Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-09-25
Treasures in the Attic

. Il.
thing of romance connected with the
discarded furniture which is to be
found in the attic of many Maine
farm homes says Helen C. Spaulding,
the Home Economics Extension Spec
ialist of the College of Agriculture.
Most of these articles are too
good to throw away. Many Of them
may be very old and valuable as an
tiques. After they have been re-
finished they would make very de-
lightful contribution to the home.
Something in the New England
temperament causes us to preserve
articles which may have become bad
ly worn and appear almost useless.
AS applied to furniture. however,
very often little work and less ex-
pense would make it a really valu-
able part of the home furnishings.
Miss Spaulding then relates what
can be done with this discarded fur
niture.
when l see such collection be-
gin at once TO plan what l would do
with it if it were possible for me to
have it. There is a barren porch
that's on the shady side of the house
in the afternoon. 1t would make an
ideal working place if it could be
Will NtdtH0I Bl OOl lui
niture. There is positive need of
table in the living room where
papers and magazines can be left
until the family have finished with
them. Then there Is that small I'M
furnished chamber in the ell, that
could be just what is needed as
guest room with a few simple pieces
of furniture and old fashioned style
would make it all the more at
tractive.
"In the attic is almost everything
needed to furnish all these places.
There is a low old home made bench
under the caves that would be just
the thing for a porch work table. A
thorough sand papering would pre-
pare it for any of several kinds of
finish. 1t might be oiled and stained
a rustic brown or cool green, or,
possible painted several coats of a
gay color and given a last protect
ing coat of spar varnish. it would be
more attractive. There is a low old
fashioned wooden rocker without
arms that would go admirably with
the bench and the spindle backed
settee finished to match the other
pieces would make a quite complete
outdoor living room.
. VI the llN -IOOIli ldDlc Tie III
tie painted drop leaf table by the
north window in the attic is just the
thing. The shabby coat of paint on
it almost obscures its possibilities
but that can be scraped off with a
piece of glass. 1t is really of good
hard wood and there seems to have
been no reason why it should ever
have been painted. After scraping
and sandpapering and thorough
busting it can be given several coats
of varnish and rubbed down with
pumice flour and boiled linseed oil
Treated in this way it will show all
the beauty of the grain of wood and
make most suitable addition to the
living room furnishings
All that is needed for that ell
bedroom is in the attic too. The
chairs may need recaning, but any
one can quickly learn how to do it.
The pieces are a miscellaneous COL
lection as to color and finish but
carefully cleaned and refnished in a
uniform color with enamel paints
they will emerge as a most attractive
set.
"All these transformations can be
accomplished at comparatively small
cost by the housekeeper herself if
she but understands few fairly
simple principles of refinishing.
These are among the lessons being
taught by the extension agents of
the College of Agriculture"