THE KITCHEN CUPBOARD AS A “FITMENT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 720, 20 July 1929, Page 23

THE KITCHEN CUPBOARD AS A “FITMENT”

A PRACTICAL NOTION FOR THE SMALL BEDROOM

By using all recesses to provide the greatest possible amount of shelf and hanging space, you will solve the problem of creating an atmosphere of comfort in the tiny bedroom. Fitted chests and cupboards, of course, represent the ideal; but fitments, unless made by the expert, are apt to be clumsy affairs and to cost their owners as much as fine pieces of furniture. Here is a way out of the difliculty, invented by an ingenious woman who happens also to be a bit of an artist. She carefully measured the recessed spaces in her tiny bedroom, and, armed with the figures, went forth to compare the measurements with those of the tall, narrow deal cupboards that are now sold for the storage of groceries and the disposal of household cleaning impedimenta. _ _

Suitable cupboards secured, she em] listed the services of a, jabbing carpenter, who neatly fitted them into their respective spaces, removing skirting boards where the area was unduly narrow, and supplying narrow‘ strips of match boarding to fill in chinks where it happened to be too wide. Then came the painting of the cupboard fronts with a highfinished enamel, and the “finding” (as it is technically called) of mouldings in a contrasting shade. Additional interest was given to one cupboard by means of a series of Japanese prints, each separately framed Within the narrowest of wooden headings, and glued to the door. Inside, the cupboards were arranged so that every inch of space could be used. Compartments had been cal. culated to give accommodation for boots and shoes, just enough “play” being allowed for drawing the pairs in and out, while hanging arrangements occupied the remainder. G S

TO TOUGHEN A CARPET

Turn up a new carpet when it comes from the shop, and you will notice a nice, fine gloss on the underside. This gloss tends to toughen the floor covering, enabling it to withstand hard wear. “Pile” carpets are always coated in this way, but they soften after they have been in use for some time. It you keep renewing this hard finish, however. your carpets will last indefinitely. As soon as you notice signs of wrinkling, you should set about hardening the foundation, to prevent the threads breaking. Get threepenny—worth of wall “sizing,” dissolve it in about a. pint of warm water, and heat gently until the solution assumes the consistency of cream. Place the carpet face downward on the floor and spread the solution on the back with a broad, flat brush, working quickly with long, sweeping strokes until the entire surface is covered. Take care that the carpet is stretched fully in all directions; if it shows a. tendency to creep back, tack it lightly to the floor until dry. Sometimes the corner of a carpet is made to curl by a closely fitted door rubbing over it. In this case, apply a double coating of the size solution which will render it sufiiciemly stiff to keep flat without fur—ther trouble.