Model Bracketed Cottage

¶ There is something exceedingly piquant and pleasing about this little cottage; and if we were called upon to give a reason for the impression which its appearance produces, we would probably ascribe it to the fact of its having a well-defined character of its own. There is nothing very showy in its mien, and yet it is such a cottage as would rarely fail to arrest the eye of the most careless beholder. Although ultra matter-of-fact people might accuse it of "putting on airs", we think a majority will agree with us that its dress, though bold and decided, is not unbecoming even to a cottage.

Bracketed Cottage

¶ And to the question, Who wants such a cottage? we answer, Who would not delight to have it? For we are persuaded that many will picture out their future country home with just such a cottage as this for its central feature, To such as may urge the smallness of its size as an objection, we would say that it may be considerably enlarged without detriment to its cottage character.

Rooms

¶ A, picture 74, is a very neat, plain veranda, giving shelter to the front door and the end window of the parlor. D performs at once the office of passage and vestibule. From this we may enter at pleasure the parlor B, the dining room F,or the kitchen E. This parlor is 14 by 11 feet, and is to be particularly noticed for its recessed window with permanent seat. In perfect keeping with cottage living, two nice closets occupy the space on each side of the recess. On the prinoiple that "from truth and use all beauties flow", this recessed window can boast of some claim to the attention of the domestic economist, even without an acknowledgment of any intrinsic merit.

Floor Plans

¶ The dining room, designated by the letter F, is 14 by 11 feet, and has a china closet H. E is the kitchen, also 14 by 11 feet, provided with a pantry G, and a back door. On the second floor, picture 75, from the passage or lobby M, we reach the several bedrooms J, K, and L, all provided with suitable closets. It will be observed, on looking at the elevation, that a part of the height of this story is gained by throwing collar beams across from rafter to rafter, the height at the walls being five feet. This method is adopted with an eye to economy, and to prevent the building from reaching an altitude entirely inconsistent with its importance as a cottage.

Cottage Construction

¶ We should, under favorable circumstances, build this cottage of rubble-stone, and neatly point the exterior joints. Built of pale bricks neatly laid, and surrounded with a profusion of foliage, it would present a very agreeable appearance; but in the absence of foliage, the assistance of paint or stucco should be called in.

Cottage Cost

¶ This cottage may be built in some parts of this state, where building stone and timber abound, for about $1200 (1861 prices). Built of brick, in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, the cost will not vary much from $1400, if all the work is done in good style.

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