CARE OF THE HOME

Southland Times, Issue 18945, 19 May 1923, Page 14 (Supplement)

CARE OF THE HOME

LATEST MAGAZINE. THE MAY WELDON. The Mav number of Weldon’s Ladies’ Journal is’a delightful issue containing all the latest styles from London and Paris, and new novelties now in vogue. The free patterns enclosed are a three-piece suit and a French nightdress, and the gratis transfer is for the new embroidery on dresses, etc. Included in the number is an art supplement of Paris fashions; a millinery lessdn, “How to make Bows and Cockades”; The New Crepe Paper Hats”; “Styles that show the Egyptian Influence in Fashions”; advance styles for dresses; “Exquisite Lingerie” ; dress specially designed for the stout woman; tailor-made gowns and coats and skirts; new millinery; the latest trimming novelty; leather applique; evening coiffures; furnishing suggestions, loose covers; The Children’s Page with prize competitions; seasonable cookery.

SHERATON FURNITURE. HINTS FOR THE HOUSEWIFE. Thomas Sheraton is rightly considered the Cinderella of the cabinet-making fraternity. Most of his work was done in acute poverty. Unlike his illustrious contemporary, Thomas Chippendale, Sheraton never experienced popular appreciation, and it has been left to later generations to accord the recognition of his genius. Much furniture which is to-day labelled Sheraton has but a connection with the work of the master. While Sheraton undoubtedly furniture which depended for its beauty on delicate form and inlaid enrichment, the range of his productions was much wider that this characteristic allows.

Much of his work—such as those pieces to be seen at South Kensington Museum —owes its origin to the influence of Louis XVI. furniture. In fact, there are specimens existing which might very well have been of French extraction, so closely to those models did Sheraton work; but the bulk of his productions will always reveal the genius of the innovator.

Much of his early furniture was made of satinwood finished a glowing golden shade. Painted panels for decoration were widely employed, and as these were frequently carried out by famous artists of his day they have unusual merit and interest. Angelica Kauffman, the first lady member of the Royal Academy, did many panels for Sheraton. The essence of the style exists in its delicacy and lightness, not only of size and construction but ornament also. His skill as a master craftsman made many of his designs practicable, as in the hands of a lesser man such flimsy constructive details would have resulted in weakness.

Particularly suitable to present-day needs are his sideboards, tables and chairs. The typical inlaid bands of satinwood and ebony will be found in most of his sideboards, while enrichment in the form of festoons and shells were much in demand. Along the back of the sideboard was a brass rail or “gallery” frequently draped with curtain. The end cupboards were gracefully shaped. BORAX IN THE HOME USEFUL FOR THE HOUSEWIFE. The housewife should always keep a supply of borax and boric acid. Both are invaluable on account of their many uses.

An efficient healing solution for burns, wounds, and cuts is made by dissolving a teaspoonful of boric acid in one pint of water. Cuts should first be washed with the soluticn and then bound with a piece of soft linen dipped into it, while a piece of absorbent cotton wool, soaked in a stronger solut’on, should be kept on a burn until the inflammation is allayed. The burn is then bathed with raw linseed oil. Hot fomentations of boric acid solution will relieve abscesses and similar troubles, and the powder, dusted cn the feet, is a very good preventive of sores and blisters. Throat and teeth troubles may be kept at bay by using a solution containing one tables.pocnful in a quart of water as a gargle, and as an eyewash lez dissolved in a quart of water will successfully treat inflammation. The solution keeps well, so that this quantity may be made and stored until required.

For a sore throat one part of borax to (wo of honey or glycerine is a splendid remedy. A little added to the washing water makes hard water harmless to the most tender complexion, and will prevent a flushed face while a teaspoonful added to the bath water is most refreshing. A small quantity dissolved in hot water makes an excellent hairwash, removing all traces oi dandruff and softening and brightening the hair.

A pinch of borax should be added to the water in which green vegetables are being boiled to preserve their colour. It should also bt added to the washing-up water and to the water in which the teacloths are washed, because it is an excellent. grease and stain remover, and polishes glass and silver effectively.

By its aid fur may be removed from kettles. Add two teaspoonfuls of borax to a kettle of hot water, let it boil for a quarter of an hcur, and you will find that the fur has become loose.

To cleanse a sponge wash it in a hot solution containing a teaspoonful of borax in a pint cf water, and use a strong solution as a cleanser and deodoriser for drains and sinks.

Do not use boric acid if borax will do, as the price of the former is almost double that of the latter.

DOMESTIC JOTTINGS. A CLEANING HINT. Marks caused by flies on gilt frames can be removed by the application of lemon juice. The juice should be squeezed into a saucer and applied by means of a small sponge. The frame should be gentlv dried with a chamois leather. A HOME LAUNDRY HINT. A cake of pipeclay should be kept at hand when washing is in progress. A small portion of the pipeclay, shredded finely, will soften the water to which it has been added and much less soap will be needed. The clothes should be carefully rinsed to free them of particles of 'pipeclay which may have not dissolved. TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF GLOVES. It is worth while taking care of a good pair of gloves. If kid and suede gloves are wrapped in flannel when not in use they will last longer than when put awayuncovered. This is a hint which the woman who travels abroad should remember, as the flannel largely counteracts the effect of climatic changes on glovea.