The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-04-14
WOMEN
Become HOme.BuildeFS-- Fit.
ted To Do Planning

are marking a period when the homes
OF American women will be built for
them by American women.
Some time ago this would have been
considered out of the question, but
during the last decade women have so
far advanced in things pertaining to
building and architecture that now It
seems natural outcome of their de-
Velopment, says writer for the New
York Press.
There are five women in and about
New York who are combining to make
the home a success from every stand
point; they are aiming TO obtain har-
monious whole from the exterior to the
interior, TO keep the house in all de-
tails up to the standard of the style in
which it is meant to be made. The
first in the list is Miss Anna Pendleton
Schenk, with her partner, Miss Marcia
Mead. with offices in West Fortieth
street.
Heretofore Miss 'Schenk's attention
has been given to the planning of var
ious sorts of buildings, and while
home building has been part of the
VI ork, not until now has it become Of
IT'S present Importance.
YES" said she, "the home is un.
doubtedly woman's realm. No work in
clubs, or interest in political issues can
really supplant her home in her
thoughts. In fact, l believe that the
broader the woman becomes intellec-
tually through business associations
and other fields the greater becomes
Ler desire to have her home as it
should be, and also to make it a place
individually her own.
Women are today eminently fitted
Tor the building of such places. The
building of a living house is study in
itself, and what is the use of a beau
t!iul structure exteriorly if the interior
is inconvenient and uncomfortable? :?
There are thousand and one details
obvious to woman that will be over
looked by man. True, the mans
house may all be comfortable and
beautiful, but look into details, and
there are many things that would make
il sad problem for the woman.
Even in flats and apartments you
have the same trouble. With little
thought the stove, for instance, could
be placed in such a way that it would
be in light instead of dark corner;
sinks are generally too low for COM
fort, shelves too high, closets are
poorly placed, and hundred other
Things | could mention. This is be-
cause man has built with an idea of
room saving, but not to labor saving
these same defects may be found in
many beautiful private residence. In
homes planned by women you will find
a rectfication of these. Every woman
who plans house, if she does it con-
scientiously, has studied housework
and knows what is required.
II am finding it perfect delight TO
work in conjunction with women build
ers, decorators and landscape garden
ers, for step by step we consider de-
tails from a point of harmony. How
many times you will find house built
after a. French style. surrounded by an
English garden and furnished inside
i'll a manner equally in, ongruous. This
makes for poor art and confusion of
ideas. We are endeavoring to keep all
in harmony from the inside out"
1t is Miss Schenck and her partner
who have combined with other women
in building two beautiful summer
homes at Murray Bay, and they are
now at work on many others.
1t is unique sensation to sit in an
office and hear woman discuss mat
ters of trim and framing, stone, mar
bles and plans with another woman,
but it was a very interesting discus
sion that was carried on by Miss
Schenck and Miss A. M. Durkin, the
woman builder and contractor, with
offices on Park avenue.
This work for woman is unique.
There are women architects who sup
orintend large part of their work, but
10, embark in the profession. of con-
/ tracting and building remained for
Miss Durkin.
Really" said she. why shouldn't a
woman be in this business? Persons
still believe that because one is a
builder he or she must know how to
drive nail or erect building. Why,
the biggest builder in the country,
guess, cannot handle hammer with
any amount of intelligence.
Building today has gone beyond
this; there are two factions at work
in it--those who know how thing
should be done from the matter of
right material, expense and so on,
and those who execute the work for