Classic Houses of the Twenties

by Loizeaux, J.D. Loizeaux

For home restorers, preservationists, architectural historians or anyone interested in American domestic architecture of the 1920s, this unabridged republication of a rare plan book from that era will be an invaluable resource. Published by the Loizeaux building-supply and lumber companies of New Jersey in 1927, it includes illustrations and floor plans for 134 houses in many styles — New England Colonial, Dutch Colonial, Gothic or half-timber, Modern English, Italian, Spanish Mission, and more.
Ranging in price from less than $4,000 to over $13,000, these homes offer a fascinating cross section of the most popular building styles in America over 60 years ago. For each home, the catalog provides an illustration of the exterior, complete floor plans with dimensions, costs and a brief description of the features and advantages of the house. Helpful commentary is often "The living room should offer an invitation to relax mentally and physically. Comfortable chairs, shaded lights, and soft-tone hangings, draperies and walls will help create the homelike, restful atmosphere so desirable in a living room. For the decoration of the living room walls, tans, medium brown, warm gray, old blue, gray, green and other soft colors are excellent."
In addition to complete plans, the catalog also includes plumbing and bathroom fixtures, wiring, closet fixtures, tiling, heaters, and other necessities. The result is an authentic reference guide for a wide range of homes still extant in American cities and towns. For anyone seeking to buy or restore one of these houses, the Loizeaux plan book represents an unparalleled resource containing original plans, detailed descriptions, dimensions and prices.

Genres: Architecture

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 5, 1993

Reviews

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, this covers the basic requirement in that it is indeed a collection of 1920s house plans. They are many (134) and decently varied.

I love reprints that include the original breaks for a page or two on modern heating, new storage methods, etc. They are featured here and are really interesting. The illustrations of interiors are also very fun to look at, and would be helpful as well to anyone using this book to restore their historic property.

[Mark Einselen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a Christmas gift as a kid and it played an instrumental role in forming my love of romantic revival domestic architecture. I find myself still referencing this book many years later.