416 RENTED ROOMS

AN INEXPENSIVE UNFURNISHED ROOM
FOR TWO WORKING WOMEN

Selection of Room

General considerations in the selection of a room are price, near-
ness to transportation and a shopping center, kind of neighborhood,
quiet, laundering facilities, and safety from fire and intrusion.
Considerations that apply to specific rooms are the location of the
bathroom, adequate heat, hot water, ventilation, daylight, and
closet space. The condition and colors of the ceiling, walls, wood
trim, floor, and light fixtures should be noted; if their condition is
poor and the landlord refuses to improve them permission to re-
decorate should be obtained from him.

Planning the Decorating and Furnishing

Survey the possibilities of the room.

Decide on a theme to fit the room and the personalities of the
occupants, such as gay, demure, artistic, or professional.

Select a furnishing plan to fit the theme and the room.

Make a budget, estimating probable costs.

Visit stores, collect samples, and check the budget.

Select a color scheme to fit the room, theme, and occupants. For
example, a desirable color scheme for an east room occupied by
two young brunette stenographers might consist of dusty-pink
walls, ceiling, wood trim, and doors, with dark brown floors and
white or natural cotton string rugs, striped or plaid brown-and-
white couch covers and slip covers, two white side chairs, a pink
or white chest of drawers, and accents of periwinkle blue.

Decorating (Possible for Amateurs)

Ceiling. If the ceiling is not satisfactory, paint it with hot- or
cold-water paint over any kind of surface.

Wood Trim and Doors. Paint them with special water paint
or with the more durable oil paint in dull or semi-gloss finish if
they are not satisfactory. Only one coat of oil paint is necessary
if a medium color is chosen, and a quart of paint is usually suffi-
cient. Sub-turpentine can be used to thin oil paint if it gets too
thick. Kerosene or gasoline will clean oil-paint brushes, A 2-inch
brush from the dime store is usually adequate.