Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-12-29
THEIR SIS MANSION
HOUSE OF YOUNG COUPLE BUILT
BY THEMSELVES.
Charming Rustic Cabin on a Wooded
Lot lngeniousIy Constructed
Around a Huge Oak With
knotted Trunk.

A newly married couple, rich in hap
piness but poor in finances, purchased
a large wooded lot on the instalment
plan. The monthly payments with in
terest were small, says the Craftsman,
and could be comfortably met on the
margin Of salary left after all living
expenses had been paid After making
the first payment, which gave them
possession of the property, they had
just $75 left With this they deter
mined to build themselves house.
Every bit of work was done with
their own hands and they speak Of this
period of NEST building" as the hap
piest in their lives, though it happened
some years ago, and the little home
has been replaced since by one much
larger and more pretentiOus. The orig
inal dwelling has been left intact on
the grounds and brings in yearly
rental considerably in excess OF its
first cost. So it not only made de-
lightful home but an excellent invest
ment.
Near the center of the lot where the
ground dipped slightly was huge oak
tree with gnared, knotted trunk and
wide spreading branches. Under this,
in fact around this tree, the house was
built. Other trees on the lot were
trimmed of superhuous limbs and
branches. the larger ones just right
for foundation posts, the smaller Tor
lattice work and for trim and orna-
ment. By using this oak wood quite
a bit of money was saved on timber.
The lower portions of the walls OF
the house are of boards two and one
half feet in height Above these there
is a five foot width of extra heavy art
burlap in dark gold brown. Above this
and filling in the gable ends are red
wood shingles. Concealing the joints
between the boards and the burlap be-
low and the shingles and burlap above
are split rustic timbers. Smaller split
timbers are also used for outside win
dow frames with excellent effect. The
corner supports are Of tree trunks as
are the porch posts and rail.
At the front, under the porch caves.
is frieze of rustic lattice eighteen
inches wide. Below this is a charm
ing rustic seat with back and sides
and bottom made of small but strong
oak tWigs The roof is shingled. No
paint or stain has been used, the
brown burlap and the weathered tim
Der in the nature setting Of trees,
vines and flowers.
Inside the wood wainscot is covered
with matrix, then comes the five foot
width Of brown burlap then frieze Of
the matrix. Most of these matrix pads
show cartoons and Illustrations OF con-
siderable interest; in fact, they pre-
sent a wall library and pictures and
stories in which one can find both hui
NOR and pathos. These mats can be
obtained from almost any newspaper
office for little or nothing, and for
decorative purposes, as in this in
stance, they are just the thing. In
color they are gray white and will har-
monte with any color scheme.
The ceiling follows the roof lines
and is faced with the brown burlap.
In one corner of the living room is q
folding bed daintily curtSined and
with it's top shelf lined with books it
appears more like a curtained cabinet.
The house, which has two rooms and
a large closet, is admirably suited for
all year occupancy in any moderate
climate and for summer camp in any
locality. The veranda, through the
floor of which the great oak tree rises,
permits freedom of outdoor life and
is a delightful place to sleep, either
in hammocks or on portable canvas
cots