GARDEN “FURNITURE”

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 19

GARDEN “FURNITURE”

Gaily painted “furniture” on the lawn is an added joy to the brightness of the sun, the greenness of the turf, and the hectic hues of many Howers, and all conducive to friendly little parties for tennis, tea. and morning chit-chat, says an overseas writer. The brilliant stripes ot deck chair coverings, and the merry cretonnes of cushions in the hammocks and wicker chairs are always with us. They certainly giye the glad note, but one gets tired ol seeing the same comforts in almost every garden. Here's a new idea. Have the garden furniture of the "Diogenes tub” variety. Saw the barrel side of the tub ill halves lifter the top has been taken out. Then move up the bottom to the height to make it a comfortable seat. Paint a bright red, or blue, or orange, and pilt in a couple of gay cushions, and there you are. The rain won't hurt the furniture, and you won’t leave the cushions out in any ease. After the shower all you have to do is to turn the "chairs” t’other side up, where the underneath part of the seat is dry. Tables to complete the quaint Setting are made from the two ends of a. tub ■connected with a good'solid centre-piece, and look for all the world like giant cotton reels.

‘Plans of the American Institute of Architects to develop closer collaboration between architects, sculptors, mural painters, landscape architects, and. builders in the construction of private homes,” according to Maurice S. Goodman, managing director of Hartsdale Fells, Westchester County, U.S.A., “leave out of consideration one of the most vital factors in the situation—the woman element. Every community builder in America.” Mr. Goodman continued, “is well aware of the fact that in the majority of cases the woman exercises the predominating influence in the selection of a home by her family. Many a house which seemed to all the men concerned in its production to be the finest that could be offered, has been turned down by a woman because it was lacking in certain things which she considered essential. Women want certain details of appointment and construction in a home. And they are entitled to have them—not alone on the score o f fairness and justice but also of good business. When you are building homes with the intention of selling them the wisest thing to do is to build them to suit file ultimate buyer—and she is a woman.”

Pitting the varnish takes the form of small pits or pin-holes in the varnish, and is sometimes caused by the under surface being greasy, but more usually by atmospheric air being mixed with the varnish —a thing which not infrequently occurs when varnish has been violently shaken on the way to work. As soon as the defect appears the varnishing should be stopped until due time has been allowed for the varnish to settle, and let loose the air contained within. If the defect occurs without any shaking having taken place, it may be due to the varnish having absorbed a certain amount of air when being filled into the tin.—“ New Zealand Decorator.”

When staining the exposed portions of stair treads first take up the stair carpet in order to prevent any smearing by the stain. To protect the bottom portion of the banister rail obtain a niece of tin, which may readily be cut from an ordinary tin. Bend the piece of tin round the rail, which will prevent any stain from being brushed on. This will greatly simplify the work and is much better than trying to dodge round (he rails with the brush. The stain should be allowed to become quite dry and hard before the stair carpet is replaced.

A polisher for glass and metals can easily be made at home. Make a calico bag large enough to contain a good handful of prepared whiting. Empty the whiting into, this and tie. or sew up securely. This pad will be found most handy lor window panes and all purposes where a quick shine is required on brass, silver, aluminium, glass, ete. When very soiled the bag can be emptied and the whiting placed in a fresh cover. Separate pads for various uses are advisable. '