Fig. 155.—PLAN OF CELLAR.

Fig. 156.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.

Fig. 157.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.

DESIGN XXXVII.
A HOUSE COSTING $7,000.

The accompanying plans were designed for a suburban residence erected during the past year by Mr. Bernhard Greeff, at College Point, Long Island, N. Y. The general outlines were determined with especial reference to the location—which is elevated, overlooking the East River to the north and west, Flushing bay, and the village to the south, and with an eastward frontage to the street, giving pleasant views in all directions. With these points fixed, it is easy to see the propriety of placing a broad side to the bleak or northern exposure, and putting such breaks or angles as are required in the more sheltered directions.... Exterior, ([fig. 158].)—The style of this example is homelike, and shows to the best advantage when placed in comparison with those of more fanciful design. Sufficient irregularities are made in angles and projections to give variety. The details shown in the front finish are continued around the sides and rear. The hight of the rear wing is one story less than the main house. While the appearance of this house is agreeable on every side, the most pleasing is from the southerly direction.... Cellar, ([fig. 159].)—Hight of ceiling 7 feet, of which 4 feet are above ground. All parts are well lighted with windows, except the hall, which has a sash-door with iron guard. The Laundry has an open stairway to the kitchen, and is provided with wash-tubs. A water-closet is placed under the stair. A furnace is placed in the northern division of the cellar, with pipes for conducting warm air to each room and hall in the two stories of the main house, and to the bath-room.... First Story, ([fig. 160].)—Hight of ceilings in main house 11 feet; in rear wing 8 feet 5 inches. The Front Entrance is through a vestibule leading to the main hall. The Hall is large, contains the principal stairs, with a closet under them, and communicates with the parlor, sitting-room, and rear entry. The Sitting or Family-room is arranged to be the pleasantest apartment, has double windows front and rear, (the rear ones opening to the floor), and a large bay-window giving an outlook in three directions. Each of the principal rooms has grates for open fires, side registers leading from the furnace, and marble mantles. The Rear Entry communicates with the several apartments, and the rear piazza. The Kitchen has an elevated range, boiler, sink, drain-board, two closets, and enclosed stairways leading down to the laundry, and up to the second story; it communicates with the dining-room through the butler’s pantry, the latter is “dresser-finished” with sash-doors, copper wash-trays, etc.... Second Story, ([fig. 161].)—Hight of ceiling in main house 10 feet, in wing 9 feet, with side breasts 5 feet. The floor of the wing is level with the platform of the main stairs. The full ceiling above this platform is arched over, and conceals the roof angle of the wing. An inside and smaller arch leads to the passage beyond. Both of these arches may be seen from the lower hall, and are pleasing features. An arch between the closets at the opposite end of the hall makes an alcove to the hall window. The room divisions are similar to those of the first story. Closets are provided for each chamber. The Bath-room is conveniently arranged and furnished.... Attic.—Hight of ceiling 9 feet, with breast-walls 3 feet. There are 3 good-sized chambers, a hall, and 7 closets in this story. Four dormer and three gable windows are provided.... Construction.—The time allowed for the erection of most buildings is too limited. Although this house was built by contract, no haste was enjoined, six months being allowed for its completion, giving the builder an opportunity of selecting the materials and workmen, and of applying the parts in their proper time and order. The exterior foundation walls, to the level of the ground, are of broken stone, 18 inches thick; the balance of hard brick, 12 inches thick. The frame is of full-sized timber; all beams and studding are placed 16 inches from centers. The siding-boards are 6 inches wide, rabbeted, and laid 5 inches to the weather, on stiff tarred “sheathing-board,” weighing 1½ pound to the square yard. The exterior frame is “filled in” with pale brick. The main and wing roofs are covered with Keystone slate on tarred felt over hemlock boards. The main gutters are of double cross tin, laid in with the slate as shown in [Design V.] The roofs of the piazzas, and bay-window, are of single cross tin. The cellar bottom is concreted with hydraulic cement and gravel, 3 in. thick. The laundry and cellar hall have the usual wide flooring, and are thoroughly plastered and finished. The partitions in the cellar, and the coal-bins are of dressed plank. All the floors in the two principal stories are double, the first being of ordinary dressed flooring—the second is “parquet” flooring laid of ¾ × 2½-inch yellow pine, and black walnut. The black walnut is used only in the borders and centers. These borders are made by laying from five to eight courses of alternate woods all around the rooms, ending at the hearths. The widths and arrangements are changed slightly in the different apartments, to give variety. These floors are intended to dispense with the use of carpets; rugs, covering the central portions of the floor, being adopted in their place. Unlike the stationary carpet, these may be easily removed for airing, and the floors cleaned daily if desirable. The three upper stories are hard-finished, on two coats of brown mortar. Each room and hall in the first and second stories of the main house have suitable stucco cornices and centers. The interior wood-finish is complete, all of clear and seasoned materials. Bronzed hardware is used in the first story, and porcelain in the balance of the building. Gas-pipes are inserted for thirty lights, properly distributed through the house. Five bells are included in the fittings. All wood, tin, and exterior brick work has two coats of best paint. The outside doors, and the halls, are grained in imitation of hard woods. The stair rails, door saddles, and the hard-wood flooring, are rubbed with linseed oil. The following are the estimates of the cost, as per contracts:

Mason work,completed.$1,650.00
Roofer’s work,”337.00
Carpenter’s work,”3,573.00
Plumber’s work,”590.00
Furnaces,”200.00
Mantles,”300.00
Painter’s work,”350.00
Total.$7,000.00