The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-30


like ships cabins, every inch OF room is
utilized. and one can get at things in less
than no time. OF course. the house will
be In the country-otherwise il would not
be ideaI-and will have many balconies and
verandas. Give each dweller as much OPP
portunity for fresh air as possible. Some
people dislike TO leave their house if the
weather is at all threatening. Absence of
balconies and verandas would therefore fur
nish them with an excuse for avoiding the
air.
But the winter you say. lit will be i'm
possible to live in house such as you de-
scribe. The cold would kill u.s."
Not at all. One can provide double doors,
double windows and cushions with excel
sior; they will keep the draft out. and the
cold may be combated by hot water heat
rising from the floor, and passing along the
doors and windows, warming the air as il
enters. Besides, there would be CRATE fires
in all living rooms and stoves i'm the bed
rooms. allowing each occupant TO follow
his. her, preferences as to heat or cold
The roof of my ideal house will be fiat
and laid out as flower garden-technical
obstacles there are none; I have investi-
gated. roof garden is a Godsend in the
city and a haven Of rest and a pleasure
ground in the country. With no lights TO
attract insects one is out of reach of most
winged pests.
But whether one lives on a generous plan,
or in close quarters, in luxurious apartments,
or in house devoid of modern comforts,
our friends. good books, should always be
with us. And not only books for yourself
your wife and grown children. books for
the little ones, too Every room in the
house should have picture books and books
on travels, that the little ones may take i'm
hand at any idle moment to aid their fancy
and whet their appetite for learning about
the many curious persons and things with
which this earth of ours is filed
To me there is something positively re-
pulsive in a home without books. 1 cannot
bear visiting at houses where the library
is not the chief room towards which every
days work is done Let your library al
ways be open. Do not furnish ii with things
that cannot stand continuous use.
In my ideal house | hope to have a IL
brary with a circular staircase. galleries
and light overhead. 1t shall have thick
walls. so constructed as to deaden noise
children's corner-a real corner where they
are out of the way, with good light and air.
Their books must be within easy reach, and
they must be taught to be proud of them
and to keep them in order Not every
father can leave his children house and
lands and riches, but If he be willing he
can leave them something better-good
books. Books are sold so cheaply nowadays,
ents who do not try to get together a small,
but select, library for their own and chill
dren's uses ought to be ashamed
The library should be at one end of the
ideal house. the music room at the other so
that those who wish may study in peace
It's good idea to have the music room adj
join the big reception hail. where nonper-
formers may sit and listen. But | am afraid
L am talking too big for some of my
friends; if necessary or convenient one can
have library. music room and reception hall
all in one Here is the plan: One wall for
the library, the piano in the center, and in
the other corner the big family table under
the lamp, where every member of the house,
hold may indulge his or her pleasure-write
or read. embroider darn stockings, spin
or talk or loaf.
At one time of my life L myself had to
turn my hall into music ROOM and il did
very well, indeed, save when small children
were visiting, whose beauty-sleep was liza
BILE to be disturbed or when a person was
sick and, for that reason, objected to music.
Still all difficulties of that kind may now
be obviated by the new-fangled sound sup
pressor, the invention of a clever Vienna
woman. originally introduced TO deaden
practicing exercises. Piano or violin prac-
tice is like the smell from the kitchen-no-
body cares for it, but the results are quite
agreeable TO all.
/ believe in a big lamp or other large
light-giver over the family table,-let there
be enough light for ALL but remember too.
much of that commodity interferes with the
intimate character of a family gathering.
If you must have an individual light, /
recommend a students lamp with a green
shade for the writing or reading desk.
There is not a room in the house, that
cannot be made more attractive by books
and pictures, only put things in the right
place. Pictures in the bathroom? Why not?
have some lovely Rembrandt tiles, repre-
senting scenes and portraits love TO see.
that serve as the border at the top of the
bathroom walls. The ideal house should
not be overdressed, though, carpets must
not be too thick, hangings not too elaborate
If they are, the owner will soon confess
that only the simplest things please him
now and that he cannot contemplate the
other kind with comfort. As for myself
1 am always trying to cheat the furniture
dealer for the benefit of the organ and
piano builders, authors and publishers.
Wall papers. silk and other hangings 1
condemn unhygienic. There is nothing
more serviceable than painted walls. Give
me a small. lofty room. a writing desk,
an arm chair, small collection of books
within easy reach, a good writing desk,
good picture or, If i cannot have that,
the photograph of one, windows reaching
to the ceiling, that may be opened or hidden
by curtains-that is what L call true COM
fort.
There are people too old and too ignorant
to contract the book habit but IL they have
children visitors books should be pro-
vided for them. Where books are there is
an atmosphere of intelligence; the young
brought up in the midst of books acquire
education at play. To one who does not
love books I say, buy at least an encyclo-
pedia; it is necessity TO every person, no
matter what his or her business or bring