THE SMALL HOUSE FOR THE MULTI-RICH 
An Architectural Solution for the Man Who Is Burdened With a House 
So Big That He Can’t Afford to Live in It 
RICHARD HENRY DANA, Jr. 
Drawings by T. F. Hamlin 
M uch attention Jias lately been given to 
suitable homes for the newly-rich work¬ 
ing man. Should we not also turn to the prob¬ 
lem of housing the newly poor rich? 
How shall we let them down easy? How 
can we help them lift the load of taxation that 
is imposed upon them—for the rich man today 
is being taxed to the limit ? How can we help 
them escape from the burden of the sixty-room 
country mansion that hangs like a millstone 
about their lives—to the freedom of the ten- 
room little house? How lure them from quan¬ 
tity and stupid waste to quality and ingenuity? 
How save them from parasitic servants—and 
help solve the problem, growing daily, of fewer 
dependable domestics? These are questions 
which today come home to the multi-rich as 
never before. 
A large part of their former great income 
gave them no happiness. Now every thousand 
dollars left after taxes are paid must bring its 
worth of satisfaction and comfort. This is one 
of the most urgent problems of today. Let us 
meet it. 
The advantages of the Petit Trianon over 
the Palace of Versailles are quite obvious. The 
small house costs less to build, less to main¬ 
tain, requires fewer servants, and is easier to 
rent or sell. The little pretty is always more 
appealing than the big pretty; the small chic 
is smarter than the large. 
In the first place, let us question those ex¬ 
tensive lawns, the pride and ruin of many a 
respected Victorian, requiring the services of 
three or more men constantly to mow. The 
grounds around the new little house would be 
small enough to be well cared for by one man 
—preferably only one acre in extent. But, 
mind you, a specially selected acre, with a good 
extensive view, over an adjoining golf course, 
old estate or park, guaranteed for fifty years 
or more. The original price for this view 
The small house for the multi-rich should be compact, readily heated and easily run with a maximum of three servants. Style and variety 
would be gained by having the rooms either spaciously large or cosily small; elegance ensured by high ceilings, unusually large French win¬ 
dows, selected materials and the finest finish inside and out 
