Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1912 — The American Home [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The American Home

WILLIAMA? RADFORa' Editor^

Mr. William A. Radford will answer questions and give advice FREE OF GOST 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. 178 West Jackson boulevard, Chicago, 111., and only enclose two-cent stamp for reply.

What constitutes happiness, Is a question around which hopes and dreams have centered and over which philosophers have exercised their thought since the earth was young. To this day the question is asked, and still there is no unanimous answer. The ultimate springs of happiness are within ourselves. Externals of wealth and luxury are merely incidentals that under certain conditions may enhance happiness, but to depend 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 seems 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 as 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 nowsee 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 his 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 ufi-to-date, modern house, there are certain absolutely necessary 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 difficulty—namely, that of designing an Inexpensive house, and yet one which shall have characteristics that make ft distinctive and at the Bame time combine all the essentials fend appointments of the up-to-date house. A cosy seven-room cottage home, which, by a display of good taste in choice of exterior coloring and Interior decoration, can be made yary attractive, and which at the same

will meet all the requirements of a moderate-sized family, is illustrated in the accompanying half-tone perspective view and floor plans. This house can be built for from $1,850 to $2,000, depending on the locality. It is 30 feet 6 inches long, by 25 feet 6 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 the left into a commodious living room, with a corner fireplace. Directly back of the living room is 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 bouse. 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 find 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 fireplace and chimney, in the center of th« house. Is calculated to help in the heating by reducing loss of heat through radian tion to a minimum.

Second Floor Plan

First-Floor Plan