April 05, 1931

Detroit News Quilt History Project; Michigan State University Museum; Susan Salser

Detroit, Michigan, United States

A column from the Interior Decoration Department home series describing the Lanco house.

Open for Inspection By the Public Today
This Home Located One Block West of Intersection of Wyoming and Oakman Blvd, Near McKenzie High School
Herewith is presented a conveniently arranged and well planned seven room bungalow which is the culmination of a long period of studious thought and deep study by the designers and builders. Every detail from basement to roof has been so carefully designed and so well placed, for a small house, that it seems there is little that could be improved on. The specifications call for a grade of material that is used in buildings that are larger and costlier.

To those who are looking for something different and decidedly attractive The Lance will be sure to appeal. The front elevation with its French window opening into the studio living room is unusual inviting.

There is no greater compliment for a house than that it is homelike and if this condition does not hold true the task of creating an inviting and hospitable atmosphere is difficult. However, there is little danger of house such as this one causing any difficulty n the way of home making.

In the design and refinements, the needs and conveniences of the housewife have been taken into consideration so that the occupants will find entire satisfaction in this masterpiece of bungalow construction.

The exterior walls are brick veneer on frame construction and steel casements and sash with brick sills and caps and marble window stools. The interior finish is gumwood and pine. The floors in the vestibule, lavatory, and bathroom are tiled four feet high with an added two feet around the tub.

There is a natural open fireplace with brick trim and an elevated tile hearth. There is an 8-inch ornamental cove ceiling in the breakfast room. The finish plaster is sand in the living and dining room and the balance of the house has hard finish plaster with panel motifs in the bedrooms.

The kitchen and breakfast room floors are covered with inlaid linoleum and the rest of the floors are select oak.
One of the most attractive features of this house is the studio living room with its beamed ceiling which is just the right height to give a symmetrical proportion to the room. With the fireplace at the opposite end from eh French window a pleasing setting is created.

This house contained sample room on the first floor for a small family in which case there two upstairs rooms can be made to produce an income. A personal of the floor plans will show that these rooms can be reached direct from the vestibule.

The Symez Construction Company 8104 Tireman are the builders of this home. It is located one block west of the intersection of Wyoming and Oakman boulevard, only one block distant from the new McKenzie high school. It will be open all day today and afternoon and evenings for a short time hereafter for the inspection of those who may be interested in this size and style of house.

Living Room (Studio Type): Woodwork, gumwood finish, walls, ivory, slightly rough, window treatment, curtains to draw of light ecru casement cloth, floor covering medium green, plain draperies, damask in green and copper, furniture, sofa, covered in beige ground tapestry or copper damask wing chair covered in striped frieze; secretary, carved black chair for same, octagonal table (approximately 27 inches across the top) nest of tables, armchair with covering of needlepoint tapestry, magazine rock and smoking stand, wrought iron bridge lamp with copper base and parchment shade, pair of small party lamps with decorated paper shades to match.

Dining Room: Woodwork, walls, and draw curtains, like those in the living room, over draperies green and gold damask, furniture walnut and to consist of oblong extension table, five single chairs, one arm chair, buffet and serving table chairs to be upholstered in gold moir' and satin striped material.

Kitchen: Cream walls and woodwork, with touches of light green floor covering, blue and marbleized curtains, bright yellow organdie furniture, bright yellow trimmed with black.

Bedroom back of dining room: Peach walls and woodwork, walls being paneled with orange stencil floor covering turquoise blue ground cretonne, furniture, walnut and to consist of full sized bed, chest of drawers with separate over mirror, dressing table, bench, Windsor armchair with small footstool, bedspread, marquisette with orange dot over turquoise blue Stateen, dresser covers, turquoise blue and handkerchief linen trimmed all around with cream lace, lamp shades orange chiffon over taffeta of the same color, trimmed top and bottom with turquoise blue ribbon binding.

Bedroom back of kitchen: Woodwork, ivory, walls light green paneled with stencil borders of deeper green, floor covering, plain light.The exterior walls are brick veneer on frame construction and steel casements and sash with brick sills and caps and marble window stools. The interior finish is gumwood, and pine. The floors in the vestibule, lavatory and bathroom are tiled and the walls of the bathroom are tiled and the walls of the bathroom are tiled four feet high with an added two feet around the tub.
There is a natural open fireplace with brick trim and an elevated tile hearth. There is an 8-inch ornamental cove ceiling in the living room and dining room and a plain cove ceiling in the breakfast room.

Courtesy of The Detroit News Archives.