HOMES AND FURNISHINGS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 260, 29 July 1932, Page 6

HOMES AND FURNISHINGS

JT Is pointed out by Mr. A. Seed, president of the allied building industries organisation, that those who take advantage of the Government subsidy on wages for building and alteration work are required to use New Zealand products and materials wherever possible. “It.should be realised,” he says, “that applicants who do not adhere to this regulation run the risk of having their applications rejected.” Time-lag Saves Money. For districts with a high rate for lighting current, considerable saving in consumption could be obtained in such situations as stairs, corridors, and landings of flats and other buildings having common users, by the fitting of time-lag switches. These were recently introduced in England, and are so designed that when the button is pressed the light goes on, but after an adjustable interval (predetermined) up to three minutes, automatically cuts out During the interval any user should have had Jime to pass down that portion ofthe stairs or corridor so controlled. Now a Plain Radiator. Architects have for long complained of the difficulty of obtaining a cheap, plain electric radiator. For some reason the majority of manufacturers have thought it necessary to add some little “artistic” flourish which, whilst perhaps pleasing to the man who designed it, is annoying to other people. A large series of absolutely plain stoves, finished in black .or coloured porcelain enamel are now been produced in England. The body of the stove is made of stamped steel, which is light and unbreakable, and a good point is that they are mounted on three small ball feet, so that they will always stand firmly, however rough the floor. A Sink in a Cabinet. Not unlike a large cabinet gramophone in appearance is a useful diningroom fitment—designed by an architect—enclosing a- small sink and an electric kettle, so that tea or other drinks can be prepared at any time. In the one or two-roopied flat, of coqrse, the functions of this neat lit’ tie cupboard could be extended, and it could be used as a miniature pantry. A wall-sideboard has just been evolved by another designer. This spacesaving item of furniture is a case about sft. long and 2ft. Gin. deep, and Is attached to the wall. In brightly painted wood, it is divided into two sections—sllding’door cupboards below and glass-fronted shelves above. How to Clean Walls. During cleaning it is often difficult to know just how to treat various kinds of walls so that the best results are obtained. Walls which are covered with either distemper or washable paint should first be dusted very thoroughly and then washed with warm soapy water and a chamois leather. Papered walls need more careful treatment, After wiping down the walls the surface of the paper should be rubbed all over with a thick piece of stale bread, beginning at the top and working downward. This treatment is effective in removing greasy marks and unsightly stains. Should there be any particularly stubborn grease marks an application of benzine will prove most effectual in re- . moving them. |

Building Revival Urged by Employers EFFECTS OF SUBSIDY “It will be noted that a serious drop in the annual value of building permits has taken place, over the last two years, and that last year’s figures have dropped to an astonishing degree,” stated the annual report of the Wellington Employers’ Association, adopted at the annual meeting on Tuesday. The following are comparative figures showing the annual value of building permits on a Dominion basis: -192122 £5,283',012 1922- £7,101,081 1923- £9,146,479 1924- £9,304,160 1925- £10,169,530 1926- £11,019,389 1927- 1. £9,665,216 1928- £9,054,421 1 1929- £9,959,877 1930- £5,473,395 ’ 1931-32 £2,728,486 Referring to the Unemployment Board’s building subsidy scheme, the report proceeded: “If the object of the board is achieved, namely, to encourage people to take advantage of the scheme, thereby relieving unemployment, it will mean that owners will pay for all the materials required for the jobs undertaken, and will pay twothirds of the wages to unemployed workers engaged thereon. “The result will be that the money expended by owners and the amount paid by way of subsidy bn unemployed labour by the board under the scheme will represent definite assets, with the circulation of money which must benefit the community generally, whereas, without such a scheme the board would have continued to expend the money, which it will pay by way of subsidy, on reproductive works. “In the interests of the community, property owners are urged, wherever possible, to take full advantage of the scheme, thereby assisting to relieve unemployment and to create confidence by the circulation of money, whereby everyone will benefit either directly or indirectly.” GARDENER’S CABINET Use for Old Match-boxes A useful cabinet for holding fiower seeds for the home gardener may be made as follows:— Collect as many match boxes as desired and a light wooden box such as a large cigar-box. Jam the match-boxes in the bottom of the wooden box, one match-box deep, with the slide 1 end resting on the bottom of box. If the boxes do not fit tightly, remove one end, and the side of wooden box, cut the spare wood away.' Then saw off the sides and ends of the box level with the ends of the match-boxes. Remove the slides of the matchboxes from the cases, and with needle and wool make loops on the end of each slide, to be used as bandies. Stand the box ou its side, which is now the bottom, and the cabinet is complete. It may be stained and varnished states the “Melbourne Argus.”

A BENEFIT TO ALL ROOM AND BEDROOM

Suggestion for Furnishing

USEFUL DOUBLE PURPOSE When a room must serve as both living-room and bedroom it is likely to disclose its double purpose; or, succeeding in its attempts to appear as a living-room only, it is very likely to cause its owner gyeat inconvenience in providing for its use as a bedroom (says a writer ill the “Christian Science Monitor”). One young woman who had been clinging to the typical bedroom because of its convenience found it necessary to tutn her room into an office or liv-ing-room where people could be interviewed, and a very happy solution was achieved without a great outlay of money. First of all it whs decided that nothing which hinted of a bedroom could find a place in the new room, and this rule was strictly adhered to. Not even a picture or lamp could remain if not of correct type. Taking account of furnishings on hand, it was found that the rug, desk, and its chair, bookshelves, and Windsor rocker were suitable for a living-room. Appropriate Wallpaper. A wall paper of appropriate design at once changed the character of the room. A member of the family was glad to take- the four-post bed and the bureau in exchange for a day bed and a large armchair. A tapestry couch cover was purchased for the day bed, so that when retiring time came around the bed could be made ready for occupancy by simply removing the cover. During the summer months linen crash was used. The window drapes were dyed to match the new colour scheme. The one extravagance was a highboy, which provided plenty of drawer space, and also added a note of dignity. But the room still lacked dressing facilities. A mirror was hung on the inside of the closet'door and underneath It a shelf was built to hold toilet articles. This “closet dressing table” has proved extremely satisfactory. Shelf Affixed to Door.

The shelf, which is held in place by a pair of brackets, Is 18in. wide, leaving 3in. to the edge of the door on either side, and extends Gin. A strip 2 l-Bin. high around the edge of the shelf prevents articles fyom falling off as the door is swung. The whole is neatly varnished to match the door. A year has elapsed since the change was made, and the year’s use has proved that it is possible to have a very pleasant living room—one giving no evidence of being anything but a living room, yet which may, bjr the simple removal Of a cover and the opening of a closet door, serve adequately as a sleeping and dressing room.