File:American homes and gardens (1909) (17536109183).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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August, 1909 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 303 form, very heavily carved, while without the surface is carved in low relief. Like the walls, the ceiling is, throughout, of California redwood, but the plain rich wood alone is used for the center. The furniture is of English walnut with tapestry seats. On either side is a carved gilded sideboard with top of polished green marble. The breakfast-room, in the opposite end of this wing, is articulated with the dining-room by a spacious butler's pan- try, within which is a stairway to the kitchen and service rooms below. Its size is practically identical with that of the dining-room. It has a low wood wainscot, above which the walls are covered with a figured pattern in low relief and cream and yellow in tone. The geometric ceiling is of plaster, and is very rich in design, with numerous hanging pendants. The window curtains are of red velvet. The chief decoration of the room, however, is obtained from the magnificent tapestries which hang on the center of each wall. crowned. The general form of the plan has already been stated, but the pergolas and pavilions without the house which face the terrace front, and in which its total area is greatly extended, should be mentioned. The treatment of the terrace front is, indeed, entirely monumental, the great grassed terraces being reached with long flights of stone steps, while the retaining wall that supports the upper ter- race is covered with ampelopsis, roses and clematis. On the entrance front, the lower terraces are in process of transfor- mation at this writing; but an ample esplanade here is en- closed within a balustrade, while a great bed of rhododen- drons and lilies give a wonderful color-note to the center. The entrance doorway itself is encased within an ornamental facing of Indiana limestone that is the most ornate feature of the exterior. That the lower terraces here are in process of transforma- tion by no means suggests unfinished grounds. The estate is
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The service entrance and one wing of " Darlington' and which are among the most valuable of Mr. Crocker's large collection. The room is entered from one corner, the doorway, within, being enclosed within a triangular screen of English oak that gives a quaint aspect to the apartment, while harmonizing completely with its general style and treatment. The interior of this great house possesses so much interest that the larger part of space has been necessarily given to it. Yet outwardly it is exceedingly fine and impressive. The design of Mr. James Brite, architect, of New York, the mansion stands on the summit of a ridge that rises somewhat steeply as it is approached from the railroad station, but which affords ample room for spacious terraces and gardens on the inner side, where the entrance front is located. The lofty walls of Harvard brick rise high above the whole of the surrounding landscape, the house being three full stories in height, with a fourth story in the roof that is partly con- cealed behind the pierced balustrade with which the whole is a large one, including eleven hundred acres, and various works are naturally undertaken from time to time. The grounds immediately around the house are in perfect order and entirely complete. Rare old boxes have been success- fully transplanted to without the entrance door. Farther on a splendid grove of Japanese maples, a truly remarkable col- lection, has been permanently rooted. In the nearby woods, to the left of the entrance, whole forests of rhododendrons have been set out, and in their season cover the hillsides with carpets of the loveliest blooms. Off on the right are the conservatories and greenhouses, truly mammoth struc- tures, devoted to all sorts of practical and beautiful uses. The house lawns are in perfect condition, and the planting everywhere, whether it be of evergreen, of shrubbery or perennials, is beautiful and decorative. One may literally tramp miles through this estate and see some new object of interest almost at every step. It is, in a very true sense, a notable home, one worthy to be loved and admired.

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