New-York tribune., 1921-12-04
By H. II. Hobart
Of Catrtis Co1npcnies

| Women who expect to do their life
! work in the home rather than in an
Office should see to it that their lsitch-
ems are as pleasant and well equipped
as the Office would have been. Kitchens
are not SO freely exposed to the inspec-
tion Of "outsiders" as the living rooms
no doubt, but their results-well-fed
cheerful families, and mothers who are
not overworked and tired and cross
are even more evident to each chance
caller
| Some Of these days, so Robert Ellis
| Thompson tells US in "The History OF
the Dwelling House and It's Future,
I kitchens will be abolished from ou1
houses, and all cookery, laundry, clean
ing and kindred household tasks per-
formed in an efficiently managed com
munity laboratory. But in the mean
while there are still many opportuni-
ties to improve the home kitchen.
| Here. are some tests you should ap-
ply to the plan of your kitchen, whether
in new house or remodeled one, be-
fore you give it your final o. K:
l.. Location. In Golden times" the
! north side of the house, the poorest
outlook, or generally most undesirable
tion, equally as pleasant as that Of the
kitchen. Many new, sensibly designed
houses give the kitchen front loca-
tion, equally as pleasant as that Of the
living room. And why not? More
hours g day are spent there, at least by
the housewife.
Proper Light Important.
2. Light. Sometimes it is difficult
to get the proper amount of light in
the kitchen, because Of the need Of
many built-in cupboards and closets
and doors. But do not sacrifice light
for anything less important. Have the
upper half Of all outside doors glazed.
II at all possible, have outside openings
windows or doors--on two sides, to
insure good circulation of air, which
will carry off cooking odors. In many
Kitchens single drop-light from the
center Of the ceiling is the only arti-
flclal light provided for evenings and
above the sink, above the range and in
each supplementary place such as pan
try, entry, basement, dining alcove, and
another near the built-in ironing board.
Light is also increased by using white
or light colors in painting the wood
work and walls. White is preferred bv
most women. It does not require more
frequent cleaning than any other color
should have, and repays SO we'll for the
labor expended upon it. Light shades
Of gray and tan are also good. The
walls may be painted or covered with
washable paper, such as is used in
bathrooms. If you use any curtains at
all, don't use those discarded from
other rooms, but have very plain. easily
washable ones of gingham, percale or
similar materials. These are suitable
and inviting, as we'll as inexpensive
enough. to be replaced frequently. If
the floor is to be left bare, maple floor
Ing will withstand more wear than oak.
Where q sanitary, resilient, good weaa-
Ing floor covering is wanted, cork tile
is almost ideal. Inlaid linoleum is
close second. A new way of laying it
is to run it up on the wall about six
inches all around, covering the edge
with molding. This leaves an easily
cleanabie curve intsead Of an angle AT
the floor line.
8. Size. Even though you expect 10
have part Of the family meals served
in Your kitchen, it need not be so
large as to waste time and energy in
travelings across 1t thousands of times
in preparing your thousand meals a
year. Proper arrangement of ali its
fixtures is first consideration. of
course. One of the most popular plans
in small homes is to have small. we'll
arranged kitchen, and adjoining it a