STRAY NOTES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 86, 6 January 1926, Page 15

STRAY NOTES

A POLISHING CREAM

A perfect furniture cream is one which, with a minimum of labour, produces a polish which docs not liliger mark and also removes dirt stains frpm the wood in the polishing process. The basis of all cieaius is wax, and, whether liquid, or solid, the rubbing has to be continued till the wax solvents have dried out, leaving the pores of the wood filled with drv wax. French polished furniture having had the grain filled in with shellac varnish does not allow the furniture cream to penetrate, , and hence is the quickest to finish oil. Socalled -oil or “waxed” polished wood absorbs more and requires more rubbing with dry cloths to avoid finger marking afterwards, but after a time when the grain is well filled the polishing of the two types of furniture is equally easy. The following recipe gives a cream which is unequalled ami can be used in the house for furniture and lacquered goods, both metal and otherwise. It does not remove the lacquer from brass, but, on the other hand, it will not clean brass., It is simply made and if directions are followed almost “fool proof” as to appearance of finished product. Ingredients: Genuine beeswax (white or yellow),. 30z.; powdered castille soap, joz.; sails ol tartar or pearlash, foz.; American turpentine, I pint; boiling water, J pint. MetliorJ: Mix the soap and salts of tartar With the boiling water,, stir welt, breaking up any soap which is not dissolved. Do this in a 2-quart enamelled basin. Melt the wax in another saucepan till it begins to give off signs of vapour, but do not get too hot. Remove from the fire or gas and add the turpentine. Then add slowly the turpentine wax tn tlie mltition -of soap, etc., stirring all the Hme.

On no account beat the turpentine with the wax, as this has been the cause of so many fires. To use. applv with -a c1o ! h nnd polish with a drv piece of flannel. There is no better dressing than the above for patent leather.—'"Chemist,” •n the "Daily News.”

The simplest rule for obtaining restful colours is to borrow them from tlie restful moods of Nature—the peaceful browns and russets from autumn. Pure colours should be used sparingly, if at all, in bedrooms, areved or neutralised tones being more suitable. Also it should be remembered that walls and floors are backgrounds and as such should enhance but not vie with or detract from the tnrniturc. Usually, regardless of colour, it is advisable to keep the floors darke.r than the walls: the ceiling, which reflects light, lightest of all.

MODERN SINKS

One of the outstanding differences in an- old-fashioned and a modern house is in the stvle and situation of the sink. Once upon a time ugly and badly designed from a hygienic point of view, it was hidden ajvay in the darkest corner of the scullery.

Nowadays, says au English writer, sculleries are rare, and the gleaming deep white sink is to be found in the lightest part of the kitchen itself. The mounting of the sink is important, and the most sanitary method is to have it raised on supports of white glaze. This, together with a tiled surround or walls' that have been rendered waterproof, ensure that the whole fitting is watertight, and so no damp or musty smell can arise. A useful accessory for these sinks of glaze is a strip of rounded wood, which is intended to fit over the outer edge. This is necessary to protect the sink itself from damage, and it gives also a measure of protection to china and glass when washing up is in pro- ° This particular task of washing up has had special consideration in the designing of the double sink that has , a grease outlet in the centre. The I water may be drawn into either compartment by means of the swivelled taps. The one side is used for washing, the other for rinsing, and Hie grease escapes through the centre. This type of sink is made in teak, a wood so hard that it cannot be chipped, is impervious to grease, and perfectly sanitary There is yet another type of double sink that provides specially for those homes where the laundering is not sent out. It combines tlie deep butler's sink with a wash-tub, and there is a place between the two for fitting a small wringer. The idea \s 'that the washing should take place in the deep sink, and the second is used for rinsing. The water from the wringer runs away directly into the sink, and so Hie surround is kept quite dry, which is not always the case with the ordinary tubs and wringing machine in tse. It also saves a tremendous amount of labour, for the water is drawn direct into tile sink and is let out through the waste-pipe.

INDIRECT LIGHTING As au inexpensive means of . securing the advantages of indirect lighting, an oversea writer suggests the use of lampshades made of ordinary materials, but so constructed as to throw the light up instead of down. Such shades,, it is added, “should be cup-shaded instead of cone-shaped, with perhaps a small hole at the bottom through which the light may pass without causing discomfort to the eyes. Silk shades made upon basket-shaped wires are easy te arrange in this way. The silk must, of course, be thin. If it is verv thin

indeed two colours may be used, and scarlet on the inside and purplish-grey on the outside give a very satisfactory and becoming light More classical are the parchment shades, made to widen upwards. Special frames are needed for this, of which the wires pass down the bulb, without touching it. to hold tlie basin-like shade. People like to decorate these themselves, and it is easv to fall into the commonplaces of cutting out Hie parchment after the manner of broderic nnglaise and sticking coloured paper on the back. Parchment shades look far better treated with a neat, classical design. The parchment is most attractive when it is rather clouded, and it mav be given a tinge which is not strictlv white. A narrow gold band at the top and bottom of the shade, surmounted perhaps by a wreath of tinv bright green leaves in rather solid paint, produces an effect which is discreet as well as soft and comfortable to the eves.”

THE BUFFET The habit of sitting with feet on a bullet appears to have died out, and for quite a long time buffets were only to be found in the church pews. Some years ago the buffet, rechristened pouffe, appeared again and was taken into favour once more. But the buffet is now called a floor cushion, and woe betide anybody who puts his feet upon its silken cover, for a floor cushion is purely decorative, although ostensibly a seat to be pulled up to the fender on winter evenings. Most of the new floor cushions, an oversea correspondent observes, are very elaborate affairs of sill? and velvet, with an outline of gilt braid, and embroidery at the top. A long, narrow cushion is seen, like a beautiful little bolster on a stand, which seems more likely to be put to practical use. There may be old-fash-ioned buffets of this kind, probably with beaded covers, to be found amongst the unwanted things tn the lumber-room. If so, they can be turned to account, for. as so often happens, the latest fashion is onlv the old in new and brighter garb. Floor cushions fit into the scheme of almost any room, and mav be used to give a welcome touch of colour. But it is preferable to make them of use as well as ornament, for a cushion bv the fire is sometimes verv comfortable.

SUOIARY OF TENDERS CLOSING DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY 7 to 20. Timaru Borough Council.—Tenders supply one combined continuous drier and bitumen-tar asphalt mixer. Close noon January 7. W. F. C. Vine, Wellington.—Tenders erection in wood 4-roomed house at Hataitai. Close midday, January 8. T. R. Overton, Pckekohe (Franklin Electric Power Board).—Tenders Contract 20-22 inclusive. Close January 9. Eketahunu County Council.—Tenders six reinforced concrete bridges. Close noon January 9. Waiarulie Dairy Co., Ltd., Dannevirke. —Tenders new machinery. Close January 10. Gisborne Harbour Board. —Tenders supply and delivery winches, boilers, rope, etc. Close noon January 11. Hutt County Council.—Tenders for croc tion of a pavilion at Plimmertor Close noon, January 1,1. Public Works Department.—Tenders .3000 danger notices. Close 4. p.n, January 12. Publie Works Department.—TAiderswharf and shelter at Apia. Close 4 p.m., January 12. N.Z. Railways.—Tenders supplies enamel ware, hollowwarc, crockery, and tobacco. Close noon, January 12. Atkins and Mitchell, Wellington.—Tentiers for new premises for National Bank of N.Z., Ltd. Closo noon January 12. Patea County Council.—Tenders No. 157, excavation. Close noon January 13. C. W. Foster. Levin. —Tenders for erection nt Levin of new saleynrds in concrete and hardwood. Close noon, Janunrv 11. N.Z. Railways.—Tenders for workshops machinery. Close January 15. New Plvmouth Harbour Board. —Tenders contract 17, harbour dredging at the Port of Now Plymouth. Close noon Janunrv 16. Waipawa County Council.—Tenders for road works. Close noon, January 16. Napier Borough Council. —Tenders for s’ippiv and delivery of motor-truck. Close January 18. Public Works Department.—Tenders section USA Waikato, 59.000 volt switch-rear and steel work; section 121 A, Waikato. 110.000 v. switchgear and steel work. Close 4 January 19. Public Works Department.—Tenders (Mangahao scheme), svnehronous condenser. Cose 4 p.m.. January 19. Public Works Department.—Tenders hardwood timber. Close 4 p.m., January 19.