Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1911 — The American Home WILLIAM A. RADFORD EDITOR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The American Home WILLIAM A. RADFORD EDITOR

Mr. ‘William A. Radford will answer questions and rive 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 la, without doubt, the highest authority on all these subjects. Address all inquiries to William A- Radford, No. PM Fifth Ave., Chicago. UL, and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply. There are many who speak of the present as the Age of Cement And certainly, from the rapidly multiplying evidences to be found on every hand, It would appear as if concrete had already gone too far to establish its claims as a very serviceable substitute for the old-time stone and brick and timber —not necessarily driving these latter out of use in building construction, save where their cost becomes prohibitive, but lending Itself easily to attractive combination with them, showing a wider adaptability to varying conditions affecting design, and having some exclusive advantages that readily explain the tremendous popularity of this versatile form of building material. A few years ago, a “cement house” was felt to be an “uncertain quantity;” and here and there, even to this day, we find a few lingering remnants of the old prejudice against this type of construction. But now that the manufacture of Portland cement has been and scientifically perfected, and experience has taught the world absolute safe and reliable methods of using it in the mixing and structural application of concrete, people everywhere are coming in increasing numbers to recognize that the cement house may be just as attractive as any other —just as dry and healthful and light and cheery—

and may possibly be In the long run just a little bit the most economical. In the accompanying perspective and floor plan, we illustrate a very attractive little house design especially adapted to cement stucco construction —a" type of construction which Is forging its way into increasing favor because of its pleasing appearance when appropriately designed, and its comparative Cheapness. This house is of the characteristic western bungalow style. It is very compact and convenient in arrangement, all space being used to good advantage. Five good-sized rooms are provided, besides bathroom arid pantry, each room being very well lighted, and each bedroom having a capacious closet. Many practical builders have Bald that the bungalow is a fad, no doubt

good enough, it is true, for Southern California or the southern states, such as Florida and Louisiana, but in the main not suitable for practical building throughout the country at large. It has been affirmed that the cost of the bungalow stylo dwelling is far in excess of that of the ordinary type twoetory house providing the same accommodations.' The criticism against tins bungalow has been due, not so much to the real characteristics of the style itself, as to the over-enthusiasm of its devotees, who have advocated it for buildings for which ft was never intended. Designed originally for summer cottage work and for spacious building Bites, preferably of a hilly nature, there have been too many Instances where this type of dwelling has beeff squeezed into a narrow city lot and

put in between high two or three-story] dwellings, much to the detriment oft the typical bungalow style. Much! very peculiar art has been perpetrated in the name of the bungalow, and n has to account for many freakisti dwellings for which It is not In anj\ way to blame. We have never happened to see aj bungalow-style office building, nor do we remember having heard of one;], still, what is almost as bad, the bungalow style church Is quite a common thing in- many of our cities and suburbs. These are uses never contemplated by the originators of the bungalow in this country, and should not be charged up against the style. The bungalow, rightly understood, is an artistically designed cottage, and within that sphere has some exceedingly creditable features of work to show. The estimated cost of the house here shown ranges from $1,650 to SI,BOO, depending to some extent on the locality and on local market conditions of material and labor. Th* design has that simplicity and directness which are the keynotes characteristic of the bungalow style of house. At a cost no greater than for a plain, unoraamented cottage with the same accommodations, a real home-like, cozy and attractive dwelling is secured. The porch, as can be seen, Is a prominent feature adding to the external appearance—and the same is true of every typical bungalow. This one is six feet wide by nineteen and a half feet long, extending along almost the entire front of the dwelling, supported by massive pillars, and the coping of the Inclosing wall affording

a convenient scheme of further adornment by the use ot flower boxes and vases. It forms not only the main decorative feature qf the front of the building, but serves the extremely practical end of being the outdoor living room for the family in summer weather. Entering the house, we find the entire front portion given up to a living room, 16 by 14 opening directly into a spacious dining-room, 12 by 14 feet, the latter having a large mantel and fireplace, adding much to the pleasing home-likeness of the interior. Both of these rooms are nicely lighted, and provide the accommodations for the necessary furniture for convenient housekeeping. The broad space in the diningroom near the kitchen door is just the location which a built-in sideboard or buffet should have to be most convenient and ornamentally located. The kitchen connects directly with the dining-room, giving convenient service; and the pantry is also conveniently located near the back porch entrance and the cellar stairway. A hall leads directly from the livingroom back to the bathroom. Doors open leading Into this hallway, affording easy acoess also from kitchen and bedrooms to the bathroom. \ The bedrooms in this cottage both lie -on the same side of the house. Each is twelve and a half by ten feet and well lighted, the closets forming a feature that will be much appreciated by the housewife: The eiterior material for, this bungalow is Portland-cement stucco, which lends Itself readily to a great variety of schemer ~bf ornamentation. The body of the wall may be either wood or steel framework, or it may be built up of brick or concrete blocks or hollow tile. If built of molded shapes, the stucco may be plastered on directly; but if of framwork, the stucoo must be carried by lathing, preferably of wire mesh or of one of the forms of expanded metal lath, which must be fastened firmly to the frame, but sufficiently loose to allow for-expansion and contraction, „ thus preventing the formation of cracks. The exterior finish may be of rough piaster effect, or pebble dash, or embody a color scheme secured by the use of colored'aggregates exposed by brushing and add washing, or obtained by mixing mineral colors with the mortar or. by the external application of appropriate colored finishes. The use of mosaics of colored tiling or angular fragments of vitreous material Is another possibility that offer* I Itself.

Floor Plan