The model village and its cottages

by William Alexander Harvey

CORNES’ PATENT BATH.

Another patent bath used at Bournville in cottages of larger size but not sufficiently large to admit of a bathroom is Cornes’ Combined Scullery-Bath-Range and Boiler. The patent utilises to the fullest extent the heat of the kitchen, so that, in addition to the economy of space, there is a further economy of fuel to the householder. The heating and cooking range forms a great part of the division between the kitchen and scullery-bathroom, the flue being coursed over the head of the bath. In the centre of the range is the grate, with an oven on one side and on the other a twelve-gallon boiler, in which water is kept hot for domestic purposes. Boiling water can be obtained by raking down live fuel into a small secondary grate under the boiler through a small hole made for the purpose. If desired, clothes can be boiled in the boiler and access to it from the scullery may be gained by opening a curved door. Owing to its open construction there is no risk of explosion. Further developments have been made in the way of providing a folding door in front of the range, which will shut off the boiler from the kitchen when necessary. The scullery-bathroom, which contains about 36 superficial feet, is fitted with a full-sized iron enamelled bath, supplied with hot water through a pipe from the range boiler and with cold water from the cistern, or through a shower-bath sprinkler fixed overhead, so that this latter luxury can be enjoyed by simply turning the tap. The introduction of White’s Patent Steam Exhaust effectually prevents the steam from permeating the other rooms of the house. An illustration is here given showing Cornes’ patent fitted up.

The Ingle Nook.—Like many old-time features which have been revived during the last few years, the ingle nook has perhaps been a little overdone. The ingle is intended to serve as a cosy retreat in a spacious room, and it should not be introduced in a room the size of which is insufficient to warrant its existence. On this account it is usually undesirable to provide ingle nooks in cottages, except in those with the large living-rooms. Comfort should always be the object in view in the construction of the ingle, but in many modern examples this is sacrificed to over elaboration and that straining for effect which shows that it was designed for ornament and not for use. No doubt an effect is sometimes gained, but the usefulness of the ingle is so far sacrificed that not infrequently one of most inviting appearance will be found to possess inadequate seating accommodation even for a single person.

ELEVATION
PLAN
SMALL COTTAGE INGLE.

The ingle, to be comfortable and useful, should not be less than 10 ft. 6 ins. in width by 4 ft. 6 ins. in depth. If it is smaller lengthways the heat from the fire will be too great, while if less deep there will be insufficient accommodation at the sides for two persons without projecting the seats into the room, which can only be satisfactorily done, perhaps, when the side of the ingle is in line with that of the room. A reasonable height is 6 ft. 6 ins. A pleasing way of treating a cottage ingle is to introduce a step up of about 3 ins., with an oak curb, and to tile or quarry the whole recess, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. This ingle, which is provided in the pair of cottages with the large living-rooms dealt with earlier (Plate [xx.]), is constructed as follows:-¾ in. match-boarding is nailed to studding, which has stout angle-posts to support the beam above; along the side of the latter a 7-in. by 1-in. shelf is carried by small wooden brackets; and the wood seats are of 1¼ ins. in thickness by 1 ft. 4 ins. from back to front, at a height of 1 ft. 3 ins. or less from the floor. The introduction of the ingle here is advantageous because some privacy is thus afforded in a room which is entered directly from the road. The match-boarding in this case is continued, and forms a framework for the tile-surround of the grate, giving an appearance of unity to the nook, while the simplicity of the material is pleasing and restful. The insertion of a mantelpiece different in character should be avoided. Some interest may be given to the centre of the fireplace by inlaying a little ebony in simple forms.

For drawing-rooms of larger houses the back of the nook might be panelled, the seat upholstered, and the panels filled in with tapestry. White wood looks well, and the fireplace might be built up with glazed brickettes. The ways of treating the more expensive ingles are so numerous, however, that it would be of little use making definite suggestions.

The ingle nook of one of the larger cottages is illustrated on Plate [li.]

Chimneys.—The economy of grouping chimneys, and the desirability of carrying them to the highest point of the roof to avoid down-draughts, has already been mentioned. Generally speaking, for cottages, the simpler the chimneys are the better, and they should all be of hard burnt bricks, and the top courses built in cement. Diagonal chimneys are pleasing, but expensive, and on an estate should only be used occasionally. The Dutch chimneys, built up with corners of brick and covered with stone slabs or 12-in. drain pipes, as frequently seen in Holland and Belgium, are picturesque (see Plate [xxii.]), but care has to be exercised in their construction. Though they are often regarded as being liable to smoke, it may be pointed out that in many cases their employment is the only remedy for a smoky flue. Outside chimneys, it will be borne in mind, are always expensive. Chimney pots do not improve the appearance, but sometimes they are a necessity. In these cases the simple or plain tall-boys are recommended, and the colour—whether of soft red or buff—should be chosen to suit the design and colouring of the cottage. As a variation of these there are the beehive pots, the main idea of which is to keep down the height.

Windows.—The casement window is cheaper than the sash window, and if beauty of effect is also to be considered its adoption is further desirable. Its simplicity and homeliness of appearance render it extremely fitting for the cottage. The old difficulty of cleaning may now be obviated by a very simple device introduced at Bournville, that of causing the window to open upon a pivot in the centre, inwardly as well as outwardly, which admits of the outside of the fixed pane being easily reached by the hand.