This plan has many features to commend it as an economical country house. It is similar in many respects to [Design XXVII.], having an equal breadth of front, and is constructed of like substantial materials. The arrangement of the several parts, however, are more regular and compact, and embrace accommodations for a good-sized family.... Exterior, ([fig. 77].)—At first sight, the reader will perceive the perfect balance apparent in the outlines and details of the front. Variety is also an especial feature, resulting from the pleasing diversity and systematic distribution of the prominent parts. The site has much effect upon the appearance of any building. This house should have a commanding position to afford such views as would seem to be expected from its broad and generous windows. Health and happiness being largely dependent on the situation, it is important to select a position having a natural drainage, and therefore more likely to be surrounded with pure wholesome air.... Cellar, ([fig. 78].)—Hight 6½ feet. The plain engraving saves the need of further explanation. The ceiling is smoothly “laid off” with one coat of plaster, and the walls are flush-pointed, so that the whole interior may be whitewashed whenever it shall be desirable to lighten or sweeten the cellar.... First Story, ([fig. 79].)—As is suggested by the exterior, system and order are prominent features in the interior arrangement. The main entrance is through double doors. The principal hall is central and roomy, and contains the open and balustered stairway to the second story. The two principal rooms are of equal size, with outlooks front and rear. The Parlor has a pleasant bay or plant window, arranged to be shut off, when desirable, by large sash doors. This window has no floor, but is cemented around its sides below the floor-line, to secure dryness to the walls, and is filled with earth wherein plants may be grown. The thick masonry surrounding this plant-bed will secure it from frost. The temperature required to make the parlor comfortable will be sufficient for the plants, while the strong sunlight will insure their vigorous growth. A mirror may be placed on the mantle opposite this window, arranged to reflect its contents, and make a most cheerful picture.—The Living-room is a convenient apartment, in easy communication with the front and rear entrances, the wood-house, and cellar-stairs, passing down under the front hall stairs. It has a large pantry, and is provided with a range, sink, stationary wash-tubs, water, and waste-pipes. The importance of having cold and hot water always ready should not be overlooked. Very much of the drudgery of housework in the country consists in drawing and carrying water, and besides, it generally happens that when water is most wanted, the vessels are empty, necessitating great inconvenience and frequent distress.—The Bedroom is situated between the parlor and living-room, and communicates with both, and has a good-sized closet. This apartment may be used as a sewing-room, where such work need not be put away every time it is laid down for a moment. The Wood-house at the rear is constructed of light materials, and serves as a fuel and utensil room.... Second Story, ([fig. 80].)—This story is divided into five chambers, a hall, and seven closets. 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 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. The mortar used should be of the best lime, and coarse, sharp sand. Such mortar improves with age, always increasing in hardness and strength. 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. Side-walls constructed in this manner afford a most comfortable interior, having a more equal temperature than is possible in the usual frame building, and neither the severe cold of winter, nor the extreme heat of summer, is immediately felt within. The chimneys are of hard brick; their interior location insures a great saving of fuel, as the heat that is radiated from them greatly assists in warming the house. The principal roofs are covered with dark slate. “Keystone” and “Chapman” are good qualities, and are mostly used in this vicinity; they have good color, and do not fade. A good effect is produced by clipping the exposed corners of about one-third of the slate, in a uniform manner, and laying them in belts of five or six courses each across the roof.
Estimate of the Cost:
| 111 | yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. | $22.20 | |
| 171 | perches stone-work, at $2.75 per perch. | 470.25 | |
| 103 | ft. stone sills and steps, at 30c. per ft. | 30.90 | |
| 2,000 | bricks in angles, etc., at $12 per M., laid. | 24.00 | |
| 4,000 | bricks in chimneys, at $12 per M., laid. | 48.00 | |
| 660 | yards plastering, at 28c. per yard. | 184.80 | |
| 80 | yards plastering in ceiling of cellar, at 20c. per yard. | 16.00 | |
| 3,367 | ft. of timber, at $15 per M. | 50.50 | |
| 2 | girders, 4 × 8 in. 32 ft. long. | ||
| 4 | plates, 4 × 8 in. 11 ft. long. | ||
| 2 | purlins, 4 × 8 in. 38 ft. long. | ||
| 1 | ridge, 2 × 6 in. 29 ft. long. | ||
| 1 | ridge, 2 × 6 in. 22 ft. long. | ||
| 44 | beams, 3 × 8 in. 13 ft. long. | ||
| 22 | beams, 3 × 8 in. 11 ft. long. | ||
| 40 | rafters, 2 × 5 in. 19 ft. long. | ||
| 4 | valleys, 3 × 7 in. 21 ft. long. | ||
| 18 | collars, ¼ × 5 in. 14 ft. long. | ||
| 230 | wall-strips, at 11c. each. | 25.30 | |
| 130 | furring strips, at 6c. each. | 7.80 | |
| Anchors, of tire iron, $3; cornice materials, $30. | 33.00 | ||
| 300 | shingling-lath, at 6c. each. | 18.00 | |
| Rear wing, exclusive of tin, complete. | 100.00 | ||
| 20 | squares of slate, at $9 per square. | 180.00 | |
| 32 | hemlock boards, at 16c. each. | 5.12 | |
| 3½ | squares of tin, at $7 per square. | 24.50 | |
| 60 | ft. of leaders and gutters, at 10c. per ft. | 6.00 | |
| 213 | flooring, 8 inch, at 25c. each. | 53.25 | |
| Stairs, complete. | 70.00 | ||
| Piazza and stoop, exclusive of tin, complete. | 80.00 | ||
| 6 | cellar windows, complete, at $5 each. | 30.00 | |
| 17 | plain windows, complete, at $10 each. | 170.00 | |
| 4 | dormer windows, complete, at $18 each. | 72.00 | |
| 27 | doors, complete, at $9 each. | 243.00 | |
| 4 | mantles, 2 marble and 2 wooden, complete. | 62.00 | |
| Closet finish, complete. | 18.00 | ||
| Range and plumbing, complete. | 150.00 | ||
| Nails, $14; painting, $60; cartage, $15. | 89.00 | ||
| Carpenter’s labor, not included above. | 125.00 | ||
| Incidentals. | 91.38 | ||
| Total cost, complete. | $2,500.00 | ||
Fig. 77.—FRONT VIEW OF HOUSE.
Fig. 78.—PLAN OF CELLAR.
Fig. 79.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.
