Chapter 4

_Muffin stand_--Especially for maidless house--of mahogany, walnut, or painted to correspond with furniture selected.

_Nest of Tables_--Small, square, of either mahogany, walnut, or black lacquer, to be kept in a corner and used for tea parties, functions, etc.

_Rug--Large Oriental_--In blues, yellows, browns, or old rose and black; Wilton--in blues, yellows, brown, or old rose, and black; Axminster--in blues, yellows, browns, or old rose, and black; Chenille or velvet, in plain colors.

_Curtains_--Glass curtains to match living room, in either marquisette, cheese cloth, or scrim, made plain.

_Overdraperies_--If desired, can be either like the living room, if rooms are in close proximity, or taken from the predominating color note of living room hangings if these are figured.

With a cloudy or landscape paper, use plain poplin, rep, or sunfast, in warm tans, sage green, with bands of black or orange, or both, across the bottom; this would give character to the room.

_Uniformity in furniture chosen_--Be sure in choosing your furniture that uniformity is observed as to period, wood, and type. For example, if a Sheraton sideboard in mahogany is selected, then the entire furniture of the dining room should be of the Sheraton type in mahogany.

_Bedrooms_

The first requisite in furnishing a bedroom is that it appears crisp and clean. The walls, light in color, must be restful and simple in design. The woodwork should be white, if possible. Painted furniture is very popular for a bedroom because of its dainty appearance, but dull-finished mahogany or walnut in four post or Colonial design, with rag, braided, or hooked rugs, makes a charming bedroom.

Place the bed where the sleeper will not be subject to strong light or cross drafts (see page 27 for proper ventilation). A dressing table is fashionable, but not as practical as a chest of drawers with mirror above. A full-length mirror installed in a closet door, or hung in a narrow wall space, is a very decided adjunct. Be sure to place the dressing table or chest of drawers where the light is not reflected from an opposite window. To secure a good view, the light should be directed upon the person to be reflected, and not upon the mirror.

Avoid placing the furniture all on one side of the room. If possible, intermingle high and low pieces to secure a proper balance. If one bed is used, be sure to place beside it a table on which should be a lamp, telephone, and small water bottle and glass. If two beds are used, place this table between the two beds.

If the walls are plain in color, figured draperies and bedspreads can be used. If the walls have on them a small design, plain materials for these purposes should be used.

_Suggested Color Scheme for Bedroom_

_Walls_--Corn colored cross-bar paper.

_Woodwork_--White, dull finish, paint.

_Floors_--_Hardwood_--Stained antique oak, with wax or varnish finish.

_Floors_--_Softwood_--Painted a deep yellow, or covered in plain brown, tan, or Jaspe linoleum.

_Suggested List of Furnishings for the Bedroom_

_Bed_--Full size, or twin beds--In mahogany, walnut, ivory paint, or enamel. Box or wire springs. Mattress and pillows.

Bedspreads and bureau covers may be made of unbleached muslin, bound with wide bands of plain yellow, blue, and brown, these colors overlapping each other, or plain white Swiss, dimity, or Marseilles.

_One high-boy_, or high chest of drawers for man--In mahogany, walnut, or painted. This piece should conform with or match other furniture in room. Brushes, comb, box for odds and ends, clothes brush.

_Mirror_--Hung flat against the wall--in same wood as high-boy.

_One Dressing Table_--or low chest of drawers--for lady--with mirror hung over the chest of drawers. May be in mahogany, walnut, or painted. With toilet articles in silver or tortoise shell, or ivory; pin cushion, scent bottles. The mirror may be of Queen Anne type in antique gilt, to correspond with woods used in room.

_Two straight back chairs_--In mahogany, walnut, or painted, with plain wood, rush, or caned seats.

_Natural wicker arm chair_--Sturdy type placed near window, with cushions of chintz or sateen to match the bedspreads.

_Small flat-top desk and chair_--In either mahogany, walnut, or painted, to correspond with furniture.

Supply with note paper, silver or brass ink-well, and blue feather pen.

_Small Sewing Table_--Of Martha Washington design, or a Colonial type, in mahogany or rosewood. Place on it small lamp with base of wood, in brown or tan porcelain, and having a shade of blue silk lined with tan silk.

_A Chest_--In either cedar, mahogany, or cretonne-covered, and placed under a window or in a corner for storage of summer or winter clothes.

_Rugs_--Oriental in black, blues, or yellows, plain brown or tan carpet, made into a large rug, or wool braided, hooked, or heavy rag rugs, in black, blues, tans, browns.

Small rugs should be placed near the bed, dressing table, and high-boy.

_Curtains_--Glass curtains of scrim, marquisette, or cheese-cloth, to correspond with those of living room and dining room.

_Draperies_--Draperies of either cretonne or muslin to match bedspreads, with bands of yellow, blue and brown sateen to correspond with bedspreads.

_Bedroom for Either Boys or Girls_

It has been proven that furnishings and color produce either desirable or disastrous effects upon the sensitive minds of children. As all children's rooms are usually a combination of bedroom, play room, and study, it is well to keep in mind colors, design, arrangement, and practicality for all purposes.

To most children, a spotty or too often repeated design is distracting. Blues and violets soothe, while reds, yellows, and sometimes greens are exciting and stimulating colors. We so often send our children to study and amuse themselves in their room, but have we done our share in providing them with the comforts and necessities that will assist them to produce better school work?

_Boys_--With no frills, light fabrics, or woodwork for them to soil and mar, their rooms still may be made interesting--even beautiful--but convenience and masculinity should be kept foremost in mind.

_Girls_--A girl's room, on the other hand, should be dainty, bright, and frivolous. Her personality, even at a very tender age, will clearly be disclosed by the way she cares for her room. There is no need of a great expenditure of money in buying furniture or hangings for a girl's room. Some of the cheaper fabrics and simplest furniture will make the most charming room.

_BOY'S ROOMS_

_A Suggested Color Scheme_

_Walls_--Buff-colored paint, or tinted walls.

_Woodwork_--Stained mission oak or walnut.

_Floors_--Hardwood floor, strips of coco matting, or woolbraided rugs. Softwood--a large square of linoleum.

_Suggested List of Furnishings_

_Bed_--Something of the day bed type. Bedspread of blue denim, with stitched bands of yellow sateen at edge.

_Chest of Drawers_--Painted buff or brown, or walnut or mission oak.

_A Mirror_--Antique gilt, or of wood to match chest of drawers, hung low.

_A Desk_--Of the craftsman type, with stool or bench to match.

_Two Wooden Chairs_--Either painted or of mission oak.

_A Table_--Low, plain wooden table, of walnut, or stained to match the woodwork.

_One Comfortable Chair_--Brown wicker, or the Windsor type.

_A Lamp_--Of the student type, or on a bracket, securely fastened on the wall.

_A Tie Rack_--Hung near chest of drawers.

_One or two shelves_--For books, trophies, etc. Made of plain wood, stained to match the woodwork of a plain bookcase of mission oak.

_Curtains_--Of blue denim, with stitched bands of sateen at edge--hung straight.

_GIRLS' ROOMS_

_A Suggested Color Scheme_

_Walls_--Papered in a soft gray-rose, allover design paper.

_Woodwork_--Cream paint.

_Floor_--Hardwood--Rag rugs, with rose stripes or a gray chenille carpet. Softwood--Battleship gray paint, with rag rugs or rose chenille carpet.

_Suggested List of Furnishings_

_Bed_--_Single_--Painted ivory or cream--four post, or with some low, simple headboard.

Bedspread of rose dotted swiss, with wide ruffle.

_A Dressing Table_--To match bed, with rose colored sateen mats--bound in pale-gray with drawers.

_A Large Box_--For waists, etc. Covered in rose and gray cretonne.

_A Desk_--To correspond with painted furniture; a gray blotter and rose colored pen.

_Two Chairs_--One of natural wicker with cushions of rose sateen, and one of wood to correspond with painted furniture, caned seat.

_A Sewing Table_--Of mahogany or cherry.

_A Lamp_--China base with a shade of silk, dotted swiss, or rose-colored paper.

_The Nursery_

The ideal nursery is also a play room. It should, as nearly as possible, meet the ideals of the child's own world. In that room are received early impressions which are never forgotten, and which have a lasting influence on the adult life.

Don't bedeck the cribs, beds, or curtains with ribbons and laces, and expect your child to be happy. The "don'ts" and "be carefuls" make children irritable and unhappy. Choose the room with a thought to sunlight, and be sure it has outside blinds which will darken the room without keeping out the air.

The floor should be bare with the exception of one rug near the bed, or should be covered with a good grade of plain linoleum.

The walls and woodwork should be painted, if possible, a cream or light gray. Some fairy tale friezes are attractive, and afford opportunities of introducing color, but, if used, should not be placed too high on the wall--about three-quarters of the way up from the floor is a reasonable height. Child-study has taught that many and oft-repeated designs and subjects become meaningless, especially to older children.

The furniture in the nursery should be practical. Painted furniture and wicker chairs are attractive. A comfortable winged or overstuffed chair for the grown-ups is essential. Low shelves and cupboards, built for toys and books, are necessary if the room is to be kept neat and tidy. A stationary blackboard, and a large box for books and cherished belongings, are very welcome additions.

_A Suggested Color Scheme for the Nursery_

_Walls_--A soft, misty, gray paint, tint, or plain paper.

_Woodwork_--A dull white.

_Floors_--Plain hardwood, with a rag or braided rug in sapphire blue--or softwood, entirely covered in taupe Jaspe linoleum.

_Below Is a Suggested List of Furnishings Which the Nursery Might Contain_

_A Crib_--White iron or wood, on ball bearing casters.

Bedspread of yellow and white seersucker, or a silky yellow sunfast.

_A Tall Chest of Drawers_--Painted cream or white, with plenty of drawers.

_Table_--Low nursery table or tall one which has had its legs cut.

_Two Chairs_--Low, with wooden seats, and painted to match the furniture.

_A Desk_--Flat top with plenty of paper and pencils.

_Waste Paper Basket_--White or natural wicker.

_One Large Fireside Chair_--With slip cover of blue and yellow striped linen.

_Glass Curtains_--Of best quality of cream colored cheesecloth, bound in yellow tape.

_Over draperies_ (If desired)--Of primrose yellow silk, or sunfast, or striped yellow and blue linen to match slip cover.

_Clothes Rack_--Low wooden rack, painted white, with at least four hooks.

_Closet_--Should have a low pole on which could be hung plenty of hangers. Also a shelf about 6 inches from the floor for shoes, etc.

_Large Cushions_ for the floor--One each of blue, yellow, nile green and orange.

_Color Scheme_--If you desire another color scheme, such as blue-and-white, or pink-and-white, write for information.

_Model Kitchen_

PREPARED BY THE HOME ECONOMICS BUREAU OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The first consideration in arranging kitchen equipment is to save steps and labor. The kitchen should be clean, odorless and attractive.

_Size_--Not more than 120 square feet of working space for preparing food and washing dishes. More space when kitchen is used for laundry or has dining alcove.

_Ventilation_--If no cross drafts are provided for, cut a transom over back door if possible and arrange window boards to allow ventilation through top and bottom of window. Is desirable to have hood installed over stove to carry off drafts.

_Lighting_--Two or three windows desirable and a glass pane in kitchen door. If unavailable, increase light by having very pale walls and mirrors in dark corners. Artificial light should be from powerful burner hung from center of ceiling. Electric light should be indirect. Additional side lights should be added near sink and stove, unless they receive full light.

_Wall Coverings_--(1) Commercial oil cloth wall covering; or (2) good oil enamel paint. Color--Light tones. On Southern exposure--pale gray, green or pale blue; on Northern exposure--buff walls with a deeper buff or tan woodwork are good. For very dark rooms--white. Avoid white in well lighted rooms because of glare. If natural color, woodwork should have two coats of water proof varnish; if painted, two coats of flat paint and one of enamel paint.

_Floor Coverings_--If room has cement floors, provide rubber mats before sink, stove and cabinet to avoid foot strain. Otherwise, use linoleum slightly darker than walls and harmonizing or contrasting in color; or any other surface easy to keep clean.

_List of Kitchen Fixtures_

The Kitchen should have the following equipment:

_Range_--Coal, wood, gas, oil or electric. Good hood for ventilation is desirable. Height of all working surfaces depends upon height of woman who will work in kitchen. All working surfaces including top of range should be as near the same height as possible. Height should be at least 32 inches, or more, if worker is tall. A label should state this fact. If coal range is the main one, have supplementary gas, electric or oil range. Gas range should have stove pipe from oven.

_Sink_--Sink should be large enough to accommodate both a washing and rinsing dish pan. Have large drain board on each side with raised edge or beading. It should either slope gradually toward sink or have sloping grooves. If only one drain board is provided, add an adjustable folding board. Bottom of sink should be at least 32 inches from floor. Sink should be placed under or near a window to insure coolness and view.

_Cabinet_--White or colored enameled metal or natural wood finish with broad working shelf 32 inches from floor or higher according to height of worker. Shelves and bins for most commonly used supplies and utensils. If a cabinet with a good work shelf is not available an additional table near cabinet should be provided.

_Tables_--One or two tables, porcelain, glass, enamel, or zinc topped. If none of these can be had, linoleum may be fitted with waterproof cement to a wooden table. It should be at least 32 inches high. A table with drawers underneath and a swinging stool and space for knees is good.

_Cupboard_--If there is no dining room pantry, a cupboard should be added for the china; if space permits, this should be added anyhow for less frequently used utensils and supplies.

_Stool_--Stool, preferably white, should be of right height to allow sitting at table, work-shelf or sink. Add a plain chair if space permits.

_Refrigerator_--A well insulated ice box, preferably white. Ice compartment should be at side or top. Straight easily cleaned drain pipe should attach to plumbing. If refrigerator is indoors a door for icing from the outside is desirable.

_Towel Rods_--Wood or nickel with space for four or five dish towels.

_Hand Towel Rack_--If only one person uses it, roller towel rack may be installed. Otherwise, paper toweling or individual hand towels hung on cup hooks near sink by loops on corners.

_Wall Clock_--Simple, with clear figures.

_Housekeepers' Rest Corner_--If space permits, a comfortable chair, footrest and small table for books and sewing should occupy a little-used portion of the room, to permit rest and recreation while waiting for food to cook.

_Garbage Pail_--Covered; with foot lever to raise cover without stooping; fireproof trash basket.

_Arrangement of Equipment_

Sink, cabinet with broad working shelf and dish cabinet (if dishes are washed in kitchen) should be as close together as possible without cramping passage room. Stove should be convenient to, but slightly away from, work shelf for hot weather. An ideal arrangement is china cupboard at right of sink, cabinet with broad work shelf at left of sink and, in a narrow kitchen, range on opposite wall from sink across narrowest part of room; if range is far from any broad working surface a table should be very near range. All kitchen equipment, except range, should be as near as possible to dining room door. If no dining room pantry with sink is provided, kitchen sink should be near dining room door. Range with supplementary range beside it should be so placed that full day light will light the oven. If stove is already installed in a dark place in exhibition house, move it into light, even though repiping and wiring may be required. Mirrors may be hung to throw additional light on range. If there is no good working shelf on cabinet, a table should be near cabinet for mixing food. There will then have to be a second table with a heat proof top near the stove unless stove is so near to cabinet that one table will serve both for mixing and setting hot utensils on. If possible, install a gas range, or an electric range if current is cheap enough to warrant. The range should, if possible, have an oven heat regulator. Where gas is unavailable and cost of electric current high, install a good oil stove with an oven. Refrigerator should be on porch or vestibule just outside kitchen door or should be in the kitchen near the back door away from the stove. If space permits, table next to refrigerator is a convenience. An out-icer is a convenience; in cold weather the ice compartment may be left empty and open for the air to cool the food.

Dish towel and hand towel racks should be as near as possible to sink, high enough to be out of the way. The dish towel rack should be on side towards window for drying and airing.

Wall clock should be within sight of stove without worker turning around. Garbage pail and trash basket should be under sink. Stove should be near chief working surface; either table or cabinet.

_Decorations_--Simple, easily washed curtains of gingham, striped calico or unbleached muslin with a colored tape border add to the attractiveness of the room. They should not obscure the light. If the windows are near working centers, curtains may be half length, that is, from top of window to center sash, and finished with a fringe.

Smaller up-to-date equipment, such as a fireless cooker, a pressure cooker, utensils, electric whippers, cutlery, strainers and so on, should also be installed. Further information is given in another bulletin.

_The Kitchen as Laundry_

If the Kitchen is also used as Laundry, laundry equipment should be away from cooking equipment if possible. _Two Tubs_--well-lighted, tops 34 inches, a _Washing Machine_ run by whatever power the locality affords, preferably electricity. Washing Machine may have direct connection with plumbing, or good pipe hose should be provided for draining and filling machine. Copper lined _Wash Boiler_ with spigot for emptying. _Zinc Topped Table_--on rollers, same height as top of stove, for carrying wash-boiler between sink and stove. _Ironing Board_--If possible, board that folds into cupboard. Board should have its own support far enough in from ends to permit of putting garment over it. _Clothes Basket_--_with Casters on Bottom_.

_Iron_--Electric Iron, or if electricity is unavailable, gas iron. Electric or hand _Mangle_ for ironing.

Have tubs, washing machine, ironing board and plug for electric iron grouped together.

_The Equipment of the House_

Having a house that is structurally sound, well planned and with adequate yard space, the next question is its equipment. Equipment has to do with the operation, with the house work. On the one hand this is more or less determined by the size and plan of the building, on the other by the furnishing and decoration. A well planned house makes house work lighter; and furnishing and decoration which add unnecessarily to the number of things which must be cleaned or cared for, or heavy pieces which must be moved, add to the labor of house work. Nevertheless, equipment occupies a clear outfield of its own that calls for separate discussion.

_Heating_

_Central Heating_--Central heating preferred. May be hot air, steam, hot water, or vapor. Insulate heater and pipes. Large furnace water pan, or radiator waterpans, desirable. Select heating system, using fuel most economical for your locality. Thermostat heat regulator installed in living room is desirable. Write placards describing why you selected this heating plant; why it is so well insulated; why large water pan or radiator water pans are important.

_Supplementary Heat_--Open fireplace, Franklin stove or gas logs desirable in living room for beauty and comfort in spring and fall.

_Water Supply_

Should have running hot and cold water. If city water not available, should be pumped by power rams. Hot water boiler may be attached to coal range with auxiliary gas or oil heater for summer. Where gas rate is low, gas may be used alone. Automatic gas hot water heaters very desirable.

_Bathroom_

_Size_--Should be large enough for tub, basin, toilet, clothes-hamper, stool, medicine cabinet and towel cabinet.

_Floor_--Should be most sanitary. Tile, stone or linoleums are the most sanitary. Small black and white pattern or light blue and white are good. A well-filled painted wood floor of battleship gray or colonial buff may be used.

_Walls_--Tile or plaster painted with two coats flat paint and one coat of enamel, or oil cloth wall covering. White, blue and cream are the best colors.

_Ventilation_--Window board should be in window to allow top and bottom ventilation. An additional separate ventilator is desirable.

_Fixtures_--Porcelain or enameled iron tub with hot and cold running water; shower with spray set at angle not to wet hair.

_Basin_--Porcelain or enamel with hot and cold water. _Toilet_--porcelain, white enameled seat desirable. _Medicine Cabinet_ with door and mirror over basin, shelves for shaving equipment, lotions, antiseptics, etc. _Cupboard_ large enough to hold supply of towels, soap, toilet paper, and equipment for cleaning bathroom fixtures.

_Clothes hamper_ unless chute to bin near wash tubs is provided. Hamper should have white smooth surface. Enameled metal or wood desirable.

_Towel racks_--A nickel or enameled wood rack for each member of family to keep towels separate.

_Miscellaneous fixtures_--Two nickel or enameled metal soap racks, one beside basin and one beside or hooked to tub. Tooth brush rack to hold tooth brushes well separated. Toilet paper basket or rack. Individual mugs or glasses for each member of family. Shelf of glass or wood covered with oil cloth over basin.

_Stool_--White enamel, preferably. _Clothes hooks_ on back of door, or clothes tree. _Sash curtains_ of white material, easy to launder.

_Lavatory_--It is well to have additional lavatory on ground floor to save steps. It should contain toilet, wash bowl, stool and fixtures for accessories. Should be as easy to clean and hygienic as bathroom.

_Lighting_

Electricity if possible. Bulbs in all rooms should be frosted or shaded. _Hall_--Electricity or lamp hung from center in form of lantern or cast iron bracket to hold at least one bulb or one lamp. If side lights are desired, fixtures of brass, cast iron, or enameled iron are effective.