American Gothic House

American Gothic House

An American style Gothic house plan for country living.

Craftsman Style

¶ This rather simple yet very animated design conveys very emphatically the idea of home, without regard to climate or location; and on examination, the internal arrangements will be found equally suitable for a Northern or a Southern American residence. Its aspect is suggestive of ease and independence in the life of the proprietor, who, by this token, may have abandoned the pursuit of business and betaken himself to the enjoyment of social and domestic pleasure.

Gothic Country House
Gothic Country House

¶ It certainly manifests a great amount of domestic feeling, and if it be allowed that there should be an evident sympathy between ourselves and the homes we dwell in, we cannot be far wrong in assigning the proprietorship of this dwelling to the retired merchant or literary connoisseur.

Rooms

¶ Fig. 110 represents the principal floor, H being a carriage-drive and A a continuous veranda around three sides of the house. Entering through a hall 9 feet in width, we find an excellent drawing-room B, 16 by 30 feet, the chief merits of which consist in its amplitude and symmetrical form. On the right of the hall C, 15 by 16 feet, is an excellent sitting or reception room, and D, of the same dimensions, may be used either for a bedroom or library; if for a library or family sitting-room, another window should be given. The dining room, 14 by 18 feet, (marked E,) is very well situated, being entered directly from the main hall, and having access through a small lobby with the side veranda and with the kitchen F on the rear. This kitchen is 14 by 15 feet, and has connected with it an out kitchen of 12 by 12 feet. Six large bedrooms and a smaller one, all marked K, furnish a rare amount of sleeping room, on the second floor, picture 111.

Plans for House
Plans for House

Construction

¶ Although this house, with a great deal of propriety, may be constructed of wood, it is preferable to make use of more permanent materials. Rubble-stone covered with rough-cast would be a very economical and satisfactory method of building the walls. A shingle or slate covering would suit the pitch better than any other.

Cost

¶ We put the cost of this design, under ordinary circumstances, at $4000 (1861 prices).

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