Fig. 22.—FIRST STORY.—Scale, 8 feet to 1 inch.
Fig. 23.—SECOND STORY.—Scale, 8 feet to 1 inch.
Fig. 24.
Fig. 25.
DESIGN VII.
COUNTRY HOUSE, COSTING $750 TO $1,050.
These plans represent a commodious dwelling house, constructed with especial regard for economy and utility, and they will be appreciated by those desiring to provide a comfortable, permanent shelter for home by the use of limited means.... Elevation, (fig 26).—In preparing plans for “low-priced” houses, the simplest outlines are indicated. Having to combine usefulness and small outlay, there can be no latitude for architectural display, beyond mere matters of accommodation and completeness. The exterior of this example fairly expresses its domestic purpose. The breadth of the front, the preponderance of horizontal lines, and the hooded roof, are each indicative of strength, and suggest its adaptation to rural situations. The satisfactory appearance of this house will greatly depend on its location. The best results would be obtained by placing it on a slight knoll, giving it additional altitude. This would prevent its being obscured by shrubbery and trees, which are indispensable accompaniments of a properly developed homestead.... Cellar, ([fig. 27]).—Hight, 6½ feet. It has three windows, an outside entrance, and stairway leading to the kitchen above.... First Story, ([fig. 28].)—Hight of ceiling, 10 feet. The accommodations, consisting of five rooms, a pantry, and two closets, are adapted to a good-sized family. The Parlor and Kitchen are the principal rooms, and occupy the middle portion, their sides being protected by other rooms, and, having the fire-place between them, they are easily warmed. The device for heating described for [Design III.] would serve admirably in this house. Two Bedrooms adjoin the parlor. Many might choose to have double doors entering these bedrooms, to allow all three rooms to be used together occasionally. This would not preclude the use of the smaller ones as bedrooms, or, if preferred, as a sewing-room and a library. The Kitchen is the largest apartment, and has doors leading to the pantry, bedroom, parlor, stairway, and the rear entrance. The outside or entrance doors may be protected in severe seasons by storm-doors hung to open outward, with loose joint-buts to allow of their ready removal. The rear veranda is similar to the front one shown on the elevation.... Second Story, ([fig. 29]).—The front portion only is finished, with ceilings 8 feet high, and is divided into two chambers and four closets. The rear portion is left unfinished, to be used as an open garret. The space above the ceiling of the finished portion may be floored over with boards, to serve for storage of quilting-frames, trunks, etc.... Construction.—The excavations for the cellar are 4 feet deep. The foundation-walls are of broken stone, laid in mortar, and show 2 feet above the earth-grade. A strong girder, resting on large posts, or columns of stone or brick, supports the center of the building. In setting the girder, it should be elevated from ½ to ¾ of an inch in the center, rising gradually from each end, to allow for settling, which invariably occurs from shrinkage of the interior frame-work. The timber for the frame-work is indicated in the estimates below, and is substantially framed together. All the outside studding is halved over the principal timbers, to prevent vertical shrinkage from affecting the exterior covering of the side-walls. The exterior covering is of lath and plaster, as follows: all cornices and other dressings, and the roof, should first be completed—and all window and door frames set and cased. The outside frame should then be thoroughly lathed outside and inside. All this is to prevent jarring or pounding on these parts during the application or setting of the plaster. The plaster is made in the usual manner of fresh lime and sharp sand, with half a bushel of hair to each barrel of lime used, and allowed to lay two weeks to insure a thorough slaking and permeation of the lime. It is then applied in two coats—the first a “scratch,” the second a “browning.” The surface is floated with a darby, (not trowelled). After having stood a sufficient time to become dry, the whole is covered with a preparation called “Stearate of Lime,” using an ordinary white-wash brush. The formula for making this stearate of lime (known only to a few, who have treated it as a secret,) is here published for the first time, and it will be understood by those familiar with the nature and operation of slaking lime. The ingredients are simply fresh-burned finishing-lime, using the lumps only, unrendered beef-suet, and hot water. It is necessary that these parts be kept in lively motion while dissolving, or they will be entirely destroyed by “burning.” The usual process is to sink a large barrel, having an open end, 2 feet in the ground, pounding the earth around to make it firm. An upright piece, 4 inches in diameter, and 6 feet long, is set upright in the center of the barrel, and held in position by cleats at the bottom and top, leaving the upright free to turn. Arms are put through the upright within the barrel, and a cross-bar or lever is attached to the upper end—the whole making an apparatus similar to a “clay-mill.” One bushel of lime, 20 lbs. of suet (chopped fine), and a barrel of boiling water are provided; and while one works the “mill,” another feeds alternately lime, suet, and hot water. This quantity of material, costing about $2, will make a full barrel of the preparation. Any desired shade may be afterwards given by adding stainers. This mixture is applied while hot—two coats being necessary to insure a thorough covering. This will also be found a valuable preparation for covering exterior brick or concrete work. It is impervious to water, and will outlast any of the paints prepared for such purpose. All other information concerning the finish of this house may be inferred upon a careful study of the following estimates.—Estimate cost of materials and labor: