Evening star., 1941-04-19
Godgets
Basement Wall
Covering-New
Window Lock
BY HILsoN MUNsEY.

There Is q greater variety of wall
coverings today than at any time
in the history of the building or
decorating business. Which makes
the situation more difficult but at
the same time more exciting and
offers a choice that will fit into any
taste or decorative scheme. There
are paint. wallpaper, paneling in
wood or in wallboard, tile, linoleum,
oilcloth.. tapestry and a hundred
and one other materials.
The latest one is leather, although
actually leather has been used for
centuries In Europe and Asia in pal
aces and homes far beyond the reach
Of the average home owner.
Today this same wall covering
has been brought down to the price
level Of the ordinary purse. The
leather is sliced from steer and
cowhides in 3 3/64-inch thickness. The
Joints in the hides are mechanically
spliced under pressure with spe-
cial adhesive that gives even greater
strength to the joint than there is
In the hide itself.
These seams are practically in
visible and certainly will not be ap-
parent to the casual observer and
most observers are casual. The
leather is finished in a number of
ways from the smooth calf grain to
the heavily embossed effects that
are seen in luggage and briefcases.
Color Choice.
The choice of colors is limited
erly by the spectrum. 1t ranges
from delicate pastels to mahogany,
black and walnut. Any color speci-
fed can be made to suit the decora-
tive scheme.
The leather is finished with an
application of lacquer which pro-
tects the surface against disintegra-
ton. It is sanitary and washable
and tits treated to make it odorless |
There are three principal ways of
applying this leather to wall or CELL
ing.
First il can be attached with a
special adhesive in the same man.
ner as wallpaper is applied. 1t can
be tufted or quilted or 1t can be
stretched over wooden frames and
ornamented with metal studs. 1t can
be used over old walls or in new
construction. 1t can be applied to |
plaster, plywood, wallboard metal or
any other wall surface. The ad-
hesive is brushed onto the wall be- |
fore the leather is put in place.
c n
moisture or extremely arid condi-
tions and the colors will not fade
The lacquer finish prevents scuff1ng, |
probably the most serious objection |
10 the use of leather The material |
needs no preservatives such as wax
or OIL because modern tanning and |
finishing processes make this un-
necessary.
The colors of the leather can be
changed at any time II one gets
tired of the old colors, but it must
be done by the experts from the
manufacturer staff if the process is
70 be successful. The material is
practically everlasting and it can
be cleaned with soap and water.
The price is rather high, but when
spread over the life of the covering
1t is very reasonable, it compares
with the cost of hnoleum- covered |
wells or pine paneling and is cheaper
or rather less costly than tiling or
the finer wood paneling. 1t can be |
put on the walls by any competent
wallpaper hanger. There is no spe-
cisli5ed workmanship required
This leather is particularly useful
In game rooms and Easements and |
desk tops are another place where |
II will be found useful.
Window Lock,
Safety first for the window is a
good idea and it is possible to install |
a simple and inexpensive device that |
will lock the window sash or the |
French doors in such a way that a
burglar would find 1t exceedingly |
diflcult to force an entry without |
making a great deal of noise break
ing the glass.
For windows this device consists
Of bushing that is inserted in the
meeting rail of the outside sash. J