Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-01-23
BUILDING A HOUSE.
USEFUL HINTS FOR THOSE WHO
WANT A HOME.
House Should Have Individuality ~
Our Buildings Too New--Haiis and
Fircpiaces--For the Children
Usefal aud Ornamental
IHattin Tvnr GrIswold.l

should look like him. All should not DO
cast in one moli. Some will then be solid,
substantial, plain, but well-built and excel
lent in their way. Some viii have light
ness, cosiness, grace Some will be little
fantastic, but charming because character
istic. Some viii be precise. elegant, every
stone polished. Some will have surprises,
revelations. and breath an air OF romance.
But this individuality will never be attained
il you give your architect carte blanche and
tell him to build you house A man must
put his mind, yea, his soul, into his house il
he would have it seem beautiful and har-
monious TO him.
And it is not matter of small impor-
tance as many seem to think, what kind OF
houses we build and live in Exterior
beauty gladdens and reflnes the hearts of
our neighbor,, is perhaps of moro impor-
lance to them than to us, but interior beauty
is of the first importance not only to the
pleasure OF ourselves aud families but
really to their refinement and Improvement
One beautiful cottage IN an ugly and COM
monplace village is really valuable as an
educator and as source of qualification to
the aesthetic tastes of the people This
house which shall so gladden. whole street
may be either large or small, according to
means and taste A great many OF those
which have myself seen have been small.
dainty, delicate. complete, but real cottages,
made for the simple needs of small families
of moderate means.
THE GREAT TROUBLE.
The great trouble with all our houses in
this country is that they are all so new.
Built as most of our buildings are, we shall
always be condemned to live in new dwell
ings, for few of ours ara well enough builc
to be of any value after the first genera
ton. We need to learn to build for our
children rather than for ourselves, and to
put some strength and solidity into our
houses.
But let us not have hodge-podge of all
styles, il we are sane men and not lunatics.
Certainly many houses which we see look
as if they might have been built by men OF
disordered intellects who flung in a little of
every existing style, just as the spirit
moved them in different moods. The win
dows are OF the first Importance. All the
beauty of the interior will depend upon the
light Let no glaring cross lights torment
sensitive eyes and mar all pure effects Of
coloring. Have the walls only moderately
high. There is reaction now in favor of
low walls, many houses having been
built with walls high enough for a church,
for the walls of a church should not
be too high in these modern days.
HALLS AND FIREPLACEs.
But middle ground in this, as in most
things, Is the safest for ordinary mortals.
If the house is to be one of. any pretensions
it should have large hall with fireplace
at the end. The larger the hall and the
fireplace the better, and would advise peo-
Pile Of moderate means to do without almost
anything else except the absolute necessities
- IN "a hal and fba fro.
place. If one must economics space this
hall can be furnished and used a reception
room for all casual guests. Have as many
rooms as possible on the first floor. In the
large cities, where land is so valuable as TO
be practically out of the reach OF all but
the rich, basement houses are a necessity,
and will continue to be SO; but let no man
in his right mind build basement house in
the country In cities life becomes a burden
to the mistress of the family from this cause
more than any other, and much Of the i'll
health of women is due to this cause alone
All houses where land is cheap should
have a large sleeping-room on the first
floor, in addition to the usual number of
other rooms. ALI who omit this important
consideration regret it as soon as they
come to occupy the house Large closets
and a bathroom opening from it are also
DFifn6 UtcboSlOJ. lhlP rum Dhouit bc
large, cheerful and sunny lit possible on
the south side OF the HOUSE.. 1t should con-
tain two single beds and other cozy and
comfortable furnishings and may be used
also for a sswing-room il the house space il
liEiited.
FOR THE CHILDREN.
Where it is at all practicable, it is desir-
able that each child, as it grows older, shall
have room to itself, where individual
taste may be indulged where nobody Il per-
,nitted to NEEDLE with the treasures there
collected Does one like flowers and plant,
che should have a sunny window ami DO en-
couraged Co raiss them for her own pleasure.
Does another want birds, let his room con
tain them and lot him there attend upon
them himself Does one want nothing but
books, give him some shelves and IA pretty
desk, dictionary -holder, and a waste
basket, and let him keep everything to his
own mind, within his especial sanctum. Is
there a boy who wants a workshop. do your
best to improviss one In garnet or wood she'd
where he may be absolute master, and culti-
vate his original taste with no fear Of the
housemaid before his eyes.
A pleasant and, il possible, a roomy din
ng-room should occupy the sunny side OF
every house. Let there be vines and plants
here Lot the light all come in from one
side: let the walls be of some of the medium
tones Of neutral colors, the woodwork rich
and dark, and the furniture heavy and
solid Have one or two bits OF bright color
here, in pictures or hangings, and give
everyt thing plenty Of light
USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL.
have not left much space either in my
article or my house for the parlors. But if
we can afford it let US have one or two
handsome rooms where we can collect all
that we have Of best and richest and not
only keep them for the benefit OF our friends
but Of our families II we can have two
rooms, let us furnish one for library and
MUSHROOM, and sitting-room, too, for there
il no greater mistake made in
tho oriarines OF a houa than that of niIiny