BUILDING AND HOMES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 16, 14 October 1930, Page 7

BUILDING AND HOMES

(By

"JACK PLANE.”)

THE MODERN KITCHEN

An Important Department

DECORATION & EQUIPMENT

In an interesting survey of the materials and methods employed in the decoration and equipment of up-to-date kitchens in Great Britain, a writer in a housing journal observes that, thanks to modern enterprise, ways and means can be discovered of overcoming practically all drawbacks, and that accommodating equipment is available for every type of environment. For decoration, it is added, modern materials include tiles. These are suitable for the walls of the room in which food is prepared and cooked, as they are hygienically ideal. Although the initial cost is somewhat high, the tiles are long-lasting, and will not require renewing every year or two. very satisfactory compromise where wholly-tiled walls are too expensive is to have tiles half-way up the walls and the rest finished in a glossy enamel, which will wash and wear well. Another alternative to “real” tiles is the use of asbestos or zinc ones at least half-way up the walls. These look very well, are easily kept clean, and are durable in wear. In many kitchens the walls are finished with a special paint, able to withstand heat and steam. There are many such paints to be had to-day, and these will be found very satisfactory. In some cases the ceiling is painted also, using the same shade of paint or one that blends. Impervious Floors. Floors can be treated in many ways. Plastic flooring is among the newest additions, and can be laid over any existing flooring, giving a dirt and waterproof surface, comfortable and warm to the feet, and very easy to keep clean. Special types of linoleum are particularly suited for kitchen wear. These are of great variety and colour, the most important matter of choice being that of durability. Inlaid linoleums are excellent for this reason. Imitation tiled linoleum is very popular in certain types of modern kitchens. Rubber flooring is one of the newer productions for home use, and in suitable designs is excellent in the kitchen. It is long-lasting, and does not get shabby, and can easily be kept in good condition. Patent compressed flooring is very good for this purpose. In appearance it is much like linoleum, but is of quite a different composition. It wears well, looks well, and is particularly adapted to stand the test of many feet. Cellulose flooring is also comparatively new. This interesting material is put down by the roll-like linoleum, but once fixed it becomes a permanent floor. It can be laid over any surface, and will Inst for many years. Points About Fitments. Having chosen the most suitable materials for the floors and walls of a particular kitchen, the next step is to turn the attention to the general fitments and equipment. Here there are many points to be observed. The kind of stove chosen will naturally depend upon circumstances. if a coal stove is chosen, it should be of an up-to-date type, and embody features that will make it of the most general service to the household. Many varieties will provide hot water for all household purposes as well as cooking; and some in addition have an open fire fitment for warming the kitchen. Others again are fitted with a special compartment for heating plates and dishes, and airing clothes. A gas stove should also be of an up-to-date pattern, as each year additional improvements are produced. It is now possible to have even a small stove with a high oven, thus eliminating stooping every time a dish is handled for oven purposes. The interior should be washable and easy to keep in good order, and no part of 'the stove should require excessive polishing or attention. Special ventilating arrangements are made in conjunction with the new gas cookers —in the form of a double flue. The fumes from the stove are. drawn up through one grating and fresh air admitted by the other, thus preventing any re-en-trance of the cooking fumes. Where electricity is available, an electric cooking stove' will be found very efficient m every way. Its cleanliness and economy of heat make it easy to cook by this method. The Kitchen Table. The table is much more important than it. is sometimes considered. The Phun wood-topped table of .indifferent height and clumsy size has given Place to pioperlv planned and designed models, lhe surfaces are of porcelain enamelled iron —a finish which has the virtue of being clean, dirt-proof, and consequently laboursaving. Many of these kitchen tables incorporate special features which make them useful as storage centres too. One model has swivel drX at each end, which swing out at a touch, revealing store iars and tools for various culinary operations. . Another type has a sliding top, ope n »“» at the centre, again revealing a deep un der-space for storing utensils. In another, again, a cupboard cabinet is planned under the table. In all these varieties, the chief object is to make the one piece of .equipment as self-contained as possible in relation to its particular uses. . . With this same plan in view, the kit chen cabinet has been introduced itito These vary in details of construction, finish and size. They are all made with the idea of providing storage room and working surfaces for everything connected with the preparation of food. This theme is showing signs of being extended to include carefully planned cupboard space for all kitchen requirements in one fitment. It should have the approval of all housewives who value economy of time and steps. Instead of scattered cupboards in various parts of the room, the one cupboard fitment is installed on one side, of the room. It provides space for cleaning and cooking u'tensils, and also china, glass, and other accessories. . In many cases such a fitment is built round either the kitchen cabinet or a refrigerator. Labour-saving Sinks. The sink is of the utmost importance, since so much of the work is centred around it. This work can be either arduous or easy according to the type of sink provided, and its accessory equipment. The ideal sink is undoubtedly a double one. This makes it possible to wash up in one compartment and rinse in sequence in the other; and is also most useful for laundry-work. When only one side of the sink is required a portable draining-board can be fitted over the other. Even this has been promoted from wood to nickel. In this form it can be kept clean and unmarked with a minimum of trouble. Taps, of course, are no longer of brass. China or chromium finish is an essential feature of modern taps, and will be found in all types of kitchens.

Closely connected with the work at both sink and table are the lighting arrangements. Both these centres need good light. . ■ . Artificial light should be supplied m the form of totally enclosed glareless electric lamps. These are safely out of the way, and they give better light. They are untarnishable and can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth. The ideal kitchen will contain an ample supply of electrical points for general use.

A difficulty experienced in painting woodwork in a papered room is the soiling of the wallpaper by the paint. The trouble can be overcome by lining round the edges of the paper with size, using a small brush. The size is transparent and will prevent the oil content of the paint from reaching the paper.

STRAY NOTES

Comfort in the Lounge The lounge is a room of individuality, demonstrating more than any other the character o£ the owner. For this reason it is impossible to lay down many strict rules. Anything in the nature of stereotyped furnishing defeats the object of the lounge. For the carpet we may choose either a square or a body carpeting. In these days of vacuum cleaners, the objection to having plain carpeting reaching right to the skirting boards is removed. Although this idea is becoming more and more popular, in many instances we might do well to choose one of the delightful Axminster or Wilton carpet squares. These are now produced in excellent and “happy” designs. It should be remembered also that rugs can now be obtained in the same designs as the carpet, thus providing a harmonious scheme with the floor.

In most types of lounge, it will lie found desirable to choose a rich material for the curtains. A velvet is suitable if we prefer heavier materials, or a damask or brocade if our tastes lie in this direction.

A suggestion for screening French windows is the use of a pair of Madras muslin curtains, now produced in very excellent modern designs and supplied in made-up curtains ready for fixing. These exclude none of the light and are therefore most suitable for the purpose. When choosing our upholstered furniture, which is naturally the most important feature in the room, we may select an essentially modern design or one adapted from the period styles. In the former case, we must be careful to see that the straight lines of chair and settee do not impair the comfort of the pieces. There is little doubt that either walnut or weathered oak is the best for the lounge. It depends upon whether we are furnishing the room in a simple and ingenuous way, or in a richer and more luxurious manner.

Fireside chairs, bookcase-tables, bookcases and so on are obtainable in all the different woods.

The lighting fixtures must depend entirely upon the type of scheme we are preparing. A ceiling lamp may be dispensed with and its place taken by a floor standard lamp and small table lamp on desk, cabinet or table. Effects obtainable with good enamel or paints make one of the most appropriate decorations for the lounge.

A background in shades of old ivory or parchment is very useful in a room of any aspect. It is particularly' effee-. five if it is finely stippled in two shades of the same colour, the darker coming second and being wiped off from the centre of panels and from the faces of mouldings. Further charm may be given to it if it is slightly flecked with gold in the dark places and then given a light sheen with one of the many good glazes.— “Ideal Home.” SUMMARY OF TENDERS CLOSING DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 14 TO 28. Thos. H. James, Wanganui.—Tenders for the erection of an infectious diseases block for Wanganui Hospital. Close 4 p.m., October 14. The Kelburn and Karori Tramway Co., Ltd., T. and G. Buildings, Grey Street, Wellington.—Tenders for Botanical bridge. Contract close noon, October 15. Gray Young, Morton, and Young, 217 Lambton Quay—Tenders for the erection of three-story building, Phoenix Assurance Co., Ltd. Close noon, October 17. Catholic Presbytery, Kilbirnie Crescent. —Tenders for erection of cottage, Naughton Crescent. Close 6 p.m., October 19. Public Works, Wellington—Tenders West-port-Inangahua railway. ,Close 4 p.m., October 21. Chas. A. Lawrence and W. Gray Young, 81 The Terrace.—Tenders for the erection of hostel in Salamanca Road for the Victoria University. - Close noon, October 23. Public Works Tenders Board, Wellington. —Tenders new sub-station buildings, Melling. ClQse 4* p.m., October 28.