Inc. Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co.

“ The dainty cottage—the inviting semi-bungalow—the comfortable Colonial—the cosy story-and-a-half—these are the leading types of homes to-day. And when there is built into them that particular beauty, and those conveniences—modern sanitation, lighting, ventilation and heating—that will suit the taste of the individual family, their mode of living and their pocketbook—then indeed does the dwelling place become "a thing of beauty and a joy forever". ”

“ The consistent use of wide clapboarding is indeed a pleasing feature, and there is a touch of genuine originality in the roof treatment around the front dormer. The roominess of the wide veranda is a harmonizing part of the generous proportions of the whole.
A luxurious living room greets you as you enter from the vestibule. The dining room, just to the rear and on a corner gladdens you with its brightness. Your attention is also called to the plentiful light provided throughout—six windows in the living room, three in the dining room and three in the kitchen. ”

“ Charm has been our watchword in the creation of the Rochester—a charming exterior as well as a charming room arrangement. A house of modest proportions at moderate cost has been attained without sacrificing either inside or outside attractiveness.
The sloping roof lines blend in gracefully with the shingled walls and the veranda. Entering the home, one finds a living room indeed luxurious for a home of this size. A dandy dining room and the usual kitchen, together with a secluded den, complete the first floor layout. ”

“ Perforce, many must live part of their lives in the rented house. But however desirable, no family can ever acquire quite that deep-seated love and interest for, nor have the incentive to adorn and beautify, a dwelling place for which they pay toll to a landlord. But when the place which shelters the family belongs to them, when they know that every thought and every dollar they put into it is a permanent investment which pays big dividends in the family happiness and contentment—then that place, however lowly or humble, becomes truly a home. ”

“ There's a wiser, more economical way. Once the plan for a house has been tried and proven true, use it many times over; let hundreds of people divide the cost—let hundreds of people reap the benefit of these plans."
"This is the day of machinery, the day for producing in tremendous quantities, thereby accomplishing in minutes that which would consume hours, days and weeks to achieve by usual methods. After having worked out plans to the highest point of economy, why not cut the materials by labor-saving machines instead of the old hand method, thereby reducing labor and waste to a minimum." ”

“ The broad, sloping roof, broken by a well-formed dormer, and unusually wide porch lend dignity to the whole exterior of this home. If one wishes, shingles may well be used in the place of the siding protecting the first story, and variegated colors used in soft-toned effects.
You enter the Fulton through the charming reception hall. From there the stairway winds to the second story. There's a wide cased opening introducing you to the living room, at one end of which you may have an inviting fireplace built if you wish. The dining room receives light from two sides. ”

“ Just beyond you catch a glimpse of the dining room. Through a door to the right, but out of sight, are the two bedrooms—one with four windows! There are large closets, a linen closet, and the usual bath. The kitchen is furnished with our celebrated cabinet; a door leads to a grade entrance and to the cellar.
There's a wonderful porch—wide and deep, with room for many a lounging chair, a veranda-swing, or any comfort you may elect.
Owners of the York are most enthusiastic about its individuality, its livableness, its economy both in first and in upkeep cost. ”

“ As you have watched work on a house, have you ever stopped to figure how very much of a workman's time was spent in first measuring, then cutting, then trying and perhaps refitting the material—all this is against the very small amount of time required for fastening and nailing? Well, we save you all that fuss and waste by furnishing the material not merely cut, but cut to fit more accurately than hand labor ever could. ”

“ The living room always proves a great attraction—both to the family and to visitors. A handsome stairway leads upward from the left of this bright room, while the inviting dining room with its prized bay window greets you through a pretty colonnade. The kitchen is compact, light, and equipped with a labor-saving cabinet.
Upstairs, also, you will find the same combination of bright, cheerful quarters. The bathroom is nearby, and large closet and storage room serve for keeping some family belongings without cluttering up the useful rooms. ”

“ The extending roof with its distinctive dormer, the shingled upper story, the wide expanse of porch, the solid type of porch pillars—everything bears out the impression that here live people of a most desirable American type. The first room inside is a reception hall, serving the purpose of receiving the casual caller, and of providing the place from whence a simple stairway winds toward the upstairs. The living room is a square one with five windows to guarantee a flood of light. From here a colonnade-opening leads to the dining room on one of the back corners of the house. ”

“ The wide-eaved porch lends dignity to the front. The novel siding supplies individuality.
You are immediately impressed with the roomy living-room—and the fine balance of fireplace at one end and ascending stairway at the other. The dining room is wonderfully cheerful, and with its wide opening to living room is especially prized. The kitchen receives light and air from two sides. The grade entrance saves an extra outside door, yet gives easy access to basement and outdoors.
The bedrooms and the bath all center on an attractive upstairs hall. And see how ample is all closet space. ”

“ These women are expert interior decorators who do nothing but plan for our Homes Beautiful. It does not matter whether your home and the amount of money you wish to spend be small or large—our experts will help you plan to the very best advantage with whatever you care to spend. Too, they will either plan entirely, or help you plan—as you choose. They know, thoroughly, every home that we build—every nook and corner of every one of them. ”

“ In building the Bennett Way you have this genuine advantage—you know, before you build, just exactly how your home will look after it is completed. Do you know that when your local architect or contractor designs your home for you? He may convince you that his design is what you want, and induce you to accept it, even against your own better judgment. ”

“ Every woman wants her home to express charm, personality, good taste. But every woman does not care to employ a high-priced interior decorator. Yet it must be conceded that someone who does nothing all day but plan colors, lights and furniture arrangement, can save, through wide experience, long days and nights of anxious thought for the home-keeper. To get just the prettiest arrangement for rooms really does take much valuable time and much trouble. ”

“ Red Cedar Shingle and Redwood clapboard side wall protection has been provided to give more than usual character to the design, and lasting life. The spacious substantial porches provide outdoor comfort for both families. The whole exterior is one of fine balance and dignity.
Upstairs and down the living rooms are ample, attractive, a casement window enriching each; just back are the dining rooms with three splendid windows apiece. ”

“ You enter a cozy reception hall, with its pretty stairway and landing. An attractive colonnade arch leads into a well lighted living room. Here you may have your cozy fireplace—or, if you prefer, none at all. French doors communicate with an unusually attractive dining room. Many will be pleased with the bedroom and bath on first floor. Note the splendid bedrooms with roomy closets on second floor—bath with an easy access, a linen closet, a large kitchen cabinet. ”

“ Through the ages—from the rugged cave, the rough tent of animal skins, the crude log cabin, down to the Home Beautiful of To-day—home building has been the strong primal instinct. Men have practiced all the pursuits of peace and war for those things for which home stands—love, family, hospitality, security, worship. ”

“ Then look within—a generous living room with cheery fireplace, liberal-sized dining room, a secluded retreat in the form of the den, convenient kitchen, and three large, light, airy bedrooms and bath upstairs.
In the Hamilton you have all advantages of the semi-bungalow construction—compactness and proper economy—combined with the ample elbow-room of a full-sized home, designed and built for lifetime usage—and sufficiently reasonable to be within the means of most folks with home-owning aspirations. ”

“ Often an attractive exterior will be found to conceal a poor arrangement of rooms. This is not the case with the Waverly. Careful attention has been given to details and we believe that every housewife will appreciate the excellent floor plan arrangement. You enter direct from the porch into one of the prettiest living rooms you have ever seen. Triple windows in front and side are among the attractive features of this room, allowing worlds of sunshine and cheer to enter, but still leaving plenty of wall space for furniture. ”

“ Today, more than ever before, people are seriously considering how they shall live. They realize that the dwelling place has a marked influence upon living and character—that the inspiration of home, next to religion, is the greatest in life. ”

“ And within!—An ideal floor plan affords three well-lighted bedrooms, a spacious living room, well-arranged kitchen and bath conveniently located to all rooms, and made desirably private by a small hall. Between living and dining rooms is an impressive colonnade arch. There's the luxury of a fireplace if you wish it—and high casement windows at either side with nooks beneath for bookcases or furniture. ”

“ Placing the sleeping rooms on the right side of the house with the day rooms on the left is an appealing plan as it simplifies housework. Both bedrooms have plenty of light and air, while commodious closet space is provided. The bathroom is accessibly located and completes a decidedly practical arrangement.
If the amount of money you have set aside for a home is near the price of the Woodward, you can make it yours with full assurance that its satisfaction will be as great as its economy. ”

“ Broad top roofs, front and sides, are adequately broken with wide dormers, giving a final touch to an exterior already most attractive.
As you enter the reception hall a pretty stairway leads up to the half-way landing. Directly ahead is one of those highly desirable conveniences, a coat closet. Then, through a wide opening, you are greeted by a sight of a rather large living room—the bright dining room just beyond adding its share to the home's invitation. The kitchen is replete with both cabinet and pantry! There is a rear and a side entrance, the last at grade. ”

“ The story runs that fire came as a gift from the Gods to Man. And so heavenly seemed its qualities of beauty, light and warmth, that Man reverenced it—ceased wandering and built his abode around its glowing radiance. ”

“ It is quite necessary for the architect to charge a considerable fee for his drawings, for he must pay expenses and a profit. The drawings for our houses are even more elaborate, and the first cost of production is naturally much greater. Yet there is this gain for you: when the drawings are once made, hundreds of blue prints are made from them at practically a negligible cost. Therefore, we furnish you with blue prints from our drawings absolutely free of fees or of any charge.
ECONOMY IN STANDARDIZATION
Millions of feet of choice lumber air-drying for your and other fine homes. ”

“ This book is the story, in word and picture, of actual homes proven by living people to be Beautiful, Practical, Substantial. ¶ The designs and plans are the final creations, after years of study and experience, of Foremost American Authorities on Home Architecture and Construction. ¶ Economy is the controlling thought in these plans—not economy that merely cheapens but that which eliminates all unnecessary costs without sacrifice of appearance, strength or utility. ¶ Bennett Homes are truly Better-Built—better to look at, better to live in and better to last. ”

“ In designing an attractive home, a professional architect can give little thought to standard lengths or shapes of material. Our Bennett Better-Built designers, however, put forth both thought and effort toward producing, not only an attractive home, but one which is economical of rough and finished lumber, millwork, etc.
For instance, there are certain standard lengths and widths of lumber, and certain standard styles and sizes of windows, doors, window frames, door frames—in fact of every kind of millwork. ”

“ The best designs and plans have been produced for hundreds to share the benefits—a huge modern mill in the heart of the lumber market has been equipped with labor-and-waste-saving machinery of the latest type—and YOU, who want to build a home, reap the advantages and savings of the Bennett-Way in securing one of finer design, greater convenience, and genuine durability. ”

“ Plans by experienced architects have been costly; the cost of lumber has been high; the amount of labor necessary to cut and trim rough and finished lumber has been a serious item; there have been endless worries—delays—extra costs; plans have looked good on paper, but have not worked out well; contractors have been known to be careless about the quality of the material and of the work on the job. ”

“ To combine attractiveness, individuality and economy in one design requires skill, but you will find that the Stanley possesses them all. A more attractive cottage could hardly be imagined. You can see that the pretty exterior effect is obtained by the use of a well proportioned porch, large built-up porch columns, broad overhanging roof, clapboards for side walls with shingles and panels for gables. One of our most attractive front doors, the "Conesus," and the latest style of panel sash are furnished with this design. ”