ON SIMPLE RURAL COTTAGES. 



251 



stripy four inches wide, fig. 4, a, of plank, one inch and a half in 



thickness. The coping piece, 6, is of the same thickness, and six 



to eight inches wide, 



supported by a couple 



of pieces of joists, c, f^ \y 



nailed under it for 



brackets. 



We have tried the 

 effect of this kind of 

 exterior, using un- 

 planed boards, to 

 which we have given 

 two good coats of 

 paint, sanding the 

 second coat. The ef- 

 fect we think much 

 more agreeable be- 

 cause it is in better 

 keeping with a rustic 

 cottage, than when 



Fig. 4 Cottage Window Dressing. 



the more expensive 

 mode of using planed 

 boards is resorted to. 



Some time ago, we ventured to record our objections to white 

 as a universal color for country houses. We have had great satis- 

 faction, since that time, in seeing a gradual improvement taking 

 place with respect to this matter. Neutral tints are, with the best 

 taste, now every where preferred to strong glaring colors. Cottages 

 of this class, we would always paint some soft and pleasing shade 

 of drab or fawn color. These are tints which, on the whole, har- 

 monize best with the surrounding hues of the country itself. 



These two little designs are intended for the simplest cottages, 

 to cost from two to five hundred dollars. Our readers will not un- 

 derstand us as offering them as complete models of a workingman's 

 cottage. They are only partial examples of our views and taste in 

 this matter. We shall continue the subject, from time to time, 

 with various other examples. 



