The Detroit times., 1911-01-02
THE FURNITURE TRADE
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN

sistently before the inventor as house
hold furniture. Each month the pat
ent list under this class Is a long one.
Among the novelties TO be shown this
year are combination set of table
and chairs. a bureau with drawers
that can open without having to be
pulled out, and several improved book
cases. The increasing number OF fats
and apartments requires close caicu-
lation as to space. SO the invention or
furniture that can be adapted to sew
erai uses is receiving more patents.
Combination wash-stands, folding
beds. sofa beds. book case bureaus, ex-
tension beds and adjustable beds ara
among the most popular articles for
patents.
So ingenious have some Of these
contrivances become that at d manu-
facturers banquet lately dealer OF.
tered TO have built ioi Mrs Flat
Dweller folding bed mat could be
transformed into a bath-tub with rum
ming water by touching a spring. After
the bath the pressure OF a button
turns II into an extension table for
the family breakfast. which by the
pressure OF another spring. can be-
transformed into an upright piano our
ing the day, until at night IL is again
called into service for its most i'm
pOrtant tunction-as a sleeping place.
AS final transformation, IL was sug-
gested that the article should be
changed into rosewood coffin 10
serve the last needs OF the owner.
The equipment OF Libraries and Of
fees occupies IN important place In
furniture manufacture. The everin-
creasing number OF public libraries
calls for a colossal output OF specially
constructed furniture which Is con-
stantly being improved in design.
Durability. convenience and attrac
tiveness are the prime requisites and
the zenith OF all three seems almost
achieved. In Office furniture the new
desks have feet which raise them sey'
eral inches from the floor, which 10 /.
grea- sanitary advantage. The ma,
top desk also replaces the high roll
top ia popular favor because il doe
not obstruct the vision OF the occu
pant.
The new desks are wonderfully In.
genious contrivances. with cleverly
constructed drawers and sliding
shelves SO arranged as TO give the
maximum convenience in the mini
mum space. Modern electric appli-
ances also add TO their usefulness.
Electric buttons will turn on a light,
furnish light for cigar, or sum-
mon clerk from an adjoining room.
In library furniture, popular favor -
divided between the solid wood and
the steel constructions. In many new
Libraries steel stacks replace the
wooden bookcases entirely. II desired.
these steel cases can be furnished
with rolling doors which will close up
the books and preserve them through
Il severe confiagration.
Fireproof furniture Is really one OF
the most important developments OF
modern manufactures. Each month II
increases In popular favor. From the
simple steel wire chairs and tables
with their composition or wooden seat
and top, used In restaurants and cafes
decade ago, the list has Increased
until now practically every article
used In the home. office or library can
be secured in absolutely fireproof ma
terial Some exquisite furniture In
Louis XVI. design Is being construct.
ed of heavily gilded steel. II Is COW
cred with elegant satin which has \
been chemically treated so as to be i
absolutely impervious to fire. This
furniture completely overcomes the
objection to fireproof furniture on the
ground that IL Is unattractive.