iE

LIBKAKY

FOR

*SMALL HOUSES*
ANNEX

PERCY A.WELl S

CORNELL
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

FINE ARTS LIBRARY

JIVLR'illV

IIJKAHr

924 075 367 825

FURNITURE FOR

SMALL HOUSES

Frontispiece:

An Open Dresser

FURNITURE FOR SMAUL HOUSES

A BOOK OF DESIGNS FOR INEXPENSIVE

FURNITURE WITH NEW METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION AND DECORATION

BY

PERCY
HEAD OF CABINET DEPARTMENT,
JOINT AUTHOR,

A.

WELLS
SHOREDITCH TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

L.C.C.

" .MODERN CABINET

WORK

"

SILVER MEDALLIST, ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS

LONDON
B. T.

NEW

BATSFORD, Ltd., 94 HIGH HOLBORN YORK, E. P. BUTTON &" COMPANY

/^^E%,

'^AC\.'^t

CONTENTS.
CHAP.
I.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION
TABLES
The Gate Leg Table Leaf and Extending Tables Round and Elliptic Tops The "Kitchen and Dining Tables Types of Construction

II.

'

Small Tables,

III.

DRESSERS AND SIDEBOARDS

The Fixed Dresser The Sideboard

Open Shelves Glass Doors The Clock Cases Coal Boxes.

Stick

Dwarf Dresser

IV.

CHAIRS
The Windsor and
Back Chairs

19

Wooden
Settle.

Seats and Loose

Stuff-over and Loose Seats Cushions The Settee, the Couch, and the
23

V.

BEDROOM FURNITURE
Bedsteads

Wardrobes Washstands Combing.

(continued)
Mirrors

VI

BEDROOM FURNITURE
Chests of Drawers

29

Toilet

Towel

Horses and Kails.

VII.

MISCELLANEOUS FURNITURE
Book Cases

....

33

China Cabinets Hat Stands Whatnots.

LIST OF PLATES

AND TEXT

ILLUSTRATIONS.
F.

Arm-chairs,

XXV, XXIX.
B.

Frames, mirror, LII.

H.
Hall seat,

Bedrooms,

large,

I.

small.
Bedroom

XXIV.
fig.
1

III.

furniture,

I,

III.

Hat Hat

stand, LIII.
rack,
1.

Bedsteads,

XL, XLV. Book cases, XV, LVI.

racks,

L.

LV, LVI.
fig.

Living room,
7.

II.

Button fastenings,

Log

box,

fig. 4.

Loose
Chairs, V,

seat,

XVI.

painted, XXXIV, XXXV.

China shelves, XXVI, LV. cupboards, LIV, LVI.

M. XVI, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXXXX, XXXV, XLVIII, LIV. Mahogany, XVI, XXIII. Chesterfields, XXVII. Mirrors, XVII, LII. Chests, dressing, XXXIV, XXX\', L. O. of drawers. XLVII.
VIII,

Oak,

I,

XVI, XXII, XXIV, LIII.

Clock cases,
Coal Coat rack,

figs.

5, 6.

scuttle, fig. 2.
fig.
1 1

Painted work,

III.

Paper Rack, LVI.

Parlour,
fig. 9.

Combing, XLVI,

XXVI.
fig. 2.

Comer

cupboards, LVII,

fig. 8.

Plate cupboard,

Couch, XXVII.
Cupboards, XVII,

XXXVI,
XVII,
L.

figs. 2, 8.

Cupboard

chests,

XXVII. XXVII. Shelves, XXVI.

Settee,
Settle,

XXVIII, XXIX, LII. Dressers, dwarf, XV, XIX, XX. glass doors, XIX.
Designs,

Sideboards, XVI, XXII, XXIII.

Splash curtains,

XXXIV.

open,

small,

frontispiece,

XVIII.
Tables, bedside, VIII,
L.

XIV, XX, XXI.

XXXIV.

Dressing chests,

XXXIV, XXXV,

dining,

fig.

i.

LIST OF PLATES
Tables, dressing,

AND TEXT ILLUSTRATIONS

W.
Wall
flaps,

XXXIV, XLVII
IX, XI.

extension, VI,
-flap,

XIII.

XIII.

Wardrobes,

framed up, IV, X.

leg,

gate IV, XIII. kitchen, V, X. large, IV. living room, VI, VII. XLVII LI. XII. VIII. small, VI, VIII.
I,

XXXI, XXXIl, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLI.

double
doors,

XXXIII,

Wardrobes,

XXXIII,

XXXIX.
Wardrobes, framed up, XXXI, XLIV.

toilet,

I,

trestle,

painted, XXXII, XXXIII. small, XXXVIII, XLIII. with drawers, XLI

I.

side,

Washstands, corner,

Toilet glasses, LI

I.

Towel horses, XLVII, XLIX.

rails,

XLIX,

lino top, painted, XXXIII, XXXVII. tambour XXXIV.

front,

XXXV, XXXVI. XXXIV, XXXVII

fig.

lo.

Whatnots,

XXVI, LV.

U.

Umbrella stand, LI

1 1.

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES.

I.

INTRODUCTION.
is

The

title

ot

this

book

intended to include

all

the smaller types of

villa

houses

in

town or country, whether they be known by the name of

or cottage.
applications

The

designs have been prepareci in response to hundreds of

for assistance in

many from overseas

furniture.

producing pleasant

and inexpensive
It
IS

still

happily possible to step into a seventeenth century living

or tarm-house which has

room in a wayside cottage modern touch in furnishing.

ot a simple dignitv
dresser, the sturdy chairs,

not yet
that

felt

the
is

The

instant impression
restfulness.

one gets

and homely

The

gate-leg table, the

all seem so fit for their place and purpose. It would be absurd to claim that such furniture is altogether suitable for modern needs, but now that thousands of well-planned cottages are to be

built

it is

reasonable to hope that something of the quiet dignity and

fitness

may be
can be
it

introduced into their furnishing.

has

well-known and
humblest

large manufacturer of furniture

recently said that " the

is

home

made
".

pleasant at no greater expense than

incurred in

making

ugly

The

designs contained in the following pages are an

earnest attempt to prove that the claim

possible and practicable.
It is

made

in that

statement

is

both

not claimed that the attempt exhausts the

possibilities

of design,

construction, or finish in suitable furniture for small houses.

There

is

wide

field for local

craftsmanship and tradition to vary both form and the

manner of making. The designs here shown are done more for experiment and suggestion. Some new ideas have been introduced in the making and finishing. There is no article which cannot be produced by modern methods, hand or machine. Ease in moving and cleaning, and pressing needs of the housewife have a minimum of work in dusting

been duly considered.

Non-essentials, such as cornices and pediments.

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

have been discarded, and the whole aim of the designer has been to suggest a type of furniture which is useful, pleasant to look at, and

moderate

in price.

It

is

readily admitted that the great bulk of cheap

Little or

furniture has been both flimsy and ugly.

no thought has been

given to suitable proportions and dimensions for small rooms.

designers and manufacturers must not take
public have been too ready to
all

The

the blame for this, for the

article

demand

showy

with plenty of

polish and plate glass rather than a really serviceable one.

illustrated

This

is

wfell

by the type of sideboard or overmantel overloaded with ugly and useless details which add to the cost and mean so much labour
to

keep

clean.

On
taste,

the other hand, if the public are to be educated in

selection

and

education can only

come through
There
is

the designers

and

makers who put the goods on the market, and the salesman who comes
into personal contact with the purchaser.

now

a decided de-

homes and better furniture, and there is no excuse that ugliness and flimsy work should be the commonly accepted features Fitness for use, good proportions, and bright, pleasant of cheap goods. colour will not cost any more than bad proportions and unpleasant colour. As a matter of fact they should cost less, for better proportions would

mand

for brighter

mean

a reduction in material,

and good

lines

on the

" inevitable " apron

or " curtain " pieces could be cut quicker than the coarse, switchback,

curves which are

made

to

fit

any job or position.

Machine productions
above
principles,
articles
taste.

should

make no

difference to the right application of the

and we have
necessarily

to get rid

of the fallacy that machine-made

in

must
It is

be unpleasant

form and repulsive to good

hoped
and
goods.

that the general public will begin to realise

some of these simple

practical principles,

and to apply them when purchasing household

With

a public asking for better things

as to

wanted there would be no doubt

and knowing what they improvement in quality.

complete

set

of the furniture illustrated has been made, with the

consent of the Education Authorities of the

the Shoreditch Technical Institute.

London County
comprised
a

Council, at
less

The

set

more or

completed furnishing for a five-roomed cottage, including

parlour,

a living

room,
(see

and three bedrooms.

The

articles in

the largest

bedroom

Plate

I)

were made of birch and whitewood polished only.

In the living

room

(Plate II), the chairs were

deal.

made of birch and

a light

the other articles of

whitewood and

These were stained

brown and

polished.

INTRODUCTION
The
III).

3
deal

sets in

the smaller

bedrooms were made of

and painted (Plate

The

painting was done as an experiment.

Hitherto, cheap bed-

room
as a

turniture has either been stained to imitate

mahogany
It
is

or walnut or
Paint,

grained in a wretched attempt to

medium
it

tor finish, offers

make many

it

look like oak or maple.

advantages.

durable, easily

applied, and

gives a wide field tor variety in bright and pleasant colours.

is

Above
ing.
sets
a

all

there

no sham or imitation about

it.

Plain painting in one

or two colours would be infinitely better than the ugly yellow oak grain-

This graining
similar

is

done with

a steel

comb, and

in

the

two bedroom
paint, for

process has been adopted in

two colours of
is

example, blue superimposed on green.

blue
is

The combing

done before the

dry, and the green

shows through the combings.

An

almost

limitless

number of

patterns can be

done by the comb

a

(see Plate

XLVI),
Paint

and

it

is

obvious that there can also be

wide variety of colours.

has a great advantage over stain in that the cheaper woods, such as deal,

and "seconds" or "thirds"

of satin-walnut, though ugly
in

in pine,

are quite adequate tor painted furniture.

in design, in

which are not suitable for staining, " The cheap bedroom " suites

would look more pleasant painted

not time that the " trade " began
finish for

good colours than polished

finish for

the ghastly yellow which has always

Is
it

been the recognised

them.

to consider the need for a brighter

and more honest

cheap

goods

.''

Here,

at

least,

is

a suggestion for

anyone

to carry

beyond the
will

experimental stage.
described in detail

The
when

special construction for painted

work
is

be
dis-

the actual

making of

the articles

under

cussion in the chapters devoted to wardrobes, dressers, chest of drawers,

etc., etc.,

but the designer disclaims any desire for

It is

finality in

design,

construction, or finish.

agreed that cheap production can only be

a certain extent

obtained by a large output, and that to

is

standardisation

inevitable.
for,

There

is

not so
is

much

to fear in this if local traditions are

allowed

and there

plenty of play and opportunity for variety in

to the cost or seriously interfering with

form and colour without adding

standard methods of production.

for

The much

author

is

indebted to the Design and Industries Association

help and encouragement.

This Association

is

composed

ot

manufacturers, designers, and business men and women who are interested They maintain that these things in the betterment of household goods.
1

Queen

Square,

W.C.

I.

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

In pursuance of this policy the -Association has taken
in a

can be both " cheap and good," and are ready to encourage any effort
in that direction.

first-hand interest

this

experimental furniture.

The
for

suggestion

that paint

would make

better

and brighter

finish

furniture

was

immediately taken up, and the Association obtained permission

from

the L.C.C. to carry out experiments at the Brixton School of Building.

The two
combed

painted

bedroom

sets are a result

of these experiments in

paint.

Many

of the other designs

in the

book could be

treated

in a similar

manner.

The

Association secured the loan of the furniture

firms

for exhibition purposes,

and arrangements are being made with

to put the articles

on the market.
Plowright, and

The

author gratefully acknowledges the generous co-operation of

(S.

the Principal

Hicks, Esq.), Miss H.

J.

members of

the Staff at the Shoreditch Technical Institute.

s o o

o
(-

II.

TABLES.

The

" Gate-Leg " Table Leaf and Extending Tables Round and Elliptic Tops The " Kitchen " and Dining Table Types of Construction

Small
For nearly its own as a

Tables.

three

hundred years the old-time " Gate Leg " has held popular and useful type for the cottage or the modern
It

dining-room.

has been

made

in all sizes

and shapes

round,

elliptical,

square, oblong, and octagonal.

The

legs have been turned, twisted,

Its

and

moulded, chamfered or
virtue over other types
full size to
is

left

quite plain and square.

outstanding
its

the ease

by which
still

it

can be changed from

nearly half, and again to a

is

smaller dimension.

No

other
is

type of table
required.
It

so

easily

packed away when the

floor of the

room

has also one other quality which flap tables as a rule do

it

not

possess

namely

cannot be tipped over, for the

flaps
is

have a
it

downright support.
too

The

one objection to the gate table

said
to get in the

that

has

many

legs

which are

way of the

sitter.

This

objection applies chiefly to the end legs of the centre frame, but the

hindrance

is

rather in the bottom

table.

rail

which prevents the

in

feet

being put
this

under

the

The

photograph

Plate

IV

clearly

shows

objection.

These low

under-rails were originally used to rest the feet

upon

when

floors

were of stone or were strewn with rushes.

As

these foot rails

are not necessary

now

there

is

of the table
sitting.

in

such a

way

as to

good reason for changing the construction remove the obstruction to comfortable
rail set

The

design for the gate table on Plate XIII shows the

legs,

back from the

to take them.

and

as the top projects a

good

six inches there far

should

be room for knees and

feet,

provided the table legs are

The

setting back of the rails also involve

enough apart some slight

the old

alterations in fixing the gate.

The
rails

table

in

Plate

IV shows

form of construction where the

are halved out to take the shutting

(5)

6
leg,

FUIINITUKE FOR SMALL HOUSES

which,

when

closed,
rail

is

flush with the outside legs.

is

In

the

new
rail

design the short

which supports the gate

it

halved into the long

and

projects

beyond

to

take the pin

upon which the gate swings.

The

top pin swings from a

rail.

hole under the table top or from a piece

screwed on to the

The

top of the table must project far

enough
fall

to take the thickness of the leg at

and leave a clearance for the flap to

right angles.

In adopting this

method there
rail.

is

no need

for

the

halving of either the leg or the long

table
is

The
form

plan of the top of this

is

round, but

as a rule

an

elliptical

acknowledged
Plate

to

be

the best and most serviceable shape.

The

table in

IV shows an
tt.

oblong with round ends.

the top and framing were

The dimensions

are 5

ft.

by

10

in.

and

made of white deal, which necessitated a wide

essentially a kitchen or

clamp on the
In
its

flaps.

origin the

"Gate Leg" was

"living"
ex-

room
owing

table,

associated
in

with the cottage

or farm-house.

Though

tremely useful
to the

way already described, it is costly to construct double number of legs. This fact alone may explain the
the

reason for

its

decreasing use

in

the

smaller
at

homes.

The

ordinary

kitchen table

made of

deal, with a

drawer

one end, has long since

as

taken

its

place.

On

the

same Plate (XIII)

the gate table are

two
Such

diagrams and

details

of useful table flaps fixed to the wall.

The

larger

one
flaps
little

is

supported by two braced brackets fixed to a wall batten.

are

extremely useful for temporary purposes and take up but

closed.

room when

The well-known
of construction.
flap to

types of
called
is

common

kitchen tables are in two forms

legs, has a
is

One,

the "

Pembroke," with turned

each side which

supported on brackets.

The
table
deal.
at

centre part
is

narrow, and consequently

over.

when
is

the flaps are

up the
drawer
stufl^

easily tipped

The second
generally

type

usually
;

made of white
is

The

legs are

tapered on the inside or turned

there

one end, and the

meals are

top

is

made of
is

three-quarter inch
it is

thicknessed up at the
all

ends.

In thousands of small houses

the table at which

taken, and there

no reason

why

its

design should not be improved

without increasing

its cost.

turned leg increases the work of dusting,

and

it

costs

more than

a plain taper.

To

thickness

up

thin top takes

time and material.

The drawing on
table a
little

make

this

common

shows an attempt to more interesting and pleasant in form.

Plate

TA1UJ<:S

The

top

not

thicknessed up

is

rounded on the ends.

The

legs are

tapered on the inside and a chamfer run

down

each corner ami along the

lower edge ot the trame

rail.

In the drawer are

it is

two divisions

(see plan)

which can he removed

if

required, hut
a

reasonahle to suppose that any

housewife would welcome such

simple arrangement as a knife box.

this
"

With

these

new

details

and good proportions

table, see

Plate V,

would not be
for the

so easih'

stamped

as

"common,

or only

good enough
is

kitchen.

On

Plates I\' and

an alternative design
rails

given.

The The

legs are square with

chamfered edges and under

are introduced.

design

is

suitable for a large table

if

hvc or

six feet long.

Drawers

couki be added

desired, but In

it

should he noted that they always add

the table designs the tenons are

considerably to the cost.

as being pinned

all

shown

through the
is

leg.

This precaution increases the strength

is

of the frame and

particularly desirable in a table which

subject to a

good deal of moving. Details of moulded edges and chamfered or rounded legs are gi\'en with the designs. On Plate Ylll are three small tables. They can be made in hard or
soft
is

wood.

is

suitable for a small

as a

parlour as a tea or card table.

B
side

suggested as most useful

bedside table.

table for writing or for extra things at

C would serve as a meal times. The flap is

a centre
in Plate

sup-

ported by two "

thumb

" brackets which

work on

and are pulled

VI.

out

as

shown.

Two

of such small tables are given

Extending

tables are

made
'

in various forms, the

best-known types
in the

being the " telescope " or

tray frame," methods which are used

Another method is based on heavier and larger kind of dining tables. " shovel-board " or " drawinge " table, but all these the Elizabethan

methods
which
is

are expensive.

On

Plate

IX

form of extension
sliders

is

shown
end

applied

to

a plain table.

Two
section

pull out at each

rails

and support

a leaf

By

a simple

arrangement of

the leaves can be

in

slipped underneath the top.

The

shows the leaves

a

position

when packed away.

drop into each
have
a

To

keep the leaves

flat

dovetail key can be run

through on the under side or they can be clamped.

slider will

short dowel to

keep the leaves

for

in

position.
It
is

One

leaf in use

will increase the table

room

two people.

quite impossible to

drawer

in this table,

although

a leaf extension

can be applied to a
leaf,

table with a drawer which can be used to support the

but the leaves

safest principle

cannot be packed away underneath when not

in use.

The

8
is

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

to accept the
limits of construction

and confine them

to

one or the

other, the leaves without a drawer, or vice versa.

closed,
is

The

extension table

shown
Plate

in Plate

VI.
leaf extension
is

On
method

XI another form of

shown.

The
to the

is

similar to the last

named, but the leaves are applied

the former design.

sides of the table instead of the ends, an

arrangement which prevents

the leaves being packed

away

as

in

detail
slip.

shows
This

the section of the sliders held in position by a thin metal

jSWV/*--!t?'.

Fig.

I.

An

O.ik

Dining Table.

table without the leaves

would be quite strong and

serviceable.

The
it.

top hangs over at the ends a sufficient length to ensure a comfortable

sitting

and the under

"
trestle "
it

rail

should be high enough to allow for

in

A
i.

photograph of the table made

oak without leaves

is

is

given
XII.

in Fig.

The

type of table
is

illustrated in Plate

Made
in

in
it.

oak, deal, or birch

quite strong, but drawers cannot be fitted to

is

The

small table in the lower corner of the page

very simple

con-

struction, the struts taking the place of long side

rails.

TABLES

9
tenoned into
a toot piece is

framed-up

table

where the

legs are

shown in Plate V"II. The top is rounded on little more costlv to produce, this type makes
living

the ends, and although a

a

good centre

table tor a

room.

This

table,

and the one with extension

leaves, are

shown

in Plate VI.

1'lati;

IV

Large Tablf for

Living

Room

A "Gate-Leg"

Table made 2

in

White Deal

U
o

<

PlatkVI

Living

Room Table

Extension Table, Closed

Two

Small Tables

o U

^^^
ft.

.^
,\v

\ 4 a

a
^^ |^\^ O o

o
'I'l

<

'i'llii;

Plate VIII

W-v>

It^yjg^l^^^h^^^^^ui^

(7.

PUAN or/y
V^, ^_.
(A)

(.A)

(B)

\ .^^
SHELT

AND

RAll.

I I

^
-I
I

FLAN or THE

UNDER. RAIl^

=^

L
zl
fe=^

JEj

(C)
(l)

Small Tables

(2)

Side

Table with Flap

X
t-

^^^

I'

<

I'LATE

Mil

A Gate

Table and Wall Flaps

III.

DRESSERS AND SIDEBOARDS.

The Fixed Dresser

Open

Shelves

Sideboard
In'

Glass Doors llie Dwarf Clock Cases Coal Boxes.

it

Dresser

The
room

the designs tor the

new

cottages

has been agreed that a large

shall

be provided which should serve the double purpose of kitchen and

living

room.
"

In

the

Report of the

"Women's Housing Sub-Comthe upper

It

mittee

it

is

recommended

that a dresser with glass doors in

part should be provided for this room.

that this dresser

mav

be taken for granted

also be similar in

would be made

a fixture
in

and would

design to the ordinary type found

kitchens.

The above Report

in

suggests that there should' be drawers and cupboards

part.

the

lower

question of glass doors is open to criticism. In the first would add very considerably to the cost of the dresser. It can be sately assumed that the china on the shelves would be used for at least three meals a day, and there would be very little time for
place they
plates

The

or dishes to get dusty.

to

Glass

doors would also mean more

if

work
glass.

keep them clean and some expense

it

the glass gets broken.

In such a case

were better

to

have wooden panels instead of

is

The

best

ornament

for a dresser

the china
at

jugs and cups

if

hanging on hooks and plates resting on shelves

the back, so that

doors are to be added, the upper part, or carcase, must be made deeper
than on the usual dresser, whilst the shelves should be narrower to take
the jugs.

There

is

one things which should be duly considered before

is

an expensive dresser
it

fixed.

In addition to any type of fixed dresser

is

more than probable

that a

bought cabinet or sideboard

room.
People

will will

form
have

part of the furniture of such a large living

vases and ornaments and

it is

highly improbable that they will ever display

,

them on
such a
type are

"kitchen"
provided

dresser,

whether closed or open.

for small
It

It

is

to

meet

demand

as this that designs in

this

sideboards of the dresser

also

chapter.

may

be

stated

that

in

ai)

12

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

is

thousands of old small houses there

no dresser

in the living

room,
In the

and the occupants have

or

to

fall

back on the modern cheap "chiffonier" of which

long.
It

sideboard
is

which

may

be anything but good or pleasant.

frontispiece
are given

a picture

of a small open dresser, the

details

on Plate XVIII.

This dresser
is

is

ft.

ins.

stands

up from

the floor and the top

not too high to dust.

The
is

shelves can be easily reached, and the shelf in the

bottom cupboard

shaped as shown on the plan so that

the cupboard.

tall

jars or bottles can be placed in

The ends

are of

in.

stuff dowelled into posts, but they

could of course be framed and panelled.

The

rails

of the doors are

all

chamfered on the inside edges, but

dust to
chamfer.
settle

as

far as

leaving no edge at
is

for

upon,

plain

rounded surface

even

better

than a

The door
is

panels are

sunk with

a slight hollow.

The back of

the top part

made

of matched boarding which in a dresser of this

kind

is

quite the most effective type of back to use.

Wooden knobs
made
in white-

are used for doors

and drawers.

The whole
set

thing was

wood, stained

a light

brown, waxed and

with a rubber polish.

The
be used
last
if

next dresser, on Plate

desired.

XIX,

is

enclosed with doors.

Glass can

The

carcases are constructed in a similar

it

way

to the

named.

third drawer has been added, and

is

obvious that the

cost has been considerably increased

by the addition of the doors and

soft

the extra drawer.

suitable for

Although made

in

wood, the designs are quite

oak or walnut.
not required.
is

The

small dresser at the

in a

bottom of the

same page would be found most useful

shelves
are

small

room when upper

One advantage
stooping
is

of having the cupboard

above the drawers

that

avoided as

much

as

possible.

The

shelf at the

bottom of the dresser could be used for boots.

is

On
bottom.
to a

Plate

XX

design for a small dresser without drawers, but with

a shelf at

the back for china or books, and a full width shelf at the

detail of the
is

door

rail

with a rounded edge in preference

chamfer

shown

to a large scale.

photograph of

this dresser

appears on Plate XIV.

Two
top one
is

designs for dwarf dressers are given on Plate

seen in Plate

XV.

forward, the carcase being

XXI, and the The construction is simple and straightfitted down on to a framed-up stool. The
rail at

lower one has posts running right through and an under

back and ends only.

the

DRESSERS AND SIDEROARDS

It is difficult

18
dresser ends and a

nowadays

to define just

where

sideboard begins, tor both are used for the same purpose, but taking a
tier ot

shelves as defining a dresser, the design on Plate

It

XXII
for

can be

safely described as a sideboard.

has been

made

in

oak

which the

design
cost,

is

most
it

suitable.

Drawers are omitted

to
fit

solely

on the score of

but

would be quite easy

one inside

if recjuired.

The

Fig.

2.

Plate Cupboard.

at A the section B shows the moulding run through the front division, whilst C and D give enlarged Plate details of the bevelling on the back and the edge of the door.

chamfered

finish to the post

is

given

XVI
The

shows

this little

sideboard with a chair.

is

On
tall

Plate

XXIII
in

more

costly design for a sideboard in

mahogany.
the cornice

cupboard

the centre has been arranged for bottles, and the

shelves at the back are suitable for books or china.

is

14

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

C
section

moulding, B the top,

of door, and

the bevel under top.

is

photograph of a similar design with one chair

In
all

shown

in Plate

XVI.

these designs

it

has been the aim of the author to reduce

in

sizes to a

minimum and more

proportion to small rooms.

Mould-

ings have been kept as simple as possible.

articles

Needless to say that the

little

would be quite

as useful
utility,

without the

ornamentation which

has been introduced, but

though

first, is

not the only thing to

consider in furnishing a home.

For
often

a scullery or

kitchen a plate cupboard like that in

a larger dresser.
to a stool
It
is i

Fig. 2
is

is

more handy and convenient than

ft.

just a
high.

box

high and

8 ins.

wide screwed on

which

ft.

The end view shows

the shelves.
a dresser

As
it is

cupboard

for

odd things which

cannot stand or hang on

invaluable to the housewife.

c;^

Fig.

3.

A Wooden
of which Fig. 3
is

Fig. 4

A Log Box.
II,
is

Coal Box.

In the general view of the living room, Plate

is

wooden

coal

box

seen,

a line

drawing.

It

a suggestion for a

many which are now The change from metal to wood is suggested as being less noisy and more durable. The one in the photograph is made of ^ in. birch
simpler and easier type of coal scuttle than the
used.

and dovetailed together, but

metal corners
it

if it

were well nailed and secured with

strong.

would be equally
that the

The
easily

pieces

underneath are

shaped
shovel
a seat

like
is

rockers so

box

is

tipped

when

the coal
as

in use.

For logs of wood

in

a strong

box which can be used

ft.

is

shown

Fig. 4.

It

is

about 2

long and 17

ins.

high.

The

ends are cut out to receive the front and back which are strongly

nailed and the edges are bevelled as shown.

brace screwed under

the top should keep

it flat.

In almost every cottage living

nature of a chest of drawers

is

room some piece of furniture looked upon as absolutely essential

in the

to

its

DUKSSKRS AND SIDHHOAUDS

furnishing.
In
this

15
a famil)'

many
is

cases

it

is

an old bureau which

is

is

heirloom,

but where
especially

absent the general choice

tor a chest
pulls

of drawers,

the

well-known

type where the plinth

out with the

drawer.
bureau.

Many of On Plate
all

these chests have been given in exchange for a

good

X\'II there

is

design for a cupboard chest which

should answer

the purposes of the bureau or

It

shoddy chest of drawers

deal or whitewtxxl

and even surpass them.

could be

made

in

and

Fig.

5.

Clock

Cases.

painted, or in oak or birch and polished.

7 ins.

It is

ft.

10

ins.

high and 2

ft.

wide.

In the top

is

cupboard with

fall-

down

flap.

narrow

shelf runs round the ends and back of the cupboard space, leaving the

whole height

in

the centre.

Then come

the drawers, and below

them

an open shelf for boots or such things

Chapter VI.
such a chest

as are

needed every day.

The

construction can be similar to the painted chest of drawers, described in

There can be no doubt that would be an untold blessing in

to
its

failing a dresser or

sideboard

a living

room.

book rack

on

the top

would add

usefulness.

16

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

When
will

some

enterprising "little

master" take up the job of

making simple but well-designed clock cases ? clock shops how very few of the wooden clock
There should be
cases to
fit

When

one looks

in

the

cases are worth buying,

to say nothing of the atrocious designs in black slate or

a

pseudo marble.
should

fortune for

some one who

can both design and finish

a

the standard sizes of clocks.

To

cabinetmaker

it

be an opportunity for
are

using up small waste wood and veneer.

cases

In Fig. 5

two out of forty

which

have been made

at

the Shoreditch

>>ii. II

>

II

I >

> it r
l

11>I> >,.l>li r>IllIJJTTT^

tess '^-'-'^'-'^
Fig.
6.

^^,,^<.vv.v^.,^>.kv^-T;g

Clock

Cases.

Institute.

They were
all

all

of one size to take a pre-war

5s.

6d.

American
ins.

clock, but they

varied

colour and wood.

1
1

In Fig. 6 are ,two even

simpler designs.

The

cases are about

ins.

high and 6

wide,

tongued and grooved together.

pieces of veneer which are

They

are easily decorated

by

a restrained

use of a box or black line or narrow banding, but

many of

the

odd
is

thrown away could be and

it

utilised.

hinged
an

door

at

the back

is

necessary,

can be readily seen that there

endless variety in form, simple detail, and colour if the

is

making of

cases

seriously taken up.

DRE8SKUS AND SIDKBOAUDS

In planning the

17

new

cottages there are one or two incidentals which

in

should be considered, and particularly

regard to fixed cupboards in

the recesses and the treatment of the shelf over the fireplace.
a recess

Assimiing
if

on each

side of the

chimney breast

it

wouki be unfortunate
fill

the usual procedure were followed and cupboards fixed to

the recess

trom the

floor upwards.

This

at

once decreases the floor space and

causes endless incon\'enience to the housewife

board, especially

door to be opened.
above chair height.
point.

when her good husband The remedy tor

has
this
is

who wants to use the cupto move his chair for the
is

to raise

the cupboards
illustrate this

On

Plate X\'II there

diagram to

fixed dresser

and two such cupboards above

a shelf, as are

shown, should provide enough storage accommodation

in a living

room.

The diagram
mantel
place.
shelf.

also gi\'es another suggestion

for a fixed glass over the

fire-

People
it

will

have

mirror of some sort over the

If

In cottages

is

the husband's toilet glass.

the architect does

not

fix

one, his well-designed

its

room

will

be spoiled by the

common

over-

mantel with
still

tiers

of shelves, plate glass panels, and fretwork, which

has a strange fascination amongst the

common

furniture buyers.

XIV

Small Dresser without Drawers

> X

U
b4

<

Plati.:

XVI

An Oak

Sideboard and Chair with

Wooden Seat

A Mahogany

Sideboard and Chair with Loose Seat

Plate XVII

TffrW

1^

I'

1-3

LZ

/-

7!^

^^-

^j- jT-

_-_- _-_^-_-

(l)

Cupboards Fixed

in

Recesses

(z)

Cupboard Chest for

a Living

Room

Platk XVIII

Tli^1

Plate

XIX

1
-

:iiiii!'i

w
i
^-^
I

-*^

^"^

-*--

m
nil'
'

TfUf^

'

'
.

Mill'

^
I
I
I I

(l)

Dresser with Doors to

Top

Shelves

(2)

Dresser without Shelve

Platk

XX

P
/DETAIL.
PLAN SHOvyiNq
IN
'

.1 THE
I
i

'

DOOTL.

SHELF

CUPBOARD
f//r/\

%
DE.TAIL or BE.VF1.UNQ
eET

Small Dresser

Plate

XXI

ihlii'i

'!

IN'i'i'

WWJ
I'M'
1

II'^S'

g;^ ^^^

.^s^

Small Dressers

Plate XXII

n
II
'1
i>
,

mi

m
I

m-

Plate XXIII

A Mahogany

Sideboard

IV.

CHAIRS.

The Windsor

and Stick Back Chairs

Stuft'-over

and Loose Seats.

Wooden

Seats

and Loose Cushions.

The

Settee, the Coucli,

and the

Settle.

Easy Chairs.

In the tens ot thousands of cottages and small houses which go to

make

up the

streets of

our towns and

furniture
is

cities,

perhaps the most unsatisfactory

article ot

modern

the chair.

The

only good examples are

copies of old ones, such as the Windsor, stick or ladder-back types, but
as these all

have the kitchen stamp about them people look for a chair

which

is

little

more showy and

a little

find

one

in the

plush seat stuffed with

still

anything but

hair,

bad carving on the back, and

worse
its

polishing or varnishing on the legs.

The

old
is

Windsor

chair with

turned
is

legs,

many

slats,

and curved back

which
is

not so popular

now
is

there

demand

for furniture

easier to dust.

In this respect

one

can sympathise with the housewife, for probably no chair that has so

made

many

parts

and

details as this

well-known Windsor type.

The
the

designs in this chapter are an attempt to strike a

flashy

medium between

and flimsy modern

It is

chair

and those which are generally associated

with the kitchen.

claimed for these designs that they show chairs

clean.
It is also

which are strong, comfortable, and easy to

they are pleasant to look
at.

hoped

that

They
made

can be

made

in

any hard wood of

which oak, elm, beech, or birch are the most

photograph, Plate
seat
is

suitable.

Those
brown.

in the

XXIV,

are

in birch, stained a light

The

concave and consists of a piece

of thin f-in. birch pinned

is

down
slats

to the frame.

A loose
seat.

cushion which

strapped to the back legs

adds comfort to the

or a wide splat.
is

The

backs are varied in design either with thin

rail,

The

legs are pinned into the projecting top

but

this

only one form, and

rail

an old one, of fixing the

legs.

rail.

Other designs
Plate

show the
are five

tenoned or dowelled into the

(19)

On
is

XXVIII
5

alternative designs and some

details.

moulding run

20

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

the edge of the second chair at the top and the last one at the

down

bottom.
corners.

large detail of the front leg

is

shown with

slightly

rounded

In the photograph of the small oak sideboard (Plate

a chair with a a

XVI)
plate

there
there

is
is

wide splat slightly pierced, and

in the

same

designs are

mahogany chair with a stuffed loose seat. Two other simple shown with the kitchen table in Plate V, and they are best

suited to a bedroom.

Arm-chairs are illustrated on Plate

XXIX.

The
is

lower one

is

one of two

specially

designed for an old couple, and are intended for

warmth
panelled

and a protection from draughts.

The back
as

one panel of thin

sides are also

birch which will easily

in.

bend

to the required curve.

The

Legs and arms are rounded

at the

seen in the detail of the

In Plate

top

rail

and panel
of

head of the page.

XXV

there

is

similar design

a heavier type.

A
2-in.

very simple arrangement for an adjustable back to an inexpenis

sive easy chair

given on Plate

XXX.

The whole frame

back

is

made

of

oak or any suitable hard wood.

A shows the

in elevation

and

the seat in plan.

The

slats are

screwed flush into the frame and are

In this design the usual

intended to take thick loose cushions.

method
at

of providing a movable rod to support the back has been abandoned

for a

and D.
rail as

much simpler one. The back drops

a ^-in.

Slots are cut in

the side

rails as

shown

into these slots

and

rests against the fixed

back
rails

seen in the section at D.

To

allow for the slots the side

:

must be

wider than the front

and they must

also

be a i-in.
rail

thicker on the inside, although this can be avoided if the

bottom

of

the back projects

beyond the frame

of cane inserted
at

as

the photograph shows in Plate

XXVI.
it

A piece
it

each side of the cushion will stiffen

and prevent

sagging when projecting over the front.

easy to keep clean.

The

chair

is

strong, comfortable, and

The

cushions should

be sewn together and the back one looped over the top. When the cushions are reversed the chair makes a day bed, E, for a child. Plate

XXVI

gives a view of the chair complete.

Plate

for the parlour in the

there is a small settee A, which would be suitable newly designed cottages. It is 4 ft. 6 ins. long and has the usual drop end. A squab, or loose cushion on a v/ebbed

On

XXVII

or

wood

slat base,
all

and a simple
is

line

of stuffing round the ends and back

should be

that

necessary for comfort and cleanliness.

'HA us
I

yi
in torni.

The couch
is

below, B,

is

n\uch simpler

The
a

upright head

built out to give a suitable slope

is

for reclining

and

cushion.

The

cost tor such a couch

reduced

to a

To
design
sloped
at
is

people

who

like the old

minimum. type of" settle

and the back
filled

"

with
seat
is

high back, the

is

is

suggestion tor a small one.

encis

The
in

which

slightly
rails

tenoned through the

made up of two

dovetailed into the back edges and

boards.
sizes

with vee-jointeci matched

The

edges where the arm would

rest

should be rounded.
settle in a

The
Somer-

and the shape of the ends were taken from an old

It

setshire cottage.

was made of deal and had been painted

there
is

a pleasant

green.

In Plate
in

LIV

a child's

high chair and an arm-chair, both

made

mahogany.

They were

part ot a set for a living

room

in

which

the sideboard and small chair in Plate

the corner china cabinet in Plate

XVI were included, together with XXVI. An arm-chair, with what

more
style " in
it,

furniture people would

Plate

call

" a

little

is

illustrated

in

XXV.

The

front legs are

distinctly

Sheraton in form, but th*

back would not conform

ing.

to that master craftsman's idea of delicate fram-

In this case the intention was to design a strong well-shaped or " carving " chair for the dining-room.

arm
but

What would
as a matter
in a living

be termed a " Hall seat "

it

is

shown

in Plate

XXIV,

of

fact

is

used for exactly the same purpose as

is,

a chesterfield

room, that
to the fire

with cushions as a comfortable

seat, settle-wise,

to

draw up

and screen off the door.

Neither

this

seat

nor

the

mahogany

chair just described

would

be classed as " cheap " furniture,

half as

although middle- class people pay more for things not

good.

Both these examples

are
first

are given to

prove that good form and construction

essentials to

look for

in furniture

and not the meretricious orna-

ment

for which people blindly pay high prices.

is

The

simple strap carvif

ing on the Hall seat

just right

and

fit

for

its

purpose and place, but

the panels had been carved the

seat

would then have been decorated

for

show and not made

for use.

In a similar

way

the back of the chair was

made

to rest against comfortably.

That was
the

the chief aim of the designer,

whilst the front legs, though strong, could be

more ornamental.
public
realise

It will

be a fine day for craftsmanship

when

British

some

of

these simple but essential principles, and are as willing to pay for their

sound application

to furniture as they

now pay

for embellishments

which

are neither right in practice or principle.

Plat

I-

XXIV

Chairs with

Wooden

Seats and Loose Cus

An Oak Seat

> X X
u
<
PQ

B
U

<

<

ttS

SZ-

LATl'

XXVI

An Adjustable Easy Chair and China

Shelves

Plate

XXVll

'

flit^iui^'

'
-

'

i-

ninn m.'FT M
i

ra

>^>^>...^.w.... -~..>>

-4-4-U

TT^'^x^ix

ill

""

A.

Small Chesterfield

B.

Couch

C.

Settle

l.ATK

XXVIII

//////////,

FLAW

V TRONT

/,/

k-t

K^

im

Designs for Chairs

1'latk

XXIX

Ifl^

1
V<i'^.^.

,I>

^^^
Designs for Arm-chairs

^^550

Plati:

XXX

A
'/,

'/.

BEDROOM FURNITURE. Bedsteads Wardrobes \Va>hstauds

V.
In Plate
for

Ct)mbino;.

I there is a general view of a complete set ofbedroom furniture what might be termed the " best," or largest bedroom, in a small house.

The
is

revival of

wooden bedsteads

is

not only popular, but

it

is

likely

to develop into a

permanent demand.
and

The one

seen in the photograph

a small " full size," a full

but the drawing on Plate

a

XLV gives similar designs

ft.

for

double

single

bed, namely, 4

ins.,

ft.,

or

ft.

ins.

The

design for

the head could be followed for either

width.

Details tor the finish to the post, and a section of the framing

are also shown.

set in Plate
I

The

designs are suitable for any hard wood, but the

chiefly in birch

was made

and finished with wax

polish.

On

Plate

XL

are designs for

two small bedsteads,

painted.

A
is

and

B,

which were
in Plate III.

made

in deal or

whitewood and

The bed

shown

In designing the wardrobe the chief ideas were to combine strength

with lightness, to discard unnecessary features, such as plinth and cornice,

and yet

to retain

its

right use as a wardrobe.

It is 3 ft.

wide and 6

ft.

high, which leaves the usual inside dimensions for hanging purposes.

On
in

Plate

XLIV

is

a scale drawing with details

and

photograph

is

shown

Plate

XXXI.

The whole

carcase
a

is

framed up and the panels are

is

of three-ply wood.
in the

A method for
The

movable rod and hooks

is

illustrated

wardrobe on Plate XLII.

If a mirror

desired the glass should

be fixed inside the door.

3
ft.

wardrobe on Plate

XLII

is

just

under

wide and

drawer has been added.

detail

shows how the glass

can be fixed on the inside.

On
set

Plate

one on the

XLIII are designs for wardrobes 2 ft. left was made in deal and whitewood, and is
III.

6 ins. wide.

The The

seen in the painted

in Plate

The

sectional plan

shows the construction.

24

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

two wide uprights and the framed-up back are tongued, screwed, or
nailed on to the ends which are solid, although they could be framed

up.
tails.

The top is The door

It

dovetailed through and the moulding covers the doveis

"ledge and brace" with matched boarding, of which

in

sections are

shown

and B.

The rounded
this in soft

joint in

is

perhaps

the best.
is

should be clearly understood that

form of construction
Plate

suitable only for painted

work
in

woods.

XXXII

shows

the wardrobe painted.

is

The wardrobe on

the right of Plate

XLIII

framed up and could be made

Fig. 7 illustrates a strong

any wood.
for the doors.

method of button fastening

pin

The
fixed.

from
a

the

knob runs through the

pin

button,

and

metal

keeps

the

button

On
is

Plate

XLI

are drawings for a corner

wardrobe with two doors.

quite

The

construction

simple.

The framed-up
at the

backs are

screwed together
the uprights.

angle and again into

also

Top and bottom may

the

be

screwed, and

whole thing can be

a painted

easily

taken apart for removal.

Plate

XXXIII shows
boards
is

matched
and

door wardrobe with double doors.

The combseen
a

Button Fastening.
is

ing

on

the
9.

distincdy

The construction of this wardrobe is given in detail on Plate XXIX. The front is composed of a frame, mortised and tenoned together. The back is also framed, but is
similar pattern

enlarged in Fig.

of course panelled.
carcase and they also

These two frames

form the
feet.

are

fixed flush

to the
is

skeleton

The whole

structure

kept rigid

by these frames, and they can be applied

to solid or panelled ends.

There
on the

are

two designs on Plate

XXXVIII
is

for small
2
ft.

wardrobes

reduced to the
left is

minimum
is

in

width which

about

3 ins.

The one

made

in a similar

way

to the description

given above.

On

the right a curtain

used

in place

of doors.

Washstands.

Assuming

that every
basin, the

new house

to be built will be
still

provided with

bathroom and

washstand must

remain

necessary piece of furniture in the bedroom.

provide washing accommodation for

One bathroom could not every member of the family, and

UKDUOOM
there are times which

FITIINITUUK

25
in

come

to

every household when the wiishstand

the

bedroom
In Plate

is

essential.

XXXIV

a very simple

and cheap stand

is

shown.

It

has

II

Fig.

8.

A Corner Cupboard.
A
drawino-

curtains in place of doors and a splash curtain at the back.

of the same stand

top
is

is

given on Plate
a litde

XXXVII.

curved which gives

wider space.

with

lino,

and

a detail, C,

shows the rim

The front line of the The top itself is covered rebated to take it. The rim

26

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

it

should be dry dowelled into the top so that

lino cleaned right through.

can be Hfted off and the

is

The
shown

front line of the lino

in the detail B.

protected by a
posts for the

small bead pinned

down

as

Two

curtain are halved over the rim and screwed from behind.

Plate

XXXIII and

the top drawing on Plate

XXXVII

show an

even cheaper type of construction

for a painted washstand.

Front and

mm

Fig.' 9.

A "Combed"

Pattern.

frame

back frames are fixed to the ends, A, and the bottom, but the back is carried up to form a splash board. Two doors are made from

matched boarding.
In the belief that corner washstands are not so are said
to

unpopular
is

as

they

be, the

author has designed two.

One The

chest of drawers in Plate

XXXV.

It

is

made
part.

of ^-\n.

shown with a wood throuo-h-

out and curtains would enclose the lower

plan and details

BEDROOM
are given on Plate
tains a little

ITTHNlTlTliE
left

27

XXXM

together with a design on the

which con-

more work.

The

back

is

framed up and panels or curtains

Curtains are also used
is

could be used to protect the wall from splashes.

the lower part.

Below the corner washstands

medicine cupboard

with two doors.

The
a

construction
In

is

very simple.

A shows
is

the top

screwed into the uprights.

Plate

XXXIV
it

there

very small

washstand with

tambour or shutter front which should be cheaper

than two panelled doors.

side.

The

little

table with

is

for use at the

bed-

In Fig.

8 a

corner cupboard

is

shown which would be

It
is

useful anyft.

where,

in

living

room, bedroom, or kitchen.

just under 5

high, and the tront has been brought out to prevent any tipping.

The

plan shows the two framed backs, the front edges of which are rounded.

The bottom is screwed through down into them. By this means

to pieces if required.

the frames and the top also screwed

the whole thing could be easily taken

Combing.

In

Plate

XLVI

there are nine suggestions for

is

comb-

ing patterns in paint.

Black on a coloured ground

given as being

more

suited tor reproduction, but any two colours which blend well

can be used.

The comb, which

freely,

is

made

in

varying thicknesses of spurs,

or teeth, must be used

consequently the scrolled and wavy

patterns are the most successful.

They

are best, too, for getting

at

round

the corners.
the page.

Suggestions tor panelling out are given

In the process there will be

the bottom of

a livelier interest to the pattern as

as

numerous when lines are

accidentals which give

crossed,

and

it

looks

though the comb had been raised and the pattern jumped at the With practice the combing can be done very quickly. intersection.
Fig. 9
is

produced by kind permission of the editor of The Builder.

Plate

XXXI

A Wardrobe

Plate

XXXII

A Deal

Wardrobe, Painted

Plate

XXXllI

A Wardrobe

and Washstand, Painted

Plate

XXXIV

I
I

I I

Dressing Chest and Washstand, Painted

Washstand and Bedside Table

> X X X

o
Q Z
<

<

O
o

Platk

XXXVI

(=

Plath

XXXVII

wm

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1

l1JJ'-i

Mt

:f

Ifffi
v--^-^

,L^-.-U., il.U^fl-J

._.

Washstands

Pl.ATl

XXXVIII

7
W//MI-

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12
Small Wardrobes

Platk

XXXIX

w
ll

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zma

K?^
K^^
^^ ^^ ^

^^F^^
-

A Wardrobe

'late

XL

(fW

HEAD AKD TOOT

BEDSTEAD.

Of dIMqt-E

l777777r777>.
/.

-POST

<^ /,

/;postB

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^2^
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I

MOOT 'f
I I

Bedsteads

Plate

XLI

rriTT

i:'

Ml

IIP'-

m1
'ii
1,'

HI

|ii'')ll'll|i'!i|M"M
'I'l
[

FRAMED UP
BACK.

FUl-l. SIZ'K

DETAIL. OF

COR.NE-R,.

Corner Wardrobe

Platf,

XLII

r-f,
111
I
'

-1
I

111

w
I

It-

1^

Plan SHCWINQ -RODS

FOT?

HOOKS

<;la$s

A Wardrobe

with Drawer

Pl.ATI.

XLIl

^
ii:l
ill

)(

"^sd

-mj^^'

w^^/-^^^

Y/^^^^)a

,3 -lEET

Small Wardrobes

Plate

XLIV

Q
rrrnTTT
i

A
7,

.iiiiuim

Pi:i
'I

'11

i'

l^l!

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III

llili

i.'i'"^i:i

^
SECTION OF
fa,>4Lw

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N

C>\\ \\\\

k\^
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:^lX^^^^\
A "Framed-up" Wardrobe

> X
Pi

7^=^sm

fi

l'r,Aii

XI.VI

Patterns for Combing

VI.
Chests

BEDROOM FURNITURE {Continued). of Drawers Toilet Mirrors Towel Horses and

chest of drawers
is

Rails.

The modern
The
well

either very

good or extremely bad.

said

best examples are those of the eighteenth-century type which stood

up from

the floor,

^'ery

little

good can be

for

the cheaper

chests which are grained to look like oak, maple, or

mahogany, and

when they

stand

flat

to the floor they are an assured dust trap, for being

heavy they are seldom moved.

The

chest in the best set

is

shown
is

in

Plate

XLVII.
in

It

has a

hat cupboard at the top in which there

a sliding rack or shelf for hats

is

or light things.

No
If

such provision for hats

made

wardrobes or

bedroom
it

furniture, and the general verdict

on

this

cupboard has been one

oi cordial approval.
desired.

made

a little

higher a third drawer could be added

is

In the drawing, Plate L, there

book rack on
is

the top.
It is

The
made
chest
rigid, the
is

dressing chest at the top of Plate

ft.

9 ins. long.

like the

painted wardrobe and

is

consequently very strong and

feet.

two frames on the cut-out ends forming the

A
Both

smaller
chests

shown

in

Plate

XXXIV

with

the

washstand.

were painted and the combing can be

clearly seen.

Every one knows

supports and
for a
its

the usual type of

It

mahogany mirror with

too,

its

scroll

" serpentine " base.

has been the accepted design

hundred

years.

Every one knows,

a

how

the supports
tied to
its

work

loose and the screws wear out so that the glass

must be

proper

angle or propped up with

book.
a

On
wood

Plate

XXXV
is

the glass swings

is

from the top and

illustrated in the

is

supported by

strut, a

method which
is

clearly

photograph where the frame

is

fixed to the chest.

In

Plate

XXXIV

the mirror

movable and the design

suggested as
glass.
It is

an alternative to the aforesaid "serpentine"

simpler in construction, can be

and " scroll"

made

in

any wood, and should be cheaper

(29)

30
to produce.

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

On
Plate LII there
is

a scale

drawing with

details
at B.

of the

post and slot at

and of the post forked into the tray side

in slots

The

second design shows the glass supported

cut into the tray side.

The

detail

gives the slots cut in the back for the strut.

little

This second

design would be a
the bottom
is

cheaper than the

first,

whilst the third one

at

just the mirror frame screwed at an angle to brackets.

The

screws pass through the frame from inside the rebate.

little

This makes

quite a strong and serviceable

mirror.

All three have been

made

and answer
chest of

their

purpose

satisfactorily.
is

In Plate

XLVII a simply made towel horse drawers. The shelf at the bottom might

shown with the

be useful for shoes.

On

Plate

XLIX

there are useful designs for towel rails which can be fixed

on the ends of washstands or on the wall. They are made up of arms which swing from a centre in a bracket. In the top one, A, the arms are

Fig. 10.

Towel
if a

Rail for

Bathroom.

pinned right through, and

will

knob

is

turned on the top of the pin

it

keep

its

place without

any further

fixture.

not be more than |-in. thick, and four, or more, would swing from one pin. The
second, B,
inch
is is
is

hard wood, birch, or sycamore for preference.

The arms They need

should be of

confined to two arms which swing on separate pins.

quite thick

Half-

wood should be

enough

for

all

the parts.
fits

The

third,

suggestion for one arm only, and the top pin

into a piece

which
arm.

slot

screwed and can be pushed up and

down

to release or fix the

At

the bottom of the page are suggestions for the

Fig. lo
is

more ordinary type of

rail

towel horse.
for a

simple arrangement for a towel

the usual
j^^-in.

suitable

bathroom.

The

rails are

or i-in. beech dowels bored

into brackets
is

one above the other

easily fixed to the wall or

as shown woodwork.

in the

end.

The back
The

board

Designs for two dressing tables are given on Plate LI.

usual

from the centre has been abandoned in both designs. A wooden dowel in the frame is dropped into a slot cut in the side supports at the top. The glass is held at convenient slopes
the glass

method of swinging

BEDROOM FUllNITURE
by
a small

31
is

wooden

strut

which

in

the top table

hinged to the glass

frame, and small

Plate

slots are cut

in the base

board to act as the rack, see

is

XLVIII.

In the bottom table the strut

in slots

hinged on to the back

board and works

cut into the back of the mirror trame.

reliable.

These

simple devices are inexpensive and

the glass turning somersault

There

is

never any tear of

when

the screws wear out.

Wooden knobs
is

are suggested for the drawers.

In the lower design there

to the cost,

a shelf tor

shoes.

This of course adds

the shelf
if

a little

but the table could be

made without
In

desired.

some of

the designs the top projects at the back to clear the

skirting, but in the dressing tables the top has been left flush, as such
tables are generally placed

back to the window and a short distance

from

it.

Plate

XLVII

Towel Horse and Chest

of Drawers, with Cupboard

Plate XLVllI

Chair and Toilet Table

Platk

xlix

aWINqiNq TOVH^EL- RAILS

5s"
I

B
SCALE
I

lJ^M
riii:'
1

i!i

PLAN

D^t

TUZ

X=N
TOWEt- HORSES

Towel

Rails and Horses

I'l.ATI

(l)

Dressing Chest

(2)

Cupboard Chest with Book Shelf

Platk LI

Toilet Tab

Plate LI I

m
^ZXl n^z^

Design for Toilet Mirror Frames

VII.

MISCELLANhOUS FURNITURE. Bookcases China Cabinets H.it Stamis Whatnots.

illustrated in Plate

The
oil

bookcase and cupboard

XV

and drawn

to scale

Plate L\'] ^^ould be

It

a useful piece
fit

of furniture

in the living

the parlour.

would

a recess

or stand-out in the room.

room or There are

These

no

special features

about

it,

except perhaps the chamfered edges of the

in

ends and on the dividing piece

chamters or bevels give
a little

the centre of the upper part.

more

character to the design and allow

the shelves to set back from the edge.

tor

storing magazines which always

The cupboard would be useful look untidy when left about the
Papers and

room.

Where
all

such a bookcase

is

not possible, the book and paper rack

a

on the same page should make

periodicals of

very gooci substitute.

sorts quickly accumulate,

and such

rack will hold a

in

good number.
hard or
soft.

Both the case and the rack could be made

any wood,

The
fills

old-fashioned, and

still

popular, but usually ugly " whatnot

a

an odd corner in a
" willy nilly
"

room and provides

shown
in the

place for the

odd things

which

have to be kept somewhere.

is

In Plate

XXVI

useful tier of shelves

corner of the small parlour, and on

Plate

LV

differs

The construction there is a scale drawing of the same article. from the ordinary " whatnot " with its turned or twisted supports The
elevation. A,

just pinned into the thin shelves.

shows two frames

tenoned

together without
stiles

panels and

securely screwed at the angle.

to be cut out for the

The

front

or uprights are

made wide enough

smallest shelf at the top.

The

shelves are screwed through the frame

from the back and a centre leg is fixed under the bottom shelf B is C is a similar set of shelves the section showing full shape of one frame.
with a cupboard
first

at the

bottom.

The
(!33)

construction
in

is

the same as the

except

that

panels

would be grooved

the

back

where

the

34
cupboards
are.

FURNITURE FOR SMALL HOUSES

is

aiset of shelves for hanging.

The two back

boards

would be

solid

and the shelves just screwed through.

is

a tier of
to

book
There

shelves for a corner.

They

can be

made

in a similar

way

the

"whatnot," and the frames or

is

solid

backs rebated into the uprights.

if

no waste space in the corner

smaller books are arranged in a

semicircle.

For corner china cupboards there are two designs on Plate LVII, the first one, A, with open shelves above and the second, B, with glass doors. Both these cabinets could be made in one carcase, but they are better

made

in

two with the top screwed down to the bottom.

is

The whole
is

construction

very simple with framed-up backs rebated into uprights.

a matter of

Shaping for the shelves, for which suggestions are given,

choice as
In

they could be kept their

Plate

full

width and level with the front.

cabinet for a corner.

LIV

there

is

mahogany china

The

quarter circle front complicates the construction somewhat, but the

doors are straight.

The
for

turned legs are forked up into the frieze frame.

is

A
made

straight front china cabinet

also

shown
is

in Plate

LIV.

It

was
are

in

mahogany

which the design

best suited.
if

The ends
9 ins. wide,

glazed as well as the doors, but they could be solid

reduced.

the cost had to be

The dimensions
ins. to

are 5

ft.

6 ins. high, 2

ft.

and

depth 10
It
is

12

ins.

outside.

safe

to say that

one of the ugliest and most ill-constructed

is

pieces of
tiers

household furniture

the hat-stand with a centre upright and

It

of curly arms on either side.

it

usually trembles

when you hang

a light coat on

and staggers under weight of a heavy one.

are not

The

more modern stands

to collapse.
It is

much

better although they are not so likely

in the

hoped that in the new houses some provision will be made way of cupboards, under stairs or in a recess, for the keeping of
and umbrellas.
villas

hats, coats,
at

They

are not the best decoration for a hall

in

any time, and our

is

have been built

place

such a way that the

hall,

or front passage,

the only possible

to

put a hat-stand, which

generally takes half or

more of

the floor space.

in

recess

with

doors or a curtain

front

is

probably the best

arrangement where possible.

board about
5
ft.

Failing a recess, a shallow skeleton cupis

high with a curtain to pull across

kill,

very

satisfactory.

Old

ideas are

hard to

and

it

may

take a long time to convince

hj

<

<

IMISCKLIANEOUS FUUNrrUUE
people
than
it

ii5

ithat the

modern

hat stand

is

unsightly and takes up

more room
It
is

need^do.

Plate LIII shows a suggestion for a stand\which need

1 1

not take more than

a framed-up: back,

ins. at

the base and q ins. tor the end.

just

open

to the wall,

screwed on to the solid ends into

which a^bottom board has been dovetailed. The design could be lengthened another 2 ft. if desired and the back panelled up. Plate LIII

Fig. II.

Coat .md

H.it R.ick.

also

shows
in
in

a larger
it

and more expensive stand panelled right through,

but

depth

takes less
it

room than

the ordinary stand with a drawer,

It a

and

production

should not cost more.

small shelf

is

required

there

is plenty of room tor one in each angle above the umbrella rack. For a simple hanging arrangement. Fig. 1 1, shows a shelf with a back on which the hooks are fixed. The back board gives good fixing to the wall and the shelf would take hats.

>
i-H

u
u

u u o
o

Plaii:

LV

Plati.

L\'I

'lil-

Pl.AIF

LVII

1
I !

ABERDEEN

THE UNIVERSITY PRESS

Mr.

mmmms rmM