File:American homes and gardens (1908) (17966812658).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar51908newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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200 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS May, 1908 down with cement and the bottom of the flue built in the shape of a cone or funnel. The top of the chimney should extend at least two feet above the highest point of the house, and all the branches of trees or foliage cut away above the opening. A square flat stone or piece of slate is placed on four corner pillars, capping the chimney to keep out the rain. The fireplace can be built square or with a curved top, ac- cording to taste. Open niches are left in the masonry—a long one directly over the fireplace opening which will serve as a mantel, and smaller ones here and there for bric-a-brac. A hob is made by having one large flat stone project on one side about eighteen inches from the masonry. To build the hearth a strong box is built under the flooring extending along the whole front of the chimney, about three feet in width and six inches deep. This is filled with concrete and the name of the cottage done in Mosaic by embedding the stones half way in the cement—small white ones for the lettering and darker ones for the filling in. These stones can be gathered up after the sand has been sifted by the masons. If you are near the seashore an infinite variety of stones beautifully tinted by nature can be picked up and used to advantage. The nailing of the slabs to the outside studding is a very simple matter. Leave enough space between the slabs for the cement filling to "clinch," and this latter process is ac- complished by nailing strips of half-inch wire mesh with small staples on all the open spaces; but this must be done from the inside. Then mix two parts of sharp sand with one part Portland cement and a generous amount of hair. When applied both inside and outside between the slabs this cement will be found to clinch in such a way that it will be hard to remove with a hammer. If applied only on the out- side the seasoning and natural shrinking of the wood will cause the cement filling to drop out in a very short time. The outside panels, if there are any in the plans, can be treated differently. Use any kind of old boards for a back- ground—then bevel the two edges of ordinary laths in such a way as to form an undercut groove when the beveled edges face the panel. Nail these laths three or four inches apart and then plaster the whole surface with the same propor- tionate cement mixture mentioned above. When the panels are dry and hard they can be tinted red or any desired color with shingle stains. For the rustic work on the piazza locust is very effective wood, as the bark is very rough and irregular; but if a smooth wood is preferred use cedar. Both these woods will stand the weather for many years. To clean the. cedar bark use a coarse wire brush. After the staircases are in place the newel posts, railings and fancy work are made of white birch, and this is continued right around the open gallery. White or silver birch is very effective for indoor work and for rustic furniture, but it must never be used where it will be exposed to the weather or it will soon rot. It must be
Text Appearing After Image:
The Rough Irregular Surface of Locust Logs Is Admirable for the Rustic Work of the Piazza

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