Evening star., 1943-01-08

gest some way to remedy the situat
Answer-It is possible that tn
the interior construction of the ches
alignment, thus causing the tension
lay the chest down on its back
and be sure all the runners are
In place. You may discover where
the drawers bind by the marks on
the wood. These may be planed OF
sanded down until they run easily
Then wax them or soap the running
edges and I think you will find that
your troubles are over. If there are
severe structural difficulties, you
Will need the aid of a carpenter or
eabinet-maker to help correct them
Dear Miss NOVEL;: My house is
% sooty that the new window
shades which were purchased for the
upstairs rooms year ago are so
soiled I am ashamed of them. I
would like to wash them but do not
dare without some advice Would it
be better to paint them? If so, what
kind of paint shall use? G. C. r.
Answer-If you are sure that your
shades are washable, here is the
procedure: Remove them from the
windows one at a time. Lay them
on the floor on a mat of newspaper
and use soft brush with warm,
mild soap suds to scrub them clean.
Work over small area at time,
dry with clean, soft cloth iri1me-
diately and return the shade to the
window. extended full length, until
1t is dry. If you are not sure about
the instability you may give the
shades a coat of paint. Ask your
paint dealer for one OF the casein
paints or a similar product which
will not crack or chip off. If pos
sible, match the shade color to the
woodwork in the room. When
painting. place the shades on the
floor, paint one side and permit it
to dry thoroughly. Then turn them
over and do the other side and hang
the curtain full length for at least
"a hours before rolling up.
Dear Miss NOVEL;: I have a
mahogany veneer dressing stand of
the 1902 vintage. Not as large as
a chiffonier or as small as dress
ing table, it has four drawers, stands
on curved legs about 8 inches from
the floor and has small mirror
on arms above. The handles are
of gilt metal. What could be done
with this to make it useful in a
front hall where there is an ideal
space for it? j. N. B.
Answer-To make the chest fit in
with the contemporary scene you
will have to take it off the curved
legs. Place it fiat on the floor, or
on ball or square feet. Remove all
the 'fussy" decorations, including
the drawer pulls. and put wood or
plastic pulls in their place. If color
is necessary to brighten the hall,
lacquer the chest gay color. The
mirror should be removed from the
stationary arms and hung on the
wall. Set this against a colorful bit
Of fabric and lacquer it to match
the chest.
Dear Miss NOVEL;: I have seen
furniture spattsred with paint of
various colors. would like to know
how this Is done, for I would like
to do unpainted tables and chests
for my bedroom. What colors
would you suggest in room with
peach pink walls and soft green
draperies? H.Y
Answer-This is done just like the
spatter-dash floors which have been
famous since Colonial days. Pre-
pare your furniture just as you
would for regular paint job,
smooth with sand paper. start with
4 priming coat and finish with one
coat of enamel When you get
ready to finish, put on another coat
of enamel. Let it stand about 10
minutes and while 1t is still "tacky'
start the spattering. Dip the ends
OF stiff brush, like whisk broom.
into the spatter color. tap the back
OF the brush lightly with fiat stick
and permit the drops to fall where
they may" 1t is good idea to
spatter with two or three bright
colors. A little practice is necessary
to get an even effect. / would sug-
gest soft green background on the
furniture, spattered with yellow,
pink and white. The spatters help
to dull the effect of each of the
colors. so don't be too timid about
q bright pink and gay yellow.
Dear Miss NOVEL;: I have an
antique set of ivory -inlaid chessmen
which / have not used for years. 1
think one or two of the men are
lost and several others need mend
ing. Would it be possible to put
these In condition so that they could
be used? The small board of inlaid
wood is almost entirely destroyed.
Could new pieces of wood be laid
into this? j. G.
Apsuer-I am sire Won could have