Omaha daily bee., 1912-09-22
qE1HlIS T{D[EszA9>}G IHl0{Hr8}a
DtoHlinucd f0m Page y

Ike this is Iuilt. Red bricks, gray plaster
and dark gray shingles would produce a
happy combination, especially if the tim
ErrS and other trim were stained Il heavy
brown, with the doorway and window sash
painted white. TumI cr used with plaster
should never tie painted, aud sharp CON
trasts are TO lr avoided. "Thry are
found in England, - thcuISrvmg Traveller
lntcrposrs, perhaps. True enough, they
are; but English conditions are quite diff
tcrcnt from those existing in this country
Brick steps and a brick porch floor seem
natural compliments of the brick wall
in our revised ideal house.
The house as it would appear if the
construction were concrete, with roofing
tiles replacing the shingles, is practically
unaItrrrd in design; but it shows many
minor changes made necessary by the
materials employed and the :, aniSh feel
my sought hy the architect. That it bears
little resemblance to the original house
is true, at least at first glance; and yet,
all the differences are superficial. The
lines are Identical, except that the roof
is broken off when il reaches the porch
in order to avoid curve and the porch
openings are transformed into arches, al
though with exactly the same muml cr of
supports. The wide cave finish is in har-
mony with the general scheme, and the
heavy roof seems to demand the use of
supporting beams that show. Outside
blinds or shutters would strike a iarring
note and so, are removed. The rustic
fence, too, would be out of keeping with
so formal house and is banishcd; but
it may be found, We hope, no farther
away than the backyard or the garden.
Such house needs warmth in its color
treatment, and finds it largely in the red
tile roof. 1t would be a great mistake
to use the dark red that would be appro-
pirate for Il brick house. Red with plenty
of yellow in it is the tone needed here
Gray walls with white wood work com
plete a satisfactory color scheme. 1t is
pretty good plan to keep plaster always
Light in tone and to experiment eau
tiously, if at all, with cement stains in
strong cOlors
Both of the revised houses would cost
little more than the frame original, if
no changes were made within. How much
more would depend upon many things
and would run from five to twenty per
cent. Any how, the point to consider is
the wide latitude allowed the home maker
when he is deciding upon the ideal home
Perhaps. it will open unexpected pos
sibilitiCs.
Our ideal house, in it's actual form, is
a frame structure; and this leads us to
inquire whether wood can be accepted as
a satisfactory material for the modern
hOmcbuildcr. The obvious answer is, that
the "framc house" is the characteristic
American dwelling. Dating back TO the
days when wood was abundant in all parts
of the country, and was, in fact, almost
the only material available, models were
developed that "fitted in" with the sur
rounding landscape. Architccturally cor
rect then, the frame house can still claim
that advantage, and it is not likely to
lose its popularity.
Furthermore, it makes a practical habi
tation. With its hollow walls, it is dry
and comfortable both in summer and win
ter; and, if properly treated, it resists
the ravages of the weather.
On the other hand, it has its disadvan-
tages. 1t is not fire proof; and with the
rapidly increasing cost Of lumber, the
most powerful argument in its favor -
that Of its cheapness - is losing weight
with the average builder, to whom this is
a consideration.
Wood, however, will always enter into
the construction of houses. There will he
wooden shingles on some structures. Some
I l.. i. ~ { H.