142 



The Country House 



stairs cannot be seen from the hall below. In the case of the front stairs hav- 

 ing a straight run this condensing cannot be done; it is only possible where a 

 landing and half turn are made. 



As to the treatment of vestibule, hall and staircase, there are certain things 

 to be considered. We have already likened the hall to the heart; being such, it 

 should be simple, strong and vigorous. The treatment of the vestibule should be 



severe; a mere civ- 

 ility to the knocke r 

 at the gate. The 

 character of the hall 

 relaxes a little the 

 courtesy of admit- 

 tance. The stair- 

 case, a private 

 thoroughfare, should 

 suggest a passage, 

 without attraction 

 to destroy the effect 

 of its true purpose. 

 While not so severe 

 as the hall, it can 

 hardly, in good 

 taste, come very 

 close to the full re- 

 laxation of the living 

 room. 



On the above 

 basis of relationship 



we will, as already suggested, make the vestibule simple and severe. The marble 

 or simple tile or mosaic floor is appropriate for this, with forceful doors and little 

 if any decoration. 



The hall floor may be paved with tile, marble or mosaic of a character less 

 severe than the vestibule. It hardwood is used, a simple, vigorous border would 

 be in keeping and the wooden panelled dado with panelled stucco walls (pro- 

 vided the walls are not entirely of wood) would carry out well the general feeling 

 of the design. Stucco walls call for a stucco ceiling, or perhaps a beamed ceiling 

 with stucco panels. Beams thus used should have some apparent means of 

 support from the floor, as suggested by the pilaster. In the case of the w r ooden 

 walls the beamed or panelled ceiling seems imperative. The embellishment should, 

 however, be simple and devoid of flourish. Such rich touches as are introduced 

 should be carefully studied, that they may not destroy the dignity to which the 

 room is entitled. Where the marble floor is used, the base should be of marble 

 to harmonise. Whatever is done with the room in the way of finish, its true 

 purpose should never be lost sight of. 



Some claim that the fireplace should not be used as a decorative feature of 

 the hall. From the point of view of the purist and the true intention of the 



A modern hill it Hinghim, Misi. 



