Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-25
PLANNING "A HOME.
SENSIBLE SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE
ABOUT TO BUILD HOUSES.

written for the Dispatch.l

written for the Dispatch)
We assume primarily that every FAMILY
wants home. To have one that Is
satisfactory In every way means to
build. First the ground is chosen, or
perhaps 1t is already In possession. In
buying q site, he is indeed short-sighted
who purchases out OF a good vicinage
The neighborhsod OF the future is n term
with n seductive sound. but will o.
the wisp termination. a sacrifice Of ones
self for a possible good to posterlty
Next. an architect IL selected. very much
as one calls physician or a lawyer. with
that ineradicable feeling that he knows
less OF a family's needs than the client
himself. but also with the helplessness
that comes OF a knowledge OF ignorance
Plans are the department that the
owner should study as seriously as though
taking up a new branch Of science. He
should first consult the various needs OF
his family. and especially the style Of
his establishment. Large accommoda-
lions for servants, with a door To sepa-
rate that department from the rest of
the house, a servants bath, a servants
all requirements OF handsome living
which are not necessities in families
whose income only enables them to keep
two or three servants.
Before the plans are accepted they
should be carefully studied with view
to the arrangement OF the furniture, for
this affects not only wall space but light
and heat outlets. II would seem to the
uninitiated that there was time enough
10 think Of them when the house was
ready for chandeliers and registers. but
as a matter Of fact they must have been
arranged from the start. Furnace hues
mount with the house walls II they are
stone or brick and gas and electric-wlre
tubes are placed before lath and plaster.
\ little thought should also be given TO
decoration. for If any room Is to be
paneled the light outlets must not inter-
fere. Forethought in all these matters
will save much future annoyance and ex-
pense. In this connection it would be
well to look over the doors and decide
which way they should swing. The ideal
door is one which slides, for both large
and small openings, but for economical
reasons the swinging door Is in more
frequent use.
NURSERY-ROOM.
II there are CnllNTeu much uuecIy
room IS needed. II father or mother
have literary tastes. plan n den so re-
mote from main passages that no casual
saunterer breaks in upon the precious
solitude. II there is an individual TO
whom stairs are almost an impossbility,
arrange for an elevator.
Above all. let there be library. living
room-what you will-where the heart of
ba f,p,flxr tootg xUffb tho warm pulse
Of good win and sympathy; where conf
dences are exchanged. and prpcept ana
example unite with ENCOURAGEMENT to
help all who are so fortunate az TO come
within the walls. Here will be gathered
all the pretty familiar products Of art
that provoke sentiment rather than awe
and here will be found the magazines
and books that one would rather read or
all others. In winter blaze on the
hearth invites one 10 llnger, and in sum-
mcr the awnings Tapping over the flower
boxes at the window temper the light TO
q cool shade. 4 den is a place for sen-
Gus, II sometimes selfish work, but the
living-roorn IS the place where the rart
expands and the legend good viii TO
mem takes on a fuller meaning.
PLENTY OF THEM.
or bedrooms let there be plenty, one
for every soul. Children appreciate thor
oughly the privilege Of roOmlng alone
and take infinite pleasure in the undi3-
puted proprietorship OF their little terri
tory. decorating walls and furniture with
tons OF significant trash containing inf
mite possibilities In reyiying memories Of
past rcvclries. Wall space for beds and
bureaus must not be forgotten. Every
one knows the discomfort Of bed that
half shuts out a window and Of a dress-
ing table or bureau standing away from
the light. ones toilet then becomes
matter of hazard rather than of orderly