Home Arts and Crafts

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

Home Arts and Crafts

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A window-seat is a great improvement to almost any room which possesses a deep recess or a built-out window of any description, and it is really quite a simple matter to make one. A handy man can fit the necessary woodwork, or, as it will be entirely concealed, it is not necessary that it should be highly finished. It will be sufficiently strong if it is made of ordinary lin. deal, or any cheap New Zealand wood, in the manner shown in the sketch. The cost of the wood, ready cut to the required measurements by a timber merchant, would amount to very little.

Some bay windows with square corners may be even more easily fitted with. a seat than the one shown. In such cases it is only necessary to take an exact measurement of the bay, order a board of this length and three or four shorter pieces to form the support, and, when the wood is delivered, it can be fitted into place in a very short time. Any needlewoman could make the cushion, using for the cover either cretonne or chintz. A large bag of material for stuffing can be bought from OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOO'

MAKING WINDOW-SEATS

any dealer in furnishing materials. If desired, the cushion may, of course, be made with a loose cover. The best plan is to use the same material as that of which the curtains are made, the effect thus obtained being then harmonious.

The valance, which should extend some inches beneath the cushion, may be held in position by the large-headed nails used by upholsterers, or by ordinary drawing-pins, which may be easily withdrawn when desired. A few attractive cushions, such as may now be found at sale price in enormous variety of shape, colour and material, will complete the effect and make the window-seat look very inviting. If the covers of the window-seat are made of chintz or other figured material the cushions should be plain, and vice versa.

The large space concealed by the valance makes a useful cupboard for work baskets, papers, magazines, and all the things which make rooms lcy>k untidy if there is no proper' place for them. It is a good idea to have a lower shelf underneath and narrower than the window-seat itself for the reception of such articles. In fact, some people, instead of having a valance, like to fit open bookshelves under the seat, and the effect may be quite good, though the books are apt to get dusty and they have the further disadvantage of being in a bad light. Still, there is no cosier place for reading than a window-seat, so it is worth while at least to k(?ep a few favourite books there within easy reach. In a small room a window-seat may be a blessing, as it merely occupies space which would be wasted otherwise.