The House that Jill Built by E. C. Gardner

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THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT,
AFTER JACK'S HAD PROVED A FAILURE.

A BOOK ON
HOME ARCHITECTURE,
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS,

BY E.C. GARDNER,

_Author of "Homes and How to Make Them." "Home Interiors,"
"Common Sense in Church Building," etc._

SPRINGFIELD, MASS.:
W.F. ADAMS COMPANY,
1896.

1882,
BY OUR CONTINENT PUBLISHING Co.
_All rights reserved._
E.C. GARDNER, 1895.

Printed and Bound by
CLARK W. BRYAN COMPANY,
Springfield, Mass.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.
A WISE FATHER AND A GLAD SON-IN-LAW 7

CHAPTER II.
MORAL SUASION FOR MALARIAL MARSHES 20

CHAPTER III.
A FIRST VISIT AND SAGE ADVICE 32

CHAPTER IV.
MANY FIRES MAKE SMALL DIVIDENDS 48

CHAPTER V.
WHEN THE FLOODS BEAT AND THE RAINS DESCEND 63

CHAPTER VI.
THE WISDOM OF JILL IN THE KITCHEN 78

CHAPTER VII
BE HONEST AND KEEP WARM 90

CHAPTER VIII
TRUTH, POETRY AND ROOFS 103

CHAPTER IX.
PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE--BLINDS AND BESSIE 115

CHAPTER X.
MORE QUESTIONS OF FIRE AND WATER 128

CHAPTER XI.
WHAT SHALL WE STAND UPON? 140

CHAPTER XII.
FROM MATHEMATICS TO ANCIENT BRIC-A-BRAC 151

CHAPTER XIII.
ECONOMY, CLEANLINESS, AND HEALTH 166

CHAPTER XIV.
SAFE FLUES AND MORE LIGHT 177

CHAPTER XV.
A DANGEROUS RIVAL 189

CHAPTER XVI.
A NEW WAY OF GETTING UP STAIRS AND A NEW MISSIONARY FIELD 203

CHAPTER XVII.
THE RIGHT SIDE OF PAINT, A PROTEST AND A PROMISE 221

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE HOUSE FINISHED AND THE HOME BEGUN 233

CHAPTER XIX.
TEN YEARS AFTER 250

CHAPTER XX.
A DOUBLE CONCLUSION 258

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

_From Drawings by the Author_.

PAGE

1. "COUSIN GEORGE'S EXTERIOR" 11

2. COUSIN GEORGE'S FIRST FLOOR 14

3. COUSIN GEORGE'S SECOND FLOOR 15

4. "WARMTH IS BEAUTY" 21

5. A HIDDEN FOE 23

6. A BURIED GRIDIRON 24

7. THE PROTECTING "CUT-OFF" 25

8. A "CROSS-SECTION" PROPHECY 28

9. HEAT FROM ALL SIDES 30

10. AUNT MELVILLE'S AMBITION 33

11. NO PLACE FOR THE BED 36

12. ENLARGED BY DESTRUCTION 37

13. A SLIGHT ADDITION 39

14. GROUND FLOOR OF AUNT MELVILLE'S AMBITION 42

15. FIRST FLOOR OF AUNT MELVILLE'S AMBITION 43

16. A SECURE OUTLOOK 49

17. MINED AND COUNTERMINED 52

18. A DORMER OF BURNED CLAY 55

19. THE TOPMOST PEAK 59

20. WILL'S MASTERPIECE 65

21. THE FIRST FLOOR OF WILL'S MASTERPIECE 73

22. THE SECOND FLOOR OF WILL'S MASTERPIECE 75

23. THE OUTSIDE OF TED'S HOUSE 79

24. JILL'S KITCHEN IN BLACK AND WHITE 83

25. THE FIRST FLOOR OF TED'S HOUSE 88

26. THE POOR BUT MODEST ATTORNEY'S COTTAGE 91

27. A DOUBLE TEAM 94

28. WARMTH UNDER THE WINDOW 96

29. STEAM PIPES BESIDE THE FIREPLACE 97

30. THE ATTORNEY'S FLOOR PLAN 101

31. NO CONCEALMENT OR DISGUISE 105

32. WITH A MULLION AND WITHOUT 110

33. JACK'S ARCHITECTURAL PHRENOLOGY 112

34. THE HAT MAKES THE MAN 113

35. THE CONTRIBUTION OF BESSIE'S FATHER 117

36. THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE CONTRIBUTION 123

37. A GARGOYLE 130

38. A CHOICE OF GUTTERS 131

39. A SIMPLE RECESS 133

40. IN THE MIDDLE RANK 135

41. THE WORTH OF A COSY COTTAGE 137

42. A PROMISE OF SOCIAL SUCCESS 141

43. A REASONABLE HOPE 143

44. FLOORS AS THEY ARE: FLOORS AS THEY MIGHT BE 145

45. BRICKS AND BOULDERS ON GRANITE UNDERPINNING 149

46. NOT BRILLIANT, BUT IMPRESSIVE 153

47. WOODEN RICHNESS 155

48. NO WASTE OF WOOD 156

49. FIRST FLOOR OF THE PROMISE 158

50. SECOND FLOOR OF THE PROMISE 159

51. NO PLACE FOR SECRET FOES 167

52. SAFE AND SAVING FLUES 179-80

53. A PICTURE IN GLASS OVER THE FIREPLACE 181

54. GLASS OF MANY COLORS, SHAPES AND SIZES 183

55. SHELVES IN THE MIDDLE, CUPBOARDS ABOVE AND BELOW 185

56. "THE OAKS" 191

57. OUTSIDE BARRIERS 195

58. INSIDE BARRIERS 196

59. COMMON UGLINESS--SIMPLE GRACE 197

60. FIRST FLOOR PLAN OF "THE OAKS" 201

61. LOOKING TOWARD SUNSET 205

62. NEAR THE TURNING-POINT 207

63. A CHOICE OF BALUSTERS 209

64. THE BIG FIREPLACE IN THE KEEPING-ROOM 211

65. ONE WAY TO BEGIN 213

66. A BROADSIDE OF AN EASY ASCENT 215

67. A DIVIDING SCREEN AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS 219

68. BITS OF CORNICES 223

69. MOULDINGS FAIR TO SEE, BUT HARD TO KEEP CLEAN 225

70. FRAGMENTS OF ARCHITRAVES 227

71. A CHOICE OF WAINSCOTS 229

72. WOOD PANELS FOR WALLS AND CEILINGS, WITH IRREGULARITIES
IN LEATHER, PAINT AND PAPER 231

73. THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT 235

74. THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT 239

75. THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT 241

76. THE EAST END OF JILL'S DINING-ROOM 243

77. A CASTLE IN SPAIN 263

_Also Initials, Tail-Pieces, etc._

INDEX OF SUBJECTS.

PAGE

BUILDING SITES 16
BRICKS 46, 53, 58
BLINDS 116
CHIMNEYS 179
CONTRACT WORK 233
COMPETITIVE PLANS 237
DOORS 194
FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION 54
FALSE CHIMNEY-PIECE 98
FIREPLACES 134
FLOORS 140
FASHION 224
GUTTERS 129
HEATING 97, 132
HEIGHT OF ROOMS 138
HARD WOOD 197
INTERIOR FINISH 221
KITCHEN ARRANGEMENTS 81, 125
PLUMBING 166, 177
PANTRIES 186, 189
PAINT 223
ROOFS 69, 113
STAIRS 38, 214
STAINED GLASS 38, 183
TERRA COTTA 61
UNDER-DRAINING 24
VENTILATING FLUES 178
WINDOWS 110, 183
WOODEN BUILDINGS 51

PREFACE

TO THE REVISED EDITION.

On a recent visit to the young woman whose experiences and observations
are contained in this book, I was greatly pleased to find her zeal and
interest in domestic architecture unabated. She sees that there have
been changes and improvements in the art of house building, but
declares that while some of her opinions and suggestions of ten years
ago have been approved and accepted, it is still true that by far the
greater number of those who plan and build houses are guided by
transient fashion, thoughtless conservatism and a silly seeking for
sensational results, rather than by truth, simplicity and common sense.

She has no doubt that her daughter, Bessie, will study and practice
domestic architecture, and naturally expects the houses of the future
to contain charms and comforts of which we have as yet only the
faintest conception.

E.C. GARDNER.
_Springfield, Mass., November, 1895._

INTRODUCTION

"MR. E.C. Gardner, architect, has consented to write us a series of
articles upon house-building," said one of his associates to the editor
of OUR CONTINENT a few months since. "What do you think of it?"

"We have no sort of use for such a thing," replied the editor. "There
are treatises enough professing to instruct people how to build houses.
You can't make every man his own carpenter any more than you can make
him his own lawyer. More's the pity."

"But I thought you said you wanted some one who had sense enough to put
a thoroughly capable and accomplished housewife's notions of what a
house should be into readable prose?"

"So I did," responded the editor, "and I still want it, and am likely
to want it for a long time. I do not wish articles on _House_-building
but on _Home_-building, and you will never get such from an
architect."

"Don't be too sure of that," said the other, who had had a taste of the
writer's quality before. "Suppose he should wish to try it?"

"Well,--let him," was the grumbled assent.

The editor did not believe in architects. He had built one or two
houses that did well enough on paper, but were simply appalling in
their unfitness when he came to try to adapt the occupants to the
earthly tabernacles which had been erected for their use and
enjoyment. He had read house-building books, examined plans and
discoursed with architects until he verily believed that the whole
business was a snare and a delusion. After this experience he had
settled down to the serious belief that the best way to build a house
was to erect first a square building containing but one room, and then
add on rooms as the occupants learned their needs or the family
increased in numbers. In this way, he stoutly maintained, had been
erected all those old houses, whose irregularity of outline and
frequent surprises in interior arrangement never cease to charm. He
asserted boldly that a man's house ought to grow around him like an
oyster's-shell, and should fit him just as perfectly; in fact, that it
should be created, not built. From architects and their works he prayed
devoutly to be delivered, and having theretofore illustrated that part
of the proverb which avers that "fools build houses," he declared
himself determined thenceforth only to illustrate the latter-part of
the proverb:--"and wise men live in them."

Having, however, became sponsor in some sort for what Mr. Gardner might
write, he was bound to give attention to it. Very much to his surprise,
he found it instead of a thankless task, a most agreeable
entertainment. Seldom, indeed, have wit and wisdom been so happily
blended as in these pages. The narrative that runs through the whole
constitutes a silver thread of merriment on which the pearls of sense
are strung with lavish freedom. Every page is sure to contain the
subject-matter for a hearty laugh close-linked with a lesson that may
well be conned by the most serious-minded. The philosophy of
home-building and home-improving is expounded with a subtlety of humor
and an aptness of illustration as rare as they are relishable.

There are three classes of people to whom this little volume with its
quaint descriptions and wise suggestions will be peculiarly welcome.

_First_--Those who contemplate, at some time, the building of a
home. It matters not whether it is to be humble or palatial,
"The House that Jill Built" will be found to contain not only
the most valuable suggestions, but a humorous gaiety that will
be sure to add pleasure to this duty.

_Second_--Those who desire at any time to enlarge, modify or
improve the homes in which they live; for they will find very
forcibly illustrated in its pages the principles which should
govern such modification.

_Third_--Those who, like the writer hereof, have suffered in
purse and comfort from the lack of such a pleasant and
philosophical treatise, and who will be glad to see how their
blunders might have been avoided.

"The House that Jill Built" is founded on the rock of common sense. It
does not profess to tell the prospective builder how to be his own
architect and carpenter; it does not fit him out with a plan ready made
and tested--by somebody else: but deftly and easily it leads him to
think about the essential elements of the home he desires until, almost
unconsciously, he finds himself prepared to give such directions to an
honest architect as will secure for his home, convenience, safety and
that peculiar fitness which is the chief element of beauty in domestic
architecture. It is not so much for what is taught as for what is
suggested that the book is valuable. What the author has written is
perhaps not more remarkable than the peculiar art with which he compels
the reader to think for himself. "The House that Jill Built" may fairly
be said to take the first place among the many works that are designed
to make our domestic architecture what it ought to be--the art by which
the house-builder may erect a home adapted to his needs, commensurate
with his means, in harmony with its surroundings and conducive to the
health and comfort of its occupants. What the author's pen has so well
described his pencil has illustrated with equal happiness.

In penance for the lack of faith displayed at the outset and in hearty
approval of the pages that follow, the Editor has written these words.

A.W. TOURGEE.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct., 1882.

THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT.

CHAPTER I.

A WISE FATHER AND A GLAD SON-IN-LAW.

Among the wedding-presents was a small white envelope containing two
smaller slips of paper. On one of these, which was folded around the
other, was written,

"A NEW HOUSE, FROM FATHER."

The enclosed slip was a bank-check, duly stamped and endorsed. Did any
old wizard's magic-box ever hold greater promise in smaller compass!
Certainly not more than the bride saw in imagination as she read the
figures upon the crisp bit of tissue. Walls, roof and stately chimneys
arose in pleasant pictures before her mental vision. There were broad
windows taking in floods of sunshine; fireplaces that glowed with
living flames and never smoked; lazy lounging places and cosy corners
for busy work or quiet study; sleepy bed-rooms; a kitchen that made
housework the finest art and the surest science, and oh, such closets,
such stairways, such comforts! such defiance of the elements, such
security against cold and heat, against fire, flood and tempest! such
economy! such immunity from all the ills that domestic life is heir to,
from intractable servants to sewer-gas!

If some ardent esthete had arrested her flight of fancy by asking
whether she found room for soul-satisfying beauty, she would have
dropped from her air-castle, landing squarely upon her feet, and
replied that if her house was comfortable and told no lies it would be
beautiful enough for her--which was saying a great deal, however
interpreted, for she loved beauty, as all well-balanced mortals ought,
and she would have been conspicuously out of place in a house that was
not beautiful.

Perhaps I ought to explain that the house that Jack built, intending to
establish Jill as its mistress when it should be completed, had proved
most unsatisfactory to that extremely practical young woman. In
consequence, she had obstinately refused to name the happy day till the
poor, patient fellow had kept bachelor's hall nearly a year. At last,
in consideration of an unqualified permission to "make the house over"
to any extent, the rough place that threatened to upset them was made
smooth. Her father's present, wisely withheld till peace was declared,
left nothing to be desired, and they started on their wedding journey
as happy as if they owned the universe. This excursion, however, came
near being a failure from the sentimental standpoint, because, wherever
Jill discovered a house that gave any outward sign of inward grace, it
must be visited and examined as to its internal arrangements. Naturally
this struck Jack as an unromantic diversion, but he soon caught the
spirit, and after much practice gave his salutatory address with
apparent eagerness:

"My wife and I happen to be passing through town and have been struck
by the appearance of your house. Will you kindly allow us to have a
glimpse of the interior?"

The request was invariably granted, for nothing is more gratifying than
the fame of having the "finest house in town." Unhappily the interiors
were never satisfactory to Jill, and her valedictory to the owners of
the striking houses seldom went beyond thanks for their courtesy.

"We visited several houses on our trip," she observed to her father--

"Several hundred," said Jack--

"But were disappointed in them all. Many of them must have cost more
than ours will cost, but the money seemed to us foolishly spent."

"Yes," said her husband, "we concluded that the chief plank in the
platform of the architects and builders was 'Millions for display--not
one cent for comfort.'"

"Well, Jack, we have learned one thing on our travels--where _not_ to
look for the plans of our house."

A box of letters from her dear five hundred friends awaited Jill's
return, and a whole afternoon was devoted to them. Each letter
contained some allusion to the new house. At least ten conveyed
underscored advice of the most vital importance, which, if not
followed, would demoralize the servants, distress her husband and
ultimately destroy her domestic peace. Taken at a single dose, the
counsel was confusing, to say the least; but Jill read it faithfully,
laid it away for future reference, and gave the summary to her husband
somewhat as follows:

"It appears, Jack, my dear, to be absolutely indispensable to our
future happiness that the house shall front north, south, east and
west."

"Let's build it on a pivot."

"We must not have large halls to keep warm in cold weather, and we
_must_ have large halls 'for style.' The stories must not be less than
eleven nor more than nine feet high. It must be carpeted throughout and
all the floors must be bare. It must be warmed by steam and hot water
and furnaces and fireplaces and base-burners and coal grates."

"We shan't have to go away from home to get into purgatory, shall we?"

"Hush! The walls of the rooms must be calcimined, painted, frescoed and
papered; they must be dyed in the mortar, finished with leather, with
tiles, with tapestry and with solid wood panels. There must be
blinds--outside blinds, awnings, inside shutters, rolling blinds,
Venetian shades and no blinds at all. There must be wide, low-roofed
piazzas all around the house, so that we can live out of doors in the
summer, and on no account must the sun be excluded from the windows of
the first story by piazza roofs. At least eight patent sanitary
plumbing articles, and as many cooking ranges, are each the only one
safe and fit to be used. The house must be high and low--"

"I'm Jack and you shall be game--"

[Illustration: COUSIN GEORGE'S EXTERIOR.]

"It must be of bricks, wood and stone, separately and in combination;
it must be Queen Anne, Gothic, French, Japanesque and classic American,
and it must be painted all the colors of an autumn landscape."

"Well, there's one comfort," said Jack; "you haven't paid for this
advice, so you won't be obliged to take it in order to save it."

"I should think not, indeed, but that isn't the trouble. These letters
are from my special friends, wise, practical people, who know
everything about building and housekeeping, and they speak from solemn
conviction based on personal experience."

"Moral: When the doctors differ, do as you please."

Three of the letters, reserved for the last on account of their unusual
bulk, contained actual plans. One was from an old school friend who had
married an architect and couldn't afford to send a wedding present, but
offered the plans as a sort of apology, privately feeling that they
would be the most valuable of all the gifts; the second was from a
married brother in Kansas who had just built himself a new house, and
thought his sister could not do better than use the same plans, which
he had "borrowed" from his architect; and the third was from Aunt
Melville, who was supposed (by herself) to hold the family destiny in
the hollow of her hand.

"For once," she wrote, "your father has done a most sensible thing.
Every girl ought to have a present of a new house on her wedding-day.
You were very silly to make such a fuss about the house that Jack
built, for it is a very stylish-looking house, even if it isn't quite
so convenient inside; but of course you can improve upon it, and
fortunately I can contribute just what you need--the plans of the house
that your Uncle Melville built for George last year. It isn't as large
as it ought to be, but it will suit you and Jack admirably. You must
tell me how much you have to spend. This house can be very prettily
built for eight or ten thousand dollars, and if you haven't as much as
that you must ask for more. The hall is decidedly stylish, and, with
the library at one side and drawing-room at the other, you will have
just room enough for your little social parties. The room behind the
drawing-room Jack needs for his private use, his study, office,
smoking-room or whatever he calls it--a place to keep his gun, his
top-boots, his fishing-rod and his horrid pipes; where he can revel to
his heart's content in the hideous disorder of a 'man's room,' pile as
much rubbish as he likes on the table, lock the doors and defy the rest
of the household on house-cleaning days. The dining-room is good and
the kitchen arrangements are perfect. George's wife has changed
servants but three times since they began housekeeping, nearly a year
ago, which certainly proves that there is every possible convenience
for doing work easily. The outside of the house is not wholly
satisfactory. There should be a tower, and you must put one on
somewhere."

[Illustration: COUSIN GEORGE'S FIRST FLOOR.]

[Illustration: COUSIN GEORGE'S SECOND FLOOR.]

Then followed several pages of advice about furnishings and a
postscript announced that Colonel Livingston was charmed with the house
and would probably build one like it for Clara. The charm of Aunt
Melville's advice lay in its abundant variety. It was new every morning
and fresh every evening. The latest thing was always the best. The
plans of to-morrow were certain to be better than those of yesterday.

Jill therefore made a careful study of the first installment, not
doubting that others of superior merit would be forthcoming. She found
many things to approve. The hall promised comfort and good cheer,
whether stylish or not. The vista across through the parlor bay and the
wide library window would give a pleasant freedom and breadth. The
stairs were well placed, the second landing with its window of stained
glass being especially attractive, whether as a point of observation or
as a cosy retreat, itself partly visible from the hall below. Every
chamber had a closet of its own, not to mention several extra ones, and
there was a place for every bed.

"As for your sanctum, Jack, I don't at all approve. It will be hard
enough, I've no doubt, to keep you from lapsing into barbarism, and I
shall never allow you to set up a den, a regular Bluebeard's room, all
by yourself. I promise never to put your table in order, but I wouldn't
trust the best of men with the care of a closet or a bureau-drawer for
a single week, much less of an entire room with two closets, a case of
drawers, a cupboard and a chimney-piece. But the chief fault of the
plan is that it doesn't happen to suit our lot. The entrances are not
right, the outlooks are not right, the chimneys are not right."

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