HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1977-05-11, Page 22Don't go shopping for any upholstered
fiFniture without these helpful hints
Know the four under-
lying construction details
that indicate good quality
and look for them in each
piece you consider. , ,
First telltale signi are
the joining of seams and
positioning of cushions. If
the pattern is matched all
over and there are no dan-
gling threads, test one, has
been passed.
Frame construction is
another good indicator.
Look for well-seasoned
hardwood frames built
sturdily with doweled
joints and screwed and
glued corner blocks. •
Quick frame tests in-
clude scanning the finish
of exposed wood parts and
lifting the piece. Heaviness
denotes good quality hard-
wood.
Rub your hand over the
surface where the wood
frame stops to make sure
there are no sharp edges
that can work through the
fabric. Any frame move-
ment means hold on to
your money—the joints are
loose.
Today, most upholstery
fabrics are entirely or
partially made of synthet-
ic fabrics and will stretch
with use. Therefore, the
third test point to look
for is the inside of the
cushion.
Better quality cushions
are filled with down rath-
er than with synthetics
because feathers and
down are loose within an
envelope or partition, and
they allow the cushions to
spring back and to con-
form to the shape of the
upholstery fabric as it
stretches.
By checking the bedding
law label you can find out
if your chosen piece is
down-filled. This simply
means that it is filled with
a blend of down and feath-
ers in varying proportions.
Down-filled cushions
are recognizable in two
basic designs. One is an '
all - down cushion made
, with partitions and divid-
ers to keep the down from
shifting.
In the second type, the
cOmbination cushion, a
down envelope surrounds
central cores of soft
springs; polye§,ter or poly-
form filled with coiled
springs.,
Construction of se springs revealed under
cushions by the Width the deck,,is.fourth and
nal checkpoint. If you unsure about them ask
salesperson.
Eight-way hand.t, coil Springs are the k
but also good are sixii
drop-in preformed unI and wire springs or
bing in slim-line decks,
ShalloW-decked no
springs are inferior,
deck springing should
insulated by resilientk r ding. Test for this byljfl ' ing the cushions and fel
ing for the springs 41
the fabric. Individli springs that can be k indicate early wear prt lems,
Feat of making a
take in the selection of
major upholstered pi
prevents' many shop
from experiencing then!
that furniture shopping
supposed to be,
If you have any doubt;
just ask the salesperii
about the four undercm
checkPoints. Consider tie needs of your household:
such as children and pi;
—when choosing fabric.
'After you look all s.artound
you'll want.,a .Johin-Deere
Riding Mower.
Look at the hood. It's made
of rust-resistant fiberglass
to keep your rider looking
showroom new. It lifts for
easy access to the engine and
the one-gallon (U.S.) gas tank.
Sit on the padded, contour seal
TOuch the clustered controls.
Stretch your legs on the
roomy deck.
Start looking in . back.
The engine is fully enclosed
on a John Deere to
reduce sound fora
quiet ride. ,
fklotice'lhe mower. The 30-
inch mower has a tough steel
blade and a deep tunnel for
strong lift and discharge.
Put it in gear. The 'shift-
on-the-go transmission offers
a neutral start for safety:
A reverse gear. And 5 forward
speeds-1.4 to 5.3 mph on the
66, 1.5 to 5.7 mph on the 68.
See the handsome styling
with sleelc Contours and
enclosed design. Optional
wheel covers add a finished •
touch to your Machine.
.. . .... . .. ... . •
•
-421agiaanW
'0'13
2 Ultimate renovation is
ultra-modern colonial!
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS — The Ross House in Cockeys-
ville, Maryland, combines the historic authenticity of a
completely restored 18th century estate house with the
added conveniences of modern luxury living (right down
to a swimming pool!)>It is a stunning example of the po-
tential creativity there is in today's home improvement.
However, if you'd rather not "do-it-yourself," the Ross
House is for sale through Previews, Inc.
For the master of the originally built, the lime
art of home improvement, for mortar was made by
the remarkable story of burning oyster shells, and
the restoration of the Ross collected bushels of shells
House should prove to be to be pulverized into the
inspirational. mortar so that the final
This beautiful Maryland effect of the masonry
estate, nestled in the roll-
ing countryside of Cock-
would be exactly like that
of the original building.
But this desire for au-eysville (just outside of
thenticity also led to some Baltimore), is undoubted-
remarkable feats of mod-ly one of the most interest-
ern building — a venture ing homes in America.
into the new for the sake
The Ross House is an o' of the old. There are no astounding example of visible radiators
or air
home improvement taken registers; oil - hot water to its highest creative radiant heating conies
level.
from beneath the floors. Built in 1749 by Dr.
The chandeliers contain David Ross in Bladens- real candles which are burg, Maryland, the house used. There is electric
was razed in 1957 to make lighting, but it is com-
way for the construction pletely unobtrusive —hid-of a highway. The fore- den behind valences, man of the wrecking crew moldings and beams. Nei-
could see the tremendous ther are there any visible
value and beauty of the sockets, switches, or cords. old building arid very
The 18th century oven
carefully disassembled the door in the kitchen covers
house while architects a microwave oven. Also made careful drawings. hidden to preserve au-
The wrecker managed thenticity is a dishwasher, to save over 22,000 bricks stove; and refrigerator.
and brickbats along with
Some additions, of many other parts of the course, have been made
house. to the original floor plan.
In 1968, the now-owner There is, for example, a went to., his architect to swimming pool in the
discuss creating an exact back yard! The attic holds replica of an 18th century central air conditioning
house. ducting and a TV aerial, The architect remem- the basement has a sauna, bered the Ross House and along with the furnace
suggested reconstructing room, house vacuum
an original 18th century cleaning system and in- mansion. cinerator.
From the renovator's
To some, the Ross House,
point of view, the Ross may serve as an inspira-
House project presented tion for yet•another great a dual challenge: to main- and original home reno-
tain a high standatd of vation. For those with less
authenticity in the resto- ambition and dedication
ration of the mansion to detail than the likes of
while adding to it the this history buff and his
latest of modern conveni- crew, the Ross House is
ences. currently up for sale.
With his vast knowledge Colonial mansions aren't
of history, the owner Su- your style? Previews, Inc.,
pervised each and every a unique publication dedi-
detail of the reconstruc- cated to , the finest in
tion to see that it would hearth and home, also
be historically accurate. offers everything., from
He knew that at the ranches to castles to an
time the Ross House was island in -Fiji.
•
Older home know-how
bagging attachment for the 30-inch
mower lets you trim close to
shrubs and buildings. The hamper
removes easily for quick dumping.
For suber-quiet mowing, an electric ,
riding mower with 34-inch cut is,
also available.
m More people today are There are complete de- A
looking for 'an older home tails on repairs and re-
when they buy a' house. ; modeling once the pur-
'Not only have Winding chase is made. All instruc-
costs soared but older tions are so basic and
homes often have more specific that you can tell charm, are better built, i whether you Can tackle
and are in established the. job personally or will
neighborhoods with sell,- need a contractor. ices and facilities. All areas of the honie However, buying an old- are covered with particu-
er home can be risky if - lar attention to remodel-
yell don't • know what • ing kitchens and bath-
There
doing.
There is a book called rooms and installing
Finding and FiXing the appliances. RecOininenda-
Older Home which can' tions on the best materials ,
help you avoid the pitfalls for each job are given and
in biiying an older home. • there is a list of inahtfac,
It describes how to jUdge titters to help locate what
house
values,
appraise is needed.
hOtiSe construction, and Finding and Fixing the
Spot trouble areaS that Older Home could save a
might need ercpenSive re- lot a timei money, and
pairs — it even telfs you headaches if YoU're in the
how to deal with firiancihg. market ,for an older house,
John Deere Riding Mowers are avail-
able in two gas-powered models. The
0-hp rider comes with 30-inch mower.
The 8-hp model is avaRable With
30- or 34.4ncrl mower...and has a'
synchro-balanced engine to. reduce:
Vibration, An optional rearLmounted
Come intociay ...look all around a John Deere.
Fred McGee
'eati DEEPIE)
Auto Electric LTD.
SALES BACKED BY SERVICE
WINGHAM 357-1416