A TWENTIETH CENTURY RESIDENCE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 April 1931, Page 3

A TWENTIETH CENTURY RESIDENCE.

LATEST FEATURES INCORPORATED.

The finishing touches arc now being applied to a very finq dwelling in Devon Street, one that has been designed and built by Mr J. Harvey for Mr E. I. Farrington. It is of the type generally referred to as the storey and a-half bungalow, but this conventional appellation does not convey an adequate idea of its appearance, which is somewhat in the style of an old English gabled house, with the front wall turret-shaped on either side of the portico. On 'a base of chipped clinker brick, which looks very handsome, the walls are built up with rough-cast finish on plaster embedded in Steeltex, a mesh material of rustless steel. The colour combination of red brick base, cream wall's and red tiled roof is very pleasing, and it is accentuated in the front by a face of green-stained shingles just below the 'gable. The tiles are of a heavy, durable looking sort, and were manufactured at Taumarunui. Inside the steeltex, which is nailed to the studs, the walls are of heart rimu, which is the timber used throughout the building. This form of wall construction is stated to have withstood the destructive powers of the Hawke's Bay earthquake. The entrance hall is on the eastern side of the building, and is lit by a leadlight window. It is an attractive introduction to the interior, the layout being convenient and the'style of the stairs and woodwork giving a true impression of solidity. The door on the right leads into the drawing-room, which, though in it§ unfurnished state, has already an air of comfort, owing to the ample proportions of the open fireplace, made of clinker brick, which material has also been fashioned into the mantel, and rising from a dark tiled hearth. The builder himself deself designed the fireplace, and it has much to commend it both from the artistic and utilitarian viewpoints. The Carrara ceiling is divided with heavy timber bears. Occupying the width of the turret-wall is .a window of six sashes, three alternate units of which open in casement fashion. A row of leadjights graces the eastern wall. A bevelled plate-glass door gives access to the portico, and a pair of similar doors open into the dining room. This apartment is likewise provided with a glass door to the front, and has a bow-window corresponding to that of the drawing-room. There is also an open fireplace of clinker brick. The dining-room is connected with the kitchen by a very modern servery, cupboarded on both sides. There is also communication by a door, and on passing into the kitchen one finds that the serving and storing cupboard on that side is mounted on another winch contains drawers and, below them, pivoted bins for holding bulk stuffs. The stove is the combination gas ar\l

furnace model, making provision for a plentiful supply of hot water to flow through pipes laid to the sink and to the bathroom (upstairs). A tiled recess houses the stove-and to the left of it is the cupboard containing the boiler, while above are three cupboards for the airing of clothes. Enclosed pot-racks are carried along below the sink, and a pantry adjoins the kitchen.

On the second floor are three bedrooms, each contained in a gable, and the bathroom. The centre bedroom has double swing doors opening on to a glassed-in sleeping porch. The latter is fronted with Whitney windows, which by combining sliding and folding movements, can be opened out to the full width of the aperture. Wardrobes are built into each bedroom. The bathroom has a Fama stonewood floor, and the same material is carried up around the bath. At the top of the stairs is a commodious linen press. Notwithstanding the gable type of construction, the upper storey is airy and well-lighted. The house is liberally supplied with electric lighting and heating points, both upstairs and down. At the rear is a large outhouse block, built on the steeltex sytem, with tiled roof. It contains a washhouse, 10ft by lOffc., with pumice copper; a workshop, with pumice stove and chimney; and a garage, which has a threeleaf door that can be opened in part or rolled away to the side wall, being hung on rails. The ground is naturally-adapted for laying out ornamentally, as it has a gradual slope from the front of the house to the gate and is already well sheltered. With the completion of the buildings, the property is a decided acquisition |to the residential features of the town. Besides Mr Harvey's work as builder, the undertaking has benefitted from the services of Messrs Lunn and Henley (electric fittings), Mr W. Jenson (plumbing), Mr W. H. Walker (painting, paperhanging and finishing), and Mr D. Foster (brickwork) .