MAKING A HOUSE A HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19663, 15 June 1927, Page 7

MAKING A HOUSE A HOME.

LIGHTING AND HEATING. EI CHARLES A. VAB3ISB. No. VL We do noi treat our eyes fairly. There are many things to account i:or the alarming increase in the number of persons suffering from defective sight, but the experts agree that bad ways of artificial lighting are largely responsible. It is significant that notwithstanding many useful forms of frosted bulbs and patent daylight lamps which havo been placed on the market, the electricians continue to find that householders insist on the ordinary brilliant forms. _ y Electric lighting is an efficient and sa<fo system with an adaptability to all conditions never before dreamed of. But it may easily become a peril if we demand floods of light and insist on fixing bare bulbs which throw a blinding glare into t|>e eyes. . It is more important to s.ecure complete eye comfort than to extract the maximum of light. To achievo this with electricity, care should be taken to avoid the most powerful bulbs. Glass sn&des which eft ft merely prettily tinted at their fluted edges, and all clear glass around the light, are undesirable, because they do not act as shades and fail to protect the eyes from the dangerous sudden bursts of light when the naked eye, in its passage around a room, happens to fall on it. _ . " r A Dual Saving. Deep shades of a soft cream are effective and soothing, and the mellow light they throw over a room is entirely pleasant. Where possible small bowl lights of the brazier type will give the best results. They are admirably restful in dping rooms, and there is now a wide choice of lovely materials iu these brazier lights which makes them charmingly appropriate in the "best rooms." Only small fights should be used in living roonls, on staircases and in the offices of the It is useless to say where lights should be fixed; we are so seldom masters our own houses in this matter. The installation is there, and we have to be slaves to the convention of the centre pendant. . Where we can choose, st is better to have wall fittings in the drawing room and bedrooms. This mak.es it so much easier to screen the lights from the eyes, and furthermore, avoids that embarrassing "spot light" effect on the centre of the room which leaves other parts in comparative darkness. But the most admirable arrangement in the drawing room is to have two sources, the central brazier and a wall fitting, so that we can choose according to circumstances. The centre light is effective in the dining room, because there our need is for a soft, even glow over the table. It should be remembered when purchasing shades that pale tints give a more even distribution. Avoid Extremes. In seeking to spare the eyes by avoiding brilliant or naked lights, do not go to the other extreme. Many people imagine they are studying their sight, as well as enjoying charming effects, if they enclose the bulbs in quaint Oriental or • ether shades of curious shapes, and deep colour designs; whereas they are simply paying for light they do not use and _ imperilling the sight whenever they read or play. Where gas is used, the common practice of having covered mantles should be avoided. The simple white globes are really the best. Inverted mantles are preferable, for there is no risk of stray beams of naked light striking the eye. Fittings for small rooms require to be chosen with care. For two light centrepieces it is best to have th 6 simple bar form, which sets the two lights well apart; this avoids shadows and gives an equitable distribution of illumination. Those pretty and familiar types which have the pair of bulbs huddled together, do not make the best use of the light, If there is no -wall or table fitting giving facilities for reading or sewing, it is more prudent to save gas or current and use oil in a reading or table lamp. We may have outgrown oil for lighting, but a recent scientific investigation showed that the soft easy radiance of oil remains one of the best and safest lights for the eyes. Heating and Cooking. ■ ♦ An electric fire should stand' well out on the hearth, or much heat might be • wasted. The cheap types are the dearest in operation, ' for they must be burnt at full or not at all. Current can only be economised where there are switches for low-medium-fulL There is some prejudice against gas fires on the grounds that they are 'unhealthy. A committee which lately in-! vestigated this charge, and had the assistance of many eminent scientists and authorities, found after exhaustive tests that, providing the fire is fitted with skill which has ensured efficient ventilation, a gas fire is perfectly hygienic and is the most economical and labour-saving method of heating a room. But there must be complete combustion of the gas, the fullest use by radiation and convection of the heat produced, and entire removal of the products of combustion. This committee, after tests, formulated asetul selection points, which the reader will doubtless welcome as a guide to choosing a gas fire. Surfaces should be plain and smooth, and no part of the stove should require blackleading. It should be possible to clean simply with a damp cloth or furniture polish. It must be silent in use-. A safety tap is preferable which cannot bo turned accidentally or by children. Flues should have a smooth, inside finish. The burner must have a gas and air adjustment, so that they cdn be regulated to give the best results with any quantity and pressure of gas. The back to be of fireclay brick. The canopy should be raised from four to five inches above the radiants to prevent them from being cooled by cold air passing into thq flue.

In practically all town homes to-day cooking is done by gas; it is the cleanest and cheapest way. Yet there is still a loss of fuel and much painful and unnecessary labour. There are excellent types of gas ovens obtainable which are made breast-high and this spares the housewiva or cook much laborious and unhealthy stooping. Unfortunately they are not types commonly adopted by the gas companies for general supply. This advantage may, however, be obtained by the simple expedient of having the oven raised a foot or so from the ground. It is a hint which greatly lightens the drudgery of cooking days. Hints About Stoves. Aluminium finishes have been growing in favour, but can only be recommended when the finish is of first-class quality. Then it effects a considerable saving of labour in cleaning. Cheap finishes merely look smart and bright for a few days after installation, and are afterwards "a source of trouble. When buying a gas stove make sure that all parts are removable, and can be easily renewed without long delays. It is an advantage to have in the oven door a transparent panel of sufficient size to show all tho shelves within. This conserves the heat and saves the bother of the frequent opening of tho door. All surfaces should be piain, with no flutings to harbour dirt, and no part of the cooker should need either polishing or blackleading. It is ths hot plate .which is responsible for much waste. This may be avoided by securing that tho burners are of three sizes so that small or large quantities mav be cooked in pans of suitable _si2e, that they are eScctively protected from draughts and so arranged that. aH heat is distributed npwards; and , should not choke when pans boil-awe,.