Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-04-03
Coneerning IsuildfnE Earns
House.

:
Houses should be builtin the winter. or
at least should be contrived in that season.
We have more cold than heat to provide
against. Many Of our houses were built
as if we lived in tropical climate. How
many DAYS in the year do we enjoy the
open verandah? Its very lock is chilling
most of heyear. Thesexterior outline of
some houses is so irregular, that not
only is the cost increased, but alarger sur
face is exposed to the cold, and he,princi-
pal rooms almost isolated. We know that
a form of building nearly square gives
more room at given COST, and Is more
economical of heat-both on account OF
less outer surface exposed, and on account
or The compact position of the rooms.
The objection to this form is its want OF
Architectural beauty. But this badness of
look may be relieved, and a truly handsome
appearance may be given, by an agreeable
style Of the roof, and ornamental porches
and windows { Jtf AZ 5aIaefG
The former style Of building, with a hall
separating the principal rooms of the
house, above and below, is as well con-
trived to make "a cold house as anything
can be. 1t makes one shudder to, think Of
going into this open hal, or into the prin-
cipal rooms opening into it. They are not
much used now-the family room being in
the rear, or in a wing, entered from with
out by a side door. The whole front has
dark, uninviting look in the evening
i The present rural domestic style of liv-
ing calls for another style of domestic
architecture. 1t is almost universal that
the front doors of the large farm houses
are not used, except on. extraordinary oc-
casions. We go into the side door by the
If 1ad hu tho
| light. This custom being fixed, the style of
building should be adapted to it. The
family room Cor library, or ante-room)
should be easily reached, by door directly
from a. sheltered porch, if on the warm
side of the house; and if not on the warm
side, by an entry, well lighted from the
room within as well as from without. 1t
would be well IF this room should be in
front, or the house should have its front
according to the surrounding aspect, rath-
er than by the line of the highway. This
room need not be large, if the parlor
opens from it, so that they may be one
when the company requires it.
| would suggest, ALSO, that the kitchen
and dining room be so arranged that they
| may be made, when necessary, as one room,
The stairway, instead of having cold out
| door, should be central and should receive
the surplus heat, to temper the atmosphere
of the upper rooms. saTsH9i~
| AS the old, open fireplace is.no1 dis
| carded, some provision is necessary for
| ventilation in the kitchen. Il the looms
above admit it, a simple tube madelof four
wide boards. opening directly over the
| stove, take off the heat and vapOr very sat
isfactorily. 1t should be so arranged that
the open tube can be readily closed; and
the top, which rises to the height of a
chimney, should be Slated and ornament.
ed, 1t should be large q Z HIP
| Most large farm houses have wash
rooms attached, which may be used for
cooking in very warm weather, leaving
the dining room and kitchen cool. These
| rooms, then, may be so arranged, as to Sc
cure greater comfort and economy of fue
in very cold weather.-N. Reed, in Coun
try Gentleman. as .r8meis easa