THIS house, traditional in style but thoroughly modern in arrangement, is perfect for the small family that wants maximum living space at minimum cost. The 1,200 square feet of floor space is utilized to the fullest. Living room, dining room and den, separated by only a suggestion of partitions, can be treated as one huge room or as three independent units, depending on the choice and placement of the furnishings. The open effect created by this arrangement gives an air of spaciousness seldom found in houses of this size and makes it no problem to entertain quite a number of people.

The living room features a picture window across the front and a fireplace on the opposite side. End windows in both den and dining room give excellent cross-ventilation through the entire front of the house. You will notice, however, that there is ample space in both end rooms for large pieces of wall furniture.

The den may be treated as a part of the living room itself, as a library or music room, or, equipped with a studio couch, it can even be pressed into service as sleeping quarters for guests.

The kitchen is located directly behind the dining room and back of it is a good-size breakfast room, opening into the service yard.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

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SIMPLICITY and good proportions give this cottage an air of genuine dignity unusual in a small house. The doorway, Early American in detail, is balanced by the large living room window, which is underlined by an over-sized built-in brick flower box.

The open arrangement of the living and dining rooms and den, each a large room in itself, gives spaciousness to the living area. Opposite the window in the living room is the fireplace, with a bookcase on one side. The three steps leading down from the living room into the den are flanked by bookcases on the den side.

A wide window in the dining room overlooks the back terrace. This partially covered terrace provides a shelter for entrances to the garage, kitchen and master bedroom. It can be used as an outdoor living room and dining room, and its location insures privacy. The large bedrooms are isolated from the living area but convenient to the kitchen. Both bedrooms have ample closet space and three exposures.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

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THE four walls of this friendly ranch-type house enclose just 1,229 square feet of floor area, but the plan puts every foot to such good use that it gives the illusion — and the livability — of twice the space. The most distinctive feature of the plan is the T-shaped living-dining-study area, an arrangement which gives the effect of separate rooms without cutting down on the feeling of spaciousness that comes from open planning. Noteworthy features of this living area are the window wall overlooking the terrace, the wall of bookshelves in the study area, the handsome fireplace and the island of closets which sets off an entry and a hall to the bedroom area.

The roof of the house extends over the 28-foot front porch and affords it complete protection. In the back, the roof extends half-way out over the 29-foot terrace, making it a comfortably shaded spot for outdoor living.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

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TODAY’S home builder faces a real challenge when it comes to finding a plan which combines a distinctive exterior, a livable floor plan and top-quality construction at minimum cost. One look at the plan shown here and you’ll see that it more than meets these specifications — and it even includes such luxury features as whole walls of glass and a large, roofed and partially enclosed terrace.

Concrete masonry construction effects an important initial saving, plus the continuing economy of low maintenance costs (it reduces fire hazards, too). This type of construction, plus insulation, keeps the house comfortable the year round.

The exterior of this house has simple, clean-cut lines, with the projecting car port adding an interesting touch. Note the half-wall and the intricate lattice work that lift the car port out of the ordinary.

From the car port there is a covered entrance to the kitchen — and it's just a few steps to the front door.

The built-up roof, designed to turn back the sun's heat, has a wide overhang which also protects the windows from glare. The roof even extends out over the terrace across the back of the house (note also that the walls of the house come well out along the sides of the terrace). Sheltered as it is, this terrace will be the family's favorite spot for relaxing and outdoor dining.

The thoroughly efficient arrangement of the kitchen will be a joy to the homemaker. The bedrooms (just look at the storage space in them!) are large, and each has sliding doors opening onto the terrace. The master bedroom extends the entire length of the house and has three-way ventilation.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

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THIS climate-wise plan is a natural for the South. The generous window areas are arranged to provide cross-ventilation throughout the house, and the wide eaves overhanging the picture window protect the living room from the high-riding summer sun, helping to keep the house comfortable in even the warmest Gulf Coast areas. Yet the design is one that would be equally at home in the cooler sections of the Upper South.

The exterior is smart and simple. The long line of the front is relieved by the slight projection of the living room, and the shutters add a contrast of texture and color to the brick walls. The single column supporting the roof of the front porch matches the columns of the car port.

The house has the flexible rectangular floor plan. One of its outstanding features is a 31-foot living-dining room. The rest of the house is proportionately spacious. The bedrooms are 12 by 14 feet, the study is 13 by 14 feet, and the large kitchen includes a roomy breakfast area and space for laundry equipment in addition to a convenient sized working area. And there are two full baths, each with a built-in dressing table. The study will be the family’s favorite room. With its picture window overlooking the garden, it makes a delightful retreat. And it will serve equally well as a library, television room, family living room or guest room. Besides the closets in the bedrooms, there are two hall closets, a pantry in the service hall, and an oversized closet for tools in the car port.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

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In this little house you will find many of the most appealing features of the ever-popular ranch-style architecture, minus the spreading floor plan that sometimes presents a problem to the city-dweller because of the wide front footage it requires. The compactness of this plan makes it ideal for the average city lot, and the simple lines of the exterior make it suitable for almost any neighborhood.

While the width of the house isn't an important consideration if you are building in the country, you do have to give special attention to the suitability of the plan for its site. The warm earth tones of the stained wood siding and the native stone of the plant box tie this house in beautifully with a rustic setting.

The floor plan is a model of convenience and livability. Both bedrooms are good sized and have large closets with sliding doors. The front bedroom has two exposures and the back bedroom has three, affording ample light and ventilation. The bathroom has the popular built-in counter-top lavatory and a tub that can be enclosed for a shower.

The living room is unusually large for a house of this size, and the ireplace also serves as a partial partition between living and dining areas.

The efficiently arranged kitchen has space for a laundry. There is a handy work surface on each side of the stove, a serving counter by the dining area and a window above the sink overlooking the garden.

The exterior of the house has a warm and friendly air. The wood siding — which can be stained or painted — is accented by contrasting shutters and an unusually large L-shaped planting box constructed of stone. The car port has a storage closet for garden tools.

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source: The Progressive Farmer – Distinctive Southern Homes | 1950

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