154 HOW TO MAKE A COUNTRY PLACE 



hill of hills where from the windows on one side are seen Mt. Mans- 

 field and the rare green mountains of Vermont, and from those on 

 the other, snow-crowned Mt. Marcy, rising above Lake Champlain, 

 surrounded by the health-giving pine forests of the Adirondacks. 



A large wood carving arched the porch veranda entrance, be- 

 fore which was a broad stepping stone of granite six by eight feet. 



The front door was of quartered oak with carved lintel and 

 leaded light, the knocker, in which was cut the owner's name, 

 made from a knight's vizor, while the brass strap hinges and lock 

 were heavy and of quaint design. 



The hall was trimmed in real cherry of dull velvet finish, and 

 the brick hooded mantel, ceiling high, decorated with moose 

 horns. Two large pillars carried the centre of the house, and sliding 

 doors connected double parlors, dining room, conservatory and hall, 

 making it possible to form one great pillared room when desired. 

 The upper half of each conservatory sliding door consisted of a six 

 foot square of plate glass. 



Conservatory. 



A honeycombed, ornamental design in the brick wall under 

 the conservatory was copied from a palatial residence in the Berkshires 

 and the glaring spectacle windows from some forgotten source. 



The conservatory formed the arc of a circle at one side of the 

 house, its roof of heavy skylight wired glass with ventilators protected 

 by galvanized wire screens. It was later roofed in wood to prevent 

 breakage. Glass electroliers and brackets were used to avoid corro- 

 sion. Connected by a private stair, but on a lower level, leaving an 

 unobstructed view from the dining room windows, were the green- 

 houses. From these windows, one looked out on a continuous bouquet 

 of bloom so far below and at such an angle as to overcome objection- 

 able glare. 



Just beyond were the cold graperies, roof connected to give 

 length and proportion, yet entirely separated, and with air space 

 between to avoid plant contamination through insect or disease. 



The library alcove, with high leaded windows over the book- 

 shelves, was in a bayed tower, and opened from the southwest 

 parlor, while from the north parlor was a door leading to the north- 

 west veranda, thoroughly awned and with absolutely water-proof 

 floor. The space beneath served for storage, sides being screened with 

 translucent glass. 



Quartered oak trim was used in dining room, which was wain- 

 scoted and had a squared bay on the southeast. The butler's pantry 

 on the west was also trimmed in quartered oak. 



The basement, mainly above ground, contained kitchen, laundry, 

 man's room, storage and furnace rooms, with potting house and 

 ' boiler-room under the conservatory. 



