A MODERN FIREPLACE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 257, 14 July 1926, Page 15

A MODERN FIREPLACE

Specifications for a fireplace that is said to be highly efficient and satisfactory in use are given by a writer in the “Australian Home Beautiful.” The fireplace, the writer states, is based upon a few particular essentials. These essentials are as follow:—(1) That the opening be nevet more than two feet high, though its width may be anything from three to six feet. (2) That its depth be approximately eighteen inches with si maximum of nineteen inches. (3) That the back hearth should slope from the floor level downwards, as it retreats to a depth of five inches at the back. All these measurements are compulsory if successful radiation and economy of fuel are required. Note also the following points:—The sloping hearth at the back must be lined with fire bricks set in fire clay. The jambs and surround can be of ordinary bricks. The smoke slot must be the width of the opening, and not less than six inches deep. The smoke table must be level and the flue must not be less than fourteen inches by nine. The larger the openings proportionately greater the sec- • ondary or upper chamber must be of the gentle bottle neck shape, indicated by the dotted lines in the plan. The sloping back of the hearth is for two important reasons: (1) The fuel, in collapsing, will never fall out. (2) The radiation of heat after reverberation between the back and the bottom will rise into the room at the proper angle. From these fireplaces great heat radiates into the room, and the needle of maximum combustion is flattened and somewhat checked, so that without smoking the best heat results are obtained. At eighteen to twenty feet away from a four-foot wide opening at right angles to the centre of the fireplace very good heat can be obtained. Even at tw r enty feet the limit of radiation is not reached. This form of fireplace is becoming more and more popular throughout the country. Even as simple a tool as a bradawl must be used with judgment if the best results are to be obtained from its use. The first essential is that. the bradawl should be in good condition. The cutting edge should be sharp, it should be "th- full width of the awl, and when used, the cutting edge should be across the grain of the wood to avoid risk of splitting it. Stippled paint has a much better effect on furniture than plain enamel. A bedroom suite, for example ,_ stippled in matrix blue with a gold line used very conservatively, is most original and' attractive. One has also seen delightful small pieces for a. boudoir or drawing-room done in. Chinese red or some other colour, stippled with gold. It seems as though there might bt great possibilities for the amateur artist in transforming small pieces by this treatment; it would be an interesting experiment, at any rate.—N.Z. “Decorator.” The best way to treat polished furniture is to wash it with a doth wrung out in lukewarm water in which has first been put a tablespoonful of vinegar After that it can be rubbed up, in some cases (where the wood is very old. with a natural polish) without the addition of anything whatsoever except elbow-grease; in all other cases with the least possible help from a good furniture cream. It should never be forgotten that the quick effects obtained by. a lavish use of cream are quite temporary, being followed by a 1 permanent tendency to show every rub and finger mark, while each subsequent polishing will be of less avail till another thorough washing has taken place.