HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.
_Chiffon._—The utility of chiffon in window decoration is proved every
day. The material is so soft, fleecy and pliable that it makes an
admirable floor covering or background, and is also adapted for shelves.
* * * * *
_An Illumination._—Procure a number of hanging fish globes, of about
4-quart size. Cover them with colored tissue or crepe paper, smooth on
the surface, with a puffing or shirr at the top. Suspend in various
positions in your window, and drop an incandescent globe into each, or
light with small hand lamps. If the colors are harmonious the
illumination will be beautiful enough to attract unusual attention to
your display.
* * * * *
_Prisms for Decorating._—Suddenly a fad has sprung up for decorating
trims with prisms, such as used on hanging lamps. They are sold by the
hundred by any crockery house, and are very reasonable in price. To edge
shelving in windows or for trimming more profusely they are very bright
and pretty. In one recent trim 5,000 prisms were used on the background,
and when the display was lighted at evening the bright crystals looked
like so many scintillating diamonds.
* * * * *
_Side Hoops._—The sides of windows are always more or less difficult to
trim properly, but by using small hoops, about twelve or fifteen inches
in diameter, nailed in various positions against the side walls, you can
suspend within them many goods that will show advantageously, and serve
to balance your trim. The hoops should be wound with cheesecloth, thus
making a frame for the article you display.
* * * * *
_Post Shelves._—Posts in windows frequently annoy and puzzle trimmers,
who find them awkward to contend with. Post brackets are easily made,
and are serviceable, while they obviate the disadvantage of the post.
Make shelves fitting halfway around the post and fronting the window
glass. Place them equal distances apart, and then tack pleats of
cheesecloth to the edges, allowing the pleats to run down to the next
shelf, where they are bunched and tacked. Make the shelves of such width
as will accommodate the goods you wish to display.
* * * * *
_Suspended Stands._—Cut a square board large enough for the form to
stand upon, cover it neatly, and suspend from the ceiling by ribbons
running from each corner. One beauty about these is they do not
interfere with the trim below them.
* * * * *
_Framed Forms._—Secure a large gilt frame, set it in the center of your
window and build behind it an alcove lined with dark drapery. Set a
form, costumed as desired, in this alcove, and light with electric
lights placed inside the frame and out of view. The effect is similar to
that of a lifesized picture, and is very attractive.
* * * * *
_Umbrellas and Neckwear._—Make stands of threes of umbrellas, and lay
neckwear over the crossed handles. Or, fasten canes or umbrellas to the
sides and back of your trim, the ferrules sticking into the bored holes
of a proper size to hold them firmly; and over these improvised fixtures
drape four-in-hands, hosiery, etc. The crooked handles may be used for
suspending made ties.
* * * * *
_Ribbon Decoration._—Where the trim occupies only the floor of the
window, the display may be balanced by running broad ribbons from the
four corners, crossing in the center and placed about midway between the
trim and the ceiling. Make a large bow for each corner and one in the
center where the ribbons cross. This idea may often be utilized in
millinery trims.
* * * * *
_Wash Day._—For a wash goods window put a form representing a laundress
bending over a wash tub and engaged in washing a piece of goods of the
class the window is draped with. A sign should read, “Yes, these will
wash.”
* * * * *
_Easter Panorama._—A panorama of Easter flowers may easily be made by
placing bunches of various flowers on an endless belt, which, when
attached to a motor, carries the flowers across the window in one
continual stream.
* * * * *
_Live Canary Birds._—Here is a novel suggestion that will make a capital
background for any window: About three feet from the back of your window
put a screen of illusion or some open material, the color being cream or
some light tint that will render the netting as invisible as possible.
In the space behind the netting place some wires at various distances,
so that the birds may perch upon them. A few canaries in this backing,
flying here and there, as they will, will prove a great attraction. A
painted background of a summer scene will greatly improve the effect.
* * * * *
_Human Forms._—The fad just now is to use human forms to show goods. A
handsomely fitted room is shown in the window, and a lady, dressed in
style costume, sits or walks about, showing off her gown to advantage.
At times she displays cards reading, “This lace costs —— a yard,” or
“This dress goods is only —— a yard,” thus calling attention practically
to the goods. The ladies criticise the make and “hang” and appearance of
the fabrics, and the men—well, if the display figure is pretty the men
are also attracted. Bicycle suits for ladies were recently shown in this
manner in Chicago, the display figure, or model, appearing in a
different dress every hour.
* * * * *
_Kaleidoscope._—An ingenious display consists of two rapidly revolving
electric fans, throwing about with their strong air currents particles
of red, white and blue paper, forming a scene of kaleidoscopic beauty.
* * * * *
_Shamrocks._—Cut a large shamrock, say two feet high, from thin boards
or cardboard, and cover the surface thickly with the artificial green
rose leaves sold by millinery houses. The effect is very beautiful and
it may be used in the center of your window on St. Patrick’s day.
* * * * *
_To Show Ribbons._—A pretty effect is created by pushing out the center
of a bolt of ribbon and extending the coils to as great a length as the
width of the bolt will admit.
* * * * *
_Icicles._—Icicles in summer have a cooling tendency. To make a cool
looking window, take strings (hempen cord is best) and dip them in a
solution of glue. While wet scatter cotton along them until they are
from a quarter to a half inch thick. Let them dry. Dissolve gelatine,
making a solution about as thick as ordinary syrup. Dip your cords into
this solution and hang them up again to dry. Result—icicles as long and
thick as you want them; guaranteed not to melt in the sun. Suspend them
from the top of your windows. Fill in the spaces between them, on the
ceiling, with vines of smilax, artificial flowers and green leaves.
[Illustration: STAGES IN ICICLE-MAKING.]
* * * * *
_House of Linens._—Build a light frame of a small house of any design to
suit your fancy, and cover it with strawboard, except the spaces for
windows and doors. Over the board arrange toweling for the roof, folded
napkins for the sides, with solid colored handkerchiefs for the windows.
Light from within.
* * * * *
_Shirt Waists._—Very attractive displays may be made with shirt waists,
which will soon be in season. Make pads of excelsior, wrapped with thin,
flexible paper, and of a size to fill out the waists, and insert one
into the bosom of each waist shown. Smaller pads for sleeves may be used
to advantage. Waists should be fitted with collars, ties and cuffs.
* * * * *
_Winter Scene._—A good window for winter may be made by cutting down an
old tree (or part of one) and placing it in the center of your window.
Run cotton over the tops of the bare branches to represent snow, and
sprinkle it with flitters. Two or three stuffed robins or sparrows may
be placed upon the branches, which will also hold many articles of
merchandise.
* * * * *
_Twist Crepe Backgrounds._—Trimmers are using crepe paper for
backgrounds with good effect. One mode is to cut the crepe paper into
three-inch strips, paste together, end to end, until long enough to
reach the height of the window. One end is tacked flat to the floor, and
the strip is slightly twisted until the curls that are formed are about
as close as those in a corkscrew. The strip is then drawn fairly taut
and tacked to the ceiling. A few inches away a strip of contrasting
color is fastened in the same way, and, continuing, a straight or
circular backing is thus formed which is bright and attractive.
Sometimes the tops of the twisted columns are centered, and in a few
instances the ends are gathered together at the bottom and spread,
fan-like, from that point.
* * * * *
_Handkerchief Racks._—These racks consist of ¼-inch rods fastened under
the back edge of the counter top, running perpendicularly to a height of
eighteen inches above the counter, and then forward horizontally
eighteen inches. The front end is flattened and pierced with a small
hole in which to stick the standard of a price ticket. The bars are
placed a foot apart, and run the length of the counter. Handkerchiefs
are fastened to the horizontal section by means of clasps or cord, and
the effect produced by the display is remarkable, a few dozen
handkerchiefs presenting the appearance of a large stock. The bars are
common iron, made by any blacksmith, and gilded.
* * * * *
_Use of Wall Paper._—Occasionally one tires of the continuous use of
cheesecloth for backgrounds, and for variety a window lined with wall
paper is effective. Care must be exercised in selecting a small, dainty
pattern, and the entire window space—sides, back, ceiling and
floor—should be covered with the same pattern, as well as any stands
used in the trim. Dark backgrounds, with small white figures, are most
desirable.
* * * * *
_Holly._—Windows trimmed with sprigs of holly, having the red berries
peeping from among the dark green leaves, inspire shoppers with the
thought that Christmas is not far off, and thus stimulate trade.
* * * * *
_A Snow Storm._—Cover the bottom of your window with cotton batting
(sides and top may also be covered if you wish). Dust well with powdered
mica or white frosting. Place several incandescent lights, wire guarded,
so that they are hidden from view by the cotton. Some of the lights may
have red bulbs. Secrete several electric fans in various parts of the
window, and, lastly, throw three or four pounds of goose-down into the
window and start up the fans. You will not only have a regular snow
storm, but a blizzard, and any central figure will be seen as having a
fight with the elements.
* * * * *
_Rainbow._—A very pretty window is where the background is a huge
rainbow, consisting of a broad arch the full width of the window. This
arch is covered with tinted cheesecloth, one tint blending with another,
and all the hues of the rainbow being used. The effect is exceedingly
striking. A show card in front reads: “Don’t Chase Rainbows. We Have the
Goods and the Prices. Trade with Us.”
* * * * *
_A Blanket Window._—Make an arch, extending across the window, covered
with rolled blankets. Under the arch build a small hill of irregular
shape, covered with some green material. Place toy sheep in different
positions upon the hill. Use draped blankets for background. Natural
wool may also be effectively used to trim with.
* * * * *
_Autumn Leaves._—Natural or artificial leaves, in the exquisite autumnal
colorings, may be effectively employed in decorating windows. They are
seasonable and attractive, and easily procured.
* * * * *
_Outfit Displays._—Where a merchant carries all lines of goods, a
capital idea is to make a window of outfit displays. Lay over a form an
attractive piece of dress goods, and upon or around this group articles
of ladies’ wear to match the shade of the cloth, such as gloves,
ribbons, neckwear, umbrella, shoes and a trimmed hat. Half a dozen such
outfits, contrasting well in colors, make a window very attractive to
the fair sex.
* * * * *
_Fireplaces._—The soft glow of a fireplace in the center or at the side
of a window brightens any trim, and in cold weather looks very cozy to
the shivering crowds that pass by.
* * * * *
_A Good Idea._—Silks and dress Goods may be attractively draped over
short poles suspended from the ceiling of the window by means of chains.
The poles should be about two feet in length. Bows of bright ribbon
fastened to the chains midway between the pole and ceiling add to the
charm of the display.
* * * * *
_Illusion._—A very pretty window trim may be made by stretching
illusion, of the quality that hats are lined with, across the center of
the window, and upon its surface pinning fancy handkerchiefs, etc., in
artistic, flower shaped effects. If the illusion is stretched tightly it
will be almost invisible, and the goods will seem to the observer to be
suspended in mid-air.
* * * * *
_Box Models._—Much attention may be attracted by making from cardboard a
model of some well known building in your town, such as the court house,
public library, college or a church, following the form of its
architecture and painting it to resemble the original structure. Cut out
the windows and cover the openings with colored tissue paper. By putting
a light inside you get a very pretty effect and one that will be
appreciated by your townspeople.
* * * * *
_A Prismatic Display._—Take two large panes of common window glass, and
set them in a frame about six inches apart. Have them perfectly clean,
and then fill the space between them with cracked ice of clean and clear
quality. Place the frame in the window, and behind the exact center of
it hang an electric light or place a lamp with a reflector. From the
sidewalk the cracked ice will show the most beautiful prismatic effects,
in all the colors of the rainbow. In cold weather the ice will last
throughout a day easily, and perhaps for a longer time.
* * * * *
_A Pretty Trim_ recently shown consisted of an open well, built up of
rough stones and covered with moss, with an old oaken bucket attached to
a pole, which a boy is just raising from the well. Autumn leaves strew
the ground, and at the back of the scene is a fence consisting of two
rough rails and pickets of umbrellas and canes alternating. A cabin
built of underwear is at one side, and a forest scene fills in the back.
* * * * *
_An Easter Bouquet._—An appropriate centerpiece for an Easter window is
a large bouquet of artificial flowers, among which are scattered
handkerchiefs, ties, gloves or other small articles, which project from
the bouquet and bear neat price cards. Bouquets may also be made in
which handkerchiefs are folded to represent Calla lilies. Use a jeweled
hat pin for the center of the lily, and green cloth for a stem.
_A Waterfall._—One of the department stores in Minneapolis, wishing to
call attention to a ribbon sale, had an attractive window display
constructed as follows: It consisted of a painted representation of
Minnehaha Falls. In place of a picture of the water fall itself, many
continuous bands of various colors of ribbons passed from top to bottom,
being rapidly revolved by rollers, one above and one below, turned by
electric motive power.