THE residence of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Kokta, 2161 W. 107th Street, is an Americanized adaptation of the English cottage type of architecture, with an unusual use of a wide arch over the entry.
Yellow pressed brick is used for the exterior of this home, which contains five rooms in all. The entrance, although on the east side, to be convenient to the drive, faces north on 107th Street, as does the house itself. The wide arch is set over a small terrace porch and gives a distinct tone to a front view of the place.
The entrance door opens to a small tiled reception hall, with a closet. This, in turn, gives access through a French door to the large living room, which occupies the entire east side. This room is 16×22, and is done in tones of grey, with walnut trim and polychrome wall fixtures for the lighting. A large natural fireplace, cut to conform to the type of arch used outside, is found in the west wall. Wall bookcases occupy each side of the grate.
A unique feature here is the stairway arrangement. The staircase ascends in the middle of this floor with a landing about four steps high between the living room and a rear hallway.
The dining room is found on the northwest corner of the first floor. This room is paneled and has polychromed wrought iron fixtures. A swing door leads from here to the kitchen on the southwest.
The kitchen is done in grey and white. There is no pantry, it being supplanted by a number of built-in cabinets. A breakfast room adjoins on the south.
The upper floor contains two bedrooms. The larger of these is found over the living room and is done in blue and ivory, with colored drapes for the windows. Large twin closets are a feature. The other bedroom is done in ivory and buff and occupies the space over the dining room. The bath, finished in white tile, is found on the southwest corner of this floor. The upper hall is conveniently arranged with a number of built-in linen cabinets and drawers.
A hot water heating plant, using coal for fuel, is used.
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