This Home Cost Two Thousand Dollars

Not long since I was sitting rvith several friends in the lun.rber and building business, and rve got to talking about after the u'ar, and u'hat the industry could do to help bridge the gap betrveen r'var and peace in our home economy. And we rvere all in agreement that the lumber and building industry could and should make a tremendous contribution tor'vard the solution of our domestic problems. We likewise agreed that it would not just happen; it would have to be made to happen. To simply ride along, take things as they come, and allow the lumber and building business to simply seek the line of least resistance, or even of most attraction, would not do the job.

We were all of the opinion that the automobile industry rvill do a terrific job in postrvar saving of the nation from the gloom clouds by making countless small, economical, low-priced cars that r'vill be in reach of the average man of small means. It has been freely predicted of late that such cars will be sold in the department stores after the' war, and that immeasurable good will be done by the motor car industry in getting us back torvard normal.

I made the plea that the lumber and building industry must get busy and devise r,vays and means for putting into

Bv Jack Dionne

the hands of that same good citizen of small means who rvill buy that small car, a home of something like that same ,character and caliber. That it would be entirely possible and practical after the war, if the brains and energies of the industry could be practically coordinated, to do that very thing; to sell people homes that would be much more than just shelter; that these homes should not be standardized like so many peas in a pod; that they should and could be the kind of homes that men and women would gladly save and sacrifice and work to own and live in and show to their friends, and brag about. That sort of home. And I thought it could be done for comparatively the same sort of money that the low-priced department store motor .cars will cost.

One of my friends present spoke up and said that if I had a few hours to spare he thought he could show me just exactly what I was talking about; or at least something very close to it. I accepted, and rve went to see the home shown in the accompanying picture. I am sure, dear reader, that you have already taken a good look at it. I rvould only add that it looks every bit as good in reality as it does in this photograph. So I am go- ing to tell you about this home. I need hardly waste the space to state in advance that the builder of this home invested brains more than he did money. For there are millions of houses all over this country that cost as much or more than this beautiful home, that are nothing on earth but walls and roofs and floors. But here is a home that cost a bit under two thousand dollars, complete with every finish and fixture, that people who drive by invariably stop to admire. If the owner had a buck for every person r,vho has stopped or slowed down to look, and then said-"What a lovely little home"-as they drove off, he would be rich beyond the dreams of avarice.

So I talked with the owner, who was also the builder, the planner, and the present occupant. This is essentially a Southern climate home, one that would fit any district from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, and be attractive and practical anywhere along the line. It cost to build between $1,900 and $2,000, without garage. To secure this attractive and comfortable home for the amount mentioned (it was built in 1938) the builder used much ingenuity, and got far off the beaten path. The bath and light fixtures are naturhlly the most economical. The roof throughout the house'is also the ceiling, the rafters and roof boards being exposed on the inside. Don't get an idea that this is unsightly. Some of the most beautiful and expensive homes I ever saw had rooms done that way.

This house has a frontage of 621 feet. It was designed for outdoor living, has five outside doors, and with the idea that people see shape, color, but not materials. It is a wide, thin house, made that way for appearance, and for a maximum of light and air. Every room in the house has two or three exposures. It has a living room 2UxZ2'; dining room 8'xlZ; two bedrooms each 10'x11'; combination kitchen and laundry, 8'x24. The bath is between the bedrooms.

The 20 foot dimension of the living room is placed so that the ridge of the roof of the ten foot bedroom wing are in alignment. This gives an appearance of simplicity and of added size. The front wing which has the dining room and kitchen, is also T leet wide, so that the ridge is a continuation of main ridge. This device adds a look of quiet to tl-re picture.

The living room floor is common brick laid over a waterproof membrane. The owner says the brick floor is wonderful, being warmer, no drafts blow under it, and there is no noise or vibration frdtn heavy use. The remainder of the house is floored with VG softwood flooring.

All interior walls are of Pine boards, placed vertically rvith plain butted edges, except in the kitchen and living room. These are lined with Fir plywood, enameled in the kitchen and stained a soft warm white in the living room. The front wall of the living room is a solid bookcase. Windorvs are reduced in number but large in size, 3'x5' being used. This is cheaper and less fussy'in appearance.

Hot summer air is taken from the top of all rooms with vents at the high point of all ceilings, and, with air allowed to enter at the bottom of the windows which are close to the floor, automatic circulation is obtained.

(Continued on Page 27)

To The Tumber Deaters

After two yecrrs ol wqr we are still engaged completely in mcrnulacturing qrticles for importcnt wcr uses.

We are finding time, however, to plcn lor postwcr production oI Eubcrnk Ironing Bocrrds, Cqbinets, Mcrntels qnd other specialties. So when the wqr needs cre served we expect to be crble to offer you cn enlcrged line olEubqnk products.