PAGE THREE
Many Old Homes Easily Restored Through Simple Modernizing
MEDFOKD MAIL TRIBUNE. MEDFOKD, OREGON, THURSDAY. JUNE 13, 1935.
Coat of Paint, Few Built-lns,
Modern Plumbing Fix
tures Among Suggestions
for Home Transformation
There are few houses that cannot
be Improved through some altera
tion or repair Job. The average house
could be made much more livable
by certain changes. In many cases,
serious damage can be averted only
by Immediate repairing.
The mere removal of "gingerbread"
often gives an entirely new appear -1
a nee to an old house. A slight al
teration In the roof line, a new and
more effective chimney, an old porch
converted into & conservatory, or a
, new wing to provide additional space,
la often all that Is necessary to give
the home a modernized appearance.
Check Roof Metal
When the roof covering, flashings,
gutters or downspouts fail, serious
damage to the interior results. Thay
should be checked before winter
weather makes arduous demands up
on them.
Insulation of side walls and roof
might also be done at this time. Win
dows and doors should be weather
stripped for added comfort and fuel
economy, and Inefficient windows
and doors repaired or replaced. Case
ment windows or French doors may
add greatly to the aspect of bo'.h
exterior and Interior.
The outer walls may require only
a new coat of paint to put them in
tip-top condition. Any loose clap
boards or shingles must be tightened
or replaced first, and the painting
should be done before cold weather.
Bome walls may be greatly Improved
with a new siding of clapboard,
shingles or masonry.
Repair Porrhes
Repairs to porch floors, columns,
railings, steps and supports will min
!mtze the danger of personal injury
and add to the exterior appearance.
If the porch Is out-of-date. It may
ba altered, converted into a room or
removed. If Inadequate, It may be
enlarged.
Partitions, preferably of fireproof
material, built around the furnace
and coal bins, will render the rest
of the basement more useful for
laundry, food storage, work shop or
recreation purposes. Brightly painted
and well equipped with shelves and
built-in tables, the basement will be
come a more pleasant place In which
to work. Additional windows will add
to Its brightness and utility, and a
new outside entrance- will contribute
to its convenience. A ceiling will add
to the appearance and help to keep
dust from the upstairs rooms. If a
basement Is lacking, one may be dug,
concreted and finished according to
the above suggestions.
General improvements upstairs
might include new floors and trim,
a fireplace, book and knick-knack
helves, window seats, wallpaper or
paint, and an expansion of the elec
trical system. New partitions or the
removal of old ones often adds to
the utility of a house. If additional
closets are needed, they may be built
In corners. A large, unused closet
may be transformed into a bathroom,
bedroom, sewing room, den or nurs
ery. All space should be well utilized
Examine plumbing
Kitchens and bathrooms need par
ticular attention, especially with re
gard to plumbing and convenience.
Obsolete fixtures should be replaced
with modern sanitary ones. The
floors and walls may be done over to
harmonize with the new fixtures.
The kitchen might offer greater con
venience if arranged differently. A
big kitchen, awkardly planned, may
be made much more compact and
satisfactory if part of the floor space
were given over to a. breakfast nook
and the remainder of the wall space
eovered with shelves and cupboards
Additional windows might ease j
housekeeping tasks. ,
The attic thould not go to waste.
It may be possible to transform It I
.Into a room. Insulating material will
make the attic livable and at the
same time enhance the comfort of
the rest of the house.
A new garage, or Improvements to
the old one, may also be advisable.
New drives, walks, terraces and
shrubbery would make a splendid
finishing touch for the home mod
ernisation project.
NEW APPEARANCE
MAY BE OBTAINED
BY FEW REPAIRS
Jackie Cooper's Bedroom Captures Youngster's Fancy
X - V- - !fN
This nautical bov' room Is a reproduction of the one occupied by Jacme Cooper In Trcki Bad Boj.
Such rooms are inexpensive and dear to the heart of almost every youngster. The walls are finished
with cane fiber plank to carry out the general effect of a ship's cabin.
By JANET ALLEN
A nautical bedroom, with bunks
Mi one wall and furniture that has
1 tang of salt air and sailing ships,
has absorbed the fancy of many a
bov. Whether he is six or sixteen,
this is the kind of room he is like
ly to want.
The cost of converting a bedroom
into a ship's cabin is no greater
than that of furnishing it in some
manner far less appealing to the
average youngster.
Double-Decker Bunk
The bunk, of course, Is th prin
cipal item. Yet even a double
decker is Inexpensive to build and
has many advantages. If two boys
are to occupy the room, each of
them can have an ample bed with
out using up all the floor space for
sleeping equipment. If there is only
one bov, he Is sure to have a friend
in occasionally. Then the double
decker will be doubly useful.
Another essential item of furni
ture is a sea chest. This can be
both decorative and useful. A rope
handle at either end is all that is
needed to give a nautical twist to
anv plain but sturdy chest. It is an
ideal receptacle for toys, particu
larly if the young man occupying
the room is being trained to pick
up and put away his belongings.
Planked Walls
A chest of drawers, a desk and a
comfortable chair for reading com
plete the list of major items need
ed. These can be purchased ready
made or specially built at modest
expense.
To carry out the nautical effect,
the walls of the room should be
planked, although this is not abso
lutely essential. One of the least
expensive ways to achieve the
proper effect is to use Celotex in
terior finish plank. Being a cane
fiber insulating board, this has the
added advantage of affording a
certain amount of sound insulation
which will prevent the boy's bois
terous friends from filling the en
tire house with their din.
This plank also has the advan
' tage of requiring no finishing
treatment. It is available in several
colors, including a soft, natural
tan and two shades of brown, and
In either smooth, textured or rip
pled surface. Edges of the planks
are beveled and beaded.
The same material in the form
of tile may be used for finishing
the celling.
refrigerator, sink and range so
arranged with work space, that steps
are reduced to a minimum.
Entering the kitchen from the out
side, the refrigerator should be first,
then a work space with the sink and
drip board next in line. Another work
space should separate this from the
range, and It might be a good plan
to have still another work space be
tween the range and the dining-room
door.
If the outside door and dining
room door are close together, going
through the kitchen will not Inter
fere with work. This however is not
always possible and when it Is neces
sary to separate the "line of equip
ment with a door, create a work
space by the Isolated piece if this is
possible. Separate the range and sink
rather than the sink and the refrig
erator. Work spaces can be built-in cabi
nets with shelves above of they can
be small work tables.
The placement of similar equip
ment in logical plnres will also save
steps. Staple supplies and used ut?n
slls should be at the refrigerator
work space. Tea. coffee, mesurlng
spoon, pots, pans and coffee pot
should be in the, range work space.
Dishes, etc., at the sink.
This kitchen arrangement can eas
ily be placed In a room of ten feet
by twelve or nine by fourteen, leav
ing ample space for a desk and chair
where receipt and menu books can be
kept and meals planned.
Use Mall Tribune want ada.
STAIRCASE GIVES FIRST
IMPRESSION TO VISITOR
A staircase generally serves as a.
sort of architectural hostesF to a
home. It 1:j one of the firat things
seen upon entering a house and
should, therefore, look Its best.
Frequently when a house is redeoo
rated from top to bottlm. such a
basic thing as a staircase is left un
touched, and Is the one discordant
note In the picture. This important
feature can be made to conform to
the general decorating scheme, be it
modern, colonial, French provincial
or classical.
Housing Question Box Landscaping Gives Charm
Q. Do Federal Housing Adminis
tration regulations permit loans for
work to Improve the grounds about
a dwelling?
A. Yes. All kinds of betterments to
grounds are authorized provided the
lending agency considers them worth
while and the borrower able to make
the regular payments. One may put
In driveways, tanks, suitable drain
ege, and generally beautify the
grounds. Ask a member of the local
housing campaign committee, your
banker, or contractor.
Q la It possible to obtain a loan
to enable to build a new and secure
foundation under my home?
A. Ask your contractor about the
cost and your banker about the loan.
A stout foundation of concrete or
masonry may replace the old one and
prevent sagging, cracked walls and
ceilings and bulging floors. This is
considered an improvement and la
eligible for a modernization loan.
Q. How may I arrange the neces
sary financing for the construction
of a new home under the Federal
Housing Administration act?
A. The regulations for this have
not been completed. Experts are now
drawing up the detailed plans for
mutual mortgage Insurance and these
will be announced as early as possible
and the plan probably will be in op
eration shortly.
Q. Does the Federal Housing Ad
ministration authorize loana for the
construction of Illy ponds, bathing
ponds, tennis courts, etc.
A. These are considered "modern
izing" and are eligible if approved
by the agency making the loan.
Q. What Is meant by "acid-resisting
enamel in speaking of kitchen
sinks?
A. There are two kinds of enamel
used In making plumbing fixtures.
One Is called "regular" and the oth
er "acid-resisting." The acid-resisting
finish is extremely hard and im
pervious and cannot be harmed by
any of the acids such as those from
fruit Juices ordinarily used in the
home, in fact, the only acid which
can attack it Is hydrochloric acid, a
glass solvent. In Installing new
plumbing equipment under the Fed
eral Housing Administration vou
should consider buying fixtures with
an acid-resisting finish.
0 '
Q. I plan to build an addition to
my house which will cast about i3,
000. Can I get an FHA Insured loan
of $2,000 to help finance the work?
A. Tou may apply for a $2,000 loan
to help finance a $3,000 building
project.
Q. As I sell a seasonal product, my
Income la much greater during one
part of the year than during the oth
er months. Would I be permitted to
make seasonal payments on a mod
ernisation loan under the terms of
the National Housing Act?
A. The National Housing Act pro
vides that only farmers may make
seasonal payments. All others must
pay monthly.
Q. How can I prevent the drawers
in my closets from sticking?
A. Drawers In bullt-ln closets, cabi
nets, and furniture often stick during
damp weather or when the relative
humidity la high. Before planning or
cutting down the size of the draw
ers, which may make them too loose,
try applying hot paraffin to the
drawer runners. Unless the drawers
ave oversize, the paraffin will make
them work easier and keep them
from sticking.
SHOWER BATH BRINGS
MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT
Probably nothing rejuvenates the
tired business man or worker or af
fords more pleasure and enjoyment
to the children on a hot, sultry day
than a good shower bath. Showers
may be Installed under the Moderni
sation Credit Plan of the Fedeial
Housing Administration.
-Ft
I wiA -yKj&4
UsV CTl v- r
Landscaping of
grounds about tha
home ia eligible
for modernization
credit as provided
by the National
Housing Act. Tha
two photographs
shown here give
an idea of possi
bllllles of beauti
fying the modern
yard and lawn.
W alks, shrubbery,
lily ponds, new
trees add much to
the beauty of the
homo.
3Mt
W"'
33
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e-oTH "
"TIW-r -t T V , -c-- j
Phone 542. We'll haul away youi
refuse. City Sanitary Service.
E
STEPS IN KITCHEN
BY BETTER PLANS
Science has entered the kitchen.
In the planning and arrangement of
that Pt ot the home In which the
housewife spends so much of her
time, architects and home econo
mists have accomplished much In re
cent years, with the saving of time
and steps as their objective.
The poorly located sink or refrig- ,
trator may add two or three steps
for the housewife each time she uses
them, or the lack of cupboard and
work space at certain points In the
kitchen might eally double the labor
entailed in the preparation of a single
meal. In one year this would be com
parable to preparing and clearing
some 2 000 meals lntad of the aver
age 1.0M.
The best planned kv.chens have
tfce three major piece of eqxpxent v
LET UNCLE SAM HELP
HOME OWNERS MODERNIZE
Through the
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT
Federal Housing Act
are now able to offer
r33KSZT ,
WESTINGHOUSE
REFRIGERATION
NO DOWN PAYMENT
Let us explain this attractive plan to you.
THREE YEARS TO PAY
Begin now to enjoy Electric Refrigeration.
NO PROPERTY LIEN NO RED TAPE
This is entirely a character loan,
e WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC
REFRIGERATION will pay for itself.
Let us help you to take advantage of this very attractive offer. Why not
call the store at once for full details.
Peoples Electric Store
212 West Main.
Phone 12
Observe Better Housing Day!
-BY PLANNING A MODERNIZATION
PROGRAM FOR YOUR HOME . . .
Here Is an opportuni
ty to make your own
home more attractive
and liveable . . . the
necessary money la
now I mm e d I a t e I y
available through the
convenient Federal
Housing Art loans . .
This bank Is cooper
ating with the Gov
ernment In Its efforts to Improve homes
and assisting the builders, craftsmen and
tradesmen of this community In handling
the details of these loans for home owners
. . . We sugcet that you contact your con
tractor, painter lumber and hardmire
dealer, cabinet maker and electric store . .
all are capable of providing the ncretsary
cost flgurea. The rest of the details will be
quickly and satisfactorily taken cere of at
this bank . . .
It Is an Easy Matter
To Finance Your Home
Modernization
Blip; isfer;..
PS- rt, :r " I m
u fci, rt
v i air Ku
9 9 lm1t:rfrnr
Here are the answers to a few of your
questions regarding Federal Housing Act
Loans :
1. Who may apply?
Any Individual property owner over
21 years of age, or any partnership or cor
poration with a regular income from sal.
ary, commission, business or other assured
source. It is not necepsary to be a deposi
tor in this bank.
2. What assurance need I give7
(a) That you own the property.
(b) That the income of the signer of
the note is at least five times the amount
to be deposited within a year.
(c) That your mortgage, if any, is in
good standing, your taxes up to date or in
good standing, and that there are no
other past due incumbrances or liens
against your property.
3. How much will the bank loan?
From $100 to $2,000, depending upon
your income, for improvements on any
one property, and in connection with each
of not more than five properties unless
approved by the Federal Housing Admin
istration, Washington, D. 0.
4. What security is required?
That you have steady employment or
other regular income and that you have a
good oredit record for poying bills
promptly.
6. How do I apply?
Your lumber dealer, painter, hardware
store, electrical firm, plumber, cabinet
work concern, architect or this bank will
gladly assist you in arranging for a loan.
6. What signatures are required on the
note?
Only the signatures of the applicant
and if the applicant is married, the wife
(or husband).
7. How much will I be charged?
An amount equal to discount of $5.00
per year for each $100 borrowed is charg
ed when the loan is made.
We Will Gladly Arrange YOUR
Federal Housing Loan Come in!
Medford National Bank
MEDFORD OREGON