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NEW ENGLAND FAEMER. 



Feb. 



HOMES FOR THE PEOPLE. 



As proposed some time since, we now give one 

 of several plans of houses, which we think will 

 afford many valuable suggestions to those who are 

 about to build. And those contemplating building 

 should study. No one is safe in erecting expensive 

 buildings, unless he has given considerable thought 

 and examination to the subject. He should refer 

 to books, converse with those who have experience, 

 and make personal inspection of buildings that 

 come somewhat near that which he proposes to 

 erect. In this way, he will be able to prevent an- 

 noying and expensive alterations, and find his house 

 constructed upon correct principles, and affording 

 the conveniences at once that he desires. 



So far as expense is concerned, it is as un- 

 wise to erect a house without careful study 

 and deliberation, as to construct a ship upon 

 the first model that chances to lie in the way. 

 Want of original design will give a dwelling, 

 without architectural taste or skill, M'ith awk- 

 ward and contradictory roofs and gables, — 

 with smoking chimneys, and bhnd passages 

 leading the unwary headlong down the cellar 

 stairs, — with doors opening against each other 

 and battering themselves like a pair of young 

 rams, with basements mouldy and dank, and 

 the general appearance of the whole estab- 

 lishment indicating that it was thrown togeth- 

 er, rather than constructed upon any well set- 

 tled principles. j 



Such a dwelling would stand as a perpetual ' 

 reproach to its proprietor, a never-ceasing an- 

 noyance to the family doomed to occupy it, — 

 and the nursery of ill-humor and discontent. 



The plan presented below is from "Homes 

 for the People,'" by Gervase Wheeler, Esq., 

 Architect, N. Y., and published by Charles 

 Scribner, of that city. 



This plan represents a building somewhat irreg- 

 ular in form, yet compelling to no waste of space in 

 its internal arrangements. The principal entrance 

 is made by means of an open porch marked upon 

 the plan. No. 1, which protects the hall door open- 

 ing into an entry, No. 2, between which and the 

 inner hall. No. 3, is a screen filled with glass and 

 double doors. This hall is nine feet wide. On one 

 side is a large drawing-room, No. 4, which is about] 

 thirty feet long and sixteen wide, with projecting 

 bay-windows in the front and upon one side. j 



Upon the other side of the hall are a dining- 

 room. No. 5, and family parlor or library, No. 6. 

 This latter room has a peculiar feature in the deeply 

 imbayed window, or rather wing. No. 7, which is! 

 sufficiently large to make a pleasant little retreat 

 for quiet reading or writing. Its window on one 

 side opens upon a covered terrace. No. 8, the end 

 of which is terminated by a small conservatory,! 



No. 9, a view into which can be obtained from the 

 projecting bay in the parlor. 



Connected with the conservatory is an entry, 

 No. 10, which communicates with the domestic of- 

 fices, and is also a means of exit to the garden. 



No. 1 1 is a passage connecting dining-room and 

 kitchen, provided with shelves, and other conveni- 

 ences that permit it to be used as a serving-room 

 during meal times. 



No. 12 is the store and china closet, connected 

 with the dining-room, and 13 is one of similar in- 

 tention, connecting with the kitchen, having a 

 sliding door between them for passing the contents 

 one from the other. All these useful features for 

 domestic conveniences are of ample size. 



PLAN OF PRINCIPAL FLOOR. 



No. 14 is the kitchen, conveniently near the 

 main body of the house, and yet so shut off, by means 

 of double entries and other separation, as to be no 

 annoyance. This room is sixteen by fourteen. 

 From it leads the servant's stairway, to the floor 

 above, under which is also a flight leading to the 

 cellar below. 



No. 15 is the laundry and scullery; connected 

 therewith is a store closet, and next to it (opening 

 into the kitchen) one for use of the cook. In the 

 laundry is an outside door leading to the yard and 

 stables, which may be planned, and as much room 

 given, as the wants of the family require. 



Underneath the whole of this floor is a cellar 

 seven feet high in the clear, containing vegetable, 

 milk and store-rooms, as also receptacles for coals, 

 and space for the furnace. 



The distribution of the space upon the chamber 



