THE PERFECT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1921, Page 3

THE PERFECT HOME.

HOW TO PROVIDE IT. AN INTERESTING ADDRESS. A very interesting and instructive address was given last night at the Victoria League, New Plymouth, by the president (Mrs. C. H. Burgess), on “Homes and Gardens.” There was a good attendance, and Mr. T. C. Last presided. Mrs. Burgess said, inter alia: There is a tendency in these days to look upon home duties as something to be avoided, but yet there never was a time in the world’s history when it was so necessary for every woman to be able to manage her own home. Every girl should be taught to look upon domestic duties as a fine art, and that home-keeping is a science. She should be trained to sec that by the use or common-sense and a good method, the, so-called drudgery disappears. This is the age . of acquiring and building homes. Landlords are fast becoming a thing of the past, .and we must either buy or build. To those who are fortunate enough to contemplate building, may I offer the suggestion that the woman shall know what her actual requirements are, and insist upon having them carried out to her satisfaction. The woman, being the home-maker, spends the greater part of her life in the home, so it is only reasonable to expect her to know what her requirements are. If funds will permit the home should be bwllt of brick or concrete, and speaking from experience, the upkeep is almost nil, thereby proving that if the initial cost be more, than wood, it is soon saved in upkeep. The aspect of the house should be to the morning sun. THE KITCHEN. I am going to deal with the kitchen (or “grill room,” as the American women call it) first, as I consider it the most important in the home, and should have the greatest consideration. In the old Puritan days, some “masters of the house” (note “masters”) have been known to build the kitchen windows so high that their wives toiling at the sink could not waste their time gazing out at the passers-by or be tempted to dream awhile at sight of white clouds drifting across the blue j sky. They did not consider it seemly for housewives to lift longing eyes above appointed household drudgery. A few of these high windowed houses are still standing in New England, as memorials of those austere days, but they are far outnumbered by those homelylooking houses built with kitchens generously supplied with low. wide win- • dows, facing the main road, so that the wives and daughters could look out | and keep .in friendly touch with the ■ comings and goings of the few neigh- j hours.

When you ars building that home, just try the experiment of having lattice windows directly above your sink and draining table, not only for the reason cf looking out at the beautiful blue sky or the first rose of summer that is nodding in the back garden, but from the hygienic point of view of light and air. With the lattice standing open you are breathing in pure air, and all the steam from the hot water is being drawn out. The artificial light should be directly over the sink, and over the cooking range. It is advisable to have two points always in the kitchen. The height of. the sink should suit one’s own back, never mind what the plumber says. KITCHEN FITMENTS.

I would suggest a fitment kitchen, as much as possible utilising every inch of wall space —working table with metal top (better a marble top) and shelves above in front of the lattice windows, with drawers,. bins, and shelves for cooking bowls, etc. A concrete floor is best, with a cooking range and hot-water service. If the kitchen be only to work in, do with little movable furniture, if any at all. If it is to be used for meals, a small alcove at one end with built-in seats and table, i That will save many steps for the tired mother, and bo much more comfortable than sitting at the kitchen table. I In planning tbe home, the kitchen, j should come in for the first thougflt, instead of the last, and very often we do not stop to think it out and decide just what our needs are. In no part of the home doos the good old saying, “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” apply with more force than in the kitchen. Nowadays wo want white kitehens, that show every speck of dirt, so that it may be immediately whisked away, instead of the old dark varnished kitchen that would not show the dirt, and always had a mouldy, stuffy smell. A modern kitchen can be quite a marvel of convenience. Things are put within easy reach; dishes are easily washed with a good hot-water service; and with a portable wire rack dry themselves and are slipped back io their shelves without tiresome long journeys to and fro.

Hot and cold water, porcelain sinks without sour, insanitary joints, full of grease and dangerous germs; windows to let in plenty of air and c.heert sunshine; tile walls for cleanliness, and a concrete floor. Cleanliness, convenience, and simplicity should all bo found in the modern kitchen. Get rid of every unnecessary tool, as order is'easily kept where things are few in number, and each one serves some, definite use.

LIVING ROOM. The next room of importance should he the living room, or house place. This should bo a big, bright room with plenty of windows. Barry Parker says: “If your big room is to be comfortable it must have recesses. There is a great charm in a room broken up in plan where, that slight feeling of mystery is given to it, which arises when your cannot see the whole room from any point in which you, are likely, to sit, and when there is always something round the corner.”

One recess may be used for dining, another for don or writing room, etc. An inglenook with a big. open fireplace should be part of a room such as this. With whitewashed brick walls, built-in window seats, and simple furnishing-, the living room becomes a place for restful relaxation.

Mrs. A. W. Myers, speaking at the Wellington Town-planning Conference, said: ‘‘Wore all houses built scientifically and with an eye to beauty, the need of movable furnishings would be reduced to a minimum.”

Raymond Unwin, in a. lecture on art and ‘impliqity, says: “And those to whom beauty appeals* are, seeking il

simpler form of 'life, one which need not cost so much of the labor of others to maintain, or so much of their own to procure.” If possible a special room should be set aside for girls to sew in. etc., and young people to meet, and particularly a room for children to. play in. to provide which the useless drawing room might be dispensed with. BEDROOMS AND BATHROOM. The bedrooms Should have lots of windows for light and air. and built-in furniture to save labor, and there should bo nothing heavy to lift. The bathroom should be sanitary and have a filo floor or concrete. These could be

put in a wooden house. Fitment cupboard for toilet necessaries, drawers for towels, etc., save a great deal of time.

Having spoken on the garden equally informatively and interestingly, Mrs. Burgess was accorded a very hearty vote, of thanks.

During the evening musical items were contributed by Mesdames Craig and Oqojmm’, and ilisses Craig and Leitch-