Cottages; or, Hints on Economical Building

by Unknown

I.

During the past few years our conception of what a country house should be, has entirely changed. Simplicity, elegance and refinement of design are demanded, and outward display, overloading with cheap ornamentation, is no longer in favor.

Naturally the more expensive houses were the first to get the benefit of the architectural inspiration drawn largely from England. But now that English gables and dormers have spread so widely, now that we realize the beauty of our own colonial architecture, and that the Queen Anne craze is subsiding, so that only its best features remain, the less ambitious dwellings must not be left to the mercy of those builders whose ideas of beauty are limited to scroll-saw brackets and French roofs. It is our intention, in presenting a number of designs for country houses, to show what can be done with simple means, and to give sketches of cottages that may meet the wants of many who desire inexpensive homes which shall be at the same time cosy and picturesque.

It must be stated, however, that all we can hope to do in the compass of this little volume is to give some hints on building and offer a few suggestions and ideas which may be of value to those about to build. It is by no means claimed that the drawings here given are sufficient for constructing the houses. Proper working drawings are a much more serious affair, and should in all cases be prepared by an architect. This is as important for a cottage as for a mansion.

It seems hardly necessary to enlarge upon the importance of an architect’s services, since that is now generally recognized. Sensible people, when they are ill, consult a physician and not an apothecary; and when they wish to plan a house, they take the advice of an architect and not a builder. Both apothecary and builder are of course necessary, but they must be wisely directed or they may be dangerous indeed.

In this “intensely new world,” as Matthew Arnold calls it, we have not yet had time to pay much attention to our simpler kind of dwellings. One can say but little for the majority of our cottages beyond that they give us shelter from the sun, rain and wind. The quaint interest, the great beauty of old European towns, are so marked, that we would do well to remember that each of the houses in their picturesque old streets was evidently built to suit the special tastes and requirements of its owner. At present, the fashion is set; and, while it lasts, all cottages are built to suit. The fashion changes and the next batch of cottages must come up to the new standard. Now, ready-made houses, like ready-made clothes, may fit, but the conditions of house-planning are complex and the requirements are many and varied. The house in which we live should have some individuality, and not be a mere duplicate of our neighbor’s dwelling. We do not care to confess that we are exactly like other people. Of course we are not. We may not wish to be considered eccentric or “funny,” but we do flatter ourselves that we have some ideas of our own; so our home, if it is to be a home, must be planned just to suit our habits. Regarding the exterior appearance, that, to a certain extent at least, will proclaim both the disposition of the interior and its inmates.

Now the intelligent client will of course consult a competent architect, but being intelligent, he and Mrs. Client will first talk it all over very carefully, and after discussing the matter thoroughly will decide upon just what they need. When a decision has been arrived at, they will go to Mr. Architect and tell him their wants, and he will proceed, to the best of his ability, to solve the problem. This solution he presents in the form of plans, elevations and sections, which is his way of showing how he intends to fulfill the conditions imposed. But Mr. and Mrs. Client may not find it such an easy matter to decide upon what they ought to have. Building a house is generally a new experience, and many and vexed are the questions that arise. Being a bright, well-informed couple, with ideas of their own, they wisely decide to think it out for themselves and not to tell the disciple of Sir Christopher Wren to make them “something real pretty—you know what we want—and we’ll call to-morrow to see the drawings.”

No, they know better than that. It is for them to say what they want; and how it is to be done, is the architect’s province. So, to help the worthy couple in their deliberations, we will mention some of the points to be considered in building a country home, only touching upon them, however; for volumes might be, and indeed have been, written on the numberless considerations that present themselves. A little thought and time spent before commencing to build may avoid a great deal of trouble and regret when it is too late to effect alterations. Even when the house is in the course of erection, changes are unduly expensive, as one deviation from the plans is likely to entail another. The superficial knowledge people have of their own houses is often surprising, and it would be well for Mrs. Client to examine critically her present dwelling, while Mr. C. takes a few measurements of some of the rooms. This will bring their ideas of dimensions to a more definite shape and greatly aid them to fully understand a set of plans.