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Here you can take a look back at a wide range of fantastic old-fashioned homes from nearly a century ago — and you don’t even have to drive around to do it.
From sweet little retro bungalows to cool Colonials, and homes clad with brick, stucco or siding, there is a lot of quaint architecture to be appreciated.
From the 1920s
We offer this new book of home designs for the purpose of assisting those desiring to build a home of their own, or to improve their present one.
These homes are in American Colonial, New England, English Colonial, Dutch Colonial, English Manor, Italian, Spanish or Mission styles, assuring a wide choice in design as well as in size and materials.
MORE: See some charming & classic All-American suburban houses from 1919
The homes illustrated are of the most modern design and have a permanent appeal. Nothing freakish, flashy nor faddish has been included. They were selected on a conservative basis, which at the same time permitted an adequate variety to express one’s individual taste. As a result, they are not of a fly-by-night popularity, but will have a lasting beauty and resale value.
Home designs and basic floorplans for 62 houses from the 1920s
See color views of the completed home, floorplans, and details about each house — including the number of rooms and home size.
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Notes on home architecture
One of the first problems which confronts the prospective home builder is the selection of the style of architecture for his new home.
New England Colonial, Dutch Colonial, Old and Modern English, American, Spanish and Italian all prove upon investigation to have practical advantages and undisputed charm. How then does the home builder choose?
Certainly, not all types of houses will appeal to him, but undoubtedly there will be more than one type that will catch his fancy. It would help, in making the final choice, to keep the following points in mind.
First, waive if possible all momentary attractions and think of how the home will appear to you year after year. Will it wear well?
Second, is this particular form of interior arrangement suited to your tastes and requirements? Architectural style determines the interior as well as the exterior.
ALSO SEE: Antique kitchen ranges from the ’20s & ’30s
Third, can this home be executed in materials that are available? It is expensive to send far away for large quantities of building supplies.
Fourth, will this kind of a home look best on the setting that has been chosen and will it harmonize with the neighboring houses?
Fifth, can you do justice to this style of architecture with your appropriation? Some types run into much more money than others because of the more elaborate principles upon which they are conceived.
Sixth, has this style of architecture a general appeal? Will the resale value be high?
Time spent thinking on this subject cannot help but mean a saving in money and insurance against regret. Mistakes are costly, and alterations are expensive and inconvenient. It is only fair to yourself to look into the subject of home architecture to know something about the principles upon which your home is going to be built.
From the 1920s: Home features and other considerations when building
New features: Delivery receptacles, built-in mailboxes, built-in telephone cabinets, kitchen ventilators, bathroom wall heaters, laundry dryers and other new features can be economically installed in your new home.
Space savers: Disappearing stairways, disappearing beds, space-saving closet fixtures, built-in ironing boards and built-in furniture save considerable space, hence greatly reduce building costs.
Labor saving conveniences: Model kitchens, charming breakfast nooks, built-in furniture, dumb waiters and other conveniences can be incorporated in any design to suit the builder.
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In this day and age when the inventive faculty is taxed to the utmost and the past has been tapped thoroughly, things distinctive are hard to find.
Think not only of today, but consider the future when selecting the plan for your new home. Not many of us build over one or two homes for ourselves; hence, we should acquaint ourselves with the latest improvements in home building and house arrangement and equipment.
A home is an investment for one thing, and the home builder should never forget it. He saves the money which would go for rent and pays it on his home which protects his family. People who are alert and ready to act can most always find ways of financing the erection of their own homes.
An exceptionally successful builder of moderately priced houses was recently asked what features of construction or equipment he considered the most important for the quick sale of a house.
Without hesitation, he answered: “Good hardware at the front door, adequate heating equipment, and above all a tiled bathroom.”
That prime requisite of the American, sunlight in abundance and architectural beauty, must be filled in order that any type of architecture survive through the years.
The symmetrical proportions, the massive construction, and the wide roof projections, furnish an air of substantial dignity so much admired. Do not overlook the large cheerful living room, the well-appointed kitchen, and the large well-lighted chambers. A home complete with all essentials to please the happy family.
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