Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 August 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 experience as Editor, Author and Manufacturer, ho 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. 1

One of the most economical sixroom cottages ewr built is represented in this design. It is 20 feet in width by 38 feet in length, with both porches built into the main frame. The layout of the rooms is well liked by most people; in fact, it is a very pbpular house, both for looks and for convenience, besides making a very cozy, comfortable home at a moderate cost

On the first floor we have a good living room, 12 feet square, and a splendid dining room several feet larger. The living room is entirely shut off from the other part of the house—which is considered a great advantage by some housekeepers. Economy also Is adhered to in building the stair. The cheapest way to get upstairs is to build the steps between two partitions; and it is a very satisfactory arrangement, too, especially where you can have a window at bottom and another at the top for light, as we have in this case.

It will be noticed that economy- is the prevailing idea all through the house —not parsimony, but pure, simple, straightforward economy. In the first place it is a straight-sided, rightangled plan, high enough at the side for the first story only, the upper rooms being made entirely in the roof. Of course the curb in the roof is necessary; in fact, that is the principal difference in the outside dimensions from the ordinary cottage roof. This house would be too small above for anything but an Attic without the curb or gambrel in the roof. The prevailing fashion at present is to have plenty of windows, and it is a good fashion. Nothing adds more to the comfort of a house than to have

plenty of light In the living room there are two windows on the side, and a triple window, on the casement order, in front—equivalent to almost five windows in this one room. Still, it is not too much; it simply helps to make a pleasant, well-lighted, airy, and comfortable front room that any woman would be pleased with. The two high windows in the hall are built high up, to be out of the way for a hall rack.

In a small house like this, you want to utilize every corner and take advantage of every opportunity to add to its capacity. The hall is not only an entrance, but it may be Aised to advantage as a telephone booth, and

it may be given a handsome appearance by putting In a long, heavy, oak hall rack against the left-hand side. Opening from the, far side of the dining room Is a little nook or den 5 by 6% feet in size. This may be fitted up for a children’s study or for a library. It is possible to make a good deal of such a nook as this. The seat Is a box with a hinged lid, having a good thick comfortable cushion on top The walls may be covered with

burlap or some tufted material; if tufted, it should match the cushion on the seat; and as to colors, it should also match the carpet or rug on the floor. The tufted material may reach clear to the ceiling, or it may reach only to the picture molding. A very neat, cozy arrangement is to have a wide ehelf above the seat, about six feet from the floor. Then you carry the tufted material up to the shelf, and across underneath, to a neat finish on the outer edge. Above the shelf have cupboards fitted with doors and shelves for books. The only chair in this little room then should be one of those step-ladder chairs that open up when you want to

climb up to reach something overhead...

There is room for a small writing desk in front of the window. A desk seems almost necessary in a nook of this kind; but it must be low so that it will not obstruct the light; and it must bfe small enough not to project very much in front of the doorway. A great deal of time may be put on thia little nook, and it may be made the

most comfortable corner in the house, and one that will be liked and com* mented upon by almost every visitor. Porches built in this way cost almost nothing, because they are part of the house; and they look well. There are just two outside doors to this little cottage, and they are both protected by these built-in porches. It is not necessary or desirable to have a bold outside door staring directly out at everybody. Porches are modern things; and they are becoming better appreciated all the time. ,

Second Floor Plan.

First Floor Plan.