Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/491

 Best arrangement of kitchen. Range lighted from left hand, dresser facing window i,ooo cubic feet of air would hardly suffice for one person beyond twenty minutes. When we consider that this amount of space is represented by a room lo ft. by lo ft. and lo ft. high — a not uncommon size for small bedrooms — it becomes apparent how important it is that adequate means for changing the air should be provided, and the significance of the open flue explains itself. In these days of speculative building the tendency is to cut down the number of cupboards. Bedroom cupboards are a very real boon. A roomy cupboard, provided with conveniences for hanging clothes, renders the wardrobe superfluous, a consideration to the novice in house furnishing who may not be over-burdened with means. The Nursery When the household includes young children, one of the upper rooms must be given over to them. It is rarely that builders make any special provision for a day nursery, but the lady of the house, when seek- ing new quarters, will keep the matter in mind, and see that the children's room is one of the lightest and most cheerful in the house. (The ideal nursery is fully described on page 27, Part I, of Every Woman's Encyclopedia.) Doors and Windows No room can be considered com- fortable if the doors and windows do not properly perform their offices. In cheaply built houses doors of light 467 WOMAN'S HOME scantling have a way of warping out of shape, and then do not close tightly at all points. This means that a constant draught of cold air will pass from without inwards. Thick doors are generally free from this defect through warping, yet may be so badly fitted in the first instance as to allow too much space at the bottom or top. That these faults are only too common is witnessed by the many yards of " draught excluder " sold by the local ironmonger. Opinions differ as to the relative advant- ages of casement and sash windows. Architects have their fancies on this question, and the speculative builder follows suit. Both types of window may be made equally wind and weather proof. Casements with light frames suffer from the same disabilities as thin doors — they warp out of shape, and then their fastenings refuse to bring them close to the framing. On the other hand, badly fitting sashes acquire tricks of sticking or rattling It should be noted that no sash window can be opened more than half of its area. All things considered, there is a balance of advantage to the casement. It forms .an effective wind-shield when opened on the side from which the wind is blowing, and as the casements are usually hinged so that one at least opens on either hand, it always becomes possible to obtain air without too much of it, even in the most boisterous weather. With good fastenings, the casement does not rattle. There is much to be said in favour of its appearance also, both from within and without. All casements should have grooved seatings to prevent rain driving in. There is one further advantage in the case- ment. It cannot be opened as easily from r The sink should be made of good stoneware and fitted with a draining'board. shown above Such an arrangement i;