House Planning

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 7, 29 August 1930, Page 31

House Planning

EE Mistakes to Avoid — " A LOVER or BEAUTIFUL HOMES" writes to me as follows :-~ Dear Alison,-References in your interesting and chatty column two weeks ago to the delight of planning and replanning one’s home prompt me to write something of my experiences in the hope that they may prove of value to others. I suppose I am only one of thousands of women who create their own homes both mentally and on paper. This home, when on paper, appears so good that straightway it becomes a substance. I have built the same house three times in different suburbs and still there are mistakes. A home designer is naturally conceited, but let me give you a word of advice, even if you are sure everything is perfect and that it is now unnecessaty expense to have an architect-still have one, "ven after the third time of building the same house (I sound unoriginal, but it’s only because the design has always got the better of me.) I still discover these mistakes, which somehow with the more striking faults before did not make themselves so noticeable. _ "For instance, as regards a safe. Unless we. are wealthy and can afford our refrigerator (which reully is a necessity for my next house) we must build a suitable safe. There is no reason why it shouldn’t. reach from ceiling to floor-with a door to every two shelves; entirely shutting off the other part. By this means our milk,

butter, meat, stewed fruit, custards, and ham can all be kept absolutely Separate. ; "Wireplaces are an important item. I have sacrificed heat for design, but this could have been overcome in these big old-fashioned brick fireplaces, by having the back slanting forward so the heat is thrown into the room instead of what I have let it do-go up the chimney. Yes, your bricklayer should know, but he follows your designs to perfection! "If you are building in brick, which I have done, be careful to profit by this mistake of mine. Specify ‘sharp, fresh-water sand,’ and have this analysed from time to time to see that no percentage of salt is showing. If salt is in the sand your walls at the first sign of fog or rain will show dampness. ‘The action is the same as the moisture that shows on a salt cellar when wet weather comes, To save double the expense later, I advise you to have hot points in every room. You'll find that they are absolutely indispensable. However, be sure to specify ‘flush switches,’ because if you don’t, your electrician will have to put an unsightly plug twelve inches above the floor, and to have this on your wallpaper quite spoils the effect in your room. The reason for this is in the following regulation :-Heating Points: No socket or switch shall be mounted on skirting board or within 12 inches above a floor, unless it is of the flush type. Lok "There are not enough people yet: improving their homes by. using this flush switch. It is so artistic, and is well worth the little extra original expense, "There is one more point and that is the position of wardrobes. Mentally furnish your rooms before building. in. the wardrobe, for nine times out of ten you'll find you’ve built Jt in the

most valuable corner for the placing of your other furniture. "By the way, 1 didn’t mention position of lights. Side or bracket lights are invaluable, but do not leave your lighting to these alone-be sure to have a central light, too, for even distribution over the whole room. "Before moving into your home I would advise you to have the electrie floor polisher and stainer sent up first.. To have all the marks, rough parts taken off, and a most beautiful smooth finish put on your picked wood floors, thus turning your home into a mansion, "Trusting these few points may be of use to you. They would have saved me pounds if I had only thought before, With best wishes tu ail home-builders." This is a useful fetter. Perhaps other readers could record points they have learned from that most delightful

experience, planning a home.vor

Alison