Fig. 84.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.
DESIGN XXI.
A FARM-HOUSE COSTING $2,600.
These plans were designed for a convenient and comfortable Farm-house in the American style, comprehending the most economical and practical methods of construction. The size and shape of such houses should be made to conform to the requirements of those who are to occupy them. Unlike the villager, the farmer has ample road front, and his house should be so arranged as to secure the most pleasant outlook from the living rooms. For many important reasons a farmer’s house should be set back from the highway at least 75 feet, 200 feet is much better. 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. The width of country roads when first projected is usually limited to 50 feet. There is no certainty, however, that an increased width or the straightening of a roadway will not be demanded at any time and such contingencies should be provided for. Other considerations require but a moment’s thought to convince anyone of the desirableness of an ample front lawn.... Exterior, ([fig. 85].)—Farm houses usually stand disconnected and apart from other buildings, and should have outlines that will best adapt them to the conditions that are otherwise manifest in the location. This plan is intended for an eastern frontage, where it would face the morning sun, when the principal and broader portions of the building, at the right, would be doubly valuable as a shield to ward off the northern winds from the parts of the house most used by the occupants. (By reversing the plan it would be equally adapted to the opposite, or easterly side of a road.) It is intended that the body of the house shall be set at least two feet above the ground; this gives opportunity for good-sized cellar-windows, that will admit light, and afford good openings for cellar ventilation, and also secure the frame-work of the building against moisture from the ground. Such moisture, if allowed, will cause decay of the sills and other principal timbers, and is sure to percolate upward into the house, filling it with unwholesome vapors. The variety of the general outlines as shown in the elevation are calculated to impart a cheerful and lively appearance always desirable in a country home, and very pleasant to the passer-by. The ridged roofs, with their spreading gables and ample projections, are features of frankness in which there is no attempt at concealment or imitation. The bay-windows, wide entrance, and spacious piazza, are each expressive of liberality and refinement. The extreme simplicity of the details, and methods of construction, devoid of all ostentatious display, clearly express the purpose of the building, and commend it to the consideration of all who are interested in rural house building.... Foundation, ([fig. 86].)—In most locations stone are abundant; our estimate comprehends the building of the foundation-walls of rough, broken stone, laid in coarse mortar, and neatly pointed where exposed to sight. Any man who is at all familiar with the most ordinary stone-work, such as building “wall” fences, could build these foundations acceptably; they should be laid up 18 inches thick, and flush with the outside of the frame-work of the building. Our plan shows a cellar under the central part of the building only, which should be 7 feet deep; this cellar will be found sufficiently spacious for the uses of most families, but may be enlarged if desirable. One of the “wise sayings” we heard in youth was, “always build your cellar under the whole house.” Unless there are ample cellars under the barns, the house-cellar is never too large. In this case, it will be but little extra cost and labor to take out the earth, and carry the foundations down. The walls provided would do most of this, and then we have ample cellars for all wants, and have room to partition off fruit and vegetable rooms, the former of which need to be much cooler than the latter, if one would keep fruit well. The side-walls of the area are built of the same materials as the cellar-walls, with the stone steps inserted while building. The foundations shown on the plan where no cellar is required, are built of the same materials, laid in trenches, which have been excavated 18 inches wide, and 2 feet deep. The chimney foundations should be started and laid up with the other walls. A very effectual ventilation may be provided from the cellar by arranging an opening that shall lead to the left-hand flue of the kitchen chimney; this flue will be warmed by contact with the range when in use, and a strong draft will be made, which will exhaust the damp, foul odors so common in deep cellars. It will be observed that the cellar is protected from the extreme changes of outward temperature by the walls and spaces at each side, and by the partial coverings in front and rear.... First Story, ([fig. 87].)—This story is divided into three large and three small rooms, and hall. By this plan, the kitchen is intended as the living-room of the family, and is so arranged as to be the most convenient and pleasant room in the house; has large windows front and rear, which will admit an abundance of light, and afford an outlook each way. A large range is placed in the fire-place, with a water-back connecting with the boiler in the laundry. The clock and lamp-shelf is placed on the opposite side of the room from the fire-place: should never be over it. Adjoining the kitchen, and connected with it, is a pantry, containing shelving, drawers, and a wash-tray, with cold and hot water. The Laundry, or work-room, is arranged to connect directly with the kitchen and pantry, and leads to the rear outside door. This room is fitted up so that the principal kitchen-work may be done in it, with great facility, and with few steps, and contains a closet, sink, pump, wash-tubs, tank, and boiler. The hight of the ceiling in this room is 10 feet in the clear. The Tank (not shown in the drawings), is situated close up to the ceiling, above the pantry door, is 8 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 2 feet deep. The boiler is of copper, 40-gallon capacity, and is placed directly in the rear of the kitchen chimney. The sink and wash-tubs are shown on the plan, and are to be provided with cold and hot water. The force-pump is placed next to the sink, under the tank—by this method but little plumbing is required, and a very perfect and satisfactory arrangement is secured. The boiler keeps the temperature of this room sufficiently warm to prevent damage to the pipes from frost. The Bedroom also adjoins the kitchen, and has a closet for clothing, and two windows. The principal Hall, included in the central building, is entered through large double doors from the front piazza, and connects through doors with the parlor, kitchen, and back passage, and contains the principal stairs, which are of easy “platform” construction. The Parlor has a large bay-window, marble mantle, and adjoins the library through large sliding-doors. The Library has a marble mantle, and closet, and connects with the back passage at the rear of the principal stairs. The Front Piazza has its ends sheltered by the projections at each side, and is arranged to require but two columns. If desirable at any time, a part of this piazza can be enclosed with sash at very little expense, which would provide a very convenient conservatory for plants and flowers. The rear “shed” is provided with a roof and columns, but has no wooden floor. It is intended that the grounds around the rear of the central building shall be graded well up, say within a foot of the rear door-sills, so as to require but a single step, or large flat stone, to each door. The outside cellar doors would be made to lay even with the final grade, and hung to the coping-stones of the area-walls, and the remaining space paved or flagged with stone. When once properly done, the finish of this character will last a lifetime without trouble, while wood-work could never be satisfactory, and would often require renewal. Whenever the cellar doors are opened, they are hooked up against the columns, where they form a railing, or guard, to prevent the usual danger of an open hatchway.... The Second Story ([fig. 88]), has a hall, four large and three small chambers, with four closets, and stairway leading to the attic. Each of the large Chambers has two windows, and a ventilating register in the flue of the chimney adjoining. All these rooms have full hight ceilings, and are not so close to the roof as to be affected by their absorbed heat of summer, but have complete square ceilings, with large air-spaces between them and the roofs. The Attic of the principal building is completely floored, and has windows in each gable or pediment, and may be used for storage, drying clothes in stormy weather, and for many other purposes.... Construction.—The estimate appended indicates the kind and quantity of materials used, which will be found to be such as are now most generally adopted for buildings of this character. The work is very simple, and may be executed by the simplest methods. Information concerning the application and uses of the “felting” may be found in [Design XI.] We have before suggested that “there are circumstances that would justify the building of one part of a house first.” Should it be desirable, the central portion of this house could be built first, and would be found quite sufficient as the dwelling house of a small family, and the remainder added afterwards as required.... Estimate.—The following estimate has been carefully compiled, and may be relied on for quantities, etc. Prices vary in different localities, but the figures here given form a good basis of calculation:
Fig. 85.—FRONT ELEVATION OF FARM HOUSE.
Fig. 86.—PLAN OF CELLAR.
Fig. 87.—PLAN OF FIRST STORY.