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Show An Ideal Small House Suggested by Architect The problem of obtaining a small house that, while of reasonable cost, Is convenient to live in and pleasing to look at, Is discussed by Benjamiu F. Betts, noted architect and editor, In Better Homes and Gardens. Protesting that the design of small houses is all too often viewed in the light of obtaining the most in size for the least money, the Better Homes and Gardens writer states that cost, plan, materials, construction and appearance ap-pearance are all elements that must be conaidered. The usable area of a house should be from 70 to 75 per cent ; no house can be 100 per cent efficient, for about 25 or 30 per cent must of necessity be given over to outside out-side walls, Interior partitions, stair and hall space, bathrooms and closets. Halls should be as small as their practical prac-tical use will permit, and homemakers should avoid placing the stairway to the second story in the living room. Generous closet space is desirable but often represents a needless amount of waste space. For Instance, a wide closet about 22 Inches deep Is more practical than a narrow closet 3 or 4 feet deep. Bathrooms are often made larger than necessary or at L-ast planned with more wall space than Is economical to build. No bathroom, In a small house, advises the writer, need exceed 40 square feet in area, and can even be made as small as 25 square feet. The dining room, considering area, Is the most expensive ex-pensive room, and may be used as a living room also. Cheap materials are not an economy since the labor cost to Install them remains the same or may be more than when materials of good quality are used. Cheap materials ma-terials also result In costly repair bills later on. Sound construction Is real economy. Saving in space can be effected ef-fected by making the ceilings as low as 7 feet 4 or 6 Inches. This saving in story height helps the exterior np-pearance. np-pearance. An Important element that Is too frequently overlooked Is the harmonious relationship that should be prese'Ted between the exterior and the interior of a house. |