THE SUN ROOM

Evening Star, Issue 19660, 13 September 1927, Page 2

THE SUN ROOM

AN integral part of modern HOUSE.

Tlie inner urge for a sunrooin, effectively furnished and.flooded with sunlight for a largo part of each day, becomes acute with most home owners as soon as spring begins to warm the air and temper the wis.ds to a balmy mildness. Like the fireplace in the home, the magic of its appeal is felt more in certain seasons than others. And vet, like the fireplace, there are few months when fireplace and sunrooin cannot be enjoyed for a few hours each day.

Probably tho most popular, as well as the most practical, of the infinite forms the sun porch has assumed in recent years is that one which is an addition to living room or dining room. It is an escape to the outdoors in the bot months, and yet it possesses possibilities of heat which make it serve as an extra room in the colder months.

ft fs a wise plan not to have the sun porch too far from the kitchen, for every home mistress on many occasions finds it a pleasant practice to serve tea and even light suppers on it. Breakfast overlooking a garden or coffee after the dinner, eaten in the siui••oom infuses into the family atmosnhere that _ same homey, delightful “ousation which is rivalled only by the leaping fires of a grate during*the cool months. Assuming that the sunrooin is an integral part of the house, with ono sido made up of "lass doors, rough plaster is an excellent wall treatment This '■ough pilaster mav now' be tinted any shade to harmonise with tho sunrooin furnishings, or a paper may be applied imitating His plaster effect. Decorative treatments of tho sunroom differ according to different incomes, _ running tho gamut from tho r cry simple in material and plan to the heavily furnished marble-floored af- • airs of the rich: but every sunroom ahould bo gay in spirit and color and cool in its general effect. The floors may be of painted wood, some dark shade, with perhaps a bright border to add contrast. Or they may be covered with linoleum in striking patterns. Again, they may bo of brick, laid herringbone fashion, or tile, or concrete and bride. Rubber tile flooring is also un excellent material. At any rate, some touch of color in the sunroom floor helps to create the effect of bringing the outdoor garden with its brightness within tho h'luise.

A few rugs of ordinary type grass varieties arc permissible. But not too many rugs, for a- sunrooiu is small, and it is not hard to secure an overloaded effect before one is aware of it.

And then, if one can afford it, there is the fountain. At mention of this one immediately sees a heavy expenditure loom up. But this is not necessary. A water pipe may easily be run up the side of the wall and turned elbow fashion into a small trough. The piping, of course, could be vinecovered or camouflaged by masonry, and the trough prettily faced with tile. There is a coolness in even the sound or running waters, and aquatic flowers would grow readily in the tile trough. Growing flowers and birds in cages add their quota to the sun room vividness. There arc many types of tables uossiblc. with high edges to hide the 'oots and lined with metal so that any overflow of water on the plants can escape through small pipes connected with the table.

Nor is a fireplace out of keeping with tho ultra-modern suuroom, for thee ae many monings and evenings mi a northern summer when a ficplace would be a deep comfort. Fur tho furnishings wicker is always an excellent choice. Under wicker should bo included rattan, fibre, reed, etc., or painted wood furniture, nof so much used in gardens, is not unattractive in the suuroom. Chairs which are comfortable, tables which hold magazines and books, and a writing desk and couch, and floor lamps and lanterns of divers kinds set in iron frames or suspended fiom the wall, all these have their place in the suuroom built for convenience and used as a happiness contributor by all members of tho family. Window curtains or awnings should be ample enough to form a protection aaginst too much light during the sunny part of tho day. Awnings perform a double service. In them modern brilliance of colorings they add a touch of gaiety ; besides being essentially protective in function