BRASSWORK IN THE HOME

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 29, 27 April 1927, Page 10

BRASSWORK IN THE HOME

SOME SUGGESTIONS TO BE CONSIDERED.

Brasswork has for most people a fascination all its own. The gleaming urns, vases, candlesticks and other knick-knacks that delight the housewife possess a certain individuality that lends an atmosphere of charm and dignity to the modern home.

But—there is always a “but”—to maintain their attractiveness requires a certain amount of time and elbowgrease; and when there are other little articles of brasswork that require the same attention —such as door-knobs, stair and curtain rods and taps—the** housewife is going to find that will have to devote * more time to them than they warrant. K The work will be- A come a drudgery, | and that is the very thing the wise 1 woman does herj best to avoid, forj drudgery of any" j sort in the home tempers to a large extent whatever pride a woman may j cherish in her own domain.

Therefore, a good suggestion is this; Keep out your best pieces of brass only, and those fittings that are made for usefjijnes rather than for ornament should be painted so that thfrv will never need the polishing rag. Prefer* ably a bronze-coloured paint, if applied carefully to such things as door handles and curtain and stair rods, v.ill have the desired effect without detraebnf from their appearance. Before painting, they should be thoroughly washed with a strong, hot solution of washing soda and allowed to dry. The taps can be painted white. For the ornamental pieces, a wash every three or four weeks in soda water and soap will clean them thoroughly, while the finishing touches can be added with ordinary metal polish ap* plied with a soft cloth moistened with turpentine. A final polish with a piece of silk will complete the job to your satisfaction.