1940. A house designed by Architect Beresford Beck for Mr. and Mrs. Chester Speakman, Wilmette, Illinois

THE PROBLEM presented to Architect Beresford Beck by Mr. and Mrs. Chester Speakman, Wilmette, Illinois, was to provide a design for a permanent and compact house for a family of four, with guest accommodations. The location of the stair is particularly ingenious, providing access to the second story direct from every downstairs room. The kitchen is likewise easily accessible from the front. The lower story is faced with old brick which lends a pleasant feeling of sturdiness in contrast to the crisp effect of the projecting second story. The overhanging sections of the second story cast interesting shadows, adding to the delightful effect of coziness. The dormers, shutters, fence, and plantings all combine to give a feeling of completeness to this new home.