This publication is part of a monthly series that explores historical applications of building materials and systems through resources from the Building Technology Heritage Library (BTHL), an online collection of catalogs, brochures, trade publications from AEC, and more. BTHL is a project of the Society for Conservation Technology, an international building conservation organization. Read more about the archive here.
While homeowners may have developed pens for flapper dresses and haircuts in the 1920s, house planner catalogs from the Building Technology Heritage Library (BTHL) reveal decade’s preference for vintage-style homes, from the famous Colonial Revival to the Spanish Revival.
With more than 1,700 catalogs from the 1920s – more than any other decade – BTHL provides historical evidence of the great boom of the time. Much of this group relates to residential design and planning, paving the way for a greater number of product catalogs for residential construction and renovation.
For home lovers, National Woodworkers Association, District of Columbia, 1929
Commercial building societies produced documents that promoted their materials—in this case, wood—which often took the form of house planning books. For home lovers Developed by the National Woodworkers Association, features architect-designed house plans and completed buildings from across the U.S.
Thousand House Books, Vol. 1, Homeowners Service Institute, New York, 1923
This two-volume set contains home plans and illustrations or photographs of 1,000 homes throughout the United States. The first volume shows “moderate cost” homes of three to eight rooms.
Lakeshore Wood and Coal House PlansAnd National Plan Service, Chicago, 1925
As a major producer of stylized private home blueprint catalogs, the National Plan Service has also published titles that lead homeowners to local lumberyards or apartment building companies. As with this catalog, the National Plan Service often hid its name in fine print.
kitchen plan book, Hoosier Manufacturing Company, Newcastle, Indiana, c. 1920
The “modern kitchen” with integrated kitchen cabinets was a major innovation in the 1920s. This catalog is offered by Hoosier Manufacturing Co. Architectural submissions for the National Kitchen Design Competition.
window women want, Andrew Hoffman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, c. 1923
This steel window was a popular type of new window in the 1920s and onwards. This catalog is a technical document and an example of gender-oriented marketing of the era for easy-to-open window sills because it was “not a woman’s job to open” old-fashioned hung windows.
The story of oak floorsOak Flooring Bureau, Chicago, c. 1925
The oak floor was one of the most popular options for residential construction at that time. This post includes both technical details and visual illustrations of the new oak flooring buildings.
house fires, American Face Brick Association, Chicago, c. 1923
The fireplace has a special place indoors. The catalog provides a great overview of fireplace designs for a variety of residential styles.
Architectural interior and exterior woodworking standardized, Curtis Coss. Clinton, Iowa, c. 1920
Woodwork can be performed for residential interiors to complement a wide range of architectural styles. It was Curtis Cos. He was an antique marketer of woodwork, and many examples of it have been vividly illustrated at such a large scale.
The magic of color enters the bathroom, Kohler Co., Kohler, Wis., 1928
Kohler pioneered the development and promotion of colorful bathroom fixtures in the 1920s. Its preeminence in fixture design and manufacture remains today.
The coil and rod book, Kirsch Manufacturing Company, Sturgis, Michigan, 1923
BTHL has numerous catalogs of building furnishings and equipment.
Electrical installations and supplies, Enzor-Hoel Company, Columbus, Ohio, c. 1920
Lanterns were another product on which consumers could choose their style preferences. In addition to suspended fixtures, Enzor-Hoel also advertises light bulbs, commercial units, outdoor lighting options, and parts.
Home lovers deal bookSpiegel, May, The Stern Company, Chicago, 1928
Catalogs of residential furnishings published by BTHL department stores are also included. Anything from carpets to curtains to linens and home furnishings can be purchased from this version.
Maloney nursery bookMaloney Bros Nursery, Danville, New York, 1928
Plant and seed catalogs are essential resources for researching the historic landscapes of residential homes.
Christmas lighting– General Electric National Company for lighting works in 1926
The electric Christmas tree light first appeared in the early 1900s. By the 1920s, a variety of indoor and outdoor lighting options were available to homeowners and public institutions as promoted by General Electric’s National Lamp Works.
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