THE BACK VERANDA.

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 58

THE BACK VERANDA.

With hot summer days coming on we all look forward to those “ sit down ’ jobs of shelling peas, darning socks, ami peeling potatoes. Cool, comfortable, colourful surroundings will make us enjoy these restful duties more than ever.

Instead of having the back veranda a catch-all for old caps and sweaters, why not fix it up a bit so you will have a cooi place to chat with the neighbours when they drop in for “ just a minute.” Even father will enjoy taking his after dinner nap there, though he may feel it ail foolishness at first. Of c.ourse, these are hard times; but if a little effort and a shilling or two will give us a cool extra room for summer, surely they are worth our consideration. A little paint will freshen up the floor. Grey-blue or grey-green would be just the thing, as it never seems to show the dirt very readily. There are no doubt plenty of cracks in the floor if it is an old one, but here is an easy recipe that is excellent for filling them:—Mix two parts of linseed oil and one part of Japanese drier, adding flour until it is of the consistency of putty. Force it into cracks with an old knife, and let it dry thoroughly before painting-

You really don’t have to paint the floor if you don’t want, to, as a linoleum, grass, or firmly woven rag ruin may be used just as well. It is not necessary, however, for you to go to a great expense to make your veranda attractive.

Hunt up those cast-off pieces that are still good but a little old-fashioned for the living room. Scrub them well, mend any broken parts, and cover with a coat of cheery paint. If father or one of the boys is handy with tools, persuade him to make some of those charming pieces of rustic furniture. Once you have tire men folk interested in this beautifying idea half your battle is won. Before painting any furniture, decide on a colour scheme you want to carry out. Some make the mistake of deciding on one colour, and then painting all pieces exactly alike, which soon becomes tiresome. By trimming the larger pieces with a bit of contrasting colour, and then painting the smaller pieces, footstool or small table in this colour used for trimming, an interesting variety mar lie had without loss of harmony. Orange and red are really too warm for summer, and I think you will prefer the less vivid shades of brown, tan, green, plum, or black, with a touch of bright colour for trim.

Cooler colours are best. Green or dull blue with a narow trim or line of contrasting colour will give a cooling effect.

If there is a great deal of shrubbery around the veranda, or perhaps a vine growing over the end, you will want to use a colour scheme that will combine well with green, so will no doubt choose tan or cream. Your paint finish must be hard in order to withstand rain or sunshine. If you are fortunate enough to have a paint sprayer, or can borrow one, painting veranda furniture becomes very much simplified. Your veranda is not truly restful unless you have a place to lie down. An old stretcher or couch with a slip cover of attractive, durable material will do very nicely for this. It is the little accessories that create a homelike, cheerful atmosphere. Low stools, .cretonne envelopes to slip over cliaii - backs, with matching pillows or chair pads, and plenty of colourful cushions, will make your veranda livable. You will want durable cushions that may be used on the floor, steps, or couch. If possible at all, have your veranda screened in. Just sitting in a cool spot may be restful, but if you have to brush away flies all the time you sit there your disposition is not quite as even as it otherwise would be when you get up again.—An exchange.