October, 1911 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS v 
THE ARCHITECTS SERVICES 
By CHARLES K. FARRINGTON 
O matter how small an amount of 
work you may wish to have done, it 
is always the best policy to employ 
a competent architect to draw up plans and 
specifications for it, and to supervise its 
construction. The cost of an architect’s serv- 
ices is very small, and the benefit derived 
from them is great. A certain Mr. A., as 
an example, decided to make a small exten- 
sion off his laundry, which was on the first 
floor just back of the kitchen, and it was to 
be no larger than was necessary to serve 
as a servants’ bathroom. The construction 
cost was $200. At ten per cent. the archi- 
tect’s fee would have amounted to $20 for 
planning and supervising. But Mr. A. 
thought he w ould effect a saving by draw- 
ing up his own plans and specifications, and 
decided not to employ the services of an 
architect. Having completed his plans to 
his great satisfaction, he received a num- 
ber of estimates on them from carpenters, 
masons, plumbers and painters. He se- 
lected the lowest, and in due time the ex- 
tension was completed, and he congratu- 
lated himself on what he considered his 
success. A few months later, however, 
cold weather set in, and one frosty morning 
the water in the supply pipes in the exten- 
sion froze, and later on the pipes burst. 
causing a good deal of damage. Mr. A.’s 
plumber was sent for (let me here mention 
that he had not been the lowest bidder on 
the extension and so had not obtained the 
contract), and he made an examination, 
after repairing the damaged pipes, quickly 
discovering the cause of the water's freez- 
ing. He found that a large amount of cold 
air constantly entered betw een the founda- 
tion and the beams resting upon it, and told 
Mr. A. that it would be necessary for him 
to have the matter attended to to prevent a 
repetition of the trouble. But Mr. A. was 
not satisfied with the plumber’s reasoning, 
and after making an attempt to investigate 
himself, sent for an architect acquaintance, 
to whom he divulged his misgivings. He 
frankly told the architect how he had en- 
deavored to make a saving by dispensing 
with his services, and asked him to make a 
thorough examination of the whole trouble, 
for all that the plumber had told him while 
making the repairs to the pipes had rather 
shaken his confidence in the entire work. 
The archiect did so, and then desired him 
to show him the “specifications” he had 
drawn up. After reading them, he request- 
ed the owner to go with him and view the 
work, outside and in. 
“We will start with the tin roof,’ said 
the architect. “I notice you simply men- 
tioned in your specifications that the roof 
was to be a tin one. You have a tin roof, 
but it is constructed of the cheapest kind 
of tin, and it is doubtful how long it will 
last, even though you keep it well painted. 
You stated that your extension was to con- 
tain a two-foot-six by four-foot-six win- 
dow, but you did not specify the thickness 
of the sash, and I find that an inch and one- 
quarter sash has been given you instead of 
inch and one-half. Inch and one-quarter 
ones are too light to use for a window of 
this size, which is in constant use; and I 
also note that the lights of glass are di- 
vided, which, of course, spoils the appear- 
ance of the entire window, both from the 
outside and from within. You called for 
the extension to be ceiled with ‘North Caro- 
lina pine,’ but you did not specify the width 
nor the grade, and [ find that a poor lot 
of material has been given you. Had you 
only mentioned that the material was to be 
Old Wood Paneling, Oxford, England 
is responsible for a most impor- 
tant share of distinction of inte- 
rior woodwork in this country. 
Not only the hard woods, but 
more especially the easily pro- 
cured Red Gum, Cypress and 
other less expensive woods, attain 
a permanent finish of refinement 
Samples Supplied Free 
Johnson’s 
Under-Lac—better than any shellac or varnish, 
T IS remarkable to note 
the beauty and variety 
of the woodwork in our 
modern American Homes. 
The noblespecimens of English 
woodwork exampled by our 
illustration are not surprising. 
England has always been a 
43 timber-using country, and such 
7} workmanship is the result of 
centuries of development. 
It zs surprising to enter our 
modest, newly built homes where 
| inexpensive woods are employed, 
where short-time building con- 
tracts have limited the niceties of 
carpentry, and to find woodwork 
| worthy of our sincere admiration. 
Johnson’s 
Wood Dye 
and beauty by the use of Johnson’s 
Wood Dye. If you are interested 
in finishing or refinishing any in- 
terior woodwork including floors 
and furniture let us mail to you 
our Illustrated Booklet A.H.10, rec- 
ognized by craftsmen everywhere 
as an authority on finishing wood- 
work, floors and furniture. 
Wood Dye—made in fifteen shades, also Johnson's 
and Johnson’s 
Prepared Wax for obtaining a soft, dull finish, are put up in trial packages which your local paint dealer 
will furnish you without charge. 
Failing to find them, send us your dealer’s name and we will see that you 
are supplied with the particular shade you wish to try—FREE. 
S. C. Johnson & Son, Racine, Wis. 
“The Wood Finishing Authorities’’ 
Van Dorn 
Iron Works Co. 
‘PRISON, HOUSE 
& STABLE WORK 
JOIST HANGERS 
LAWN FURNITURE 
FENCING, ETC. 
CLEVELAND. OHIO 
FRESH AIR AND PROTECTION! 
™ Ventilate your rooms, yet have your 
Ed windows securely fastened with 
The Ives Window 
Ventilating Lock 
li 
assuring you of fresh air and pro- 
tection against intrusion. Safe 
and strong, inexpensive and easily 
applied. Ask your dealer for them 
88-page Catalogue Hardware Specialties, Free. 
THE H. B. IVES CO. 
BoLe NEW HAVEN, CONN, 
MANUFACTURERS oss 
DONT COOK THE COOK 
use 
“ECONOMY” GAS 
For Cooking, Water Heating and 
Laundry Work also for Lighting 
“It makes the house a home’’ 
Send stamp today for ‘“Economy Way” 
Economy Gas MachineCo. 
ROCHESTER, N. Y. 
Economy ’’ Gas is automatic, 
Sanitary and Not-Poisonous 
HESS sara: LOCKER 
SS == TheOnly Modern, Sanitary 
STEEL Niediines Cabinet 
or locker finished in snow-white, baked 
everlasting enamel, inside and out. 
Beautiful beveled mirror door. Nickel 
plate brass trimmings. Steel or glass 
shelves. 
Costs Less Than Wood 
Never warps. shrinks, 
Dust and vermin proof, easily cleaned. 
; : Should Be In Every Bath Room 
Four styles—four sizes. 
nor swells. 
To recess in 
wall or to hang outside. Send for illus- 
trated circular. 
The Recessed Steel HESS, 926 Tacoma Building, Chieage 
Medicine Cabinet J/akers of Steel Furnaces.—Free Boo 
