i68 



The Country House 



in cases of large outlays where the owners entertain elaborately, still it is worthy 

 of brief notice. Many of the state dining rooms of the eighteenth century were 



treated in the classic orders, with niches 

 distributed between the pilasters con- 

 taining statues. Often, too, one of the 

 niches contained a marble or bronze 

 fountain. These suggestions are good, 

 but the style should not approach a 

 cramped severity too closely. 



If niches and statuary are used, care 

 should be exercised in the choice of 

 subjects that are appropriate to the uses 

 of the room. As the chief aim is to sug- 

 gest fulness and plenty fruit, flowers, 

 trophies and emblems of the chase 

 the purity of the clear pool or spring 

 and the vintage can be suggested in 

 either flat mural decoration, the framed 

 picture, or by sculpture in either low 

 or high relief or the round. Pleasing 

 mural panels representing the seasons 

 and typifying the products of the soil 

 can often be used to advantage. As the 

 banquet hall comes in the same class 

 as the ballroom and salon, it should 

 have certain characteristics in common 

 with them and yet have individuality enough to define clearly its purpose the 

 feast. Above all things, do not forget that the banquet hall is not a picture 

 gallery, and that a close examination of minute details is hardly possible here, 

 where everything counts from the vantage point of the table and under an 

 artificial light. The family portrait has no place; it is not always inspiring to 



look at on such occasions, especially if 

 the subject be a Puritanical preacher 

 with his time-worn frown of disapproval. 

 As regards the floor, tile is evidently 

 the best material, as it is cleanly and 

 lasting. With this a large rug of smooth 

 and close weave should be used. Dra- 

 peries should be used sparingly, as 

 their tendency to retain the odours of 

 food is often annoying. Wherever the 

 banquet hall is used there should be a 

 "breakfast room" for family use. 1 his 

 room should be designed and furnished 

 in a simple manner, so as to suggest the 



An old-time kitchen, showing the brick oven. This example . . 



has the general living room air retirement of home privacy. 



Dining room at Wenonah, N. J. A well-managed design with 

 unobtrusive service door. Wm. L. Price, architect 



