THE KIND OF KITCHEN A WOMAN WOULD LIKE

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 1, 1 July 1922, Page 26

THE KIND OF KITCHEN A WOMAN WOULD LIKE

by W. H. Glimmer, A.R.1.8.A.

FOR all our philosophy, our politics and our morals, human happiness still depends largely upon our domestic arrangements in the kitchen. Much has been said of labour saving in this connection, and rightly so, for there 75 per cent, of the work of the house is accomplished; there 75 per cent, of the working hours of the average housewife is centred; and notwithstanding all our talk of fine livingroom, the latest thing in wallpapers in our "own bedroom," or the splendid show of daffodils in the garden, 75 per cent, of the comfort or discomfort of modern life m can be directly or indirectly traced to these same kitchen arrangements. Kitchens have been designed (in print) so that just as readily as one's hand goes to one's mouth when the need is, so everything in the kitchen comes to one's finger-tips with just as little effort and just as little thought. We have heard of so many steps saved in the day, and of cabinets that perform, miracles, but, somehow, the scheme seldom works out in practice. Why ? Sometimes it is because the process of kitchening has not been fully considered from the arrival of goods to their ultimate end on the dining table ; perhaps the endeavour to save the body has resulted in increased effort and strain on the mind ; possibly the exigencies of site in its relation to the points of the compass or requirements in the general house plan affected adversely the relative placing of the windows, cooking range, and all the fitments of a modern kitchen. It is impossible to suggest a plan of kitchen which would meet the needs of every householder. There are certain broad principles, however, which can be adhered to, and which do save a wonderful number of steps and body bending in the day, and, what is more important, mental energy. It is first in the plan, in the inter-relation required between the portions of the room, allotted to various sections of the work, then in the design of the furniture or fitments

to adequately perform their functions, and lastly in the construction of the whole, that domestic felicity is to be found. As an indication of the principles governing kitchen design we commend the plan illustrated. It is such as would most efficiently meet the needs of the average New

Zealand housewife. It has limited dimensions, effective as a step-saving factor, and also in reducing cost, but it has not limited fixtures, because by protecting articles from dust and inducing orderliness, they are continually justifying their existence. Note that in this plan— The points of the compass are taken into consideration, and that of the relations of

pantry to trade's door, cook's table to pantry and to range, and these to serving table, serving hatch and sink are influenced by the usual cycle of meal-producing operations. The windows allow of direct access of fresh air on at least one side under bad weather conditions, and in the warmest seasons of all the advantages of cross ventilation. The cooking range and safe are on the coolest side. A very simple but effective expedient to keep the safe cool under all s weather conditions is k. the water - jacket, a sheet-metal construcstruction that connects directly with the street main, so that all water that is used in the house passes through the jacket surrounding the safe. Another ingenious arrangement is fitted in at the back of the towel rollers, and consists of a lead from the circulating hot water system, used for drying purposes. The space above the towel is ventilated, so as to remove all humidity. The tradesmen's hatch has -locking doors, and provides for the delivery of goods in the absence of the householder. The serving hatch has doors on both sides, so that articles can be removed from the dining-room side without a view into the kitchen being obtained. The silver and knife drawers under the hatch will have a two-way action, so that during the progress of the meal further cutlery can be obtained without leaving the room. The dishing-up table is set on small wheels, so that it can be readily moved if required to any other portion of the room. All cupboards are kept Ift. 2in. above tables and drain-board, to save angles in cleaning, and to give greater working space. The drain-board is covered with rubber floor tiles set in mastic, so as to provide a jointless surface, very readily drained. The flange of the sink is set in flush with the top of the drain-board, obviating the objectionable crevice for dirt consequent on lappingl the drain-board over the sink.

All cupboard doors are glazed with semi-transparent rolled glass, allowing the contents of the cupboard to he seen, but obviating the necessity of constantly cleaning he 'glass. By the omission of cupboards for pots and pans, the latter are. easier of access, and have the advantage of a greater amount of air round them. The limitation of size in this kitchen does not permit of provision being made for the pots on the walls, but undue body bending has been eliminated by not placing these articles too near the floor. * It will be noticed that the floor surface to be cleaned is confined

to the space included between the extreme edges of the fitments, with the exception of space under sink and centre of cook's table. The plaform for pots is built up solid. The fitments are of such heights that all parts can be readily reached. Faces and sides of fitments are carried up to ceiling to eliminate dust-collecting surfaces, which would otherwise be formed. All angles are rounded. We hope in succeeding issues to treat of other aspects of this and the many other problems incidental to the house and its planning, equipment and furnishing.