TIIK IHU.IAkD-KOOM. 



37 



, 



candle-power as a standard. The general lighting of the room is effected by a few short bracket- 

 on the walls, the lamps of which are veiled by green silk shades. The decorations help to 

 ensure a restful effect. The walls arc covered witli a paper patterned in green and dim gold, 

 and the furniture is upholstered in green. The clnbrooms have no to]) lights for da\ light play : but even 

 tor billiard-rooms in country houses it is very doubtful whether lantern lights over the table arc the best 

 practice. There is always the danger that they may not be entirely water-tight, and the presence on the 

 table of a spot or two, either of admitted rain or ol water which has condensed on tlv glass, is a trouble 

 some possibility. Moreover, it is to be remembered that the professional billiard player (who mav be 

 presumed to know something of the matter) never practises by davlight, because the light on the balls 

 makes the angles appear different than when the table is lit bv artificial light immediately above it. For 

 the ordinary amateur, however, a 

 billiard-room lit by daylight is 

 naturally very desirable, particularly 

 in the country, when outdoor pursuits 

 are stopped by bad weather. It 

 is doubtful whether architects are 

 as alive as they might be to the 

 advantages of attic billiard-rooms. 

 Space in an attic is cheaper per 

 cubic foot than the same space on 

 the ground iloor. and by carrying 

 the roof a foot or two higher than 

 would be needed if the attic is to 

 contain only servants bedrooms, an 

 admirable billiard-room is often to 

 be secured, the natural lighting of 

 which by day through dormer windows 

 is likely to be much superior to 

 what would be secured in a ground- 

 floor room. In the latter case it is 

 verv often difficult to secure lighting 

 from more than one side ; but in 

 an attic, dormer windows could some 

 times with a little forethought be 

 arranged on both sides ol the room, 

 with good results in the lighting of 

 the table. It is necessary, however, 

 for a billiard-table to rest on a 

 substantial floor, and the joists beneath 

 it would, therefore, need to be 

 heavier than is usual in attic bed 

 rooms 



In cases where a definite 

 period has been adopted for the 

 decorative treatment of a billiard- 

 room, it is desirable that the table 

 shall be in accord with it. Figure 54 

 shows a room with admirable 

 French furniture, and the billiard- 

 table has been ornamented in harmony 

 with the prevailing feeling. Atten 

 tion may be drawn to the simple and reasonable arrangement 

 the ceiling without any electrolier. This strikes quite the 





5 



STONE-BUILT TAT,] .!: 



of the lights, which hang 

 right note. The lighting 



singly 



from 

 of rooms 



of the period was by candles, and for the general illumination in this case wall sconces are provided. Any 

 attempt to carry out the same rich motive in so large a fitting as a billiard-table light would have meant 

 something gorgeous to the point of vulgarity, and the decision to meet the needs of the case on simple 

 utilitarian lines shows decorative wisdom. Period decoration has its limitations for historical reasons 

 which ought to be obvious, but seem too often to be overlooked. 



Figure 56 shows a billiard-table of singular originality and interest, designed by Mr. E. 

 I... Lutyens for Marsh Court. Any question as to the treatment of table legs has been magnificently 

 swept away by setting the table on a masonry base, which gives it an air of supreme solidity. A treatment 



