HOUSING AND CLOTHING 



1041 



In case there are children or old people, and one woman does all of the 

 work, a bedroom on the first floor is very desirable. 



Bathroom facilities on a farm, where hard physical exercise makes 

 frequent baths necessary, are too often inadequate. Tub, toilet and wash 

 bowl of enameled iron may be purchased for from $60 to $100. The 

 toilet should be a syphon closet and the tub one which sets close to the 

 floor, leaving no room for dirt underneath. The fixtures should be of 

 good quality and without ornament. 



Interior Finish. — Bathroom and kitchen walls painted with oil paint 

 or papered with a washable paper are easily cared for. Inlaid linoleum on 

 the floor wears well, printed oilcloth does not. Woodwork may be painted 

 or varnished, or white enamel is 

 an attractive finish and is not as 

 much work to care for as is 

 usually thought. Light, cheer- 

 ful colors which show when they 

 need washing are desirable. 

 Walls in other rooms may be cal- 

 cimined, a cheap but temporary 

 finish; painted with oil paint, 

 which is more permanent and 

 may be cleaned, or papered. 

 Plain colors or simple figures 

 with not too contrasting colors 

 are good backgrounds for pic- 

 tures. The soft greens and 

 browns of the woods, buff and 

 warm grays, yellows in rooms 

 inclined to be dark, are all good 

 colors to live with. Red is excit- 

 ing, blue apt to look cold and gold far from restful. There are many 

 papers on the market bad in color and design; seek to avoid them. 



The Furnishings. — Simple, substantial furniture should be chosen, 

 with comfort and usefulness its first requirements. Cheap machine carving 

 only mars the beauty of wood. A dull wax finish on both furniture and 

 woodwork is more restful than a shiny varnish and mars less easily. Rugs 

 should keep their place on the floor and not, because of their giddy color 

 and design, seem to rise and hit one upon entering the rooms. Hardwood or 

 painted floors are easier to care for and more sanitary than carpets. Wash- 

 able rugs are good for bedrooms and bathrooms. Wilton, Brussels, Smyrna, 

 Scotch and grass rugs each have their good features for general wear; they 

 are named in the order of their cost. 



Draperies and Decoration. — Simple white or ecru curtains of scrim, 

 net, swiss or madras soften the windows, yet let in sunlight and air, and 



Courtesy of Altorfer Bros., Roanoke, 111. 

 66 



A Power Washing Machine. 1 



