Milford chronicle., 1928-05-18
THE SUMMER PORCH MADE
ATTRACTIVE
By Marie Hulser

AS the air becomes balmier out-of-
doors, the living room is deserted fol-
| longer spaces of time each day. II
gradually, but surely gives way to
: the porch, which turns itself into a
summer living room, a place to
spend inactive, happy summer after
moons and evenings. There is no
place more enjoyable and more re-
laxing than an attractive summer
porch to help while away the July
and August days, with their newt
able heat. And, if it is nicely fur
nished with few simple pieces of
painted furniture, it becomes a de-
lightful spot appropriate for serv-
ing afternoon tea or tinkling iced
drinks to the family's guests.
With the rest of the house literal
ly forsaken in favor of the summer
porch, it is quite important that this
retreat be bright and livable. A few
make-shift pieces of furniture may
do all very well, but it really costs
very little to make good job of it,
a place that is looked forward to be-
cause it is inviting and pretty, more
than simply because it is rendez-
vous from the oppressiveness of in
doors.
+ The porch is very easily converted
into a comfortable spot with a
charm quite it's own. 1t responds
more quickly to decoration than any
other part of the house, and each
year, with slight retouching here
and there is ready again for its
useful service.
To insure physical comfort, the
first addition of Importance lin
many climates) should be wire
screening, and if the porch is situat-
ed so as to need awnings, they make
a welcome decoration to the exterior
of house. Awnings are now avail
able in the most alive and individual
colors, and if they are chosen with
good Judgment, can set off the en-
tire house.
Color is the chief essential in
porch , decoration. If the result
should be drab or inharmOniOus, the
porch, in combination with the warm
weather, is apt to have bad effect
upon the temperament of its occu-
pants, and will fail in its purpose
that of suggesting repose and tran
guilty.
Next, in order of Importance,
comes the furniture, which should
be the most attractive for the least
money Therefore, wicker pieces are
pest, since they are inexpensive
when bought in the natural state. |
They are light and airy in appear
lnce, and are easily adapted to a
painted or enameled finish, in any
,olor. However, should it be des1r-
ID to leave wicker it's own light col
II, it should be given a coat of var
lish for protection. For summer
lse, though, the many pleasing and
uitable color schemes would be
ovely For example, there is moth
ng more charming and summery
han the combination of light green
nth pale yellow. The body of a
iece of furniture might be painted
ither one of those two shades,
with small line of the
ther one. Or there is old blue with
small line of ebony black trim,
0paz with blue gray, and many (
lore pleasing combinations. If the ;
orch furniture is in the path of
tormy weather, it might be wisest ]
} give it a finish in good grade of
xterior enamel made with a spar
arnish, as this latter ingredient is !
ighly resistant and very elastic, :
nder all sorts of weather condi- {
ons. Unlike paint, enamel is best
owed on with the brush, instead OF ;
eing brushed over a great deal. ;
Figured glazed chintz cushions
,r the seats of the wicker chairs, ]
nd lounge if there is one, will make =
n interesting finishing touch to the {
olor arrangement, and if rug is
eeded. there are available, for little {
loney, attractive grass rugs which
re very serviceable for porch use.
The slight investment required in {
a summer porch Into l
really delightful place is more ]
ian made up by the sheer comfort !
erived, and by the more practical i
lct that this same porch furniture,
repainted consistently, will last
II an indefinite period of years.