n8 



The Country House 



period the fireplace was let into the wall, as in the common form to-day. The 

 Italians, however, retained the hood for a considerable period, as a decorative 



feature too important to be discarded. 



At first the fireplace opening was of 

 small dimensions, but on the theory that 

 the larger opening meant an increase of 

 heat, it was enlarged to great size. Then, 

 when the tendency to draw children and 

 furniture up the chimney or let in all the 

 outside cold through the enormous 

 opening found little hindrance in the 

 iron doors employed to remedy the 

 defect, a return to the smaller opening 

 was felt a relief. 



The best forms of old fireplaces 

 were let into the wall, leaving no dis- 

 turbing break projecting into the room. 

 This was made possible by the thick- 

 ness of the walls used in those times. 

 To overcome this difficulty, especially 

 in the case of the wooden wall, the Colo- 

 nials (to take one example) furred out 

 the flanking walls to the face of the 

 chimney breast and employed the recessed 

 window seat, so as not to waste room. As 

 the fireplace was usually in the centre of 

 the wall, it gave a chance for the recessed 

 seat on either side a charming motive, 

 much and wisely used in modern work. 

 Of course, in a case where the chimney is in some inner wall the window seat 

 becomes impossible. There is, however, the buffet and the closet as well as the 

 straight alcove, an excellent place for furniture, owing to its slight depth. 



It is hardly worth while to go into a detailed enumeration of the various 

 forms of the historic fireplace. From the early stone fireplace down to the present 

 day many varying forms and materials have been used. The wooden mantel, now 

 so common, had one of its greatest sponsors in the English, who obtained very 

 elaborate and often pleasing effects. 



Early fireplaces were lined with stone or brick. Later an iron lining was 

 used. Nowadays we find brick, tile and iron, but the average iron lining is so 

 abominably bad in design that its lack of use reflects credit on the man who 

 builds in any other way. The old fire frame of the later Colonial period, which sets 

 well into the room, from the fact of its large radiating surface is an excellent 

 heater as compared with the ordinary fireplace. It makes a most practical 

 motive for the chamber, as it is small in scale and size, and it is strange that it is 

 not more used. Perhaps, too, at some not far-distant period, some one who is 

 given to using his own brain in the solution of the building problem may discover 



Hooded fireplace in studio of Mr. Will H. Low, Bronxville, 

 N. Y. A design well adapted to the unconventional den or 

 billiard room 



