OUR illustrations, Figs. 25 and 26 are the first floor and perspective of an elegant brick residence, designed by the author and erected in Detroit at a cost of five thousand dollars. It illustrates in a striking manner the advantages of brick over stone as a material for building, for by its use any desirable rectangular form can be secured without the expense of cutting and fitting, as is the case in stone work.

This building makes a very imposing and picturesque appearance, and the arrangement of the rooms is such as to secure the admission of sunlight and to afford an excellent view of the street from the principal rooms.

The foundations, laid of stone, are 18 inches thick, with a cellar 7 feet in the clear, extending under the entire house.

The laundry, which is situated in the cellar under the kitchen, is supplied with three laundry tubs, hot and cold water, and a water-closet; and under room E of first floor is the vegetable room, opening from the laundry. The remainder of the cellar is occupied by the heating furnace, fuel, and store-rooms, the furnace being bricked in and having hot-air pipes extending to the three main rooms and hall on first floor, and to the chambers and bath-room on second floor. Under and around the house is laid a complete system of drainage-pipes, and the floor of cellar is laid with concrete.

The plan of the first floor is shown in Fig. 25: A is the portico, extending around the curved platform and connecting with the veranda O, making a fine double entrance by one flight of steps. Black-walnut doors of a pleasing design open into the hall B, 9x18 ft., from which, at P, ascends an elegant landing-stairs finished in butternut and black-walnut, the newel post being square and of an unique design, with a rail of butternut neatly cut and molded.

The parlor G, 13 1/2x18 ft., is so constructed as to give it the appearance, in front, of a bay-window the whole width of the room. This is a very pleasant feature, both of the parlor and the room above, as it gives, to one standing in the front of the room, a view of the street in both directions. D is the back parlor, or sitting-room, 13 1/2xl6 ft., opening from the rear of which is a toilet-room L, containing washbasin, with hot and cold water, and a closet, and K, a clothes or general closet.

The dining-room E, 12x16 ft., is reached by side entrance, hall, or rear parlor, and the three main rooms and hall are easily thrown into one grand reception-room, by means of broad, sliding doors that run on tracks overhead, thereby leaving nothing in the way of carpets extending

Fig. 25 throughout these rooms. Each of these rooms is provided with a grate and elegant mantles of slate.

Connecting with the dining-room is the kitchen H, 12x16 ft., from which opens a commodious pantry G, stairway I to cellar, rear stair-way J to second floor, outside entrance N to basement, and the china-closet M.

A cut of second floor is not necessary, as it is arranged similar to the floor below, excepting that a hall four feet wide runs from front to rear, giving direct communication to all the chambers; and the bath-room, fitted up with copper-lined bath-tub, a wash-stand, and a best Alexander water-closet, is located over toilet-room L. Each chamber is supplied with a closet, and a large linen-closet with shelves and drawers is placed over rear stairs.

The front hall on this floor extends from front window over portico to the window at head of rear staircase. This arrangement secures a free circulation of air through the hall and rooms when desired.

The attic, which is reached by a narrow, inclosed staircase over the main stairs, can be finished into three good, comfortable rooms.

The windows are trimmed with best Ohio buff sandstone, and the brick-work is stained and the joints penciled black, which arrangement shows to excellent effect. The roof is of best Pennsylvania black slate, cut a hexagonal pattern, laid over roofing felt, and is one of the attractive features of the building. Iron cresting and finials of peculiar design ornament the ridges of main part of roof, and the cresting, portico, and veranda are of wood.

By referring to the perspective view, it will be seen tha the front gable, forming the angles for the bay-shaped rooms, extends out over the front in the same manner as it would if the entire end were square. The projecting cornice that overhangs the angles is supported on two massive brackets, springing out from each angle and joining under the cornice.

The front is filled with neat tracery, which, with the supporting brackets, verge-boards, etc., all combine to form an imposing front.

It is not egotistical to say that this building possesses to a high degree the requisites of convenience and comfort, with no small degree of taste, for the amount of money required in its construction. We commend it to all who wish a house of like cost and accommodations.

Design XI

Our illustration is a perspective view of a fine suburban villa of ample dimensions. The plans and specifications of such a residence should be made by none but the best architects, and those contemplating such a house will of course put its construction into none but the best hands.