THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2736, 15 February 1910, Page 3

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

PROPER LIGHTING OF THE HOME

ADDS MUCH TO ITS APPEARANCE

The. appearance of many a room is spoiled (writes Sophia Kerr Underwood, in the “Chicago Tribune”) by wrongly placed lighting arrangement. Given a chandelier, rather high, and in the centre of the room, the result is a hard ugly light, which casts most unbecoming shadows on the lace, and which is almost impossible to use. for reading and sewing. In the living room, at least, plan to have a low light, a drop light, either electric or gas, or, failing that, a big, old-fas....ioned kerosene lamp, but no matter what it is, have it placed ko that the flame comes a little below the level of the eyes of those sitting beside it. Then, when the shade—which should be either green or yellow—is over it one gets a mellow, softened, clear light, which makes reading, sewing, or embroidering an easy task. There will be absolutely no strain on the. eyes if- tile flame is large enough, and the nerves of the entire body will profit by the change. A more becoming light, but one which is not So clear is made with rosecolored shades. Shades of this color may well be used on the dinner table, for they, are practically magical wrinkle cradicators and first aid to the poor complexion. If it is not too much trouble there should be candles with rose-colored shades on the dinner table every day. Where a woman has to do her own work or has but one servant this is often impossible, but it is not impossible to have a rose-shaded light over the dinner-table. Candles give the most soft and becoming light, and they may ho had in the dripless kind nowadays, so it really seems as if they were not an extravagance. However, an inverted gas or electric light will do well provided the shade be of the riirht- color of clear rose.

—Side Lighting Most Attractive.— Most rooms are much more attractive when lighted from the sides instead of the middle. One ingenious woman who had been visiting in a home where there was a most artistic —hut expensive—lighting scheme ivas anxious to rret the same effect in her own parlour. But- she could not afford it. However, she had a number of large and handsome vases, some low. and sonic high, but all quite beautiful. These she had fitted as kerosene lamps, with tank, burner, and chimney. She bought wire frames for shades and covered them with materials at hand. The finished lamps she disposed about her parlor on low tables and stands, and she has now a most beautifully lighted room at a small expense. One of the shades made by this clever soul is worthy of being remembered. It was of flowered cretonne shirred on a round empire frame. Gathered in with the cretonne was a piece of coarse, round, meshed net, which had been cut from a window curtain. There wa.s a cotton guimp at top and bottom, and a lino of silk fringe at the bottom for a finish. The net over the cretonne softened the outline of the figures with charming effect. . . It is one of the biggest follies m the world to go without good lighting arrangements, because of the expense involved, for all one saves in money is lost ten times over in the strain on the eyes. A broken mantle or a poor gas tip should be discarded at once. An electric bulb which has begun to burn dimly should at once be taken out and a fresh one ,put in its place. A lamp burner, which will not give a good light, should be taken from the lamp and boiled in strong soda water, the oil tank carefully cleaned, and a fresh wick put in. The strength of our eyes means so much to us that we should be willing to observe these precautions even though it necessitates economy somewhere else. Often headaches, of which we do not- know the cause, may be traced to continual reading and sewing by a poorly-placed of dim light. —Wonders of Electric Lighting.—

Some of the new electrical contrivances in lighting are really most convenient. For instance, in many homes nowadays there are buttons downstairs which, when pressed, turn on every upstairs light. Upstairs there are buttons which will do the same for the entire downstairs. In tho hall of a suburban home there will be a button which lights a bulb in tho porch. Women at home alone at night, can scrutinise a caller before opening tlic door.

Special small contrivances, such as electric lights in the clothes closets which turn automatically as. the door is opened, or a little bulb which stands before a clock face and which is connected with a button under the bod pillow, are well liked.. Another delightful contrivance for the society beauty is a handglass which has a small frosted electric bulb at .each side. Tho mirror rests on a stand, but when it is lifted the current is automatically turned on, and miladi can look at the back of her head and have the full benefit of the extra light on her coiffure.

In gas fixtures also there has been great progress made. Special tips and burners will double and troblo the light from any gas pipe. There are inverted lights which arc restful to tho eyes and quite inexpensive. They are especially liked placed on each side of the dressing table or bureau. For 'those, however, who are forced to use kerosene and candles when dressing there is nothing more satisfactory than the thick candle known as th© coach candle. These are thick and long, and burn) slowly. Set them in small bowls or dishes- on either side of tho dresser, and you will have a oleasant, clear light to’dress' by. Such candles should always- be carried when travelling, for one finds many hotels and boarding places where_t.be Inditing facilities are most inadequate.