Is mahogany or oak furniture preferable? Solid ma-
hogany in simple designs is always in good taste if one
can afford it ; cheap imitations are not desirable. Fumed
oak in Mission style, or weathered oak, makes a charm-
ing living room, if everything is in harmony with it. It
is also suitable for a den or dining room.
Should one style of furniture be used throughout the
room? The effect is very much better. Try not to mix
12 Efficiency in Home Making
mahogany and oak ; or fumed and golden oak ; or white
enameled furniture.
Is white enameled furniture satisfactory? It makes
a lovely bed-room, if other things are in harmony, but
for hard usage, it chips off, and needs refinishing every
few years, but is very dainty and attractive.
If two persons have to occupy the same room, is it
better to have two single beds? It is very much better,
for several reasons. Two persons may not require the
same amount of covers, besides it is much more hygienic.
Colds and contagious diseases may be taken in this way.
Why will a person sleep better alone? He is undis-
turbed by movements of another and does not fear to
move himself. The thought that one must lie still is
very disquieting.
Should a well person occupy the same bed with one
who is ill; if not with a contagious disease? No; it is
bad for both of them. Neither should a child sleep with
an elderly person.
Is there objection to children sleeping together? It
ought to be avoided. Never, under any circumstances
should a little brother of seven or nine occupy the same
bed with his little sister. Some mothers are criminally
careless in this matter.
Must a baby sleep alone? It must. If it cannot have
its own little crib a laundry basket will answer the pur-
pose, or even a box, properly padded around the sides
and raised from the floor.
RUGS OR CARPETS.
Are carpets in crude bright colors desirable? No;
soft toned ones are in much better taste.
Are rugs to be preferred to carpets ? Yes ; they are
much more hygienic. The uncovered spaces can be
wiped free of dust every day in a few minutes, and the
rugs can be taken out often to air and clean.
In a bed-room is one large rug preferable to two or
three smaller ones ? No ; it is better not to have the rug
Efficiency in Home Making 13
go under the bed, for dust accumulates there more
quickly than anywhere else.
For what two reasons are many draperies, fancy bags,
baskets, etc., in a bed-room even more objectionable than
in other rooms Bed making, dressing and undressing,
make much dust, besides one ought to spend from nine
to ten hours out of the twenty-four in the bed-room ;
hence it should be reasonably free from dust catchers.
What is the most desirable covering for the kitchen
floor? Linoleum. It is easier to stand on, and to clean.
If one cannot afford linoleum, what can be used? A
runner or rubber between the stove and table where the
most steps are taken, and a piece in front of the sink.
Is oilcloth satisfactory for the kitchen? Not if it is to
have hard wear. The first cost is less than linoleum, but
it soon gets worn and shabby, and in the end costs more
than linoleum.
Will a floor finished in oil show the grease spots as
badly as in hard finish? No.
SELECTING BED AND TABLE LINEN.
Page 4
Presented as published in 1915. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Is mahogany or oak furniture preferable? Solid mahogany in simple designs is always in good taste if one can afford it ; cheap imitations are not desirable. Fumed oak in Mission style, or weathered oak, makes a charming living room, if everything is in harmony with it. It is also suitable for a den or dining room.
Should one style of furniture be used throughout the room? The effect is very much better. Try not to mix
12 Efficiency in Home Making
mahogany and oak ; or fumed and golden oak ; or white enameled furniture.
Is white enameled furniture satisfactory? It makes a lovely bed-room, if other things are in harmony, but for hard usage, it chips off, and needs refinishing every few years, but is very dainty and attractive.
If two persons have to occupy the same room, is it better to have two single beds? It is very much better, for several reasons. Two persons may not require the same amount of covers, besides it is much more hygienic. Colds and contagious diseases may be taken in this way.
Why will a person sleep better alone? He is undisturbed by movements of another and does not fear to move himself. The thought that one must lie still is very disquieting.
Should a well person occupy the same bed with one who is ill; if not with a contagious disease? No; it is bad for both of them. Neither should a child sleep with an elderly person.
Is there objection to children sleeping together? It ought to be avoided. Never, under any circumstances should a little brother of seven or nine occupy the same bed with his little sister. Some mothers are criminally careless in this matter.
Must a baby sleep alone? It must. If it cannot have its own little crib a laundry basket will answer the purpose, or even a box, properly padded around the sides and raised from the floor.
RUGS OR CARPETS.
Are carpets in crude bright colors desirable? No; soft toned ones are in much better taste.
Are rugs to be preferred to carpets ? Yes ; they are much more hygienic. The uncovered spaces can be wiped free of dust every day in a few minutes, and the rugs can be taken out often to air and clean.
In a bed-room is one large rug preferable to two or three smaller ones ? No ; it is better not to have the rug
Efficiency in Home Making 13
go under the bed, for dust accumulates there more quickly than anywhere else.
For what two reasons are many draperies, fancy bags, baskets, etc., in a bed-room even more objectionable than in other rooms Bed making, dressing and undressing, make much dust, besides one ought to spend from nine to ten hours out of the twenty-four in the bed-room ; hence it should be reasonably free from dust catchers.
What is the most desirable covering for the kitchen floor? Linoleum. It is easier to stand on, and to clean.
If one cannot afford linoleum, what can be used? A runner or rubber between the stove and table where the most steps are taken, and a piece in front of the sink.
Is oilcloth satisfactory for the kitchen? Not if it is to have hard wear. The first cost is less than linoleum, but it soon gets worn and shabby, and in the end costs more than linoleum.
Will a floor finished in oil show the grease spots as badly as in hard finish? No.
SELECTING BED AND TABLE LINEN.