Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1912 — IDEAS FOR HOME BUILDERS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IDEAS FOR HOME BUILDERS

BY WM.A.RADFORD

Mr. William 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 aQ inquiries to William A. Radford, No. 178 West -Jackson boulevard, Chicago, HI., and only •enclose two-cent stamp for reply. A cottage house requires a little more room on the ground that a twostory house having the same amount •of floor area. Sometimes builders claim that such houses cost more because of the extra foundation and the •extra roof; but if you steal a little space from the gables, the way this plan does it, you get more room and more comfort than you have with the ordinary restricted two-story house. r The foundation and roof to cover two different floorß, one above the other, may not cost much more than a loundation and roof of the same size to cover one floor, but there are arguments both ways. It is a question that builders have never settled, and one they never can settle, because individual tastes differ and requirements are different in each case. If a person prefers the comfortable home look of a low, wide house, that is the proper thing to build, . provided, of course, that conditions are favorable 'for such a dwelling. Generally speaking, in a village or ithe suburbs of a large town, a cottage looks better than the ordinary cheap two-story house, because it is •easier to give it a cosy, home-like appearance. The higher you get up into the air, the more difficult it is to de«igh at moderate cost a house that

■will offer a pleasing appearance as you approach It from a distance. The house design here shown can be worked into a very cozy, comfortable home, at a cost of about $2,700. It gives four good-sized rooms downstairs, with three l bedrooms on the second floor, and a great many conveniences by way of closets and cupboards of different kinds. In a cottage house, it seems to be the most satisfactory to have the bath room on the first floor, because you always want one or two bedrooms downstairs, as the upstairs in a house of this kind is not used except when necessary. You live downstairs. The ceilings are high; the rooms are light and airy; and everybody seemß to prefer the first floor in a cottage house. In this design very little room is

V- ' *‘*'FyS taken up by hallways. Architects hare* been laboring a great many years to get sway from long, dark halls. A desirable combination of often leads to awkward passageways. This should be avoided, evehvlf you have to discard all your pet ideahlh building to accomplish it. The reception room In this house cannot be counted in as a hallway, because it really is part of the living room. The idea is to have all the front part of the house open and free. The modern tendency in bdldldg seems to be, also, to gel as far away is possible from, the old-fashioned, closed-up parldr. We occasionally Usd houses in country places where the old-fashioned parlor still occupies the best part of the house. It is cleaned twice a year, and tflfsed up the rest sf the time, except j when company

comes, or when there is a funeral in the family v At such times, one window is opened a few inches if the weather is warm enough; but the room retains its damp, musty odor and gruesome associations. Entertaining company in such houses is an unusual occurrence. Visitors never feel at home, and they don’t come again for quite a long while. The best

houses today have no "parlors,” even the name has been discarded as far as possible. Instead, we now have A good, big "living room” that Is light, comfortable and well ventilated, with a corner for each member of the family and with space enough left for

their friends. This room is made as bright and cheerful as possible,' and furnished In such a way as to Invite confidence. The chairs are heavy, and there is a great big davenport or a wide lounge , that looks substantial and feels comfortable. You are not fraid to sit down In the best chair in the room, because it looks strong and it is covered with some kind of material built for wear Instead of mere attractive appearance. A good appearance, however, is by no means sacrificed, but is merely intidental to the serviceable qualities of the furniture. Such rooms usually are found in the house of large-hearted, brainy people, who have the Interests of their families and friends at heart —people who entertain pleasantly and agreeably because their hearts are in the right place. They may not "put on" a great deal of style, but they understand bow to dispense hospitality in a natural, comfortable way that puts every guest at perfect ease. They get more out of life because of it, and their influence in the community spreads the spirit of genial intercourse and is good and uplifting to all.

First Floor Plan.

Second Floor Plan.