GOOD FURNITURE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 12 March 1931, Page 4

GOOD FURNITURE.

HOW TO CHOOSE QUALITY. INFERIOR MATERIALS IN SUITES. Upholstered furniture may be well made, hygienic, and comfortable; it may be badly constructed, unhygienic, and still comfortable—-at first. To help readers choose the better articlp is the first object of these notes. The second reason is a hope that by .conveying a knowledge of good furniture some check may be placed upon the bad practices that are growing up in certain quarters of the furniture manufacturing business. One who knows the principles of good workmanship cannot fail to see that much of the so-called upholstery ,work carried out to-day in many a workshop and factory is inferior to that of two or three decades ago. Comparing the stuff-over, article, of to-day with that of, say, thirty years ago, one notices several differences. They lio, in design, material* and! workmanship. Modern are more varied, and probably the three-division lounge suite is the most popular selling proposition to-day—though it is being overdone. As to materials used in construction, the interior materials used in the manufacture of these stuff-ovqr suites t are much" inferior. We find unseasoned timber used in the frames, wooden laths instead of webbing to hold up the springs, and in place of genuine, clean and hygienic stuffing, old ragSJ cloth cuttings, the sweepings of workroom floors, and even straw are Used, The modern coverings on the other -hand are very beautiful and very varied in design and texture, but too often they cover a multitude of sins. The excuse for these breaches in the ethics of what I can , only describe as an honourable and lovely craft is Competition. Unskilled and unreliable workmen are encouraged to make their one aim the dispatch waggon I . But happily there are still capable tradesmen and conscientious manufacturers, and it is quite easy to secure the first grades suite that always pays in the'long run. ■■■, ■ Upholstering. In 1 bygone years the upholsterer prided himself on his efficiency and the quality of his job. He chose well-sear soned timber, and made his frames . strong and secure, following closely the , "lines of ,tho designer. The webbing was ' q£ good quality, and well placed. Springs /v?ere not skimped, and were properly sewn on the webbing, and securelyi tied across the top with a strong twine. 6tout canvas covered the springs, and i they were .also on t. to it. Then there were two stuffings, a light canvas separating them. .For the very best 1 tjob, in which cost was not a consideration, the stuffing would be all hair, with wool or wadding placed over it' before the cover was put on. Fofr a less 4?" 1 pensive, job a good coconut 1 fibre for the first stuffing and a. clean flock on top would serve -well. A upring edge ' should be .composed of smnlj springs ' placed on the front rail, of' the chair or settee; and' a strong wire or ca&e ' attached very securely along the front edge of the springs. Underneath should be lined to prevent dust 'accumulating on:the webbing and springs. Lounge upholstery design has not changed very considerably - in recent - years, but at present the modernist in- ■ fluence is making itself felt both in the shape of the furniture and the variety and pattern of the* coverings. Continental krtists have evolved some extraordinary designs, but out of the mass - Of < daring experiments and futuristic fantasies, some really beautiful examples are 'finding their way into the homes - of those who care for good' tilings, When purchasing, upholstered, furniture'ask the salesman; (a) If the >yWdworfc ,ia of seasoned timber; (b) if the 'spring edge,is wired or.'cqnej; (<s) if the stuffing is fibre, wool and if the article is made by a practical workman. If he can answer these queries honestly in the affirmative, you, need • have no hesitation, provided the pattern, the. design, and the price suit you—"[Web Past," in the "Australian Home s Beautiful." ', . ' RECENT PERMITS.) f r i' u V /f i n ** 51 ' 3 ! t 1 * 1 BUILDING t IN THE CITY. ' " \ Among the permits which the City Council has issued in the'past few days have beeh,.the!'following;— < Additions for Canterbury. College at 85iBapanui road (Mr L. B. Davenpon, 'contractor);' ■ ,• - * ' .Additions, in brickj'.-to premises- pf Sapiiurium Health .Food Company, ''HareWood road. -' , .Additions, In brick, tb the premises, of' Messrs .Stacey and Hawker, Essex street (Mr F. if Shaw). Alterations to "premises of Messrs T.' Armstrong and Cotoipany, Ltd., Colombo street (Messrs P. Graham *nd 6od). . - ' ~r 1 IJVING ' conditions; CITY COUNCIL'S POWERS. ' , Doubts as to l the,, sufficiency of the powers of. the City Council,for dealing. Tviih undesirably living conditions' in Chrietchurch were aroused ,by ptatetaents made by Mr G. Simpson at a meeting of the Canterbury'.Master' Builders' Association on Tuesday evening. The municipal authorities, • however, believe that the powers given by the" existing by-law 3 are adequate to- deal - incipient slums. No knowledge of the conditions portrayed by .Mr Simpson Has reached them. ' It is acknowledged that ■ there are gome instances of' boarders and - the male members of families sleeping in out-buildings, but it is contended that ,it is much better that they should inhabit such' accommodation than lire in overcrowded dwellings. Tents are not allowed under the City> by-laws because of the inflammable materials of which /they are •.made. . Many , tilings are„'dojie by bouse, holders which are contrary' tb the spirit of the by-lawe, - but which are unknown to the. City's sanitary sfaff ' The .Council fcfcs no power-to compel the provision of bathing facilities. ■ ;A'n extension of 'its authoritv to cover such matter was proposed' at ;the Epidemic Enquiry, - but nothing was done. Fire essfttx>g are under the control of the Fire - ■\ Cr ; - E. ,H. Andrews said yesterdaybe did not think there was a. necessity ;for further provision in the by-laws to cover .the conditions in flats. The, by. < laws, covered 1 practically all the complaints made ac the Master Builders' »Association meeting. V '<<' i" *