S. B. Reed

“ Upwards of twenty years’ experience in planning and building has taught me that it is not difficult to design either as to Style, Room, [63] or Cost, when the owners have means sufficient to gratify their individual tastes, and no special care is required to save expense. But it is quite another matter to provide plans for the great mass of people who, through habit or necessity, put everything to the test of economy, and to whom every inch of room, or foot of material, is an important consideration. ”

“ All exterior wood-work, though executed with the greatest care and in the most substantial manner, if left exposed to climatic influences, is very soon destroyed. It is economy to use only the best lead and linseed-oil in painting exterior wood-work. They will outlast all other compounds, present a better appearance, and in the end furnish a much better foundation for future painting. The difference in cost between the best materials and the imitations, for painting the exterior of a house built on these plans, would not exceed $12, and the cost of labor would be just the same in either case. ”

“ The old maxim, “whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well,” especially applies to building a home in which one is to spend a lifetime. This does not imply extravagance in any sense, only demanding such careful and intelligent application of the ordinary rules of construction, as shall insure substantial work, that will not be a continuous source of anxiety and expense. ”

“ Everyone appreciates a nice lawn in front of a country home, through which inviting approaches lead from the road entrances bordered with flowers, and where space is allowed for shade trees and shrubbery. ”

“ Any one of ordinary intelligence should be able to generally superintend the operations of the mechanics employed in constructing a farm-house. The following points are of the greatest importance. Carefully watch that the foundation-walls are substantially laid, and accurately leveled on their upper surfaces, so that the doors shall not strike the floor or carpets in opening, nor the tables, chairs, or other furniture be obliged to stand on three legs. The frame-work, when raised, should be plumb, so that all work on or in the building can be cut square, and applied without tedious fitting. ”

“ Each of these rooms has neat marble mantles, and opens into the front hall. The Kitchen connects with the dining-room, and is provided with a pantry, pump, sink, two windows, and an outside door leading to the rear yard. When houses are built on single village lots, it is usual to arrange for one “blank” side, as in this plan, but where more ground is allowed, it is desirable that openings should be made for at least one window in each story of this side, as they would add to the cheerfulness of the interior, and give a better appearance to the outside. ”

“ Many small houses in the country are built without any permanent foundation, but are temporarily supported on posts set in the ground, and “boarded down.” They are always shaky, and doubtful while they stand, and are frequently blown over altogether. As will be readily seen, the above method provides for the saving of one-half of the mason-work in the foundation. In many places stone is abundant, and will answer the same purpose as brick in this case, except for the 6 inches above ground. The laying up of a single-face wall, 21⁄2 feet high, of rough stone and mortar, would cost but a trifle. ”

“ In all house-plans, we advise putting in all the closets possible; they are always convenient, even a foot square “cubby-hole” in the side of a chimney is a handy place. In planning a house, after making the size as large as one’s means will allow, the “better half” should be consulted as to the advisability of making this or that room a little smaller by cutting off a few inches here and there to enlarge a pantry or closet.... ”

“ To a certain extent, one’s dwelling is an index of his character. Any effort at building expresses the owner’s ability, taste, and purpose. Every industrious man, starting in life, has a right, and should be encouraged, to anticipate prosperity, as the sure reward of honest worth ”

“ The parlor, dining-room, and kitchen, are all good-sized apartments, and pleasantly arranged. Double folding doors are provided for the front entrances and from the hall to the parlor, and sliding doors between the parlor and dining-room. A bay-window adds materially to the size and pleasantness of the dining or living-room. Each room has an open fire-place; the kitchen has a pump and sink, with the usual supply and waste pipe connections. The rear stoop is roofed, and has a portable enclosure of light ceiling boards, to be used in severe weather.... ”

“ A new departure in medical knowledge for the people—the latest progress, secrets and practices of all schools of healing made available for the common people—health without medicine, nature without humbug, common sense without folly, science without fraud. ”

“ The Area walls should be made of hard brick, with stone coping and steps, laid in cement mortar. All chimneys should be started and laid up with the foundation, and the materials interlaced to bind them together; this will insure additional strength to both foundation and chimney. We recommend plastering, or “laying off” the ceiling of the cellar, with one coat of brown mortar, at a cost of $25, which would be a permanent [190] benefit to the whole house, in preventing the damp cellar air from rising up through the floors and frame-work of the house. ”

“ The details of the exterior finish are so plain, that the work of “getting out” the several parts may be done by the mechanics employed in building, without recourse to the scroll-saw or carver. The truss-work of the cornices, and the open frame-work, and columns of the verandas, are of dressed timber, and stop-chamfered. All the roofs have sufficient pitch to allow the use of shingles, which are much lighter and cooler than slate or metal. Veranda roofs so [110] constructed do not reflect so much heat into the chamber windows as others, which is important in a warm climate.... ”

“ This earth finish around the foundation is especially adapted to wet or clayey soils, where it is desirable to have the cellar mostly above ground; at the same time it secures greater elevation to the whole building.... There are marked features of dissimilarity in the several openings, and in the details of the exterior dressing, each part being adapted to its special purpose, and so arranged as to be in keeping with the general design; it therefore unites harmony and beauty.... Cellar, (fig. 66.) —The Cellar extends under the whole house; clear hight 61⁄2 feet. ”

“ The gutters are to be those described for Design V. The joinings of the wing-roofs against the main building are made perfectly tight by laying in, against the building, right angle strips of zinc or tin “flashing,” with each course of slate before the siding is put on. Slate is unquestionably the best material for such roofing when the form of roof will admit of its use; its cost is the same as for good tinning, and about 2 cents per square foot in excess of pine shingles; when once properly done, will last for centuries ”

“ A force-pump is set near the iron sink, and arranged to supply water from the cistern to the tank, when the rain supply is exhausted. It will be observed that all the plumbing apparatus is placed [177] in close proximity, thus insuring economy in the cost of their introduction, and also that their location prevents any serious injury that might arise from a chance bursting, or through carelessness. No windows are shown at the rear of the summer kitchen, or bath-room, this space being reserved for any additions that may be desired for fuel, etc.... ”

“ The brick corner-work may be laid in dark or blue mortar with good effect in subduing the strong contrasts in color. Interior plastering should never be applied directly to the stone-work. Such walls do not readily conform to the sudden changes of the surrounding temperature, and are rendered damp and unwholesome from the moisture of the air being condensed upon them. They should be furred off, leaving an air-space between the stone-work and plastering, through the whole hight of the wall, and opening into the spaces between the rafters of the roof. ”

“ All stairs should have 11⁄4 strings and treads, and 7⁄8 risers, and should be so housed, glued, and keyed, as to make them solid; squeaky stairs are abominable, and even when assured of their safety, one feels an instinctive suspicion of danger, and will look for treachery in every part of the house. Black walnut panelled newel, moulded rail, and fluted balusters, are intended for the principal flight of stairs. ”

“ The bottom courses of the exterior foundation, to the hight of 21⁄2 feet, are laid in mortar composed of hydraulic cement and sharp sand, to prevent the absorption of dampness from the earth; all other mortar is composed of lime and sand. All exterior surfaces of brick-work that are exposed to view have “flush-joints,” and those intended for painting should be rubbed smooth. All windows for the cellar and first [201] story have sills of dressed stone, and have heads neatly arched of brick-work. ”

“ Each room is entered directly from the hall, obviating the too frequent necessity of passing through one room to reach another. Closets are a necessity to any well ordered household; their uses are so numerous that it is hardly possible to provide too many.... Remarks on Construction.—The element of durability is an important quality of this structure, avoiding the necessity and [114] expense of frequent repairs. The exterior walls are constructed of stone and brick, as described in Design XXVII. Care should be taken to make these walls perfectly solid and thorough. ”

“ To secure a perfect ventilation, a large register is placed in the flue of the chimney, which creates so strong a draft that the air in this room can all be changed in a few minutes. The left-hand flue of the kitchen chimney contains the pipes that convey warm air from the furnace to the bath and tank rooms. The wash-room contains the copper boiler and wash-tubs, and has a closet under the private stairs. The sink is large, and is provided with large drain-boards at each side, and a row of closets underneath. ”

“ The parlor and living-room have marble mantles; the chambers have marble shelves resting on stucco trusses. The main stairs have an 8-inch octagon newel, a 21⁄4 × 41⁄4 moulded hand-rail, and 2-inch fluted balusters, all of black walnut, as also are the saddles to each room. All knobs, roses, and escutcheons are of white porcelain. All wood usually painted has two coats of best paint, in shades to suit the owner’s taste. ”

“ It is far better that foundations are a little too high than too low, for when too high, the approaches can easily be raised at any time with a few loads of earth; but when too low, there seems to be no cure, except to raise the entire building. The foundation-walls are designed to be constructed of broken stone, laid in coarse mortar, as more particularly described for Design XXI.... ”

“ Cost.—Prices of building materials are quite as low as they were before the war; many kinds are really selling for the cost of their production or manufacture. Labor is also very cheap, nearly at old figures. Those contemplating building, and having the means at hand to do so, need not wait for a more favorable time. As soon as general business improves, there must be a “rise” in materials, especially such as require to be manufactured. The estimate appended includes the cost of all materials and labor for good work at the prices now ruling near New York city.—Estimate of the Cost ”

“ There is considerable novelty in some of the outlines and details of construction. It will be seen that the Tower is five stories high, or two stories above the attic of the main house, affording a lofty outlook. All the long horizontal lines of cornice are broken up by truss-heads, which are ornamental in themselves, and give relief from the depressing appearance of such long lines. The Dormer Windows of the main house have projecting pediments, with turned columns resting on the outer edge of the main cornice. ”