With Spring well and truly here, it’s time to “turn-out” your rooms. Newnes Home Management guides you in the best way to turn out a room, without losing in the glamour stakes.
Maintaining glamour during spring cleaning can be an uphill battle. Head scarves need to be tied ‘just so’ – ensure you can still see some of your gorgeous tresses, as a full turban can be unfeminine. By all means wear gloves to protect your delicate hands, but nothing should stop you wearing full makeup and your signature beauty spot. The key is cheekbones, cheekbones, cheekbones.
Let’s talk house-dresses, ladies. Something well-cut that shows off your curves. A knee-length dress can be alluring if you wear it right, but you need to be demure. Knees together girls – even when scrubbing soot stains from the carpets!
Try to keep your legs crossed at all times – even up ladders! This is the only time that you can get away with a low heel.
Make certain that people can see you from two angles by standing in front of a mirror when possible. Ensure the Ajax doesn’t obscure their view, and that you are backlit, preferably by a natural source such as a window.
Keep a smile on your face – even when reaching behind the cushions – who knows what you might find there!
At the end of the process, have the maid bring you a cup of tea before she gets to work restoring order from the chaos you have created. Remove your headwear to ensure no-one mistakes you for one of ‘the help’. Avoid eye contact.
mistaken for the help is just too much to consider.
By: Urspo on November 9, 2009
at 4:38 pm
I thought when you started this series that you’d get to double digits… tops. Who knew that this book was such a goldmine?
By: dancingwithfrogs on November 9, 2009
at 8:50 pm
1400 pages and each one a gem.
When I was in London I found a stall at Camden Passage that had several Newnes Home Management magazines! Can you believe that I didn’t buy them! I’ll have to check it out when I get back.
By: scottsabode on November 9, 2009
at 8:59 pm
oh thanks for that. too divine.
By: Ann oDyne on November 9, 2009
at 9:24 pm
LOL!
By: Author on November 9, 2009
at 11:50 pm
It’s staggering to think that trackie dacks and old t-shirts have taken the place of a decent house dress!
By: Jayne on November 10, 2009
at 9:04 am
I had to hire ‘help’ as I couldn’t get the beauty spot right nor the scarf correct…..thank you for putting this up, you have helped significantly.
By: Widget on November 10, 2009
at 8:29 pm
And I ASSUME YOU are DOING ALL these things as you prepare to leave for England…………. right? I am LOVING your publishing these nightmares of home care.
By: Mark H on November 12, 2009
at 5:27 am
I thought the pictures were priceless until I read the commentary!
I am savouring every one of these in the series.
By: VioletSky on November 13, 2009
at 9:42 pm
I love your old photos. Too funny for words. The lady clearly enamored of her mangle appears to be grimacing to me. A sort of set teeth clencher going on. Good luck with your move from one who has done quite a bit of moving about over the years. I’ve lived in both England and Scotland for years and I hope you have as much fun as I did – and better weather frankly. No more burnt offerings in the guise of a summer’s day. Your garden will look beautiful with proper rain.
By: Kathy on November 26, 2009
at 4:46 pm
Thanks Kathy!
By: scottsabode on November 28, 2009
at 7:42 am
Oh….the “rubber gloves”, a dead giveaway of the bygone days when women actually wore those when cleaning.
I have some…..for really dirty cleaning….and when cleaning with dangerous chemicals.
When I break them out…..I snicker a little, as my mom wore them a lot when I was young (when she would clean).
By: trishothinks on July 30, 2010
at 3:14 pm