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Show WOMAN'S WORLD Simplicity, Harmony Outstanding On Tables Set With Taste, Care By Ertta Halev ARE YOU PROUD of the disher and cloths and napkins whicl you use for selling the table? Or. ore they just a jumble of all sort; of dishes which you've had in the past? If you really want to add beauty and graciousness to your home, one of the best ways in which to do it is to set your table for mealtimes with attractive and beautiful dishes and their proper accompaniments. Just in case you're worried as to how the new table settings can ome out of the budget, it's important im-portant to point out that the project need not involve a lot of expense. Quality dishes are within everyone's every-one's reach, and as for tablecloths or doilies and napkins, these might possibly be made at home with little or no outlay of actual money. It's important to have certain colors and patterns in mind before starting this project. Decide what you like and be certain what you have chosen is In harmony with the furnishings in the home. Homes done in simple modern, early American, and some colonial types call for simple table settings. For the more elaborate period types of homes, you'll want to choose Make table settings .... table settings that are in harmony with the style pf the period. If you're in doubt about what to choose, remember that a simple type in subdued colors will blend with almost any decorative scheme. Select Table Background To Harmonize with Dinnerware If you have chosen a subdued yellow set of dishes, your best choices for tablecloths will include soft green, several shades of blue, brown and of course, white, either plain or touched with any of the already-mentioned colors. If your dinnerware is a soft green, the best choices are rose, maroon, Colorful and harmonious. pale lavender, yellow and brown for the background. For those of you who like floral types, select those colors for background back-ground which match or complement' the main colors In the dinnerware. Silverware and glassware, too, should be in keeping with the dinner-ware dinner-ware as well as the background tablecloths or doilies. Here are Sources For Tablecloths It's easy, of course, provided you have the money to buy tablecloths and doilies for table settings, but it's fun to see what you can do at home. Contemporary Design t t ; - , i I h r j i . . . i ' ; .:'':''"-''-' .. - :: - - L- -J This lovely design In contemporary contem-porary American pottery has simplicity in every line. It is a fine example of the new trend in American dinnerware, light in weight, yet strong and durable. It comes in subtle, pastels that are a favorite for casual, informal living liv-ing and for that pleasant, relaxing relax-ing supper after the rush of the day. Worn tablecloths can frequently be cut down to rectangular shapes to make doilies. Perhaps the old napkins will even serve with the "new doilies." Cotton bags, sheets, pillow cases and cotton remnants can frequently be converted Into doilies. Dye them if it makes them more attractive, apply a fight starch and press carefully. For simple table settings, use a fine, hand-hemmed edge, a narrow edging 'of good lace, a bias trim ming or a fringe. Study Dinnerware Style Before Choosing American dinnerware is now more plentiful than at any time since pre-war days and you'll find many attractive new lines stressing a spirit of individuality. Intensive research, increased output and lower costs have combined to put quality wares within the reach of every family. There are certain differences In ware with which you should be familiar fa-miliar before buying. All of the following types are made by American Amer-ican potteries: vitrified china, semi-vitreous semi-vitreous ware, often called fine earthenware, and pottery. Basically, the ingredients and methods of making are much the same for all three, but variations in processing and firing give different characteristics to each. ' China, for example, is the most delicate of dinnerware. It is translucent, trans-lucent, meaning that when you hold a plate to light, you can see the outline out-line of your fingers through it. It many seem fragile, but is actually strong and durable. China is vitrified, vitri-fied, which means that the ware has been made entirely non-porous and non-absorbent. Because of its delicate beauty, china dinnerware has long been Identified with the formal or simi-formal simi-formal occasion, but it may be used In almost any sort of table setting, especially if the simpler patterns are used. Semi-Vitreous Ware Is Non-Absorbent In style and beauty of pattern, semi-vitreous ware has the same qualities as china. In processing and texture it is different. Semi-vitreous ware is molded somewhat thicker than china and is usually fired at lower temperatures. It is not vitrified vitri-fied and is not translucent. However, How-ever, it's an especially sturdy ware, capable of withstanding much wear and long use. The deep glaze completely com-pletely seals the surface and makes the ware non-absorbent. Usually, semi-vitreous ware is less expensive than china. It is made in patterns which are entirely suitable suit-able for formal settings and many more which are right at home in less formal surroundings. Much of the gay, colorful new dinnerware, which strikes a note of informality is known in general usuage as "American pottery." Basically, it's a semi-vitreous ware and is no kin to the imported rough native ware commonly known as pottery. Such native ware is rough in texture, made from coarse clays, fired at low temperatures and thinly thin-ly glazed. Many of the most popular patterns for casual, informal occasions are in American pottery. The ware is deeply glazed, chip-resistant and sturdy. Only because of its simplicity, simpli-city, gay patterns and informal patterns is it called "pottery." Because of its economy, American pottery fits well within the family budget. For this same reason, many families have the pottery for luncheon lunch-eon and breakfast service in addition addi-tion to their dinnerware service of thina or semi-vitreous ware. Whatever you have, take some precautions against misuse. Cups should be hung whenever possible, and plates may be stacked or placed on racks. China arid semi-vitreous ware plates should be stacked with pieces of felt between them. |