Rural Architecture: Being a Complete Description of Farm Houses, Cottages, and Out Buildings

by Lewis F. Allen

Transform your farm’s living and work spaces with practical, stylish design ideas.

This edition gathers plans, drawings, specifications, and estimates for farm houses, cottages, and outbuildings, all tailored to the needs of agriculture. It pairs architectural guidance with broad advice on site, materials, and interior arrangement to help readers build efficiently and beautifully.

The book emphasizes how good rural architecture can elevate daily life on a farm, from ground plans to surrounding plantings, while staying practical for everyday labor. It includes multiple designs and a wide range of topics, such as ventilation, cellar construction, and exterior color, to inform thoughtful, cost-conscious decisions.Ground plans and chamber layouts for several designsPractical notes on site selection, materials, and cost considerationsInterior arrangements that support farm life and routine tasksGuidance on taste, style, and the integration of buildings with lawns, trees, and parks Ideal for readers planning or renovating a farmstead, and for anyone seeking a comprehensive, down‑to‑earth guide to rural architecture.

394 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Lewis Falley Allen was an American farmer, businessman, politician and prominent Buffalonian. Allen was the uncle of President Grover Cleveland and is credited with introducing Cleveland to the practice of law and politics, therefore paving the way for his eventual presidency.