FURNISHING YOUR HOME

Cue (NZERS), Issue 36, 30 November 1945, Page 9

FURNISHING YOUR HOME

ONE of the most pleasurable experiences in this transitory life is the planning and furnishing of a home. Even when it is merely a form of aerial castle-building, most of us have had the same fundamental ’ thrill in pressing our noses to the show windows of a furniture store and, in imagination, transporting a tasteful suite displayed there to within our own castle walls.

For many returning servicemen the way now lies ahead to bring those plans to fruition through wartime savings or rehabilitation assistance, and the question of furniture and furnishing is arousing keen interest.

The ultimate goal for most servicemen is a home, for which certain essentials —not entirely material either are required. A home in its true sense has an indefinable “something” apart from bricks, mortar, furnishings and family, although these are often taken to be its sole essences. It must have the addition of character, warmth, friendliness of interior —that “personality” perhaps which enriches even the humblest dwelling to raise it above more pretentious fellows and make a “house” a “home”. Undoubtedly a large factor in the creation of this “personality” is the domestic harmony and content of its occupants, but perhaps an equally important key to it lies in the furnishing. No hard and fast set of rules for guidance can be made applicable. Your taste, selection

anddecision (and, of course, your wife’s) will determine the degree of character of your home —and the success or failure in attaining the goal.

You will have to live with your furniture for many years and must be in harmony with it from the outset. Therefore it is wise to inspect a wide range of both furnishings and furniture before making any final selection. It is hopeless to embark on the venture without a clear mental impression of what you wantof how you wish each room or section of the house to appear when completed. This impression, in each case, correlated with a brief list of essentials and a rough sketch plan, will stand you in good stead in the final test of eligibility for each piece. It will also prevent your being side-track-ed into purchasing non—essentials haphazardly and wrecking your furnishing budget.

Careful budgeting is necessary, for it will be realised that the LIOO inter-est-free rehabilitation loan for purchase of furniture is itself insufficient to furnish your home even on spartan standards; the loan is only an assistance, but a very real one, in the expensive journey through the stores and warehouses that lies ahead.

Recently a rehabilitation expert toured a typical Wellington furnishing warehouse to examine stocks and study prices. The following should give an accurate picture of conditions that may be expected and current prices:—

The Soft Furnishing Department was visited first, for essential “accessories” such as lampshades, curtains, bedspreads, quilts, etc. Lampshades, (required in most cases for dining room, hall, bedrooms and lounge) varied in price from 5/6 to 65/—. Materials for bedspreads, curtains, loose covers quilts were brocades and damasks of various colours, (prices per yard) 19/6 to 57/6; chintzes with patterns and designs 3/6 to 4/11; velours and velvets (especially acceptable when used as living room and lounge curtains), prices in single and double widths 18/6 and 37/6; linens suitable for both curtains and loose covers from 12/9 to 45/ — per yard. There was a sufficient variety of fabrics to meet all needs and satisfy every i individual taste.

The Carpet Department stocked a comprehensive range of colourful Indian carpets, prices ranging according to size as follows: 6ft x 3ft fireside rugs, L 6.10.0;” 9ft x6ft. squares, Ll 9; 10ft. 6inx9ft, squares, L 33 to L 36; 12ft. x Oft. squares, L 34 to L 39. To add to these is Feltex, to-day being manufactured in New Zealand in both plain and mottled colours, civilian purchases being confined to the plain colours,

while the entire output of the mottled is reserved for ex-servicemen and women to the extent of 30 square yards for each home. Prices: plain 21/ — per yard and mottled 26/6 per yard. For both squares and Feltex, underfelt was procurable at 7/6 per yard. Coir matting and New Zealand flax matting, excellent for both kitchen and passageway were obtainable from 6/6 to 9/ — per yard and linoleum, expected in small quantities soon although for a long time unprocurable, L 3 to L 4-10-0 per square. An interesting and varied selection of occasional furniture was seen in the next department, including both modern and period designs. Small bedroom chairs, upholstered in tapestries, damasks and linens ranged in price from L 5-10-0 to LIS-15-0, bedroom stools of Queen Anne and other designs from L 4-10-0 to LB-10-0, and bedside tables in various woods and designs were priced from L 3-10-0 to L 9-0-0. For the dining room and lounge, china cabinets in beech and tawa in attractive designs were priced from LIO-10-0 upwards, and bureaux in rimu, beech and veneered walnut in stock designs, or original, from Ll 4-10-0. Fireside chairs upholstered in tapestries and uncut moquettes ranged from L 7-17-6 to LI3-13-0. Also on display were

tables, bookcases and service wagons

The selection of dining room furniture was varied and original, the majority

of the suites comprising sideboard, table and four chairs. General stock lines made in rimu, beech and tawa (note the use of the last-named), were priced between L 46 and L 66. Original and period designs in beech and maple ranged from LSO to LBS. Suites to original designs can be manufactured for most retailers by their suppliers. Chesterfield suites were * available in attractive designs upholstered in tapestries and uncut moquettes, the suites comprising chesterfield and two chairs. This style was priced from L 55 to L7O and the same style but with loose inner spring cushions from L 65 to LIOO. One unusual type was made with the chesterfield in three separate units which, when taken apart can be used as chairs or, when placed together, make a full sized lounge.

Bedroom suites comprising the main essentials of duchess, tail-boy and 4ft. bin. bed, made in beech and tawa, ranged from L 52-17-6 to L6O, or with twin beds, L6l to L 66. Also on display was a varied selection of walnut veneered suites, including either a compactum or wardrobe, from L 65 to LBS. These prices did not include the mattresses which were obtainable in a wide range of types and prices as follows:— wire wove 4ft. 6in. L 4-16-0, 3ft. L 2-17-6, millwool rolled edge L 9-5-6 to LI 2-3-6 and L 4-10-0 to L 6-2-6 and one-third kapoc, two-thirds millwool type, LI 1-10-0 and LB-0-0 in the respective sizes. Specially made inner spring mattresses with separate unit, springs, in attractive and good quality ticking carryng a five-year guarantee were priced: 4ft. 6in. L 22-10-0 3 ft.. LI 6-16-0 upwards. Spring bases in tickings to match the spring mattresses of good construction and well sprung were 4ft 6in size LB-7-6, 3ft. size L 6-5-0. Pillows in millwool and kapoc were 12/6 to 16/6.

And now to get down to a practical issue, here is a list of selected items from those previously described as a further guide in arriving at your possible needs. It is merely a guide and not a hard and fast scheme with no alternative but in the main, lists the essential requirements.

Hall: Feltex L 6-5-0, occasional table L4-10.—Total LlO-15-0.

Dining room: Twelve by nine Indian square L 34-0-0, suite L4O-10-0 curtains and blinds L 9-10-0, service waggon L 4-5-0. Total L 94-5-0.

Lounge: Twelve by nine Indian square L 34-0-0, chesterfield suite L 65-0-0, curtains and blinds LI2-10-0, mirror L 2-10-0, occasional table LB-0-0, china cabinet LlO-10-0, bureaux Ll - 10-o.—Total L 147-0-0.

Bedroom: Feltex and underfelt Ll - 10-0, bedroom suite L 52-17-6, 4ft. 6in. wire mattress L 4-16-0, mattress L 9-5-6, two pillows Ll-5-0, six pillow slips (at 4/9) Ll-8-6, one pair of sheets L 3-3-0, one pair of blankets L 4-6-6, bedspread LB-10-0, stool L 4-10-0, bedside table L 3-10-0, blinds and curtains L9-0-o.—Total LI 17-2-0.

Kitchen: One table Ll-17-6, four chairs (at 16/-) L 3-4-0, eight yards of flax matting L 2-15-0. —Total L 7-16-6 Grand Total: L 376-18-6.

Apart from this extensive, list .of requisites it must be borne in mind that cutlery, silver, china and kitchen utensils have to be purchased, laundry facilities provided, and garden tools and lawnmower also will be necessary eventually —neighbours aren’t quite so accommodating these days.