MODERN BATHROOM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1938, Page 5

MODERN BATHROOM

MARVELLOUS- DECORATIVE FEATURES. At one time, bathrooms were rarely included in the plans of a new house. Then they became just another room; but now they are a happy combination of decorative features and modern fixtures that are marvels of ingenuity. There is always pleasure in beautifying the utilitarian and bringing it into line with present-day requirements, especially when there are so many new and attractive home accessories. But the one thing that contributes most of all to bathroom beauty is immaculately clean surfaces —walls, floors and ceilings. And whether the scheme is one of snowy whiteness or soft, glowing colour, the characteristics of an attractive bathroom lie in dirt-resisting surfaces that may easily be cleaned. White is Safe.' But bathroom modes change quickly in this age of rapid development, and for those who cannot change the treatment at frequent intervals a conservative use of colour is best. The white bath, with soft accessory colours, is a safe choice, and has the added advantage of being capable of change with’ very little trouble or expense. Fortunately, it is not very difficult tobring bathrooms completely up to date at comparatively small cost by having the ceiling glossy-painted and the walls enamelled or hung with lacquered cloth, linoleum, tiles, or one of the new wall panels especially developed for bathrooms. Good imitation marble is also available, and so are other hygienic wall treatments that not only serve their useful purpose, but give a decorative effect entirely their own. So far as accessories are concerned, many ingenious fitments have been devised.

Hints for the Painter. Care must be taken in enamelling unpainted walls, because the surface requires at least three coats of paint to make it waterproof and hard. On the first application the plaster absorbs so much paint that ordinary oil paint is rarely used, and the best mixture is three-parts of boiled oil to one-part of paint. Two other general methods are used, and these consist of glue size to seal the porous parts or a good brand of priming oil applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions. But this sealing of the porous parts must be done properly, otherwise the finished appearance will be spotty. Boiled oil and paint may be used for the second coat, mixed in equal proportions, and the third coat will consist of good-quality oil paint. Now the surface is ready for the enamel, which must not be commenced until the oil paint foundation has become thoroughly dry and hard.

Before enamelling go over the surface with sandpaper, carefully rubbing it down and removing all dust by wiping over with a clean chamois leather. Pour some of the enamel into a clean can and apply with a flat varnish brush, floating it well over the work, but not working it about too much. Just lay it on, because enamel, differing from oil paint, must not be dragged. When every care has been taken the result is the same beautiful finish as china oi' porcelain. Treating the Bath. As for the bath, building-in looks effective. This is a simple job, although a tradesman may charge as much as five pounds to build in with bricks or concrete and then treat the surface to match the existing scheme. If this is decided upon, however, a good suggestion is to fit a cupboard into the recess between the bath and the wall. Lines of pipes and wastes mar a carefully-planned scheme and can be hidden by cupboards.

Curtains must be resistant to heat and moisture and the merits of oil silk cannot be overlooked. It is made in all manner of colours, and is not expensive. In fact, with its aid, it is a simple matter to plan the colour of the bathroom. One attractive bathroom had walls of the palest blue, with a deep blue rubber floor covering, and the curtains in silver oil silk having a band of deep blue stitched across about four inches from the hem.