This plan was designed for a simple cottage, with sufficient accommodations for beginners in housekeeping with limited means. It is arranged as the Wing of a larger house to be erected in the future, as indicated in the dotted sketch adjoining the ground-plan. (The building, with the proposed enlargements complete, are given in Design VIII.) To a certain extent, one’s dwelling is an index of his character. Any effort at building expresses the owner’s ability, taste, and purpose. Every industrious man, starting in life, has a right, and should be encouraged, to anticipate prosperity, as the sure reward of honest worth; and he may, with propriety, give emphasis to such anticipations in every step, and with every blow struck. His dwelling may well express the progressive character, rather than a conclusive result. Beginning a home by starting with a room or two, as present means will allow, and increasing its dimensions as can be afforded, without the precarious aid of the money-lender, is honest, independent, and best provides against the ever-changing vicissitudes of life. The first step towards building is the preparation of plans. These should be sufficiently comprehensive to embrace all probable requirements. If only a small beginning is intended, it should be made to exhibit some degree of completeness, and be arranged to conform with the proposed future enlargements without serious alterations.... Exterior, (fig. 1).—In view of the relation this structure is to bear to a proposed main house, and to allow for the grading likely to be required in the ultimate completion of the whole, the foundation is made to show four feet above the ground. Such elevation adds to the prominence and good appearance of the building, and relieves the interior from the dampness likely to result from a closer contact with the soil. The style is simple, neat, and favorable for the using of ordinary materials and methods of construction.... Interior, (fig. 2).—Hight of ceiling, 9 feet. The entire floor space is utilized in the three convenient divisions—a Living-room, Bedroom, and a Large Pantry—with no chimney-breast, or stairway to interfere. Each room is pleasantly lighted, and the larger one has outside entrances front and rear. With a favorable location, the living-room may be made a very cheerful apartment.... Construction.—For economy, and in prospect of a future enlargement, that shall include ample cellars, such excavations are omitted for this building. The Foundations are brick piers, extending in the earth below the reach of frost, and 4 feet above, and the intermediate spaces are close-boarded, making an inclosure useful for many purposes. If desired, a sort of temporary cellar may be made, by deepening the central portion of this inclosure a foot or two, and banking the loose earth against the inside of the boarding. The Framework and other parts are substantially constructed, of materials as indicated in the appended estimate. The Chimney rests on the central partition (which is strengthened by the central pier of the foundation), and has two flues, with metal thimbles in the bottom of each—one to receive the stove-pipe from the living-room, and the other to serve as a ventilator for the bedroom. All of the materials are intended to be of merchantable quality. The siding, flooring, and casings are mill-dressed. The sizes of the sash are 2 ft. 8 in. × 5 ft. 2 in., and of the doors, 2 ft. 8 in. × 6 ft. 8 in., all 1¼ in. thick, and may be found ready-made, and seasoned, in the stock of any regular dealer.... In the following estimate, the item of $20, for carpenter’s labor, may seem very little. This amount is allowed for preparing the building ready for the plasterer, and is entered in this manner for convenience in making the calculations. Adding to the above amount the cost of such labor in the “completed” parts, will make a total of $50.

Estimate, cost of materials and labor: