Fig. 108.—PLAN OF CELLAR.
Fig. 109.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.
Fig. 110.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.
DESIGN XXVII.
A STONE-HOUSE COSTING $2,900.
These plans were designed for the substantial dwelling of a farmer in easy circumstances. The outside appearance truthfully expresses its rural and its domestic purpose. The interior accommodations are carefully arranged for comfort and convenience. The materials and method of construction insure permanency; with little care, this building would last for many generations.... Exterior, ([fig. 111].)—The elevation shows that this house was intended for the country—it looks like a farm-house—in fact it would be out of place anywhere else. Its peculiar solid, independent, and home-like character is due to the massive stone walls, large door and window openings, broad and steep slated roof, truncated gables, substantial chimneys, and heavy sheltering eaves, all arranged in simple, expressive, and harmonious combination. All superfluous ornamentation is avoided, as inconsistent with rural simplicity and truthfulness. Vines and creepers will be suggested by the rough stone walls and piazza posts; and to their delicate tracery may be left the work of “filling in” their more appropriate and agreeable decorations.... The Cellar ([fig. 112]), is 6½ feet high, extending under the whole building, giving ample space for the storing of articles requiring a cool, moist air for their preservation. Seven windows are arranged to provide light and ventilation to every part. The outside entrance is from the rear under the back stoop; stairs lead directly up to the kitchen. The “safe” is a “locker,” or private cellar for keeping choicer stores.... First Story, ([fig. 113].)—Hight of ceilings, 10 feet. The arrangements are somewhat peculiar, and are very convenient and pleasant. Each of the four principal rooms have windows giving views in two different directions. The two halls (front and rear) have stairs in each, and are otherwise arranged for easy communication with all parts of the house. The Parlor is pleasantly situated, adjoins the front hall and dining-room, has a large open fire-place, and is shaded on the front by the piazza. The Dining or living-room is the largest apartment, and communicates directly with every other room and hall on this floor, bringing this entire story under the immediate supervision of the mistress of the household. It has an open fire-place and two closets. The Bedroom is placed in a quiet corner, where the little ones may take their “day naps” without being run over or disturbed by sudden callers, or those engaged in housework. The Kitchen is a good-sized apartment, adjoins the dining-room, rear hall, milk-room, large pantry, two closets, and cellar stairway, and is provided with a large range, sink, wash-tubs, and the necessary pipes for supplies of cold and hot water.... Second Story, ([fig. 114].)—Hight of ceiling, 8 feet. This contains five good-sized chambers, a large hall, and nine closets. The three larger chambers have full-sized side-walls and ceilings; the space beyond the side-walls or partitions are devoted to closets, of which there cannot be too many in any house.... Construction.—Unless situated on very high ground, having a thorough natural drainage, the earth taken from the cellar excavations should be left on the grounds and graded around the foundation, to insure the turning away of all surface water. In such cases, care must be taken to allow in the depth of the excavation for the hight it is intended to raise the earth grades. The appended estimate of cost is for excavating 3 feet deep. This will furnish 202 cubic yards of earth to raise the grades 1½ foot immediately around the house (leaving 2 feet of the foundation exposed to sight), and give a gentle slope outwards in every direction to the distance of 40 feet. All the outside walls are solid masonry. The foundations are of the roughest stone, laid in good mortar, 2 feet thick. A “top floating” of hydraulic cement mortar is used in levelling the upper surfaces, to prevent the ground moisture from rising above that line to be absorbed by the main walls. The main walls are of rough stone and hard burned bricks laid in strong mortar, 16 inches thick. The outside corners, and the jambs and heads of the doors and windows, are of brick, as shown in [fig. 115]. Their use greatly facilitates the work of construction, and obviates the necessity of stone-dressing. The intervening walls are of broken stone “random dressed,” laid in courses to conform to the quoin lines of the brick-work, and may be done by common masons. The window and door sills are of ordinary hammered blue-stone. All outside interstices and joints are filled and pointed with cement mortar. Thin strips of wood (mason’s lath will do) are laid in between the courses on the inside, to which the inside furring is fastened. The chimneys are built of hard brick, and are finished above the roof with large tops, having cross openings at the sides for each flue, and close covers.—The Frame-work is very simple; the central girders are supported by large posts on solid stone footing. The beams are notched over the girders, with their ends resting and anchored in the walls, and are thoroughly bridged. The plates are anchored by bolts that are inlaid while building the walls. The rafters are notched over the plates with their lower ends extending 2½ feet beyond the walls; their centers are supported by purlins and collars. The roof is covered with dark slate. The flooring is of mill-worked 1½-inch plank. The interior of the stone walls is furred off, with unobstructed spaces between the furring to the roof, for the passing off of all dampness. The interior finish is complete throughout. The principal rooms have neatly-moulded architraves, other rooms plain. The kitchen and rear hall are wainscoted. All doors are panelled and moulded, and all windows have inside blinds.—The plastering is three-coat work, with the principal rooms hard-finished, balance white-slipped. The painting, outside, is two coats with the best materials; inside is oil-stained and flat-varnished.—Estimate:
Fig. 111.—FRONT ELEVATION.