Modernise Your Home

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 17, 4 November 1932, Page 1

Modernise Your Home

a talk | Broadcast from 2ZW under the Auspices of N.Z. Institute of Architects

x TERE are probably quite a number of ty, people who are facing the problem of finding their home too small for growing requirements or not comfortable or convenient according to present-day standards. In any city the older homes will be found in the best and most advantageous localities. It is natural that good building sites within reasonable proximity of the city should be utilised before areas for development are sought further afield. This being the case, the location of many of our old homes leaves nothing to be desired, and even if the owners of the old houses wished to dispose of them and build an entirely new and up-to-date place, it would be almost impossible for them to find a position which would appeal to them as much as the one they at present occupy. When they were built these houses probably represented the last word, but to-day they are quite out of date and their owners envy those who are able to erect a modern home carefully planned to avoid work and to include up-to-date equipment and conveniences. It is by no means necessary to get rid of the old home with its sound construction, favourable location, mature surroundings and happy associations. The solution of the problem can be cg tne enentcn The old home can be retained in its choice

I MO OOO setttsi‘(‘ (A OO! position, and alterations and perhaps additions can be carried out with modernising, remodelling and redecorating, to give it all the comfort and convenience of an up-to-date home. If given proper consideration, full advantage may be taken of existing work so that the minimum of personal inconvenience may be experienced and so that a workable whole may be evolved, with the result complete in every way and not a patchwork-looking job. ie properly approached, a scheme of modernising should not prove costly, and the old home should achieve ‘an increase in value for more than the financial outlay at the present time. In fact, there could be no better time for a general chéck-up on your whole house, and nearly everybody must have some work in mind which they would like attended to. Perhaps you have even had alterations in view at some time in the past and were possibly deterred from carrying them into effect on account of a quotation received which appeared too high for: the amount of work to be done. : It would surprise you to find out how very much lower any work can be effected on the building bargain counter to-day. i Perhaps your problem is one of additional space. With a x growing family more accommodation is required. An ardent student may want a room of his or her own in which to work quietly. The man of the house has often longed for a private den where he can keep inviolate all his cherished treasures of sport, hobby or business. The lady of the house has often wished for a small sewing room properly equipped with linen cupboards and shelves which would help her considerably with a large part of her work. Or maybe she has often

thought how nice it would be to have a sun porch where she and her friends could get the benefit of warm afternoons. Perhaps some of the living rooms are too small and the halls and passages too big, of, perhaps some room is too large and could be most advantageously utilised if divided in two. UCH things as these might be considered a diffi- ; , culty on account of a chimney which is in the way, but at to-day’s prices it is not an expensive matter to remove the chimney and rebuild it in a better position with a modern tiled fireplace. Or even those chimneys which do not need removing would give more comfort and less hard work if the old irow front and dusty mantelpiece were taken out and a modern fireplace surround with simple shelf were substituted. Old fireplaces which are perhaps never used at all might be completely removed and the space used for a better purpose. For instance, the advent of the electric radiator has almost entirely replaced the bedroom fireplace, which could be taken out altogether, giving more space or provide room for a much-needed wardrobe. Perhaps the windows about the house were not arranged originally to take the best advantage of view and sunshine.. Re-arrangement of larger windows would gain these benefits and improve lighting in the rooms. Doors in a different position would probably allow more convenient access and a better arrangement of furniture than is now possible. ; In the kitchen there is prohably a great field for improvement. Ideas of kitchen layout and equipment have undergone complete changes even within the last few years. I wonder (Continued on page 2.),

-- how many homes still harbour an old coal range which has now fallen into complete disuse but is still allowed to occupy valuable space and to create a necessity for additional cleaning. ‘The women of the house alone know the amount of work that is necessary in their kitchens, and while they struggle on in badly arranged, poorly-equipped kitchens, lacking in many desirable features, even they do not realise how much labour could be saved by a properly considered re-arrangement of built-in cupboards, drawers, bins and so on. One has only to see a fullyequipped modern kitchen to realise the possibilities of doing something with one’s own kitchen. If the out-of-date cooker is not giving satisfaction, every effort should be made to replace it, as the welfare of the entire family depends on this important piece. of. equipment. The kitchen sink may be considerably worn and needs replacing with a larger sink bench formed of one of the many materials suitable for the purpose. More effort should be put forward to make the kitchen not only .easier to work in but brighter to work in, and intelligent use of colours with modern enamelled wall finishes, can help a lot in thi§ direction. The kit‘¢hen should be adequately lit in the working places, and, if possible, the windows should open on to a pleasant outlook. Any money expended on im"provements in the kitchen will repay large dividends. The laundry, too, ould probably stand rejuvenation. The jold tubs have probably outlived their usefulness and should be replaced with new ones. Those people who have used a good washing machine have -come to regard it as one of their most treasured possessions, and it is certainly a great help in this most laborious of weekly tasks. But even if the ‘installation of a washing machine is thought to be too large an item, the washing copper should be subjecte: to the closest scrutiny to see that it is doing its job properly. Some of the elder ones are badly cracked and are falling apart, actually representing a fire risk. They should be repaired or replaced with a convenient gas copper, or other of the more modern coppers, which takes up less space and does the job more efficiently than the old. one. Proper facilities for ironing should be made available in every home. Suitable ironing benches or ironing boards ean: be arranged in the best position for their work. ‘One thing which old homes uniy versalJy lack is sufficient of the right kind of ‘cupboard space. Every home should have a linen cupboard large enough for ‘all ‘linen requirements. It should have-a conveniently’ located broom cupboard large enough to take care of all brooms and other cleaning gear. It is very useful to have some storage space for suitcases, hatboxes and.other necessary accessories which are used "only, at infrequent intervals, and, if possible, every bedroom should have ‘at least one and, better still, two or three, built-in wardrobes. In: many eases this last requirement has heen met by building out an obstruction which leayes an open space above the wardrobe as a permanent dust ledge. This is most undesirable as a little consideration could have probably overcome the difficulty by arranging wardrobes in adjacent rooms so that they finish neatly flush with the wall ‘on both sides. Turning to the bathroom and _toilet equipment. we: find that: many old homes are sadly deficient in this re-

ee spect. With the new developments in all kinds of plumbing equipment, it is possible to make a much better job of the bathroom than has been the case in the past. A complete transformation can be effected in this important room with the use of new equipment more conveniently installed, the removal of unsightly pipes and _ oldfashioned fittings and the substitution of bright chromium-finished flush valves, taps, ete. The bathtub can be built into a recess and much awkward cleaning can be avoided. A shower installed over the tub or in a separate recess would be appreciated by most of the family. There are many materjals. offering for. recovering the. bathroom floor, most of which are eminently suitable, being inpervious to water, rere ne Tene ren Tir tit iit iit iit iil i) tit ait tit it TT Tit 7

easy to clean and attractive in appearance, All kinds of coloured cement compositions, terrazzo preparations, rubber tiles or matting, cork tiling or gay and modern linoleums are _ still available for choice, and most of them are quite easy and inexpensive to install over an existing floor. A wide range of materials is also offering for the walls. Several kinds of plaster sheets in smooth finished or imitation tiles, real plaster on metal lath or real tiles, white or in colour, or combination of these, offer unlimited possibilities. And again the intelligent use of colour in hygienic enamel and lacquer finishes, provides plenty of scope for decorative purposes, not to mention gay washable papers and other wall coverings. When modernising the bathroom advantage should be taken to install the small built-in or screwed-on fittings which are so necessary to real convenience. Sufficient towel rails, a glass shelf for various oddments, soap holders, tumbler and toothbrush holders, clothes hooks as well as a good‘sized wall cupboard with mirrored door, should all prove worthy of consideration. The general appearance of the inside of the home is naturally to be considered at the time any renovations are made: Repapering. of the various rooms in some of the many artistic and inexpensive wallpapers being offered at the present time would do a great deal toward modernising the place generally, Perhaps you would like to have tasteful fibrous plaster ceilings in the prin-: cipal rooms or other forms of. ceiling treatment with cornices or beams. ‘The old-fashioned woodwork finish with its. complicated mouldings which are only dust gatherers, could be removed and simpler woodwork substituted. Many new stain, paint, and lacquer finishes are available to offer an unlimited ehoice in colour combinations. .

~ Very few old homes have sufficient electrical outlets to meet present-day requirements or the existing outlets may not be arranged in the best places for their greatest usefulness. A careful overhaul of the existing equipment would suggest additional facilities in convenient locations for floor, desk, reading lamps, radios, and the many other items of electrical equipment which ‘are the benefits of living in a scientific age. . To make the utmost use of this helpful handmaiden, electricity, it is necessary to have an adequate supply of utility plug points wherever they may be required throughout the house. The cost of their installation is negligible compared with the convenience of their use. The adFLU RUCR LT ER 1 HR EUMLEUEL

vantages of gas or electric hot water services are well appreciated by all those who-haye installed them. They are particularly suitable for those homes which have been dependent on the coal range now out of use.- It is a simple and inexpensive matter to install one of the many types of modern storage cylinders to supply existing services, or where existing services have become corroded or clogged up with age, now is the time to have them replaced with new piping. Many homes--and this is not confined to old homes-have basements which could be adapted to considerable usefulness. An extra bedroom, a Dbilliard room, or playroom for children, could be arranged in many cases without undue expense. The outside of the house is also worthy of attention. Perbaps the roof requires an overhaul or recovering, or at least a new coat of paint. Spouting and rainwater pipes should be included when this work is done. Any timber parts which are showing signs of «lecay should be taken out and replaced, A. survey. of the homes of Wellington would show hundreds of places which, in the very interest of their preservation, are ready for a repainting job. The external appearance of the home should also.be considered. Many old houses at present appear as back nuinbers. Modest expenditure skilfully handled could in most cases provide ar up-to-date appearance. The best means of tackling this problem depends entirely on individual circumstances, but a general removal of old-fashioned jigsaw ornamentations, a new. entranee porch, larger and better-placed windows or. perhaps even an extension of the front to provide more room inside would completely change the date to. ‘which the house belonged.

_ ‘The various items I have mentioned will in each case suggest others which, large or small, can be advantageously purchased at the present time. Investments in this direction will return handsome dividends-dividends of greater convenience, of greater comfort, of saving of labour, of more pleasant surroundings, of better standards of living, of wise spending, and, greater than all of these, of satisfaction at making some small contributions to the general welfare of the whole community. Those who hold off from haying necessiry work done now are only assisting to force unemployment taxation to higher levels. There are also those cases where such investments will produce definite eash dividends. Any home if intelligently remodelled and modernised, will be worth more money. If need be, it will attract a better price of a more ready buyer in case of sale. Many houses for rent remain empty because they are not suitable to the tenants who might occupy them. ‘There is still a fairly good demand for the right class of house in this field, By spending. a. comparatively smal sum in an intelligent manner, the ovmers of these houses could. attract gpnore quickly the tenant who would ‘pay a good rental instead of allowing the place to remain empty, with its consequent lack of any return. Owners of houses would do well to realise that many of their prospective tenants have had a taste of modern equipment and up-to-date, bright, clean. interiors. These people are not at all attracted to the drab living-rooms, poorly equipped, inconvenient and unhygienic kitchens and bathrooms which they

are offered. Most of the owners of these houses must realise that’ something will have to be done sooner or later, and there is certainly no time like the present. This work can be done now for much less money than has been the case for a very long time. Even if ready cash is not available, finance for alteration work is often comparatively easy to arrange. Advantage should certainly be taken of the extraordinary low costs now prevailing in all branches of _ the building trade, and those who put their work in hand now will have every reason .to congratulate themselves on the value they will get, providing. proper care and attention are given fo. ensure that their money is being spent in the best way. Tn mauy instances -wherever these alterations are carried out.the necessity for them is due to-Jack of forethought and care in the original building scheme. Tt is therefore yery desirable the same mistake ‘should not be made _ twice. Building work of any kind has a considerable -degree of permanency, and it certainly pays to put every thought and care into it at the outset to @- sure that the result will be the best obtainable for the purpose and -for the money spent. — Ss