Evening star., 1943-04-21
Back Yard Vacation
Non.C Woods Make Charming Outdoor Furniture
To Replace the Much.Needed Iron, Steel and Rattan

We will all be backyard vaca-
tionists" this summer, saving tires,
gas and transportation space. So
it's good to know that there still
Is comfortable porch and lawn fur
niture available, even though many
of the metal and bamboo pieces
have gone to war.
Bamboo and rattan, two of our
favorite materials for summer furni-
ture are scarce this year. The
shops have few pieces of last
.year's stock which are available
Immediately, but supplies will not
last long. To take its place are
many other lightweight reeds and
similar fibrous materials which
work out very we'll.
Most amazing are bent wood
chairs and sofas finished to simu-
late rattan, complete down to the
deep brown joints and knots which
gives this wood surface interest.
They have even gone so far as to
bind the ends and the turnings Just
as it is done on rattan furniture,
with the result that we have a sub
stitute which is almost better than
the original.
Rattan, one of the most popular
materials for porch furniture, now
makes parachute rings. The sturdy
outer casing of this wood is ideal
for the light, tough frame neces-
sary for parachute, and, conse-
quently, none of it will be avail
able for civilian use until para
chutes are no longer made in such
quantities.
AS result of the ban on metal
furniture, almost 100000 tons of
iron and steel are being diverted
to fighting goods. The skilled metal
workers who used to make wrought
iron terrace pieces now turn out
such essential equipment as Jacob
ladders" for the sides of ships.
Non-critical domestic woods and
wood pulp processed to basket tex
ture are replacing all the iron
steel and rattan which has gone
to war
However. despite shortages, a trip
through the Washington shops will
convince you that it is still possible
to put together an attractive and
comfortable outdoor living room
where you may spend a pleasant
evening
You will be surprised to find the
basket weave type of chair which
Is made from wood pulp woven into
a tough cord back on the market.
You may, even now, have several
tucked away in the attic. They
were very popular 20 years ago and
had remarkable wearing qualities.
Equipped with cushioned seat they
are very comfortable and respond
willingly to painted surface.
Reed, the inner fiber Of rattan,
serves no war purpose, and is being
made up into light, attractive sum-
mer furniture. It's light. natural
color is very appealing in the warm
weather and it is so simply done
that it goes we'll in any background.
You probably won't have much
time to recline in deep chairs this
summer. what with Victory gardens
and such, but in case you do you
will still rest on comfortable cush-
ions in spite of the fact that they
are no longer filled with spring coils.
Dye restrictions have cut out many
of the off f-shades" in all materials,
but there is still variety and many
of the fabrics are sunfast, as usual.
You will not find the rubberized
materials, and beyond the few fab
RIGS that have been shower -proofed
1t will be wise to remember to bring
in the cushions at night this sum-
mer. Good care is going to be nee
essary to keep all of these possess
sions in working order.
If you own awnings, porch or lawn
chairs and gliders that have canvas
or duck covers which are good but
faded, you may freshen them up
with a good awning paint. This is
made especially for fabric and will
make it look like new as well as
preserving the canvas for another
year or two.
There are plenty of the domestic
wood pieces of furniture which are