Editor's note: We've recently gained access to a number of issues of Manufacturer and Builder, a magazine published in New York city from 1869 to 1894 by Western and Company. Over the coming months, as time permits, we'll be reprinting a variety of stories from the magazine. Here's our first installment - a house plan from the magazine's January 1875 issue.
COTTAGE VILLA
IN accompanying design we supply a want to which little or no attention has hitherto been paid; namely, in producing a design especially adapted to the thousands of beautiful sites along the Hudson, where the house is situated on the river side of the street, or between the street and river, wherein it is desirable not only to secure two fronts, but to have the river elevation striking and effective, with spacious prospect, veranda and balcony, and a cheerful exposure to the several rooms.
This design needs but to be examined to be appreciated, and we think it must (in the general distribu tion of the accommodations and conveniences, and the unique beauty and completeness of its interior and exterior,) be acknowledged a marked achievement in su burban cottage architecture.
The entrance is by a neat and artistic porch, which is divided from the front veranda by a gothic arch; this veranda communicates also with parlor and hall. The hall possesses a spaciousness seldom attained with the economy of actual space devoted thereto. The re ception room, parlor, and dining rooms, communicate also with the river terrace and veranda, through long windows; long windows also communicate with the several rooms of the second story with balcony, etc.
The staircase is an admirably arranged feature, being convenient, effective, and is so retired as to render a servants stairs unnecessary. Under the principal flight, is the stair to the kitchen, which is situated under the dining room; under the butlers pantry is a kitchen pantry with dumbwaiter, etc.; the rest of the basement is devoted to general cellarage.
The plan of the second floor is seldom equalled in the pleasant access to, and convenience of the rooms. It will be noticed that they are all provided with spacious closets, which rather beautify than mar the effect of the rooms.. In the attic a fine storage is afforded, and a number of pleasant bedrooms may there be finished off. In locating the house, the dining room should be on the south side; this, in some cases would necessitate reversing the plan.
For the accommodation of our patrons, we have made arrangements with the architect to provide the work lug drawings and detailed specifications of this design, for the small sum of $50,. (one fifth of the price actually paid the architect for the original drawings.) This would secure any one adopting the design against blunders, extras, and after regrets, and undoubtedly save the owner ten times the above amount.
The following is a general specification of the work and materials:
Masons WorkThe plans are drawn upon a scale of sixteen feet to the inch; the perspective to the scale of eight feet to the inch. The height of the basement is 5 feet in the clear; of the first story, 10 feet 6 inches; of the second story, 10 feet. The attic beams are laid on the plate. The dimensions marked on the several rooms are in the clear. The rise of the rafters is 17 inches to the foot. The ground to be excavated for the cellar underneath the entire building; the walls laid with stone up to the grade level, and from thence with hardburnt bricks; the stone walls to he 16 inches thick, and the brick walls 8 inches thick; the piers of brick 8x8 inches. The chimneys to be built as per plans, with range in the kitchen under the dining room, and grates elsewhere. All exterior brickwork to be finished for painting. All the brick and stone work laid solid in good lime and sand mortar. The joints well and perfectly filled, and the flues of the chimneys neatly pargetted. Time sleepers to the kitchen and pantry floors bedded in the cement; the bottom of the cellar cemented throughout. Bluestone lintels and sills to all cellar and basement windows, and a blue stone sill to kitchen fireplace, and a brownstone lintel to the same. All the lathing and plastering throughout the first and second stories to be scratched brown and hard finished. The cellar ceiling and the kitchen and pantry throughout two coats and sand skim finish. Neat plaster cornices and center pieces throughout the first story and in second story halll. A cistern 5 feet in diameter by 5 feet deep, paved and laid up with 4 inches of brick, and arched with 5 inches of the same, and cemented throughout; the cistern to be properly connected with tin conductors by 4 inch glazed drain tile.
Carpenter's Work and MaterialsThe timber throughout of white hemlock, pine, or spruce, of the following dimensions: sills, 4x6 inches; posts, 4x6 inches; girls, 4x6 inches; first and second tier beams, 2x9 inches; third tier beams, 2x8 inches; rafters, 2x5 inches, 2 feet apart; all the ceiling beams 16 inches from centers; sleepers in basement, 4x4 inches, chestnut, bed ded in cement; carriage beams and headers double thickness; partition sills and plates, 4x4 inches; partition studs and railing joists, 2x4 inches and 3x4 inches, 16 inches from centers; portico sills, 3x6 inches; floor joists, 2x6 inches; rafters of pine, 2x5 inches. The roofs of porticoes, balconies, projections, etc., sheathed with millworked pine sheathing, planed side down; all the main roofs and sides of building sheathed with rough hemlock boards, laid close and well nailed. The roof to be covered with roofing slate, put on over tarred paper. The sides of the building to be covered over rough sheathing with sheath ing felt and 6inch bevelled clapboards; all above the top band with vertical battoned siding, and the intermediate panels with diagonal sheathing. All the portico roofs to be covered with leaded roofing tin, I. C. brand. Tin to be used around chimneys and in all other places required. All valleys lined with zinc, and ridges flashed with the same. A scuttle in the roof of proper size to pass through, cased and hung complete. The requisite number of tin conductors to be set up on building to convey the water from the gutters to the drain to cistern. The finish outside as shown in the perspective; the corner boards and bands 1 1/4 inches thick and 5 and 6 inches wide. All verge boards 2 inches thick, all sawed tracery 1 inch thick, ml gutters formed with gutter molding.
The floors throughout to be laid with 1inch pine flooring. The stairs to be built as per plans, with black walnut newel, rail, and balusters. The stairs to attic to be over the principal flight; those to basement underneath the principal flight. The windows all to be double hung with weights and pulleys, and provided with suitable fastenings; all windows excepting those of cellar to be provided with outside blinds. All the principal doors 1 1/2 inches thick, double faced with raised moldings, hinged on loose jointed acorn butts, and provided with mor tise locks. All other doors with rim locks of suitable size, and hinged on butts of kind above specified. The architraves around the doors and windows on time inside will be, for the first floor, 7 3/4 inches wide; second floor and basement, 7 inches wide; panel backs on first floor. Base boards on first floor 6 inches, and molding with necking; second floor, 5 inches, with molding and necking ; basement to be wainscoted. Kitchen pantry provided with shelving, and dumbwaiter communicat ing with butlers pantry; the butlers pantry provided with sink and closet. All second story closets provided with suitable shelving and clothes hooks. The bathtub cased up with black walnut. The kitchen to have pump and sink, with drain to connect with drain from bath; the pump to draw water from the filtering cistern. Door strips to all doors of hard wood; borders around all hearths; hard wood knobs behind all doors where required to protect the plastering. Marble mantels on first floor, and slate on second. A bell knob at front door with wire connecting with bell in kitchen. All the bell and lock furniture to be white porcelain. A speaking-tube from second story hall and from dining room to kitchen, with porcelain mouthpiece and whistle attached.
The outside painting to be in two colors, with two coats; the first story grained, the basement also grained, elsewhere in delicate tints. The outside colors should depend upon the surroundings of the site. Total cost, $5,000.
