The exterior of every house, however simple or elaborate, is nothing
more than a wall punctured with openings. If it is well proportioned,
and if the openings are well spaced and well proportioned, it will
create a favorable impression.
Windows having small panes with the division bars between them
painted white make interesting openings. Curtis sash are ovolo-molded
to match the molding of the doors and woodwork on the interior. Check
rails are rabbeted, and so resist seven times as much wind pressure
as ordinary check rails.
Blinds contribute color and contrast to the exterior of the house,
and they make the rooms within more restful because they enable you
to shut out the glaring sun without shutting out the breezes.
The construction of Curtis standard frames for windows and doors
reduces coal bills and makes more comfortable rooms.
[Illustration: _Entrance C-101_]
[Illustration: _Entrance C-109_
_Good proportions, dignity, simplicity, are characteristic of all
stock Curtis entrances, for large home or small one._]
[Illustration: _Entrance C-111_]
[Illustration: _Stair C-900_]
[Illustration:
_Starting newels and balusters on Curtis stairs like C-900 are
dowel-pinned to the solid, built-up starting tread. On stairs like
C-913, the newel is tenoned to fit into a mortise in the tread. The
result of such forms of construction is balustrades that are strong
and stable._]
[Illustration: _Stair C-913_]
As the entrance is usually the focal center of the main elevation,
it should be selected with care and due regard to the type of home
in which it is to be used. There are more than thirty designs in the
Curtis catalog.
Strangers judge your home only by those things which are seen from
the outside. But you and your family have to live with the things
inside. While you are pleased by favorable comment on the beauty of
the exterior, you are thrilled with greater pleasure at admiration of
the restful rooms within.
First impressions of the interior are usually made by the hall.
In the two-story house the stair may make or mar these first
impressions. On account of its size, its utility, its construction
as a part of the house, and its possibilities for beauty, the
stairway is of both structural and architectural importance. Beauty
depends not upon large-sized members, but upon graceful lines, good
proportions and finely molded parts. In the entrance hall, French
doors also add to the favorable impression which your home makes.
They keep out sounds and drafts but do not shut out light between
rooms.
[Illustration:
_A feature of Curtis stair construction which saves time for the
carpenter is the “housing” of the wall stringers. The treads and
risers, which are tongued-and-grooved together as shown above, on
the right, are WEDGED into the housing, not nailed. This is the
most satisfactory stair construction that has so far been devised
to eliminate creaking and “giving.” This picture is taken from the
under side of the stair._]
[Illustration: _Inter-Room Opening C-535_]
[Illustration:
_Face stringers (top picture) are tenoned to fit into mortises in
corner and angle newels, and are secured on the inside by means
of cleats. Balusters (bottom pictures) are dovetailed to the
treads, then the nosing and molding are applied._]
[Illustration]