Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1912 — The American Home [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The American Home

WILLIAM A. RADFORD

Editor"

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 Raper. On account of his wide experience us Editor. Author and Manufacturer, he is, without doubt, the highest authority on all these subjects. Address dll inquiries lo Uilliarn A. Radford, No. 178 West Jackson boulevard. Chicago, 111., and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply.

'' hat constitutes, happiness, is a question around which iiopes and dreams have centered and over which philosophers have exercised their thought since the earth was young, 'io this day the question is asked, and Ihere is no unanimous answer. ihe ultimate springs of - happiness are within ourselves. Externals of wealth and luxury are merely incidentals that under certain conditions may enhance happiness, but to depeiffi upon them as the all-essential factors is an futile as to seek blooming roses on the cheek of death. The happiest people on this earth today, it seenis to me, are the homeloving people;, and once you own a home of your own, it is wonderful how strong is the attachment that binds you to it. There is nothing else in our life as individuals or as a nation upon which our happiness depends so much ps It does on our home' life. A happy home—all our very own—is the most precious of priceless Jewels. Consciously or unconsciously, the design and environment of the house we live in reflects itself in the sunshine or in the clouds and shadows of our lives. For years I have tried to contribute my little part toward fostering that tendency which we now see rapidly developing—for the business man of the city to live in the country or in the outlying, near-coun-try suburbs. Here alone can the or-

dinary salaried man or wage-earner find bls home ideals capable of realization. Many difficulties formerly In his way have, within recent years, been removed through the extension of rapid transportation facilities, so that, it is now possible for the brain worker to spend part of his time amid nature’s surroundings, where he can find relaxation and repose, and take his fill of life’s enjoyment. The growing desire to live In the country or under conditions practically the same as those of the country, and at the same time to be surrounded

by all the comforts and utilities of a city home, has had a great influence upon the design of the modern cottage. For a dwelling to be classed as an up-to-date, modern house, there are certain absolutely necessary features which it must possess. Money, of course, can put up any kind of house; but where the supply is limited, as in all ordinary happy home-building, the architect is confronted with a problem of considerable tlifficulty—namely, that of designing an inexpensive house, and yet one which shall have characteristics that make it distinctive and at the same time combine all the essentials and appointments of the [ up-to-date house. A cosy seven-ro m cottage home, which, by a displa of good taste ir choice of exterior coloring and interior decoration, ca i be tnade very attractive, and which at the same tlm/

will meet al! the requirements of a moderate-sized family, is illustrated In the accompanying half-tone perspective view and floor plans. Thia house can be built for from $1,850 to $2,000, depending on the locality. If is 30 feet 6 inches long, by 25 feet 8 inches wide, and will stand well on a lot 30 feet or more In width. A spacious covered porch across the front offers an inviting out-of-door; shaded resting place which may be put to a variety of uses obvious enough to anyone who has been accustomed to sharing the ‘'front steps.” - Passing the front door we enter a large re-

ception hall opening directly on th* left into a commodious living room, with a corner fireplace. Directly back! of the living room I§ a spacious dining room. The kitchen is only slightly smaller than the dining room, and' may be entered directly from the reception hall through a small hallway

closed at. each end by doors, and opening on the right through a door to the cellar stairway. Access to the dining room from the kitchen, and vice versa, Is through the pantry, which opens Into the kitchen through a swinging door. In this way the odors of cooking can be but little in. evidence throughout the house. A closed vestibule, with ice box accommodation, affords entrance to the kitchen from the back porch. Ascending the stairway from the reception hall to the second floor, we And ourselves In a hall opening directly by separate doors into the bathroom and Into every one of the four bedrooms. The two front bedrooms, each with Its own closet accommodation, are connected directly through a common door and form a suite extending across the full width, of the house. Each of the two bedrooms at the rear, also, has its own. closet. Every room is well lighted, and the location of the flreplace and. chimney, in the center of > the house, l.« calculated to help In the heating by reducing loss of heat through radiation to a minimum.

first Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan