Life, 1929-05-24 · page 36 of 36
Life — May 24, 1929 — page 36: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily a **Crane plumbing fixtures advertisement**, not political satire. The page showcases a bathroom design meant to demonstrate that elegance doesn't require excessive spending. The ad emphasizes affordable materials—inexpensive hangings, painted plaster walls, oak flooring, and notably *no costly tiling*—while still achieving "colorfully charming" aesthetics. The featured "Nile green lavatory" and fixtures from Crane's Corwith group represent modern plumbing comfort at accessible price points. The advertisement's pitch targets middle-class homeowners considering bathroom remodels or new house construction in what appears to be the early 20th century, promoting both practicality and aspirational modernity. There is no cartoon or political content on this page—it is straightforward product advertising using a room photograph to sell the philosophy that quality bathroom design needn't be prohibitively expensive.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
« * THROOM beauty does not necessarily mean large expenditures. In proof, this room is offered. The hangings are inexpen- sive, the walls painted plaster, the floor oak. Not a square of costly tiling is used. Yet it would be hard to find a room more color- fully charming. Or possessing more mod plumbing comfort and quality than this one, with its Nile green lavatory, dressing table, and bath, from the newest Crane Corwith group. Suggested for remodeled houses, where it will add value far past the cost, this room will be inspiring also in planning new houses... . Many other Crane ideas for beautiful bathrooms are collected in the book, New Ideas for Bathrooms. Ask for acopy. See your architect and a responsible plumb- ing contractor about plans and estimates. FIXTURES, FITTINGS AND PIPING Crane Co., General Offices, 836 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago * 23 W. 44th Se FOR DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL USE New York * Branches and sales offices in one hundred and exghty cities VALVES, comicbooks.com