and living rooms come woolen damask or cotton and wool damask. They do not need to be lined and are heavy enough to keep out the drafts. Woolen or cotton rep is also wintry looking. Edged with a guimpe, curtains of this material give quite an appearance of elegance. Albatross with taffeta bindings in various colors is an inexpensive and rather new winter hanging. Use a green albatross edged with black, a rose edged with a deeper tone, or a cream edged with blue, always taking care to bring out the warmest colors in the room. Dainty little challis for the girls' rooms edged with narrow taffeta ribbon can be used with charming effect. In all cases the thin scrim under-curtains to shut out the weather should be used all over the house.

A few pieces of upholstered furniture are almost necessary in the winter house or lodge. Squares and cushions of tapestry or wool rep or velours may be tacked over the chintz coverings. Always, however, put a piece of closely woven cotton between, else the dirt and dust will sift through. Removing the chintz coverings is really more practical than covering them up.

Velour adds tremendously to the richness and elegance of a room, even if it is represented by only a few cushions and seats. An effort should be made to include this enriching fabric in our winter refurbishings. Velour portieres are the very best that could be used. They enclose a room with just the right warm feeling. Remove the slip-covers from all pieces of upholstered furniture, especially if the covers be of a light tone stuff. In every instance, introduce the warm toned colors everywhere.

And, last, is the open fire. It has been said that the hearth is the home, still many are the fireplaces choked up and papered over, or else covered with a silly hideous screen of embroidered Easter lilies! (or cat-tails). A little crackling fire to greet the home-coming breadwinner, and a still bigger blaze for the children to gather round at night, this is the real heart of the home in winter.

Next Page: Apartment Decorating Ideas.