Chapter I: Preface

When the reader is familiar with the writer's general purposes, it is easier to understand the details of his work. This book is intended to deal with houses in a housekeeping spirit. In doing this, the architect has in mind convenience, stability, and that ideal of housekeepers, beauty of surroundings.

In carrying out this idea, the relation of architecture to good and economical housekeeping is first considered. Following this division is "A Journey through the House." It begins at the porch, moves through the different rooms, and stops to consider the various details. This brings about not only a consideration of the general arrangement of a house, but such details as kitchens and pantries, plumbing, laundry, and heating.

These first two sections of the book--"The Architect and the Housewife," and "A Journey through the House"--are, in a measure, educational. After this, and in keeping with the general principles that have been set forth, plans of fifty convenient houses are illustrated and described. For the most part, they are houses that have been built.

The next section is devoted to practical house-building. It is constructed by taking a complete specification for everything which may concern a dwelling-house, and ridding it, as far as possible, of all technicalities; thus putting in form all practical house-building questions for the benefit of the owner.

Following this is the consideration of business points in building, which sets forth methods of letting contracts with the view of securing the best results without waste of money.

The closing section is devoted to the getting of a home,--how to arrange the monthly-payment schemes, building-association plans, and other methods for getting a house on easy instalments.

LOUIS H. GIBSON, ARCHITECT.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND., September, 1889.

CONTENTS.

_THE ARCHITECT AND THE HOUSEWIFE._

CHAPTER I.

THE HOUSEKEEPER AND THE ARCHITECT.--FLOOR-PLANS AS RELATED
TO GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.--LABOR-SAVING DEVICES.--ECONOMY
AND GOOD CONSTRUCTION.--COMPACT HOUSES NOT NECESSARILY
CROWDED.--WOOD-WORK THAT IS READILY CLEANED 11-15

CHAPTER II.

HOUSEKEEPING OPERATIONS.--THE WORK OF THE HOUSEKEEPER.--THE
AVERAGE HOUSEWORK OF A WEEK.--THE ARCHITECT'S
LESSON THEREFROM 16-20

CHAPTER III.

MODERN CONVENIENCES.--A LITTLE HISTORY.--PLANS THAT MAKE
EXTRA WORK.--MODERN CONVENIENCES ENUMERATED 21-25

CHAPTER IV.

MODERN ARCHITECTS AND THE HOUSEKEEPER.--MISPLACED HOUSES.--OLD
COLONIAL POVERTY IN MODERN COLONIAL HOUSES.--AFFECTATION
IN DESIGN.--NATURAL DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN
ARCHITECTURE.--AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE AND AMERICAN
HOMES 26-28

_A JOURNEY THROUGH THE HOUSE._

CHAPTER V.

JOURNEY THROUGH THE HOUSE.--PORCH.--VESTIBULE.--HALL.--LONG
HALLS AND SQUARE HALLS.--THE HALL THAT IS A
ROOM.--RECEPTION-HALL.--PARLOR.--SITTING-ROOM.--DINING-ROOM 31-38

CHAPTER VI.

KITCHENS.--THE KITCHEN A WORKSHOP.--WORK TO BE DONE IN
A KITCHEN.--A PLAN.--FITTINGS.--DISH-WASHING
CONVENIENCES.--SINK AND TABLES.--CHINA-CLOSET.--PANTRY.
--COMBINATION PANTRY.--PANTRY FITTINGS.--WORK IN A
PANTRY.--A DOUGH-BOARD.--FLOUR-BIN.--PANTRY
STORES.--CUPBOARD.--REFRIGERATOR ARRANGEMENTS.--PANTRY
UTENSILS.--A DRY-BOX.--SOAP-BOX.--VENTILATION OF
KITCHEN.--GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF KITCHEN PLANNING 39-50

CHAPTER VII.

CELLAR.--FUEL DEPARTMENTS.--FURNACE CONVENIENCES.--COAL-BINS.
--CEMENT FLOORS.--LIGHT IN THE CELLAR.--A CELLAR-CLOSET.
--OUTSIDE CELLAR-DOOR 51-53

CHAPTER VIII.

A LOW-COST LAUNDRY.--BLUE MONDAY.--BASEMENT LAUNDRY.--LOW-COST
CONVENIENCES.--INEXPENSIVE LAUNDRY FITTINGS.--HOT
AND COLD WATER ARRANGEMENTS.--A LABOR-SAVING
LAUNDRY.--A PLACE TO DO FRUIT-CANNING 54-58

CHAPTER IX.

THE SECOND FLOOR.--STAIRWAYS.--THE COMBINATION STAIRWAY.--IDEAL
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS.--LARGE CLOSETS AND PLENTY
OF THEM.--A LINEN CLOSET.--PLACING OF GAS-FIXTURES.--SERVANT'S
ROOM.--BATH-ROOM.--AN ATTIC.--ATTIC CLOSETS.--ATTIC
ROOMS 59-63

CHAPTER X.

PLUMBING.--IS PLUMBING ENTIRELY SAFE?--COMPLETENESS IN
PLUMBING APPARATUS.--LABOR-SAVING PLUMBING APPARATUS.--SEWER
CONNECTIONS.--SOIL PIPE.--A TRAP.--ACCIDENTS
TO TRAPS.--FREQUENT USE OF PLUMBING APPARATUS DESIRABLE
FOR SAFETY.--WATER-CLOSETS.--SIMPLICITY IN PLUMBING.--DRAIN
CONNECTIONS.--TO KEEP PLUMBING APPARATUS FROM
FREEZING.--CISTERN WATER SUPPLY.--GREASE SINK.--FLUSHING
OF DRAIN.--BATH-TUB 64-74

CHAPTER XI.

HEAT AND VENTILATION.--COMMON HEATING ARRANGEMENTS.--PRESENT
METHODS GENERALLY UNSATISFACTORY.--IDEAL CONDITIONS.--PROPER
AMOUNT OF MOISTURE RARELY ATTAINED.--A
FURNACE DEFINED.--METHODS OF REACHING BEST RESULTS.--SUPPLY
OF PROPER AMOUNT OF MOISTURE.--REMOVAL OF
FOUL AIR.--SUPPLYING FRESH AIR WITH PROPER MOISTURE
FROM STOVES.--STEAM AND HOT-WATER HEATING.--DIRECT
AND INDIRECT RADIATION.--LOW-COST HEATING APPARATUS 75-82

CHAPTER XII.

HEATING DEVICES AS WE FIND THEM.--FURNACE ESTIMATES.--COMBINATION
HOT AIR AND HOT WATER.--DISH-WARMING
ARRANGEMENTS.--HOW TO GET A GOOD HEATING APPARATUS 83-85

CHAPTER XIII.

THE HOUSE AND ITS BEAUTY.--ARTISTIC SURROUNDINGS.--BEAUTY
MORE A MATTER OF INTELLIGENCE THAN MONEY.--VESTIBULE
DECORATIONS.--BEAUTY IN THE RECEPTION-HALL.--MANTELS
AND GRATES.--FRET-WORK AND PORTIÈRES.--SPINDLE WORK.--SIMPLE
FORMS OF GOOD DECORATION.--WOOD-CARVING.--DOOR
AND WINDOW CASINGS.--A CONSERVATORY.--STAINED
GLASS.--A CABINET ON THE MANTEL.--TINTED PLASTERING.
--FRESCOING.--SAFETY IN THE SELECTION OF COLORS.--AN
ATTRACTIVE SITTING-ROOM.--THE PARLOR.--A RECEPTION-ROOM.
--PARLOR HISTORY.--THE IDEAL PARLOR.--THE LIBRARY.--A
PLACE OF QUIET AND REST.--LIBRARY FURNISHINGS.--THE
DINING-ROOM.--SOCIAL RELATIONS OF THE DINING-ROOM.
--DINING-ROOM DECORATIONS.--CONSERVATORY AND DINING-ROOM.
--A WOOD CEILING.--BEAUTY IN BEDROOMS.--QUIET AND LIGHT 86-100

CHAPTER XIV.

EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL DESIGN.--AN OLD TOPIC BEFORE THE
PEOPLE.--THE ARCHITECTURAL STUDENT'S DREAM.--A BEAUTIFUL
HOME THE HOUSEKEEPER'S AMBITION.--IT COSTS NO
MORE TO HAVE A HOUSE BEAUTIFUL THAN UGLY.--ARCHITECTURAL
EDUCATION.--CHARLES EASTLAKE'S BOOK.--VULGAR
ARCHITECTURAL REVIVALS.--THE GROWTH OF THE ARTISTIC
IDEA.--BEAUTY A MATTER OF REFINEMENT 101-105

_PLANS OF FIFTY CONVENIENT HOUSES._

CHAPTER XV.

EVOLUTION OF A HOUSE-PLAN.--RESPECTABLE DIMENSIONS FOR A
MODERATE PRICE.--SIX PLANS.--COSTS FROM $1,500 TO
$2,600 109-117

CHAPTER XVI.

A SMALL POCKET-BOOK AND A LARGE IDEA.--AMBITION, DOLLARS,
AND A GOOD HOUSE.--THE GROWTH OF THE HOUSEKEEPER'S
IDEAS.--POINTS ABOUT THE HOUSE.--$2,900 118-125

CHAPTER XVII.

"WE KNOW WHAT WE WANT."--A CONVENIENT PLAN.--MEETING
THE WANTS OF PEOPLE WHO BUILD 126-130

CHAPTER XVIII.

TWO GOOD ROOMS IN FRONT.--THE COMBINATION PANTRY.--TOO
MUCH CELLAR A BURDEN.--$2,500 131-134

CHAPTER XIX.

SITTING-ROOM AND PARLOR IN FRONT.--A CONNECTING VESTIBULE.--A
CENTRAL COMBINATION STAIRWAY.--GOOD ROOMS IN THE
ATTIC 135-138

CHAPTER XX.

A COMPACT PLAN.--AN ISOLATED RECEPTION-ROOM.--COMBINATION
STAIRWAY.--DESCRIPTION OF THE FLOOR-PLAN.--CELLAR
ARRANGEMENT.--DINING-ROOM AND CONSERVATORY.--ANOTHER
PLAN 139-144

CHAPTER XXI.

WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR $1,600?--THE CLOSET IN THE HALL.--A
SMALL, CONVENIENT KITCHEN.--CLOSETS IN THE BEDROOMS 145-151

CHAPTER XXII.

OUTGROWTHS OF ONE IDEA.--EVERYTHING COUNTS AS A ROOM.--ONE
CHIMNEY.--CONVENIENCES OF A CONDENSED HOUSE.--COST
FROM $1,600 TO $2,800 152-156

CHAPTER XXIII.

ONE-STORY PLANS.--DESCRIPTION OF FLOOR-PLANS.--BATH-ROOM
NEXT TO KITCHEN FLUE.--KITCHEN, PORCH, AND PANTRY.--THE
EXTERIOR.--ENLARGEMENTS ON THIS PLAN.--OTHER ONE-STORY
HOUSES 157-163

CHAPTER XXIV.

SIDE-HALL PLANS.--PLANS WITH BEDROOM ON FIRST FLOOR 164-170

CHAPTER XXV.

MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTION.--SHORT DESCRIPTIONS OF ELEVEN
HOUSE-PLANS.--VARYING COSTS.--SQUARE PLANS.--ONE-CHIMNEY
PLANS.--REAR AND SIDE HALL 171-181

CHAPTER XXVI.

EIGHT PLANS.--EACH SUITED TO FAMILY REQUIREMENTS.--DOUBLE
HOUSES.--AN ELABORATE FLOOR-PLAN.--A SHINGLE HOUSE.--A
BRICK HOUSE 182-193

_PRACTICAL HOUSE-BUILDING._

CHAPTER XXVII.

PRACTICAL POINTS.--WATER.--LOCATION OF HOUSE ON LOT.
--DRAINING THE CELLAR.--MASON WORK.--FOUNDATIONS.--WALKS.
--PIERS.--FLUES.--CISTERNS.--DAMP COURSE 197-200

CHAPTER XXVIII.

BRICK FOUNDATIONS.--LAYING BRICK.--COLORED MORTARS.--COLORED
BRICKS.--BRICK VENEERING.--HOT-AIR FLUES.--DETAILS
OF BRICK CONSTRUCTION.--CHIMNEYS AND FLUES.--HOLLOW
WALLS.--CELLAR.--ASH-PITS.--GRATES 201-206

CHAPTER XXIX.

STONE MASONRY.--CUT STONE.--TERRA COTTA.--PRIVY VAULTS.
--CISTERNS.--FILTERS FOR CISTERNS.--BRICK PAVEMENTS.--CEMENT
PAVEMENTS 207-212

CHAPTER XXX.

CARPENTER-WORK.--FRAMING.--SIZE OF TIMBERS.--HEIGHT OF
STORIES.--JOIST.--STUD WALLS.--OUTSIDE SHEATHING.
--BUILDING-PAPER.--ROOFS.--OUTSIDE FINISH.--OUTSIDE
SHINGLE WALLS.--OUTSIDE CASINGS.--WINDOWS WITH BOX
FRAMES.--HINGED OR PIVOTED WINDOWS.--OUTSIDE SHUTTERS.
--PORCHES.--LATTICE PORCHES 213-221

CHAPTER XXXI.

INSIDE WOOD-WORK.--FLOORS.--SOFT AND HARD WOOD FLOORS.
--TABULATED STATEMENT OF INSIDE FINISH.--DIFFERENT
KINDS OF WOOD.--DOORS AND FRAMES.--FLY SCREENS.--INSIDE
CASINGS.--WAINSCOTING.--INSIDE SHUTTERS.--WOOD-WORK
FOR PLUMBING.--KITCHEN SINK AND FITTINGS.--KITCHEN
TABLES.--CELLAR-SINK FITTINGS.--WOOD-WORK FOR
BATH-TUB.--WATER-CLOSETS.--WASH-STANDS.--TANK.--PICTURE
MOULDING.--CLOSET FITTINGS.--BROOM-RACK.--CEDAR-CLOSET.
--DRY-BOX.--CLOCK SHELF.--CHINA-ROOM FITTINGS.--PANTRY
FITTINGS.--STAIRWAYS 222-235

CHAPTER XXXII.

PLASTERING.--GRAY FINISH.--WHITE HARD FINISH.--BACK
PLASTERING.--GAS-PIPING.--TIN WORK.--GUTTERS.--VALLEYS.
--DOWN SPOUTS.--GALVANIZED IRON-WORK.--HOT-AIR PIPES.
--THIMBLES.--PAINTING.--STAINING.--OIL FINISHING.--INTERIOR
STAINING.--FLOOR FINISH.--GLAZING.--PLATE-GLASS.--BEVELLED
GLASS.--CATHEDRAL GLASS.--HARDWARE 236-246

CHAPTER XXXIII.

PRACTICAL PLUMBING.--WOOD-WORK FOR PLUMBER.--EXCAVATING
FOR PLUMBER.--WATER DISTRIBUTION.--OUTSIDE FIXTURES.
--HYDRANTS.--STREET-WASHERS.--SOFT-WATER SUPPLY.--HOT-WATER
SUPPLY.--SOIL PIPE.--INSIDE FIXTURES.--KITCHEN
SINK.--CELLAR SINK 247-254

CHAPTER XXXIV.

PLUMBING WORK CONTINUED.--BATH-TUBS.--BATH-SPRINKLERS.
--FOOT-TUBS.--SAFES.--WATER-CLOSETS.--WASH-STANDS.--LAUNDRY
FITTINGS.--SET TUBS.--OUTSIDE DRAINS.--GREASE
SINKS.--NICKEL FITTINGS 255-263

CHAPTER XXXV.

COST OF A HOUSE.--SCHEDULES OF COSTS.--WHAT GOES INTO A
HOUSE.--SCHEDULE "B."--COST DETAILS 264-269

CHAPTER XXXVI.

VARYING BUILDING VALUES.--COST OF APPURTENANCES.--PRICES
OF LABOR AND MATERIAL ON WHICH ESTIMATES ARE BASED. 270-274

_BUSINESS POINTS IN BUILDING._

CHAPTER XXXVII.

LOW-COST HOUSES.--METHODS OF MAKING CONTRACTS.--ARCHITECTS'
ESTIMATES.--BUILDING BY THE DAY.--THE SAFEST PLAN.--GUARDING
AGAINST LIENS 277-287

_HOW TO SECURE A HOME._

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

MONTHLY PAYMENTS.--CALCULATIONS ON A LONG-TIME PLAN.--PURCHASE
ON A RENTAL BASIS.--HOW IT MAY BE WORKED
OUT 291-294

CHAPTER XXXIX.

BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS.--WHY DIVIDENDS ARE LARGE AND INTEREST
LOW.--BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS AND SAVINGS BANKS.--ASSOCIATION
SECURITIES.--BUILDING-ASSOCIATION METHODS.--DIFFERENT
PLANS.--BORROWING FROM A BUILDING ASSOCIATION.--A
BUILDING-ASSOCIATION REPORT 295-311

CHAPTER XL.

PURCHASE OF A LOT.--THE BEST THE CHEAPEST.--A GOOD LOT
AS A BASIS OF SECURITY.--THE BASIS OF VALUE IS THE
RENTAL 312-316

THE ARCHITECT AND THE HOUSEWIFE.

CONVENIENT HOUSES.