ON HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS

NZ Truth, Issue 1182, 26 July 1928, Page 17

ON HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS

. - Choosing Wallpapers, Napery and Carpets All the while fashions haoebeen changing before our eyes, household furnishtngshavc been doing the same m a quiet way.. But perhaps you have noticed itl? :

THE season is not far off now.- . Many of, us are endeavoring to plan . some new scheme of decoration for our home, which usually accompanies the annual spring-cleaning. The many new ..materials, wallpaperß, napery,' carpets and other incidentals which go to make the home beautiful, are so charming that it requires great strength of mind to resist buying; something of everything straight away. There are few who can afford to do this! however; also, to make the most of one's means, a good deal of discrimination is required. . For instance, if you are buying some of the delightful new furniture, be sure that the doors, hinges and drawers work easily. When they •do not^'it is a sign that the wood used has not been pro- I perly seasoned. Workr I able fittings are the hallmark of good workmanship. ■:'■"•■•' ' • .' And. lf. you are; pyr-: chasing . new furniture, choose the plain variety. Apart from the fact that it is. easier to dust and clean, it does" hot go out of fashion so quickly. Upholstered furniture demands a. very thorough Inspection, as attractive covers . can so- easily hide . inferior workmanship./ The framework* webbing arid springs should, .all be closely examined, before part-, ing with your money. Chintzes arid tapestries no, ,longer B have jpride of pla.ce m household furnishings. Their place has been taken by Genoa velvet and moquette — with, delightful results. Bedding is an important matter, because one can so easily get I the worst of a bargain where mat- 1 tresses are concerned. - | See that the mattress is well-fllled, I

and, above-all, that the ticking is a good one, ireV from dressing.' Kapok is often blamed for the un-? pleasant odor of a. mattress, whereas it is really the. ticking, or, rather, the dressing used m . stiffening . a cheap tickijig. „ Then, with regard to sheets, ; there is little to choose between the twill and cotton varieties; both are about the Hamo price, too. Twill sheeting is easier to wash and soft to the touch, but is inclined to "fluff." Perhaps, of tlie two, the plain sheeting is the best chalce. ... .It looks better than, twill and wears equally well. , . When replacing towels, j always look at the weave. The closer the weave the better the towel. Inferior quality towels never give the wear; • they soon "fluff" and are not absorbent. .If you are undecided as to whether you will, buy^ cotton or linen damask, choose the latter and thereby economise. Tou will pay just a shade more for the linen variety, but it is well, worth it. Cotton damask looks, when new, quite as good as linen, but it does not take kindly to the washtub, and after a ■'few visits has a very ragged and jaded appearance. .On the other hand, linen improves with ykvundrying and Will give many years of wear., '■ Further,- it gives the table an , air of refinement which cotton cannot give. Of course, for kitchen use I or breakfast cloths, the colored cotton I goods, 'will -be- found satisfactory. They are inexpensive, easily laun(dered and are attractive m design.