150 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
April, 1909 
Evolution of the Small House Plan 
By Joy Wheeler Dow 
SO) HERE are intricate problems, many of them, 
“2 in planning the small dwelling—many an- 
tagonistic propositions which have to be 
met, overcome, harmonized or disposed of 
in some way, and yet a creditable and prac- 
tical way. To begin, there must be a front 
entrance with character—decided character 
and attractiveness. The old Colonial houses excelled in this 
respect. And there must be some sort of an entry, that the 
living-rooms may not open directly outdoors if the house is 
intended for winter occupancy. In the collection of plans 
selected and herewith presented, this entry has been restricted 
purposely to meet the object now to be stated—economy 
of money, of space, of labor in keeping the entry clean, for it 
is very often entirely forgotten in the planning of houses that 
they have to be swept and dusted or wiped with a cloth— 
every square inch of their interior surface—at frequent in- 
tervals, and that entails hard 
work for somebody. 
If it be a cottage large enough 
for one to think that servants are 
to be employed, as would be 
likely in a cottage costing as 
much as seven or eight thousand 
dollars — see these respective 
propositions—then a means of 
reaching the entrance from the 
kitchen without 
traversing the 
rooms. should be 
provided. But the 
smaller propositions 
are intended for the 
extremely small and 
unconventional meée- 
nage, without serv- 
ants, and_ particu- 
larly for the ever 
enlarging class of 
cultivated people in 
America whose incomes remain stationary or else dwindle at 
an inverse ratio, but whose very cultivation prevents their 
going backward. And this class is subdivided into families 
of three, two and even one adult, as in the cases of spinsters 
and confirmed bachelors, who are practically obliged to live 
alone, and who need homes very badly. Many estimable 
men and women are either driven into boarding houses or 
the homes of relatives for the lack of knowledge of just such 
an economical building proposition as the one illustrated in 
Fig. 1, estimated at twenty-five hundred dollars, and wherein 
perfect comfort and independence could be enjoyed. 
This compact and carefully studied arrangement of house- 
keeping accommodations incorporates about all the desiderata 
of a cottage plan. There must always be the generous living- 
room, and it should have a fireplace. The saloons of steam- 
ships and the living-rooms of many old-time homesteads are 
accustomed to being transformed into dining-rooms three 
times a day without the slightest prejudice to their self-respect 
and why not the living-room of a tiny dwelling? It makes, 
moreover, one less room to furnish and keep clean and heat. 
A parlor is not a necessity. 
The intervening china closet which separates the living- 
Kitchen 
10 @ KI2 Oo 
Living Room 
My" 0" x16) o 
First Story Plan. 
1—A $2,500 proposition 
room from the kitchen of this cottage is, however, an indis- 
pensable feature of every cottage plan, and there must be a 
kitchen closet or pantry besides, and a place for the ice chest 
other than in the cellar. In the more generous layouts ac- 
companying, the ice chest is always given a convenient niche 
close by the rear entry. 
Many housekeepers maintain that the range should have a 
good side light. All the ranges indicated upon the different 
plans illustrated are thus well placed. The gas range is con- 
venient, but not necessary if there be a coal range, and a coal 
range is most necessary, as every house requires a fire in it 
constantly throughout the summer so as to dispel that in- 
sidious dampness ever present in houses without fire and 
which is neither salutary nor pleasant. Consequently the gas 
range appears to be eliminated in problems of the strictest 
economy. It requires a separate connection of its own into 
the chimney to work perfectly, and that means a larger and 
more expensive 
chimney. 
A way of reach- 
ing the cellar from 
the kitchen is very 
necessary, and for 
the sake of econo- 
mizing space, is best 
made under the 
main staircase. An 
outside cellar en- 
trance is not neces- 
sary, but it is desir- 
able. A hall is not 
necessary, nor is it 
advisable insmal] 
quarters; but there 
should be a place to 
sit out of doors by 
whatever nam e— 
porch, veranda or 
piazza—we choose 
to call it. 
This reservation should never be contiguous to the front 
door, where it is proper for many business calls to be made, 
but should be so situated, while obtaining the best outlook 
afforded, as to give a degree of privacy, and the accompany- 
ing plans have been selected largely upon this account; the 
veranda is always private. Only the most hardened class of 
Americans now desire to live in public evidence. 
No matter what architectural effect should be desired, it 
must be accomplished and still provide for a third story or 
attic in every respectable domicile which may be dignified by 
the name of a complete dwelling house. All the plans pre- 
sented provide for a third story divided between a finished 
bedroom and an open attic. Note the stairs leading from 
the second story hall or landing in every case. ; 
This triangular air chamber means coolness and ventila- 
tion for the two lower floors, impossible of attainment with- 
out something more than the flattened dead air space between 
the ceiling and the rafters, which is part of the bungalow 
propaganda. Besides, the attic is a historic tradition 
of the Anglo-Saxon home which can not be ignored. But 
before touching further upon the personal and esthetic 
side of cottage building there are still other physical 
Second Story Plan. 
