These shelves are covered with three coats of enamel baked on steel and very durable, having the same qualities as the good table:--rigidity, non-absorption, and ease in cleaning. They are the parallel of the steel filing case in the office--and that is another sign that the kitchen is becoming as systematic as the business sanctum. Just as soon as the home approximates the efficiency and standardization of the office, just so soon will the servant problem cease to be. But we are not discussing the millennium in this chapter. The shelves can be made with or without doors. Of course doors are a little help in the fight against dust, yet even they are not infallible enemies of this household nuisance. Very often under the shelves the plate warmer and the refrigerator are placed. Their close proximity shows that the refrigerator is insulated against the heat and the plate warmer is insulated against the cold. This is really an object lesson in the possible self-identification of good apparatus. This arrangement will work well both in the pantry and in the kitchen. Wooden shelves are less expensive than the steel ones, but require careful attention, frequent cleaning, and new coverings at intervals. Plate glass shelves are being used of late. PLATE WARMER In speaking about the above luxurious pastry and cook’s tables, we touched on the matter of plate warmers. In small homes plate warming is accomplished by ovens, oven tops, or warming plates arranged above the ovens or stove. In larger homes, however, where guests are many and often and plates and dishes multitudinous, the electric plate warmer has come to do the work. It may be under a table, as you have seen above or it may be a separate entity. The doors of the plate warmer are generally of the sliding variety and are of a special make of iron, trimmed with steel or white metal. The interior of the warmer is perfectly insulated with asbestos and other materials. It does not warm the kitchen. This is proved by the possibility of its being placed next to a refrigerator without any bad results to the ice. There is a little ruby pilot light which tells you if the electricity is on or off, thus obviating the chance of unnecessary heat getting out when you wish to find out whether the warmer is functioning or not. The electric warmer usually stands a little higher than a table, but does not alter the size of the table when built underneath it. CHAIRS AND STOOLS Since the kitchen is in no way a lounge, the chair in the kitchen is really only another tool to assist in the work or possibly to permit a few moments of relaxation. Of course, it is quite obvious that in some kitchens which are a combination sitting room, living room and dining room, the chair and even the couch are real comfort factors. However, this type of room is not being considered here.