Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 211, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1910 — THE AMERICAN HOME W. A.RADFORD EDITOR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE AMERICAN HOME W. A.RADFORD EDITOR

Mr. 'WllHam A. Radford will answer Questions and give advice FREE OF COST on all subjects pertaining to the subject of building for the readers of this paper. On account of his wide experience as Editor, Author and Manufacturer, he is, without doubt, the highest authority on all these subjects. Address all inquiries to William A. Radford, No. 184 Fifth Ave., Chicago, 111., and only •nclose two-cent stamp for reply. It is one of the healthful signs of present day building that the interior arrangement of a house is given more attention and is considered more important than is its exterior appearance. Home builders have outgrown that period when matters of design were regulated by what the neighbors would think. A generation ago every house had to have Its front and back parlor; the former preferably garnished with a round tower bay window arrangement on the corner and the exterior elaborately supplied with fancy ornaments, if the building was to command any distinction at all in the community; and all of this was to the general detriment of the home interior. A modern house, on the other hand, is designed to sheet the needs of the family life, providing rooms that are well lighted, well ventilated, of proper size and so arranged that the work of house' keeping may be reduced to its lowest terms. The architect draws his floor plans and lets the exterior appearance largely take care of itself. Yet, in Bpite of this, the modern houses planned in this way are more attractive in their general exterior appearance than were the pretentious, overornamented dwellings of old. Simplicity and directness are the two first requirements for successful design—elements which eome strongly into play in this present-day idea of home planning. In the accompanying de«ign the most important consideration was to have the first floor so planned that an- impression of spaciousness be gained upon entering the front door; *t tfie same time it was desired that

the dining room and kitchen be separated from the rest of the house at times, when a certain privacy there Is desired. This is a very frequent requirement; yet, it is surprising how often our houses as they are built fulfil but part of this requirement. A glance at the first-floor plan will show an arrangement which accomplishes the purpose veijy successfully in this case. Entrance is had at the center in front into a spacious square hall; to -the left the stairway ascends to the second floor; to the right through the column archway is the large living room, 14 by 25 feet, occupying the entire left side of the house. This Is a beautiful room, with

beamed celling and having a large brick fireplace at the further end. The dining room la In the center at the rear, directly back of the entrance hall. This room la reached by way of a broad doorway from the aide of the living room, double doors separating the two when desired. Both the living room and dining room ore exceptionally well lighted, the three window groups being both attractive In appearanoe and efficient tor lighting and ventilation. It la seldom that one finds so good an arrangement as this In a house of eguare outline, which, of course. Is the most economical to build. It is usually necessary. In order to secure the desirable features mentioned, to

arrange part of the room in an ell or otherwise complicate the design.) The arrangement of the kitchen and! pantry will be seen to be very convenient for the preparation of meals.: On the second floor three large bedrooms and a bathroom are provided. Eacn room has cross ventilation.; There are five Clothes closets; also a' nice space for a sewing room in the well-lighted upper hall. The exterior of this house is very simple, yet it is highly attractive. It is a modem

adapatatlon of the Dutch colonial style. Cement plaster on metal lath is employed for the walls. A number of attractive color schemes are feasible for its use; cream color for the cement plaster and brown for the wood trim around the doors and windows being perhaps as good as any. The roof is of slate. Thp cost of this house is estimated at $4,000.

First Floor Flan.

Second Floor Plan.