September 11, 2018

A Inviting California Bungalow

437 S. Ardmore, Villa Park. Photo from Realtor site.


Harris No. 1000.


Based in Chicago, Harris Brothers sold building materials and kit houses. The Harris Brothers model No. 1000 was likely their best selling house. 

According to the Harris Homes catalog: "Many types of the California bungalow are not practical in climates where the winters are severe. In developing this design our architects have exercised utmost care to combine the fascinating features of a true California bungalow with a convenient, comfortable interior properly constructed for any locality."  Most communities in the Chicago area have at least one No. 1000 bungalow; some towns have several. 

This No. 1000 in Villa Park has been changed very little in 93 years, so we can see the flow of the original floor plan. It still has just five rooms.


The No. 1000 is easily identified by its curved veranda. Photo from Realtor site.


The house in Villa Park has a reversed floor plan. There is a traditional front door that leads into the living room and French doors that lead into the dining room.


Photo from Realtor site.


Photo from Realtor site.


The pantry on the original floor plan has been eliminated in favor of a larger kitchen. Photo from Realtor site.


The larger bedroom. Photo from Realtor site.


The smaller back bedroom. Photo from Realtor site.





2 comments:

Architectural Observer said...

I can see why this design did well for the Harris Brothers - it's got a lot of style for a small house and the plan looks very livable. Great porch! It's nice to see a which is well-maintained while retaining lots of originality. Because the foundation of this house sits a little higher than the one shown in the Harris Brothers catalog (and because of the taller casement windows), the house has lost some of the intended horizontality so characteristic of California bungalows, but it's still a winner!

Christopher Alexandrov said...

The tub in that Westmont Starlight looks original. How I wish I could find a deep porcelain rounded tub like that to install in my home today.

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