April 30, 1927 WINNETKA TALK 49 ENGLISH NORMAN HOME COMMANDS ATTENTION Olsen and Urbain, Architects, Build Attractive Residence in Glencoe By E. T. Selby The house which forms the subject of this article, under construction at 439 Woodlawn avenue, Glencoe, stands forth as an example of the eminently satisfactory results that come from a sincerity in building. Those heritages of comfortable and sturdy-looking homes which still remain throughout England and France are straight-for- ward and simple, expressions of actual needs, in terms dictated by actual conditions. They were built to make the most of their site, the materials at hand, and to withstand the rigors of the climate. The problem of planning the modern house is similar. It is a question of site, location and utility. For the ex- terior there is a wealth of tradition and precedent, and a certain "style" and "mode" of the times to follow. In order to achieve a fine result, every element of planning and designing must be utilized to the utmost. The architect has today a glorious com- mand of almost every kind of building materials to choose from. Simplicity a "Fact" In this admirable house, there is a simplicity that is a fact, not a fad. Materials, design, planning, and land- scaping all reflect a new sincerity, a freedom from affectation. Broad, quiet Glencoe Site to Have English Norman Home face brick walls, simple shutters, and Olsen and Urbain, well known Chicago and north shore architects are constructing the beautiful residence il- quiet roof treatment, all bespeak a lustrated above at 439 Woodlawn avenue, Glencoe. The home adheres faithfully to the English Norman type of peaceful homelike dignity, far away | architecture augmented by all of the most modern features. The structure is fittingly described by the architects as a from all ginger-bready fuss, and any "heritage of comfortable a=. sturdy-looking homes which still remain throughout England and France, being L/ attempt at grandeur. The bricks are mingled shades of red and brown laid in natural mortar. All wood surfaces are stained old English brown, and the roofs are stained in weather brown. Steel casements are used thrcaghout. The fine large Norman chimney at the front of the house is a charming fea- ture which recalls the comfort of a large glowing fireplace in the living room. The porches all are treated with pifched roofs to insure comfort and to"turn away the hot sunrays in summertime. They can be glazed for winter use. Emphasize Spaciousness This home has living room and main porch to the south. Entering through a minor porch one finds himself in a large spacious hall with stairs to upper story and large arched openings tc living and dining rooms. The walls in these first floor main rooms, are in tinted cement sand plaster which does not dust, with an ornamental plaster rope molding as a cornice. All floors are stained in mild dark oak color and waxed. Two guest closets are off this stair hall and a lavatory is accessible. This lavatory also can be used from rear hall which is desirable with chil- dren. The kitchen and breakfast room are finished in apple green with toned linoleum on floors. Green and vellow cream are the predominant colors used throughout. The steel casements swing out and are trimmed with bronze hardware. All woodwork in first story is stained walnut and finish- ed dull. Wealth of Closets The features of the second floor are the cross ventilation in each room and the wealth of closets. The bedrooms are placed at the four corners and the baths are easily accessible from each room. The southwest room would probably be used as the Master's roon. The bath rooms are tiled in green and yellow cream tiles. A stairway leads up to a very large attic, which can be divided into additional rooms if de- sired. This feature is invaluable and not obtainable in most houses. If not. needed for sleeping rooms or servants' rooms, playrooms for the children and storage - rooms can be provided. A sleeping porch can also be added over the breakfast room. The bedrooms are papered in new colors and enamel- ed to match paper. A medicine case over the lavatory in the main bath- room has an engraved Venetian mirror and green colored bathroom accessor- ies are installed. A two-car garage faces the driveway which is conveniently placed so that the entrance porch become a porte- cochere. The site is blessed with » nice lot of trees and the landscaping has been carried out in a simple man- ner to form a setting for the house. A winding flagstone walk leads up to the front door. Sy This house can be inspected during construction any day. It is the thought of the architects that it. may be the cause of serious consideration by those contemplating building, of those things necessary. to preserve the dignity and ideals of a home of good taste. Even the larger houses of to- day are beginning to assume this new kind of good taste, a new architectural and social integrity. There is less pretense and far more straight for- ward expression of honest needs and preferences. Country houses, in gen- eral, are taking on more the aspect of dwellings. Se : This house was designed 'and built Open For Inspection A ¥ straight-forward and simple, an expression of actual needs WO CAR GARMGE in terms dictated by actual conditions." = BCOND FUR DIAXN- ~HROF FLOR PLAN by Olsen & Urbain, architects, 134 N. Mr. and Mrs. Sanford S. Holden LaSalle street, Chicago, and Hubbard | of 527 Warwick road, Kenilworth, and Woods, in collaboration with J. D.| their four children, Barbara, Helen, Austin and company, Hubbard Woods. Buddy, and Jack, arrived last Saturday inspection. It is offered for sale and is open for|from a month's stay at the Edgewater Gulf hotel at Biloxi, Miss.