H. Johnston, Easton, Md. They will interest those desiring a good-sized,
comfortable farm-house.... EXTERIOR, (fig. 154).—The site in this case
being midway between the highway and a water front, (facing a tributary
of the Chesapeake,) made it desirable to have two main entrances, adapted
to either approach, and indicated the position of the kitchen wing
at the _side_. The Conservatory is in an angle facing the southeast.
The Piazza and Roof Projections are of ample breadth to give abundant
shade, and proper effect. As a whole, the outlines are rounded and
compact, indicating completeness and strength—always desirable features
in buildings of this class.... CELLAR, (fig. 155).—Hight of ceiling 8
feet. It has 13 windows, and outside and hatchway doors. Openings in the
chimneys provide ventilation. The ceilings are plastered, to prevent
the ascent of damp and unwholesome vapors through the frame-work of
the house.... FIRST STORY, (fig. 156).—Hight of the ceilings in the
main house, 11 ft. 4 in., and in the wing 9 ft. The main entrances lead
from the piazzas, through large double doors, to the principal Hall,
which is wide, and extends, unobstructed, through the house. The main
stairs occupy the space at the right, which is separated by an arch that
preserves the continuity of the hall ceiling. The ordinary or family
entrance is by way of the passage, and is convenient to all the parts
of the house in daily use. A private stairway leads from the passage to
the second story. The Parlor and Library are separated by sliding doors,
and each has a bay and other windows. The Dining-room at the right is
pleasantly arranged; it may be entered from the main hall, or through the
conservatory, or by the passage, or through the butler’s pantry. Wide
double sash-doors lead to the conservatory, and single sash-doors open
to the piazza through the passage. The Kitchen has doors leading to the
passage, butler’s pantry, cellar, and yard, and has three windows. It is
provided with a range, pump, boiler, wash-tubs, and sink. The Butler’s
Pantry is spacious; one end is dresser finished, with counter-shelf and
doors above and below. A counter-shelf is also placed at the opposite
end, with wash-tray and closet. The sides are shelved around, and have
cleats and hooks.... SECOND STORY, (fig. 157).—Hight of ceilings in
the main house 10 feet; in the wing 9 feet. The divisions embrace six
rooms, six closets, and the required halls. The platform of the main
stairs is level with the second floor of the wing, and from it a door
leads to the wing passage. The Bath-room has a bath-tub, wash-stand, and
seat-closet, and a good-sized closet for towelling, etc. All closets
have the usual shelving and hooks. Each chamber has marble shelves and
stucco trusses.... ATTIC.—The stairs leading to this story are above
the main flight, inclosed with narrow ceiling, and have a door at the
foot. There are two circular windows in each end gable, and one in
each front. The whole is floored, but otherwise unfinished, to be used
as an open garret.... CONSTRUCTION.—The excavations are 4 feet deep,
and the loose earth thrown out is neatly graded around, leaving three
feet of the foundations exposed to sight. The foundations are of hard
burned brick, 12 inches thick for the main house, and 8 inches for the
wing and conservatory. Brick piers, 12 inches square, are built for the
piazza supports. The first story frame-work is beam-filled with bricks,
where they rest on the foundation. This prevents draughts of air from
entering the house between the foundation and the frame, and also keeps
mice out of the frame at this point—_the latter is especially necessary
along the lines of the main partitions_. The chimneys are of hard brick,
arranged with continuous flues from each fire-place to the top. Tin
8-inch pipes, with the necessary elbows and register boxes, are inserted
while building, to convey warm air from the cellar to the large chambers
in the second story. The frame-work is constructed in the most thorough
manner, of sound pine or spruce timber. The siding is of clear pine
clapboard, laid on sheathing felt. Cornices of dressed pine. Principal
roofing of cedar shingles. Piazza and bay window roofs of tin. Flooring
of narrow yellow pine. The first and second stories are completed in
every respect, ready for occupation. Each of the principal rooms and the
main hall have stucco cornices and centers. Arches with neat ornamental
corbels are built across each bay window, over the =L= adjoining the main
hall, and at the entrance of the passage leading to the bed-room in the
second story. All sashes are 1½-inch thick, and glazed with four lights
in each pair. Blinds (outside) are properly hung and fastened to each
window above the cellar. The conservatory is substantially constructed
of light frame-work, with no superfluous dressing to obstruct the light,
and glazed with plain, single-thick glass at the sides, and ribbed glass
for the roof, has a narrow walk of slat-work leading from the dining-room
door, and is arranged to be heated in winter from a furnace in the
cellar. All parts usually painted, have two coats of best paint, of color
and materials selected by the owner.
ESTIMATE, cost of materials and labor:
268 yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. $53.60
50,000 bricks, (furnished and laid,) at $12 per M. 600.00
88 ft. blue-stone sills, at 30c. per ft. 26.40
1,300 yards plastering, at 28c. per yard. 364.00
175 ” ” cellar ceiling, at 16c. per yard. 28.00
330 ft. cornices, complete, at 20c. per foot. 66.00
4 centers, complete, at $4 each. 16.00
14,300 ft. of timber, at $14 per M. 200.20
Sills, 4 × 10 in. 276 ft. long.
Ties, 4 × 6 in. 490 ft. long.
Plates, 4 × 8 in. 138 ft. long.
Perlines, 4 × 9 in. 214 ft. long.
Ridges, 3 × 9 in. 67 ft. long.
Ridges, 3 × 7 in. 20 ft. long.
Gables, 4 × 6 in. 200 ft. long.
4 posts, 4 × 8 in. 26 ft. long.
8 posts, 4 × 8 in. 23 ft. long.
4 posts, 4 × 7 in. 13½ ft. long.
2 posts, 4 × 7 in. 12 ft. long.
50 beams, 3 × 10 in. 19 ft. long.
8 beams, 4 × 10 in. 19 ft. long.
10 beams, 3 × 10 in. 18 ft. long.
1 beam, 4 × 10 in. 18 ft. long.
11 beams, 3 × 9 in. 18 ft. long.
28 beams, 3 × 9 in. 19 ft. long.
28 beams, 3 × 10 in. 10 ft. long.
14 beams, 3 × 9 in. 10 ft. long.
78 rafters, 3 × 6 in. 25 ft. long.
34 rafters, 3 × 5 in. 15 ft. long.
Braces, 3 × 5 in. 240 ft. long.
175 joists, at 13c., $22.75; 400 wall strips, at 10c., $40. 62.75
800 lbs. felt, at 4c., $32; 800 siding, clapboards, 10c., $80. 112.00
Cornice materials. 120.00
500 rough roofing, at 14c. each. 70.00
12,000 singles, at $10 per M. 120.00
11 squares tin, at $9 per square. 99.00
450 ft. valleys, gutters, and leaders, at 10c. 45.00
5,366 ft. flooring, at 3c. per foot. 160.98
13 cellar windows, complete, at $6 each. 78.00
30 plain windows, complete, at $12 each. 360.00
2 bay windows, complete, at $60 each. 120.00
2 dormer windows, complete, at $20 each. 40.00
4 stairs, complete. 150.00
38 doors, complete, at $12. 456.00
Piazza and stoops, exclusive of floors and roofing. 250.00
Conservatory, complete. 150.00
Mantles, complete. 102.00
Pantry and closets, complete. 75.00
Nails, $24; Carting, average 1 mile, $50. 74.00
Range and plumbing, complete. 250.00
Carpenter’s labor, not included above. 450.00
Painting. 272.00
Incidentals. 29.07
---------
Total cost, complete. $5,000.00
[Illustration: Fig. 154.—ELEVATION OF FRONT OF HOUSE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 155.—PLAN OF CELLAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 156.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.]
[Illustration: 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
[Illustration: Fig. 158.—ELEVATION OF FRONT OF HOUSE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 159.—PLAN OF CELLAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 160.—PLAN OF FIRST FLOOR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 161.—PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.]
DESIGN XXXVIII.
A HOUSE COSTING $8,000.
These plans were designed for a large and convenient house, arranged
to embrace nearly all of the modern improvements. Figure 162 is the
perspective view of a house recently built from these plans, for Mr. J.
M. Peck, at Flushing, L. I. The general characteristics of the exterior
are expressive of refinement and cheerfulness. There is considerable
novelty in some of the outlines and details of construction. It will be
seen that the Tower is five stories high, or two stories above the attic
of the main house, affording a lofty outlook. All the long horizontal
lines of cornice are broken up by truss-heads, which are ornamental in
themselves, and give relief from the depressing appearance of such long
lines. The Dormer Windows of the main house have projecting pediments,
with turned columns resting on the outer edge of the main cornice. The
Inclosing of this house is the same as that described for Design XXXII.
The Mansard part of the main roof and tower is covered with dark slate,
laid on sound boards, covered with felt. All other roofs are tinned in
the best manner.... The CELLAR extends under the whole house, and has
outside and cross-walls of hard brick, which, with the chimneys and
area, are built as described in XXXII. A _Furnace_ is put in at _F_,
and enclosed with brick, and 10-inch tin pipes are provided to convey
hot air to the parlors, library, dining-room, and hall of the first
story, to five rooms in the second story, and to the tank-room in the
attic story.... The FIRST STORY contains a large Hall, Parlor, Library,
Dining-room to be used as a Living-room, Kitchen, Butler’s and other
Pantries, Wash-room, two flights of Stairs, the principal one in the main
hall, and a private one adjoining the wash-room. The Main Hall is 7 feet
wide, and is entered from the piazza through heavy front and vestibule
double doors. The front doors are full hight, and have quarter-circle
plate glass “skylights” in them. The vestibule doors have plate glass
upper panels, with transom, and half-circle head-light. Double doors open
from the hall to the parlor and to the dining-room, and large sliding
doors separate the parlor from the library. The _Dining-room_ has a
large bay-window, marble mantel, china closet, and adjoins the butler’s
pantry. The _Kitchen_ is arranged with such conveniences as would delight
the most enthusiastic housekeeper; has large closets, range, sink, cold
and hot water, adjoins the wash-room, cellar stairway, and private
passage, and communicates with the dining-room through the butler’s
pantry. The Range has an elevated oven, warm closet, and water-back. To
secure a perfect ventilation, a large register is placed in the flue of
the chimney, which creates so strong a draft that the air in this room
can all be changed in a few minutes. The left-hand flue of the kitchen
chimney contains the pipes that convey warm air from the furnace to
the bath and tank rooms. The wash-room contains the copper boiler and
wash-tubs, and has a closet under the private stairs. The sink is large,
and is provided with large drain-boards at each side, and a row of
closets underneath. The Butler’s Pantry has complete fittings of drawers,
shelving, oval copper wash-tray, and washstand with marble top, and is
provided with cold and hot water. A Passage or private hall is arranged
to connect with the principal hall, kitchen, private stairway, and rear
entrance; by this plan the principal housework can be done without
intruding in any way on the main hall or principal rooms of the house....
SECOND STORY. This story contains a good-sized hall, 4 large chambers,
a private study, bath-room, store-room, six large closets, and private
stairway. The principal flight of stairs is made continuous from the
first floor to the attic; an arch is placed across the narrow part of the
hall in this story, near the first landing of the principal stairs, and
is in full sight from the hall below, imparting a cheerful and finished
appearance.... ATTIC, _or Third Story_—This story is finished throughout,
and is divided into a hall, two large chambers, with closets to each,
tank-room, and large attic. The stairs to the tower are closed in, and
have a door at the foot. The hall is lighted through a sash-door from
the tank-room. The large attic-room at the right has two doors opening
from the hall, and may be divided into two rooms if required. A large
upper room, where noise will not disturb the occupants of the lower parts
of the house, will always be found valuable for school and play-room
purposes, especially in cold or stormy weather, and when supplied
with a table, benches, maps, books, and apparatus for instruction and
entertainment, will afford the younger members of the family opportunity
for development and exercise.... GENERAL REMARKS.—Many people, who would
adopt this general plan, might conclude that the style of the exterior
is too elaborate and costly. It must be obvious to any one that the
internal arrangements, and ground plan of houses, should be made to
conform to the necessities and requirements of those who are to occupy
them; and these parts being of the first importance, should receive the
first consideration. Such _ground plans_, however, do not decide, or
even indicate, the style, character, or expense, of the outside _dress_
that may be put upon them. Different people have entirely different
characters, tastes, and resources, and the external appearance of their
homes should signify those general qualities and characteristics, and
also accord with, and conform to, all the circumstances of location, and
relation.... The ESTIMATE in detail provides for all work to be done in
a substantial manner, of the usual materials. The exterior and interior
wood finish is of clear pine lumber. The _Plastering_ is hard-finished,
on two coats of brown mortar. Appropriate _Cornices_, _Centers_, and
_Panels_, in stucco, are intended for the hall, parlor, library,
dining-room, and the two front chambers in the second story. _Gas_-pipes
are inserted in the frame-work of the house, with connections arranged
for 37 attachments. These are easily put in during construction, and even
when the house is located far from any city or village having gas, there
is strong probability that ere long we shall have convenient apparatus
for making and supplying gas to isolated dwellings.... PLUMBING is
provided as described in Design XXXII., except that the plumbing required
for the butler’s pantry, is here added. _Bells_ are put in, with their
wires running through zinc tubes concealed in the walls. The front-door
pull leads to a gong in the kitchen. The dining-room has a bell leading
to the school-room in the attic. Each chamber in the second story,
and the bath-room, has a bell leading to the kitchen, and the largest
chamber has a bell leading to the attic. _Speaking_-tubes are provided
for communication between the second story, hall, and bath-room, with
the kitchen.... PAINTING.—The body of the outside is in warm-gray; the
principal outside trimming in pure white, with thin separating lines in
light drab, and blinds in dark-bronze color. All wood, tin, and brick
work, usually painted, both inside and outside, has two coats of the
best lead and oil. All doors are grained—and all hard-wood, such as
stair-rail, balusters, and door-saddles, are rubbed in oil.
ESTIMATE:
216 yards excavation, at 20c. per yard. $43.20
32,000 hard brick, at $9 per 1000. 288.00
6,000 pale brick, at $5½ per 1,000. 33.00
Materials for plastering, and lath. 300.00
70 ft. stone steps and coping, at 30c. 21.00
Labor for all the mason work. 600.00
13,258 ft. timber, at $15 per M. 198.87
1 sill, 4 × 8 in. 242 ft. long.
1 tie, 4 × 6 in. 484 ft. long.
2 posts, 4 × 8 in. 42 ft. long.
2 posts, 4 × 8 in. 19 ft. long.
1 deck plate, 3 × 8 in. 156 ft. long.
6 hips, 3 × 10 in. 22 ft. long.
1 sill (piazza) 4 × 7 in. 114 ft. long.
1 plate ” 3 × 8 in. 90 ft. long.
1 beam ” 3 × 6 in. 60 ft. long.
12 posts, 4 × 8 in. 36 ft. long.
1 plate, 4 × 6 in. 360 ft. long.
112 beams, 3 × 8 in. 16 ft. long.
56 ” 3 × 8 in. 22 ft. long.
32 ” 3 × 8 in. 12 ft. long.
28 ” 3 × 8 in. 8 ft. long.
8 ” 3 × 8 in. 18 ft. long.
52 ” 2 × 6 in. 13 ft. long.
1 ” 2 × 7 in. 28 ft. long.
300 joist, 3 × 4 in. 13 ft. long, at 22c. each. 66.00
350 wall strips, 2 × 4 in. 13 ft. long, at 11c. each. 38.50
928 tongued and grooved sheathing boards for sides and roofs,
at 25c. each. 232.00
300 lbs. tarred paper, at 5c. per lb. 15.00
663 novelty clear siding-boards, at 30c. each. 198.90
416 ft. main cornices, water table, corner boards. 416.00
29½ squares of tin roofing, at $8 per square. 236.00
17 squares of slate, (no openings allowed) at $10 per square. 170.00
13 cellar windows, complete, at $12 each. 156.00
1 bay-window, complete. 100.00
30 windows, first and second story, and tower, complete,
at $17 each. 510.00
13 dormer windows, complete, at $23 each. 299.00
3 piazzas, (except tinning), complete. 400.00
1 balcony, (except tinning), complete. 35.00
1 hood, (except tinning), complete. 50.00
480 flooring-boards, 6-inch, at 25c. each. 120.00
160 flooring boards, 9-inch. 46.00
Stairs, complete. 200.00
14 closets and pantries, complete. 130.00
50 doors, complete, at $15.20 each. 760.00
4 marble mantles, complete. 125.00
Furnace and range, (set and piped), complete. 400.00
Plumbing, complete. 300.00
Painting. 400.00
Carpenter’s labor, not included above. 800.00
Cartage, average 1 mile. 115.00
Incidentals. 197.53
---------
Total cost of materials and construction. $8,000.00
[Illustration: Fig. 162.—PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF HOUSE.]
[Illustration: Fig. 163.—PLAN OF CELLAR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 164.—PLAN OF MAIN FLOOR.]
[Illustration: Fig. 165.—PLAN OF SECOND STORY.]
[Illustration: Fig. 166.—PLAN OF ATTIC.]
DESIGN XXXIX.
CONTIGUOUS HOUSES, COSTING $1,000 EACH.