A House in America

The house which is illustrated here was designed for a site in America, under somewhat severe restrictions as to cost—restrictions which suggested the simplicity of its form and roof plan. In these respects it resembles “Findon.”

The low square porch is designed on somewhat the same lines. This opens into a small hall-space, from which the staircase ascends. The drawing-room and dining-room form together the main living-rooms of the house, and each have ample fireplaces. The study is smaller and more isolated, while the kitchen premises are simplified by the absence of the separate scullery and by the partial use of the basement for storage. Five good-sized bedrooms occupy the first floor, with bathroom and linen-closet, and above these are five attics with servants’ bathroom. The basement contains heating-chamber, laundry and cellars. American characteristics will be recognised in the ample cupboard-space provided in the bedrooms, and the servants’ bathroom.

In the arrangement of the ground plan the hall forms a recess in the drawing-room, from which it can be cut off when required by sliding doors. When these doors are open, the drawing-room and hall together form a spacious reception-hall, and when the doors to the recess are closed it obtains the privacy which may be required for its uses as a drawing-room. The hall recess does not attempt here to pose as a room. There is, therefore, no fireplace, and its whole treatment suggests it is but a recessed portion of the larger room.