A BONE-DRY HOUSE 213 



coherent expression of the best, combining as far as feasible the 

 intrinsic worth of all, brought us into that somewhat complex realm, 

 the New American. 



In considering the mooted question as to which is more desirable, 

 exterior or interior beauty, the argument that thousands see the out- 

 side to one who enters a house counted as nothing in our decision to 

 make an ideal interior, even at the sacrifice of exterior features. 

 A Bone-Dry House. 



Corrugated hollow brick tile above the stone basement, covered 

 with a rough coat of cement, was decided upon, but and the but 

 is a big one the vitally important work of water-proofing by tarring 

 the hollow brick tile on the back, and furring for a two inch air space 

 aided greatly in making Pinnacle a bone-dry-house. Gables were 

 paneled with chestnut timber, realistically chipped by the broad axe, 

 avoiding the regularity of the scalloped pie-crust imitation. Though 

 rough cement holds more moisture, it conceals the inevitable minia- 

 ture cracks, and with suitable air spaces all side walls were damp- 

 proof. It is the builder's duty to combat ground air to the finish. 

 Any substance charged with from thirty to fifty per cent, of fumes, 

 depending on soil conditions, detrimental to man's well being is 

 worthy his keenest steel.* 



Pinnacle was fireproof as far as I-beam, hollow brick, glazed 

 and unglazed terra cotta, tile, cement, wire, copper, glass, wire glass, 

 and fireproof paint could make it. 



Exterior requirements called for embellishments of a tourelle 

 on corbeled base, minaret, campanile, and dormers in a major key, 

 and to harmonize its varied outline demanded ample space and a com- 

 manding site. 



We followed the rule that a house should rise naturally from 

 ledge or greensward. Paths and roads, of which there were but few, 

 simply touched it at salient points, curving at easy gradient toward 

 gate, garage, and garden. Foiled thus 'gainst nature's restful colors, 

 more harmony was gained than by a network of blue graveled roads 

 or dingy black asphalt close to house line, save in the necessary car- 

 riage sweep. In fact, those not hourly thoroughfares were founda- 

 tioned by closely cropped turf, sloping away from which were banks 

 of bloom and foliage, but from these were barred swift moving or 

 lumbering vehicles, whether powered by horse or gasoline. 

 The Builder's Truck Horse, Cement. 



Cement, though it shows marks of the beast in lime efflorescence 

 and dampness, makes a fine truck horse, and we used it profusely 

 in archway and buttress, outside steps and veranda rail, swimming 

 pool, curbing, retaining walls and in walks, cellar and laundry floors, 



;:: The moccasin shod or unshod Indian drew electricity through the soil as the tree drags it 

 forth by the rays of the sun, doubtless to his well being, but modern dwellings and modern 

 living demand drier conditions. Statisticians claim that common sense hygiene would banish 

 forty-five per cent of our present ills. 



