Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-16
DHEGoNT

: building Of f~ireplaces than in any other
tuEal build and artistic appearance. The
home builder is advised to have his archi-
tect design the fireplace and have it built
especially for him. There are but very
few ready-made manteis on the market
that are worthy OF going into any mod
ern home, The extreme of oddly, inhar-
mony and freakishness seems TO have been
reached by cabinet makers In the design
ing Of some modern flrepiaces. A neat
shelf projecting ten or twelve inches and
a plastered wall above. on which to hang
an oil painting, looks far better, shows
better taste and lie less expensive than
most ready-mede mantels. Red is a good
color for a brick mantel. although there
are several good shades OF buff. green and
other colors which make neat appearing
mantels. II desired, the mantel can be OF
tile or OF stone. When the latter is used,
however, it is not advisable to burn coal
in the fireplace, as the intense heat is apt
to chip the stone work off on the edges
toward the fire.
s. Question: Do you advise a vestibuIe?
II so. what is the proper size to make IL?
Answer: Many people in building their
homes apparently do not take into con-
sideration the real object of a vestibule at
the front door and they make this feature.
so small and cramped that it's usefulness
lie lost and It becomes a nuisance. The
vestibule, TO be practical, should be large
enough to allow the hostess to close the
inside door behind her, admit her guest,
close the outside door. and then enter the
hall. In this way the cold north wind does
not force It's way into the house and but
NNAN 80 L. 49, N-NN
small box-like vestibule, here is the pro-
gram:
The lady Of the house enters the vesti-
oule, but in order to open the outside
door. she must leave the inside door open,
50 that she may back In and allow for the
swing Of the outside door, Her guest. who
Is so glad to see her, must, OF course,
shake hands, and the lady Of the house
gradually pulls her into the hall, during
that ceremony, then leaves her abruptly
to go and close the outside door. In the
meantime, the entire house has been flooded
with the chill north wind and the baby
catched cold. The ideal vestibule 10 one
that lie at least six inches greater in width
than the width OF the front door and two
to two and one-half times the width of the
front door In length. with both inside and
SNNNANS ~ va AhS SCHNCE u lAe NcoblDulc,
If there is stll room at either or both ends
OF the vestibule for a coat closet, 80 much
the better. These need not have doors, q
hanging curtains will serve Just as we'll.
G. Question: What woods make the best
floors? How often SHOULD they be finished ?
Answer: Maple, birch or oak are all good
floors, with preference for the maple. II
is a very close grained wood and is, there
fore very easily cleaned and can also be
obtained OF even color. In regard to the
proper finish for a floor, there are a great
many Of them on the market that are good,
and whether II be waxed or Vanished,
makes but little difference in the perma,
neney OF the finish. for the finish on all
floors must be kept up. They should be
gone over at least twice a year. especially
in worn spots. There is no finish that is
absolutely permanent.