The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-08-25
IMPROVE R { A R
Of HOME, IS
ADVICE
Building Age Says Back EIeva-
ton Is Too Often Neglected
For Front.

Too much attention is given to the
front of American homes and too
little to the back, according to q
recent article in Building Age.
Practically no thought is paid to
the rear elevations, it continues.
and In the unfortunate majority OF
cases anything seems to go.
In many houses the kitchen and
dining room are located in the rear
and 1t Is here that the housewife
spends most Of her time; and what
does she see? The rear of all the
other houses in the next street are
equally as unattractive as her own.
And there you have 1t. A dreary
backyard view, bad for one and all.
This IL wrong. 1t can and should
q great deal by suggesting to pros
pective home-builders that they
have the backs of their houses made
as artistic as possible under the
circumstances. A few examples
will, in time, produce the desired
effect; others will be induced to
emulate the example set, and the
result will be much more attrIc-
tive f1eighborhood.
A very interesting example Of
this sort was illustrated with the
article in question. G. Nelson
Edwards, Of Philadelphia, an archi-
tect, designed and built the house
for his own use at Paoli, one Of
Philadelphia exclusive suburbs.
Mr.. Nelson produced something de-
cidedly off the beaten path, and
succeeded in having an artistic rear
to his residence, which is further
enhanced by its facing q pleasant
garden. The front ives also most
cleverly handled and full advantage
was taken of the site, which was
rather hilly. The natural contour
was in measure preserved, which
allowed for an interesting ap-
proach to the house through the
drive as well as the foot path.
Several different views OF the
house are given, which. together
with floor plans. show how inter.
esting details had been carried out
to make a finished design that is
somewhat unusual. But the most
unique feature was the treatment
of the back.
The attractive fixing up Of back
yards offers big field Of work for
progressive builders in every town.
There is no reason why the backs
Of our houses should not be az at
tractive as the fronts. Builders
can secure some of this work by
interesting the owners Of a square
or even certain portions of !. a
square; giving them an idea how
to transform their back yards into
small private park for the benefit
of all. This park can be laid out
with paths either In cement, broken
stone, brick or in a combination OF
these materials. Lily ponds, per
golas. steps, terrace balustrades are
all features that can be included
and properly belong to builders
work. The planting of trees and
shrubs by the nursery man will
complete the job.
This is a far better way than oul
present arrangement of each one
having a private back yard with
the backs Of our houses vying with
each other in their ugliness.
There have been some very in
teresting examples of back yards
that have been transformed into
something that il worth while. But
in every case the first thing done
was to beautify the backs Of the
houses themselves.
This work offers builders an ex
ceptional chance to produce artistic
effects. Bricks, stucco, iron grilles
new windows, etc, will all aid In
the transformation.