File:American homes and gardens (1909) (17533055663).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar61909newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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48 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS Feb ruary, 1909
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The living-room and library is finished in French gray and white ; yellow curtains give the real color note front as well as on the entrance side; each end panel con- tains three windows, reaching to the floor, with broad, firm frames and keystones rising above the uppermost molding. Above are four windows, smaller and without the large frames of the first story; the central windows in each group descend to the floor and open on to balconies. There are three windows in the central panel over the loggia; and above is the roof. In a splendid stretch of unbroken surface, the dormers and chimneys being left for the entrance front. It Is an Immensely dignified composition, beautifully pro- portioned in every part, entirely adequate as an ornamental exterior, an Imposing front of quiet unusual stateliness. Thus the structure of the house and the architectural treat- ment of its exterior. My notes would, however, be quite inadequate without reference to the magnificent terrace that is not only a conspicuous part of this front, but which really supports and incloses the whole building on this side. It is about sixty feet wide, and is supported by ^ stone wall that rises solidly to a flat, plain coping. It Is abundantly supplied with stone benches and ornamental jars and vases; Its sur- face Is beautifully grassed. Great flights of steps lead down to the lower levels north and south. On the north they ex- tend to a vast lower lawn, and on the south to the flower garden. The cement wall which inclosed the kitchen wing on the entrance front reappears here In a similar form, but with large segmental arched openings, filled In with trellis screens, in addition to the applied trellis work in the wall. This space forms the kitchen yard and is amply sufficient for all service uses. The flower garden on the south of the house is a vast and beautiful square, laid out In a formal manner, with a central circular pool, and rectangular paths with insets at the corners that help to give It characteristic form. A broad path Is continued wholly around the central portion and con- ducts to other parts of the grounds. Very gay and beautiful it is here In the height of the summer season, when all the surrounding countryside is fully decked with Its mantle and crown of green. Then this charming place is in the heydey of its beauty, and every part seems to contribute some essential to the completeness of the whole picture. The stately character which dominates the exterior of this house Is amplified and developed In the interior. The gen- eral impression is quite palatial In the ample size and fine pro- portions of the rooms. In the vaulted ceilings, and the treat- ment of the whole. All the public portions are treated In a quiet tone of French gray with white woodwork, a combina- tion that makes for coolness and dignity, and affords a fine background for more distinctive coloring in the furniture and draperies. The main staircase immediately adjoins the entrance door, giving space for a hall in the center of the house that opens on to the terrace loggia. The large high windows are sur- mounted with round lunettes. The ceiling is an elliptical vault, supported by pilasters against the walls and by free

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