Evening star., 1893-09-09

MS plans approved, recommends a reSpon-
sible and expensive contractor. II the con-
tractor is reliable man he is necessarily
expensive. since he takes no more work
than he can attend to. and his price rises
with his reputation. As his services are
shut away from less moneyed people 1t be-
comes a matter Of vital interest to know
how they can obtain the best results with
out the services Of the high-priced build
rience in seeking light in dark places, and
having made many costly blunders, tenders
a small lantern Of experience to light the
pathway OF the anxious home builder,
whose most interesting work will be found
In this field.
The First Question.
The first question to be settled-shall It
be city or suburban house? take it rs
strong evidence Of the widening intelh-
gence Of people generally that the ten
dency to suburban living is every day in
creasing. With all the disadvantages Of
the longer tramps to and from business and
the increased difficulty Of good servants,
still these disadvantages are Offset by the
pleasures of the garden, the real profit and
luxury Of a COW. poultry yard and the
clean, fresh air and wholesome life for the
children. One may take the most languid
interest In the florists productions for sale
at every street corner, yet when the first
ones own planting adorn the lawn, what
difference! Those homegrown flowers
are like our children; we can see merits In
them that are hidden from the dlsinrer-
ested eye. And the chickens that we rescue
from the storm and raised by hand" the
rose that grew from a slip and the pony
that was only a colt when 1t came-all
these delights are distinctly rural and not
to be overestimated. They add largely to
the sum of human happiness. and rome
day, 1t is to be hoped there will be adopted
the English idea that a city Is only fit to
be workshop or a social rendezvous for a
brief season. That domestic life at its
best will be found in the country. Should
1t be decided. however, that the lot Is to
tied. as the means wherewith to supply the
superstructure, the first item that may be
saved Is the architects fee. To accomplish
this I have found the best plan to be an
examination of the latest houses OF the
size desired in large cities. Philadelphia,
New York, Boston or Chicago will supply
many types Having chosen the nearest
realization Of ones idea, find the architect
or his assistant and buy a tracing of the
design. and obtain data as to cost. &c. A
little money will go a great way In this
matter. or take your kodak and capture
the elevation, and ind the carpenter, who
will give you a duplicate Of the working
drawings and much information for a
small fee.
Don't Try to He Original
OF all things discourage yourself in the
wish to be original. for If you indulge this
ambition the net result will probably be
original usliness and disappointment. II
you can afford an architect seek one that
will permit you to know something They
generally know 1t ALL" especially If you
are woman. If you can find one who will
allow you to locate a bath room you will
be In luck. Most architects cling to the
prejudice that women know nothing but
cookery and baby science. and very little
Of that. They listen assentinsly and ig-
more your instructions. Do not let any but
the best known architects-those who have
demonstrated their talents-experimen
with your money In brick and mortar. Ten
to one your cheap man will give you an
elevation which will be a mixture of the
Corinthian, Doric and Roman that may
look a sweet thing on paper, but which
embodied in solid materials will give your
artistic neighbor the jumps whenever he
looks out his window. In the smallest En-
glish community builder must submit the
design of his prospective building to a
board Of architects. A man there Is not
allowed to injure neighborhood with his
original monstrosities. The esthetic fends
who dwell among are not allowed to
live in older civilizations to demonstrate in
public their injurious egotism. Having Sc
cured the drawings and specifications one
can obtain competitive bids Cor the excava-
ton and for each branch CT work in the
building from well known and responsible
workmen. If they have earned a reputa-
tion for fair dealing they are not likely to
give 1t away for small job like yours,
Seek the assistance Of the city's inspector
of buildings and the inspector Of plumb
ing. Their services cost you nothing. OBJ
tain also competitive bids for the mill
work, trimming, heating &C., and II you
are not an idiot and are willing to take
the trouble you will get your house at the
lowest modicum of cost. You will further
have the satisfaction Of knowing that every
dollar has representative value in the
house at the market price Of labor and
materials.
Avoid Exterior Orunmentoftou