Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-13

TRAYS RESIDE nee.
added so largely to the number of apart
ment houses and residences.
Houses and Flats.
1t is likely that the last year or so will
be looked upon the era of apartment
building, for certainly the additions to the
number of such structures of all the vari-
Gus grades, both large and small has been
an impressive phase of the material
growth of the city.
1T was the intention at the outset to say
something about the building operation
that Mr.. Breuninger now has under way.
A portion Of the work is as follows: At
the southwest corner of list and streets
he is building thirteen three-story houses;
at the northwest corner of 18th and Whit
ney avenue three three-story houses; near
the northwest corner of 18th and Kenyon
streets two houses; on Kenesaw avenue
west of old 10th street, five two-story flats !;
a three-story fiat on the east side of 18th
street between Yale and Princeton streets.
1t will contain fifteen suites of five rooms
and bath each.
Living Out of Doors.
AT this season of the year the people are
beginning to enjoy the opportunities which
are afforded in this city for out-ofdoor life.
AS it is not every one who can have a
country home or perhaps very large one
in the city, various devices have been in
vented for bringing into the life of the
city as much of the freedom of the country
as is possible. In the direction of being
out in the open air the facilities here are
almost ineXhaustible, and there is hardly
a householder, however humble he may be,
who may not have his garden and his porch
and the enjoyment that comes from the ad-
dition to the home of such facilities.
There are inducements here TO this sort
of life that do not exist In the ordinary
city, for the reason that the outlook here,
whether from the front or the rear of the
average house, is an attractive one. 1t is
true that back fences still flourish here as
an evidence, if for no other reason, that
good many years ago when the city was
smaller, pigs and geese and cows and
horses and other animals roamed about the
streets. and unlo. ) ones yard was protected
by fence then the grass and the shrub
berry liable to suffer. For the same
reason the parks were closely fenced in,
but the public authorities have discovered
that the habits of the people have changed,
and no longer do domestic animals wan
der at will about the public streets.
Useless Back Fences.
After a while the average householder
will make the same discovery, and then
the useless back fences, with all their
hideous outlines, will come down, and the
rear of houses will be as attractive as the
front. In the meantime the back yard in
this city is not as unsightly as one might
imagine, especially if 1t be viewed from
level somewhere above the ground
There trees and shrubbery and
climbing vines found in nearly every in
stance in the rear of houses, SO that the
luXuriance of spring finds expression. on
both sides of city homes. To enjoy this
beauty without regard to which side of the
house 1t may be on has been planned in
a variety of ways, and evidences of what
has been devised may be seen just now
in all parts of the city.
The most ordinary method of making
country in the city is by having a porch,
either in the rear of the house or at the
front. An example of the latter is found
in one of the handsomest residences in the
city. The same result is possible in houses
of all classes. The style of architecture
of this house. which is a type of the French
school and not the most ornate example.
seems to require balcony at the second
story and when it is as broad and COM
Portable in appearance as this one, and is
further provided with the protection of an
awning, then it is easy to understand that
it is a most delightful addition to house
interior
Fresh Air and Breezes.
The same thing may be done in the rear
of a house, and while the outlook may be
to some extent marred by the rough brick
walls of the rear of houses and the stray
Cling rows of wooden fences, still there
are other objects to be seen than those, and
even If there should not be much to admire
there are the fresh air and the unobstruct-
ed breezes which are just as welcome and
inspiring as If they were borne in on the
most expensive porch with an outlook on
lawns and shrubbery that cost many dol
lars.
In fact, in this climate to the average
city resident what is needed is chance
tn hn mt nj n @ 10
within the means of practically everybody
who can control either a front or the rear
of house. The Increase in projections of
this sort in houses is very noticeable, as
well the arrangements that are made
to adapt them as an extension OF the house
interior, for that is what they really are.
Sometimes the porcheS may open out from
the dining room, and then again from the
family room on the second floor, but, what
ever may be the access, the use at this
time of the year and practically until the
weather becomes too cold to be out OF
doors is daily one.
The addition to the comfort and delight
of living which such simple thing affords
is without question, although some people
will regard such statement with scepti.
cism for the reason that they have not
come to realize what 1t is to live out OF
doors.
Women the Home Buyers.
Unlike the month of May in some cities,
especially those farther to the north, that
period here is not marked by general do
nestle upheayal and the tearing out Of
houses and the carrying of their contents
through the streets to some destination.
Here the first of May Is not the general
moving day. Leases do not come to an end
then-that is, generally speaking-and there
is nothing in the shape of a household in
surrection taking place here that usually
occurs on moving day.
This season of the year Is not the time
selected by householders in this city for