The Bungalow Book

Floor Plans and Photos of 112 Houses, 1910

Henry L. Wilson

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9780486138336
• Topic: Architecture
• Subtopic: Residential Architecture

Cozy, charming, and distinctly Californian, the bungalow is an enduring architectural icon. Originally designed to survive earthquakes, the low, rambling structures combined grace, beauty, and comfort at minimum cost.
Early in the twentieth century, Los Angeles architect Henry Wilson, who called himself `The Bungalow Man,` compiled 112 of the most popular and economic bungalow blueprints of his time in a catalog for would-be homeowners. Complementing each set of prints was an illustration or photograph of the completed house, which most frequently contained two or three bedrooms with closet space, living and dining rooms, a kitchen with pantry, and a bath.
An ideal reference for preservationists and restorers, this reprint of Wilson's rare catalog represents a wonderful time capsule and invaluable guide to a popular style of American domestic architecture.

THE-BUNGALOW

THE California Bungalow (perhaps so called from its resemblance in its more primitive form to the low-thatched homes of the Bengalese in India) is a direct descendant of the original attempts at architecture in California. It surely can trace its simple artistic lines directly back to the old Missions of the Spanish Padres, and its low overhanging eaves, large porches and general air of hospitality and coziness to the adobe houses of the pioneers. From the “’dobe shacks” of the early settlers to the charming homelike Bungalows of today may seem a long stretch, but it has come along as a steady process of evolution and improvement until today the California Bungalow is known and talked about the world over, and not even the glorious climate and everlasting sunshine call forth from the tourist so many comments of admiration and pleasure as do these cozy homes. California has earthquakes now and then, although happily their severity seems to be moderating as the years roll on, but no doubt the early Spanish Padres had no desire to have tall buildings tumbling on their devoted heads, and for this reason built their houses low and rambling, without, however, sacrificing or abandoning the rather severely plain curves and lines of their old Spanish Mission style. The result was quaint and attractive, and better still, these Mission Bungalows furnished the text which modern architectural skill has amplified and improved, until today we have the perfect Bungalow, a “house beautiful” inside and out, the very embodiment of homelike coziness and convenience, inexpensive, but of refined elegance easily adaptable to almost any location, whether mountain, plain or valley, or on the city’s narrow streets, or the broad, shaded village avenues.

In the Bungalow, if properly designed, is combined grace, beauty and comfort at a minimum cost. In its arrangement as set forth in this book, the problem of easy housekeeping and homemaking is reduced almost to an exact science.

California is the home of the modern Bungalow. Its almost constant sunshine makes a house of this fashion a necessity, but there is hardly a town or city in all this broad land where the Bungalow would not prove more attractive than any other style of house. As the “farm house” or the ranch “hacienda,” the Bungalow style is ideal.

In the Bungalow is the possibility of combining economy in cost with artistic beauty to an almost unlimited degree. Recognizing this fact long ago, I have for many years directed my best efforts to the perfecting of this style of building, and I take pride in exhibiting the results of my labor and study in the pages of the Bungalow Book, four large editions of which have been completely exhausted in two and a half years.

A notable feature of all my plans is the close symmetrical relation between exteriors and interiors, thus combining graceful outlines with inside convenience and comfort. I find it is a big mistake to adopt a floor plan and then endeavor to fit an exterior to it. Many architects do this, I know, but the result is never satisfactory, and a house so designed is never pleasing to the eye; in fact, it usually attracts attention only by its ugliness. Concessions must be made, and both inside and outside details must be modified to gain that atmosphere of cozy elegance which is so much admired in all of my plans, and I do not feel that my years of study and labor have been all in vain when I receive the expressions of pleasure and commendation from the thousands who have built homes from my designs.

The Bungalow is a radical departure from the older styles of cottage, not only in outward appearance, but in inside arrangement. The straight, cold entrance hall and the stiff, prim, usually darkened parlor have no place in it. Entrance is usually into a large living room—the room where the family gathers, and in which the visitor feels at once the warm, homelike hospitality. Everything in this room should suggest comfort and restfulness. The open fireplace and low, broad mantel, a cozy nook or corner, or a broad window seat, are all means to the desired end. Bookcases or shelves may be fitted into convenient places, and ceiling beams add an air of homely quaintness which never grows tiresome.

Where there is room, I suggest that by all means a den should find a place in your plan. This room need not be large, but its very name is suggestive of luxurious rest amid piles of cushions and surrounded by curios and mementoes which accumulate in every family, each reminiscent of good times gone by. Many one-story Bungalows may have in the attic a den or smoking or billiard room.

The dining room should be large and well lighted, and as it will contain few articles of furniture, it may be finished somewhat elaborately, with paneled wainscoating, plate-rail, etc.

Sleeping rooms should be light and well ventilated, and decorated in rather bright, cheerful tints.

Owing to the comparative smallness of the ordinary bath room, we must strive to arrange the various fixtures in the most economical manner. To dispense with chairs, we might build a seat in some convenient corner. Aside fro...