Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 64, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1911 — The American Home [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The American Home

WILLIAiCA; 4MDFDRD2

Mr. William A. Radford will answer questions and give advice FREE OF COST on all subjects pertaining to the subject of building for thei 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. 104 Fifth Ave., Chicago, 111., and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply. It is plainly evident to all observers that the number of people who take an intelligent interest in house planning and house building is increasing. The popular press reveals this tendency very clearly. Illustrations and descriptions of modern houses and discussions of architectural subjects are overflowing from the technical press, finding a place in the newspapers ahd popular magazines. This growing interest among the people is all to the good. Architecture has suffered too long from popular ignorance and popular apathy. Generally speaking, people get the kind of architecture they like and the kind of building they are willing to accept There is enough architectural genius and enough skilled craftsmanship in our midst today to transform every town and village into a thing of beauty and to provide every family with a beautiful and healthy home. If the genius of the architect and the-skill of the workman are unemployed, or are wasted on unworthy objects, it is because the demand for this beautiful architecture has ndt yet become general and insistant. No

doubt, is is also due to the fact that some who appreciate and desire good architecture have not the means to command it. But the want of money is secondary. The matter of primary importance is that people should have Fight ideas as to what constitutes good architecture and s<rond building, and should insist whenever they cause buildings to be put up upon having only those which are both well designed and well built. Good Building, the First Essential. And here, no doubt, is a of danger. The popularizing of architecture is a good thing so long as the demand is for good architecture. A great uninstructed public demanding “quaint” houses and "picturesque” bungalows would get what it wants, but the result is not likely to make for real progress in architecture, or for healthy conditions in the building trade. When the house-hunting man turns with disgust from the “desirable villa residences!” to which the house agents have directed his’attention, and tried to sell to him, and determines to build himself a bouse according to his own and his wife’s ideas he takes a very right and proper course, but he is apt to go about it in a wrong way. He la-

rites an architect to design him a ••picturesque'’ house, with nooks and bay windows and overhanging eaves. It is to contain accommodaUons which might reasonably bo supplied for $4,000, but it is to cost not a penny more than $2,000. That is to begin at the wrong end. If a man’s chief ambition Is that all the landscape painters in .the neighborhood should come and erect their easels before his house, he does well to concern himself primarily with gables and nooks; but if he hold with Bacon that “houaos are built to live In and not to look on." be will do wall to give more attention to the sound-

ness of the walls and the root and the relative positions of dining room and kitchen. Let the man with $2,000 to spend determine that he will have as much good sound building as $2,000 will buy and therewith be content If this means being content with two sitting rooms Instead of the desired three, or abandoning a projected inglenook, there is a solid consolation In the knowledge that all the materialused in the house is thoroughly sound and has been put together in a workmanlike manner. When the essential thing—good building—is secured, a man may find it possible to indulge his fancies in many matters of detail; but he should be warned against too earnestly striving after the ideal of the picturesque. Having determined on the accommodation he desires and can afford, he will be well advised to be guided in regard to the design by his architecL The little cottage illustrated herewith is an example of a building thoroughly constructed and arranged according to the very best ideas for convenience; yet at the same time some little thought has been given to make the building attractive in appearance without adding materially to its cost. For $1,500 this five-room cottage has been built, using the very best methods of construction and finishing the building on the inside with oak, birch and yellow pine. A glance at the floor plan wyi show

the desirable features of its arrangement. The,living room and dining foom are of large size and open together by means of an arch opening. The kitchen is well away ' from the rest of the house, being separated from the dining room by the pantry, an arrangement which has been found to be very satisfactory. There are two good sized bedrooms very well placed. The bathroom is conveniently located. The attic space in this cottage is valuable for storage purposes, and since it is well ventilated serves to keep the first story cool during hot summer weather. The exterior is sided with clap-board, having band courses and corner boards used for ornamental effect. The cornice is rather wide and is of open timbered construction. Altogether this is an exceptionally attractive and economical little residence for the small family.

Floor Plan.