South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-27
The House That
Jack Built

work. the mechanics Of her every
day duties should be studied care
f1lly IN drawing up the plans. &C
cording 20 Miss Marcia Md. an
architect Of New York. One should
think always OF the convenience and
comfort OF the busy housewife. Civ
ing especial attention 10 the com
pact arrangements which save steps.
Miss Mead began. first Of all. 20
describe the outside OF the house.
you see" said she. that the house
7 have planned. instead OF having a
porch across the front, has ter
race. Too often the porch is an un-
ventilated, stuffy place, cutting of
too much light and air from the
house; IL should never cover all OF
the windows Of a room, for every
room should have some direct light.
nor should it ever be placed across
the east or north side OF the build
ing
Next comes the vestibule. That
is almost a necessity, but II need not
be large. Above all things let US
avoid the long hall. And what has
been known as a reception hall is a
waste OF space. The vestibule an
swers all the purposes of an entrance
hall and helps keep cold out OF the
house in winter; also. it nay have a
coat closet in il. AS for the one
time parlor. that is practically obso-
lete today; in its place, we have a
large family living room with, in this
case, an alcOve at the end in which.
perhaps. the family desk might be
placed, so that those who write may
withdraw somewhat from the rest
Of the family without being utterly
separate A living room closet is
also provided which is. indeed.
convenience.
Behind the living room and at
one side is the dining room, at the
other the kitchen. with the stairway
in between. There is also a passage
way between the vestibule and the
kitchen. Thus the housewife, pre-
pairing dinner in the kitchen, may
get upstairs 10 change her gown.
without being seen by anyone in the
living room; she may get TO the door
easily to answer the bell, and she
may pass back and forth from the
kitchen TO the dining room without
being seen by guests.
The upstairs plan provides for
three bedrooms. with plenty Of
closets The bathroom. being right
at the head of the stairs at one side.
Is conveniently reached from down
stairs or from any Of the bedrooms,
yet is incOnspicuously placed so that
IL does not fall opposite any other
door. thus insuring more privacy.
AS for bedrooms. the tendency to-
day. and it seems a wise one, Is TO
make them smaller and 70 have
more OF them, single rooms instead
Of double being preferred. Their
proper ventilation. however. should
be carefully considered. for they
need 10 be light and airy. with big
ger windows and cross ventilation
where possible. And the bathroom
should also be well ventilated.
One Living Room.
ITO go back 10 the main floor. il
seems much wiser to have one large
living room. rather than to cut il up
into smaller rooms. 1t adds spa
Ciousness to the house. makes il
more light and airy and permits of
better architectural treatment. Many
small houses nowadays are dispens-
ing with the dining room altogether
and using the living room for that
purpose as we'll or, perhaps. an al
cove leading of from IL.
For the woman who does her
own work the kitchen is the most
important room in the whole house.
There cupboards. range. tubs. and
other fittings should be so arranged
as TO save steps and tighten labor
wherever possible. Here. 10. the
lighting must be carefully planned
and cross ventilation provided. II
possible, do not place the refrigera-
tor in the kitchen, but rather en- a
small hall or closet with a window ."
urged Miss Mead. this will be
found 10 BE a great saving i'm ice
bills in summer. eliminating them
altogether in winter And the sink
should be high enough for the com
fort Of the person working at #.
AS for the laundry that should
never be put in the basement or Gel
lar. when a woman does all her own
work; il is far better TO place the
tubs in convenient part Of the
kitchen. so that she Will not be
obliged 20 travel constantly up and
down stairs while looking after the
washing. cooking of meals. and tax
Ing care OF children. And if the
kitchen is well ventilated as f.
should be. this is a much better ar
rangement in every way than the
basement laundry.
To summarize. every room should
have. II IL can possibly be arranged.
cross ventilation, pOrches should not
be placed where they cut of light
and air from the house. closets
should be plentiful and airy. and
careful attention BE paid 20 comfort
and convenience in every detail"