ROOM TO ENTERTAIN

A good many of us who have contrived very nicely to live in a six-room city flat seem to think that we cannot get along with that number of rooms in a suburban house, though the latter would be considerably more spacious, not taking the basement into account.  So far, however, as absolute essentials go, a six-room house, carefully planned, will provide for a family of four very comfortably, and it can be built in an artistic and modern style for $2,500 near Chicago, about ten per cent. more in the vicinity of New York, and probably for a less sum in smaller cities.  An eight-room house would cost about a third more, and is, of course, in many ways more desirable.  But, generally speaking, we demand more room than we really need, and then put ourselves to additional expense filling up the space with unnecessary furniture.

THE “LIVING ROOM”

In small houses there cannot be great variation in the proportioning of space, but it is important that the use of each room should be well understood and that it should be planned accordingly.  If that is not done our decorative and furnishing schemes later on will be misapplied.  Families differ as to their dispositions toward rooms.  Most of us would not think of calling for an old-fashioned parlor in a small house nowadays, but merely to change the name from “parlor” to “living room” doesn’t change our habits.  The living room is meant to take the place of parlor, library, reception hall, and sitting room.  If the family adjust themselves to it a great saving of space is effected, and the home life is given added enjoyment.  Not all of us, however, can fit ourselves to new ideas, and it is better to suit ourselves than to be uncomfortable and feel out of place in the home.

[Illustration:  A homelike living room.]

The living-room plan in a small house reduces the reception hall to something little more than a vestibule, but where six rooms are exceeded the reception hall may be enlarged and made serviceable.  The first impression counts for much, not only with our guests but with ourselves, and if the hall be appropriately finished and fitted it seems fairly to envelop one with its welcome.  One thing that must be insured, whatever form the entrance may take, is that it shall not be necessary to pass through the living room to reach other parts of the house.

THE DINING ROOM AND KITCHEN

Vastness is not essential to the dining room.  Under usual conditions we are not likely to seat more than a dozen persons at our table, and a dinner party exceeding that number is too large for common enjoyment.  Connection with the kitchen should be convenient without having the proximity too obvious.  City kitchens are now usually made just large enough to accommodate required paraphernalia and to afford