xt72bv79tc32 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt72bv79tc32/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station. 1936 journals kaes_circulars_268 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 268 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 268 1936 2014 true xt72bv79tc32 section xt72bv79tc32    
    UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY  
    COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE  
    Extension Division  
IE . _ THOMAS P. COOPER, Dean and Director O
E   THE 4-H ROOM IMPROVEMENT PROJECT-  
z 3 _ UNIT 1  
‘?   nie
  iii N
5   CIRCULAR NO. 268  
     
  E [M 
E   Lexington, Kentucky `Q *3 O
in F March, 1936  
g   f’l:1`¤liSh§d in connection with the Agriculturfzl Exainsion ivorl;  
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g   §£a;i1gtlli;;1i)air;c;ho%h tligniorlli iiroiridedt fciri?1 they Act of dC(;n;rel;st o(i  
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Fig. 1. ARCHITECTURAL AND FURNITURE SYMBOLS. .
a.. Dresser, dressing table, desk. rz. Bed I
b chest or washstand. h. Closet with double doors
. ,hz1ir i. Rug
c. Footstool j. Casement window (leave of!
d. Rocking chair. end table and the arc and radius for symbol _
lamp. of sash window) .
e. Screen k. Door
. f. Fireplace
I
I
4
I
 

 CIRCULAR NO. 268
The 4-H Room Improvement Pr0ject—Unit I
By ANITA BURNAM and EDITH LACY
The purpose of this project is to develop in girls apprecia-
tion of and pride in home and to help every girl to attain her de-
sire of an attractive, comfortable room of her own. She can have
such a room thru her own efforts. A club member who does not
have a room of her own may improve one shared with another
member of the family. Two sisters or brothers may work to-
gether on their rooms or a brother and sister may exchange work
on their rooms, the girl doing the sewing or needlework for some
service rendered by her brother.
ELIGIBILITY
A club girl who has had two clothing projects or the equiva-
lent may enroll in the room improvement project. A club boy,
fourteen years of age or older, who is interested in improving
his room, may enroll in this project if he can procure the help
of his mother, his sister, or a club girl who is doing a room im-
provement project.
;r$mg>§ PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
A 1. Assist the leader, home demonstration agent or club special-
ist in scoring the room selected for improvement, before and
after work, using the score sheet, page 8.
2. Draw Hoor plans according to directions, page 10.
3. Rearrange the furniture for comfort, convenience a.nd at-
tractiveness.
_ 4. Plan with mother the possible improvements in the room,
the amount of money which may be spent and what is avail-
able that may be satisfactorily refinished, remodeled or reno-
vated, and keep in mind a further improvement next year._

 i
4 Ifmztuoky EZf672SZ·O7L Circular N0. 268 `
5. Plan a color scheme for the room.
1 6. Make TEN improvements as follows:
(a) Four major—'l`hese are all to be CllOSG11 from 0110
group and are to include all the improvements i11 that
group that are 1na1·ked with a star(*). See pages 5
and 6.
(b) Six minor—Two f1·om each of the other three groups.
P 7. Pass on to at least two others the ideas gained in room i11i—
provement.
8. Keep a record of work in booklet form. This should be an
illustrated story, following the suggestions for booklet on
page 9.
9. Exhibit one or more articles from the room, together witl1
booklet.
CHOICE OF VVORK
In selecting the major group the club member should choose » J
the one which is most needed for improving he1· room and the
011C which she will be able to complete, considering the amount
of time and money she 11as to spend. If the backgrounds of the
room are in poo1· condition this group should be chosen as it is a
basic one for future improvements. Select the group which will
make the room most attractive and livable.
In determining improvements from the other groups let thé
aim be to make the greatest number of worth-while changes with
' as little expense as possible. Use furniture already on hand and
make it attractive by cleaning, repairing and refinishing. Use
inexpensive materials for such accessories as curtains, pillows I
and dresse1· covers. Expensive changes are unnecessary. Rooms A
improved with little money after much thought and planniiig
are often more attractive than those which arc expensivcly fur-
I1iSl1G(l. Rooms with charm cannot be purchased with 11101l•?}`  
alone; they can be achieved only by intelligent planning and
work. Choose improvements from the four following groups;
t
 

 4-H Room Improvement P·r0ject—Unit I 5
THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR ROOM
fil. W,xLLs—Rem0val of old calendars, pennants, pictures, etc.
Cleaned, painted, papered or calcimined.
one B, P1oTURES—Select, frame and hang a picture. Old frames
that may be done over and used. Pictures may be reframed and
yes 5 rehung.
fC. FLOORS—SH11Cl€Cl, cracks filled, stained, waxed, varnishcd,
mpg. shellacked or painted.
D. RUe—Hooked, braided or woven rugs may be made or old
I im· rugs may be dyed or renovated.
  `VOOD\\’ORK—CI€E111€Cl, stained, yarnished, waxed or painted.
>e an   FURNITURE—RG2`11’1`El1lQ`€Cl for comfort and convenience.
t 011
ATTRACTIVE WINDOWS
with *‘A. \VINDO\\' CURTAINS——RI2lCl€ of dotted swiss, scrim, voile,
theatrical gauze or other inexpensive material.
B. DR1xr¤121tY—Macle of inexpensive print, broadcloth, percale,
chintz, cretonne.
cose l *C. \VlNDO\V S1»1.xD1;s—Bougl1t, o1· made of glazed chintz, cre-
the tonne, or unbleached musli11.
aunt ll. Wixnow Sn.vr—Box covered. A substantial material should
Ythe be used and tl1e top padded.
isa E. PlLLO\\`S—PHtCll\\`O1‘l§, gingham or same material as that
Wm used in the padded seat.
F. Book SI*lELVES—I\IH.(lC to fit along sides of the window.
the G. New \V1NDow——Added if needed.
mh H. \VINDO\\' Box—For flowers.
and I- FLO\YERS—].)l£111t€(l_ to improve outlook f1·om the window.
USG U¥l1'€€l fOr by the club girl
gg; A PLACE FOR YOUR CLOTHES; YOUR CLOTHES IN
ling THEIR PLACE
me A. Po1ciuxB1.1z C1aosm·—May be made if there is not a closet
my built in the room,
and   ULosm*—\Valls inside of the closet may be cleaned, papered
ps. or painted.

 4
6 Kentucky Extension Circular N0. 268
*C. SHELVES FOR STOR;\GE——Bll1].lSl1€Cl with shelf edging and shelf
paper.
*D. Pole or rods may be provided.
E. DRESS COvERs—For nice dresses, made or purchased.
F. STORAGE BAGs—Made or purchased.
*G. SHOE BAG, RAoKs OR SHELvEs—Made or purchased.
H. Hat boxes covered with paper to carry out a color scheme,
made or old boxes covered.
" I. HAT STANDS—M&Cl€ or purchased.
J. PARTITIONS EOE DRESSER DR.&\\'ERS—M&dB of pasteboard
covered with wall paper.
K. Boxes for the top dresser drawer, made or collected.
CLEANLINESS THE BASIS OF GOOD GROOMING
*A. Wl.\S}ISTi\ND—P3l11t€d or refinished. _
‘*B. TOILET SET—Provide a complete one.
*C. SCREEN—FO1` privacy and to conceal washstand—made or
` remade.
*D. Scarf or oilcloth to protect wall and washstand. I
E. TOwELs—Made or purchased.
F. SHOE SHINE Box——Equipped.
G. FOOTSTOOL OR SEIPPER CHAm—ReHnished or improved.
H. MEDICINE OR TOILET CAB1NET———Made and hung in convenient
place. Equipped.
I. Clothes rack or rods for wet garments or towels.
1

 4-H Room Improvement Projeot—Uriit I 7
lshelf DESCRIPTION OF ROOM AT BEGINNING OF PROJECT
The room is on the .................... I ............................... I ....... I ....... I ..... side of the house
north, east, etc.
The walls are ................. I .......... I .......... I .......... I ........... I...I ....... II .......... I.I ....... I .......... III ..... I
papered, painted, uniinished, calcimined
The color is .......... I .......... I .......... I ....... I ....... I .................
heme The design is ..... I .... I .................................. I .......... II .... I ....... I .......... I ............. I ........................... I
¤ large, small, stripes, flowers, birds
The woodwork is ........................,.... I .............. , the color is ..... I .... I .......... I ..._.........I,._ ..
kind of wood
board This floor is ..... I ....... I ...................... I ....... I ....... I I.......... It is ................. I ................ I ............ I
kind of wood
bare, covered with rug, small rugs, carpet, matting
The color of the covering is ........... I .....I............................ I ....... I.I .... I .... I ........,........ . ....
IG Furuiture. The dresser is ..... I .... I ....... I ....... I .............I... . .......... I .......... I .... I .... I-
kind of wood iinish
The chairs are ..... I ........................................ I., ......... II .......... I .... I .......,...
de 01. kind of wood iinish
Other pieces of furniture in the room are ..I.. I ..... I...I .... III
Thebedis ..... I .... I ............. I ....... I ............... I ................ I .................... . ...................... I .... I ........ I
kind of wood, iron, finish color
giem The mattress is ................. I ....... I.I ....... I.I ....... I .... I ...................... I ................ I .................
felt, cotton, feathers, straw
The springs are .......................... I ................ I ..............
link, coil
The covers are I...._.............. I I......... I .... I .... I .... I .......................I...................... I .................
' wool or cotton blankets, quilts, comforts
Avcessories. At windows ..... I ........................ I ................................... I ....... II .......... I .....
kind of shades, curtains or draperies
On walls ..... I .... I ................... I .......... I ............. I ...................... I ....................
number and kinds of pictures, calendars
Clothing is stored in ........... I ......................... I ......................II............ I
closet, chest of drawers, wardrobe, hung on wall
ln addition to the above mentioned, the following things are in
the room: ..... I .......... I ................ I .....................,........................... I .......... I .... I .... I .......... I ..... IIII
Describe brieily as to color, kind, etc.

 I
8 Kemiitcky Ea;fens2`0n Circular N0. 268
SCORE CARD—4-H CLUB G|RL’S ROOM
. Name __._.....,.......................>...... Address ........................»............... Age .......,......_,
County ,._..................................... Name of Club ................--..............................,..,
Date of First Scoring ........................ Date of Second Scoring ................,_______
scored by ..»................»............................ Scored by ..........................................  
 
Perfect III1pl‘OV€lIl€l1t
Score Before [ After
Backgrounds [ 25 [ [
 
I I
' 1. Floor [ 8 |
a. Condition [
b. Suitability of finish
c. Condition and suitability of [ [
covering
2. WValls 9
a. Condition
b. Suitability of covering
3. Woodwork 8
a. Condition
Ib. Suitability of finish [
Furniture [ [ 20 [ [
a. Condition [ 7[ [ [
b. Suitability [ 6[ [
c. Arrangement [ 7| [ .
Windows [ [ 15 [ [
a. Health reqnirements——light [
and fresh air 5
b. Choice of curtains 3
c. Method of hanging curtains 2 .
d. Shades—Color and condition 3[
e. Outlook 2[ [
Storage [ [ 10 [ |
a, Closet conveniences 4 | [ `
b. Arrangement of closet 3 | |
c. Drawer space [ 3   | .»
Color Scheme _ [ [ 10 [ |
' a. Suitability to room and to [ [
girl 10[ [
Pictures [ [ 5 [ |
a. Suitability 2 | P
b. Method of hanging 2 [
c. Arrangement [ 1 1
Other Accessories [ [ 5 [ [
a. Choice I 3
b. Arrangement [ 2
General Appearance [ [ 10 [ [
 
’ I I I
TOTAL SCORE-- | 100 [ |
 
l

 gi .
-1-H R00m Improtemient P2·0ject—U0zit I 9
THE BOOKLET
‘‘‘··‘‘······ A booklet is to be prepared containing the record and story
‘‘‘·····»···· of the project. This can be made one of the most interesting
‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘`‘· pai-tg of the work. It is the club girl’s record and achievement
  stoijv. It should accompany all exhibits. Choose a loose-leaf
L notebook. The cover should be 9% x 12 and the pages 8% x 11
& inches. Stiff cardboards covered with wall paper, cretoime,
_ gingham or oileloth make attractive covers. Such a booklet is
for the purpose of keeping records and showing· changes made in
the room. It is also a. good place to preserve information and
illustrative material on room improvement. Include the follow-
ing:
(a) Detailed description of the room before beginning the work:
it.s size, location, kind of furniture and its arrangement.
Pictures and drawings help to tell this story.
w (bl The color scheme for the room: samples of wall paper, cur-
? tains or any materials used.
(c) Kodak pictures or drawings of groups of furniture or units
i of the room BEFORE and AFTER improvement.
(cl) Two diagrams of floor plan, showing location of doors and
windows, and arrangement of furniture; one before begin-
ning work, the other after project is completed. These are
___ to be drawn to scale. (Drawings of the walls showing fur-
___ nitnre and picture arrangement would add interest.)
(c) Record sheet giving itemized cost of improvements.
—· ' (fl Score sheet showing score before and after improvements.
'_' (Q) A story of your experience in making the improvements.
”" Be as original as you like in making this booklet. Do not
*4 feel restricted to the ideas suggested. It can be interesting, at—
tractive and educational to the person who prepares it, and also
; to those who read it. Each room has a different story.

 10 Kentucky Extension Ccjrcular N0. 268
DIRECTIONS FOR DRAVVING ROOM PLAN
1. Measure the room.
2. Make drawing of the floor plan to scale using % inch to
represent 1 foot. Draw this on a sheet of paper 8% by ll
inches.
3. Measure each piece of furniture in your room and record
the dimensions in the following spaces:
Length 'Width Height
V Bed ...................................................... . ................... , ................... . .......____,_,_..,_ i
Dresser .............................................. . ................... . ................... . ......_..,______  
Waslistand ........................................ . .........,......... . .......,,,...,..,,. , ,________________,_
Table .......»..........,............................... . .............._.... , _.___,_,.__________ _ _______________,___
Chest .................................................. . ......,............ _ ______,____________ _ ___________________
Chair .................................................. . ................,,. . ._...,..,,,....,___ , __,___,___,...,....
Chair .................................................. . ...............__,. _ ,_,_..__,__....____ _ ,_________,___,.... "
Desk .................................................... . ................... . .,.......,......... . ...................
4. Show furniture on the floor plan by either of the following
methods; _
(a) A paper cut-out representing each piece of furniture
· may be pasted to the floor plan in its exact location.
(b) Furniture symbols may be drawn directly on the floor
plan as they are in cuts 2 and 3. Q
5
s

 4-H R00m Improvement Pr0jeet—Unit I 11
I
inch to
   
=by H  
record //\_
[ \
r )
eight ' © // xl! A
< x / \
x ’ / \
x / / \
.·..... ...· ··. \V/ / \
// \
............. ,’ \
\
/ /
Q / >
-.......... .. 
}W1llg //
`
s/
iture
floor _
IFIQ 2. A bedroom before improvement, showing a poor and incon-
vement arrangement of the furniture. No provision has been made for
comfortable reading and writing. There are very poor facilities for storage
ggnfgggggllg and e. lack ot privacy. This room does not suggest e. restful
B.

 I
12 Kentucky Extension Circular N0. 268
Name
   
—    Um--
DPESS//YG ¤ Date
® BIBLE o Articl
I ___
y W 3. II G
_ W Q EE/V6`h’ '\ ·
5 On ·
g N
2 § -—
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§ 1
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N 1 1
I. _ _ _ .— _] : I
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CLOSET
WASH
© 57_"W0 Article
i
 
. Fig. 3. The same room after improvement. The furniture conforms to
the structural lines of the room. Book shelves have been bui1t`under the
high casement window and a clothes closet has been added. The wnshi
stand now has a more secluded place and added privacy is obtained bb
means of a folding screen. The old couch and round table have been
replaced by a desk with convenient lighting. The old rocker now wears n
slip cover and the end table and footstool make a cozy corner for reading.
 
 
I

 4-H Roam Improvement P¢·0jegt—Umt I 13
RECORD OF IMPROVEMENTS
Name ........................ . ................. Address .-..-................................... Age ................................ I
Club _,____ _ ___,,_________,. . .............................. County ..........................,_.,_.__,___,__,____ _ ___________________________
¤ Dam Work Started .......................................... Date Completed ............,_...,,_______,_,_____,__,  
, Articles made
I  
I Y Natum Of Hours Material Purchased
HIDE  
I Work SPGHI Kind I AmountI Cost
| $
I
I
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I I
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I
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I
Total I $
 
Articles Bought
,  
_I Name I Description I Cost
 
ms t0 I I $
er the
wash·
ed bb' I
been
BHTS {1
IdiIlS· I
I
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Total I $
 

 14 Kentucky Extension Circulam N0. 268
I Am·¤cI.Es REPAIRED on Rzmwnsuzn I
s 1· P I1 ` I
Name I ;i;;$::;t;;£, I§§§£€ I Ki`§§p ITMELZIIIQIM
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I SI2

 4-H Room Improvement Pr0ject—Unit I 15
SUGGESTIONS FOR ROOM IMPROVEMENT MEETINGS I
M Fmsr MEETING. I
@ Business: Election of officers,
  Discussion: How to draw the floor plan.
I Demonstration: Drawing a floor plan on graph paper to
I scale. I
I Home Work: Drawing floor plan of room showing
I location of furniture.
I SECOND MEETING. Fnooa PLANS AND ARRANGEMENT or
I FURNITURE
I Discussion: Floor plans of the irls’ rooms.
I E
· The arrangement of furniture.
I Demonstration; Arrangement of furniture.
I Work: Each girl uses cut—outs and shifts her
I furniture on floor plan until it is well
I arranged.
I Home Work: Girls arrange the furniture in their own
rooms.
I THIRD IVIEETING. Conoa Sonmrzes.
I Discussion: Color schemes for different rooms, and
I different Jersonalities.
I 1
I Work: Make color charts and plan c o l o r
schemes.
Home Work: Work on booklet. Mount color scheme.
Fonrrn IIIEETING. Home demonstration agent visits the
individual rooms.
. Cheeks color scheme for suitability to
room and individual.
Assists club member and mother in de-
I ciding what group of work should be
the major.
I FIFTH IIIEETING. Bi\CKGROUNDS·—WALLS.
Discussion: How to select wall paper.
L Woodwork and floors to harmonize with
Ic IIS
I . . “ " · . . .
_I’/ DGH10nstrat1on; [-[ow to clean walls. Calennimng.
Home \Vork: Decide on work to be done and begin
plans.
Sixrn MZEETING. Bi\CKGROUNDS—FLOORS AND WOODXXIORK.
I D1scussion: Inexpensive treatments for old floors.

 1
I  `*
16 Kentucky Ecvtension Circular N0. ,968  
Demonstration: Refinishing a worn iloor. Refinishing . 
woodwork. · `'“' i`
Home VVork: Start work on backgrounds of the room.  
SEVENTH MEETING. PRoi>ER CARE OF CLoTIIING. S5.
Discussion: Closet a1·rangement. Shelves, rods, shoe V
bags and shoe racks. D ‘
Illustrated Talk: "A VVell Arranged Cl0set."  
Work: Cut Pattern for Shoe Bag.  §¤
Home Work: Plan closet arrangement and make a ~ e
‘ sketch of it. Q at
EIGHTH BLIEETING. CARE or CLOTHING (Continued). Q 
DiSCuSSi011: Arrangement of Dresser. .  _g
Demonstration: Making dresser boxes and cardboard ‘""§“,;
partitions.  
Work: Each girl makes boxes or partitions.  
Home W01’l<= Complete boxes and partitions for the  
dresser.  
Sketch windows to scale showing ex-   i
posure and location on walls. T i
NINTH MEETING- ATTRACTIVE W1Nnows. i
Di$€¤SSi0¤¤ Designs for curtains. Relative costs.  
D€m0¤SU`21ti0H¢ Arrangement of curtains.  
W01'k¤ Each girl designs curtains for her room.  
Home W<>rk= Make curtains. --
TENTII l\L[EETING. PERsoNAE CLEANLINESS.  
DiS0HSSi011¤ Cleanliness equipment for the club gi1‘l’S  
1·oom.  
Demonstrations: A convenient washstand. K1
i A well-equipped shoe-shine box. I
Convenient arrangement of toilet anti- ° 
cles in a cabinet. ~.;__
\Vork; l\/faking a cleanliness accessory—foot- _ *¥
stool, toilet article cabinet, shoe-shine  _
box, screen, towels, covers, etc. ya
HOME XVoR1< Complete cleanliness improvements and   l
other unfinished work, also bookléf  
Arrange for tour.  
ELEVENTH BIEETING, Tour of Rooms. Combine this Willi H  
I picnic.  
T\\'ELFTH BIEETING. Exhibit.