428 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
‘The cement house here illustrated is the home of Mr. Everett E. Kent at Newton, Massachusetts 
December, 1912 
A House at Newton, Massachusetts 
By Mary H. Northend 
Photographs by the Author 
@)|L1E adaptability of cement to modern house 
construction has come into recognition 
everywhere, and its use has been produc- 
tive of many interesting results. Employed 
alone, or in conjunction with other mater- 
ials, it is equally attractive, and the soft 
tone of its finish serves to bring into prominence the con- 
trasting tints of trim and blinds. Time was, in America, 
and not so very long ago, when cement was considered 
wholly unsuited to decorate effects, and houses constructed 
of it were simple ugly squares of rectangles, with broad, 
unadorned spaces that palled upon one’s sense of fitness. 
Study eliminated these glaring defects of first attempts, 
and little by little the objectionable features were removed 
until to-day cement takes its 
ner its attractiveness and adaptability. Here an old-time 
model has been combined with newer features, and the 
cement finish serves to emphasize the quaintness of the 
whole. The second story shows an overhang in imitation 
of seventeenth century homes, and the deep pitched roof 
also suggests Colonial influence. Dormers break the 
severity of the roof sweep at front and rear, and a great 
outside chimney is a feature at one side. Porches at left 
and right of the body of the house afford a sense of bal- 
ance, and, in addition serve special purposes. The one on 
the right is used in the Summer season as an outdoor living- 
room, while the one on the left, partly screened by a high 
cement fence, affords access to the service department. 
Perhaps no feature of the house is more interesting than 
the window arrangement. 
place in building construc- SSS 
tion along with bricks, clap- 
No studied plan of insertion 
has been followed, though 
boards, and shingles. 
Just how great the prog- 
ress of its development has 
been is well shown in the 
house here described, the 
home of Mr. Everett E. | 
Kent, at Newton, Massa- 
chusetts, designed by Messrs. 
Chapman & Frazer, Archi- 
tects, Boston, which illus- 
trates in a convincing man- 
| 
| KITCHEN 
| PanTRy 
) | \ 
bs << 
DINING 
ROOM 
Plan of the ground floor of a house at Newton, Massachusetts 
PIAZZA due regard has been paid 
to preservation of harmony, 
and the result is a series of 
grouped and single windows 
that are most at traetinger 
The majority are of the 
casement type,—the front of 
the dwelling showing only 
this kind—and each is placed 
with. a view to securing to 
the room within plenty of 
