THE BREAKFAST ROOM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 January 1940, Page 8

THE BREAKFAST ROOM

SLIPS OUT OF ARCHITECTS’ PLANS. MODERN NOOKS AND CORNERS. Once upon a time, and not so very long ago. every plan of a normal house included some little corner for the breakfast-room. It was a room that, could be put to diverse uses: there the clothes would be aired in winter, the children would probably retire there to do their home-work, and "look in the breakfast-room" was mother's final counsel, given in despair after repeated inquiries about mislaid belongings. In these less spacious days the breakfast-room tends to slip right out of architects' plans. Like its more imposing sister, the dining-room, it has been swallowed up by the living-room. It belongs to an age when the dining100m lay remote from the kitchen, and for breakfast, a meal that needs to be served quickly and without fuss, a room was needed close to the kitchen. The essential idea of the breakfastroom as a separate, suitably equipped place for serving breakfast was a good one. There is a proverb that says that all beginnings are difficult; about the most difficult, and. certainly the most important, is the beginning of each day. The breakfast mood is apt to determine the day’s mood. In the breakfast-room we were spared the effort, rather enervating at the day's beginning, of adjusting ourselves to the dignified surroundings proper to more formal meals. There, too, the table was smaller, more appropriate for a simple meal, and, most important, it could be prepared with little trouble. The room itself was of intimate proportions, so that along with our coffee we imbibed a sense of warm domestic security. that was a very heartening preparation for the plunge into the world of affairs. The 3reakfast-Room Spirit. Though the breakfast-room as an entity has disappeared-from most of our homes, there is no reason why we should not still cultivate the break-fast-room spirit. As we have learned to make our homes more campact by "making do” with one room where formerly two or three were counted necessary, so we have become adept at contriving for special occasions intimate nooks and corners within a large room.

So that breakfast may remain an intimate, easy meal, let us provide it with an environment of its own. Simply and brightly furnished, this corner should be designed to stimulate a mood of cheerful optimism. The small table may be easily laid, with simple breakfast china and silverware. We may choose between a cheerful coloured tablecloth and patterned linen mats on a bare wooden table-top. If mats are to be used on wood, remember that there is great beauty and cheerful freshness that matches the morning about a deal surface well scrubbed until it shines silvery white. In winter this breakfast corner can be warmed adequately by means of a radiator. If, ideally, it is near a window, the morning breezes will bring comfort in summer. Where Shall It Be? And in which room shall this arrangement be established? The obvious choice is living-room or kitchen. For convenience the kitchen is preferable; there breakfast can be served from stove to table. Of course, the kitchen is suitable only if it is attractive as a room and. adequately spacious. All that is needed in addition is a corner apart from those parts of the loom given over to the work of the kitchen. It is sometimes possible to contrive a proper alcove by placing the dresser so that it juts out into the room, and so creates a small recess. Often advantage may be taken of peculiarities in the planning of house or flat. Thus one ingenious housewife turned to good account a small vestibule situated beside the kitchen and apparently good for nothing but to harbour a linen press. Furnished with a light lacquered table and chairs, it became a charming place for breakfast. A young couple, finding that they had a spacious, comfortable landing on the first floor, whore their bedroom was situated, established there a fixed corner bench and small breakfast table. At night, before going to bed. they would sei the table and place everything ready for breakfast. In. the morning, returning from the bathroom, one or other would switch on an electric kettle, and the first dressed would set the electric toaster going. Wherever your breakfast-nook may be situated, it will, like the breakfastroom of old, acquire a usefulness far beyond its original intention, and will serve a great many diverse household activities.