90 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



August, 1905 



The Residence of Alfred Skitt, Esq. 



Yonkers, New York 



HE residence of Alfred Skitt, Esq., is located 

 on almost the highest point of ground in 

 upper North Broadway, Yonkers, and over- 

 looks the Hudson River. On account of 

 the prominence of its site, as well as its ex- 

 posure, a special scheme of construction was 

 found necessary in order to secure a comfortable arrange- 

 ment of the plan in combination with a pleasing architectural 

 effect. 



The house is built of a combination of stucco, brick and 

 wood, with a detail of English feeling for the exterior. The 

 entire outside is covered with cement, soft gray in color, and 

 just rough enough to avoid the appearance of unevenness, so 

 prevalent with 

 smooth surfaces, 

 and at the same 

 time lending char- 

 acter and tone to 

 the' exterior effect. 

 All of the wooden 

 trimmings, beams, 

 corbels, brackets 

 and over-hanging 

 eaves are of nat- 

 ural chestnut, fin- 

 ished about the 

 color of English 

 oak. The whole is 

 surmounted with a 

 roof covered with 

 a red Celadon, 

 close shingle roof- 

 ing tile, which har- 

 monizes well with 

 the chestnut, the 

 verde-antique o f 

 the copper gutters, 

 leaders and flash- 

 ings and the soft 

 gray stucco of the 

 side walls. 



The entrance is 

 from the porte- 

 cochere at the 



north side of the house, which has been inclosed with glass 

 From the entrance porch access is obtained of the terrace, 

 which extends across the front, beyond which the piazza is 

 placed, opening also from the living-room, and thus creating 

 a privacy fof the family and their intimates which could not 

 possibly have been provided if the entrance and piazza were 

 united, as is usually the case. 



The vestibule and entrance loggia have a floor finished 

 with mosaic tile, and the former has a wainscoting of yellow 

 pavanazzo marble. The woodwork is of yellow mahogany. 

 The main hall, together with the stairs and alcoves, is 

 trimmed with old English quartered oak. The fireplace has 

 facings and a hearth of pavanazzo marble and a handsomely 

 carved mantel. The reception-room is hung with textile, and 



The Entrance Porch and Porte-Cochere 



is finished with cream white enamel. This delicate scheme 

 is carried out in the furnishings and liftings of this room. 



The library, including bookcases and mantel, is trimmed 

 with mahogany. The large open fireplace has facings and 

 hearth of senna marble. Opening out of this room is the 

 dining-room, which is finished in Flemish oak, with hand- 

 carved panels of very beautiful Venetian design, imported 

 direct, and arranged to fit the wall spaces. All the furniture 

 of this room is in keeping, and with the dull wall effects 

 of light metallic tones, together with leaded glass of appro- 

 priate design, makes a very pleasant dining-room and a 

 harmonious whole. 



The kitchen and butler's pantry are planned on a most 



generous scale, and 

 are furnished with 

 white enamel tile 

 wainscoting and all 

 the best modern 

 conveniences. 



The second 

 story contains four 

 large bedrooms, 

 dressing -rooms, 

 three bathrooms, 

 maid's room and 

 large clothes 

 presses. This floor 

 i s treated with 

 white enamel trim, 

 and the walls are 

 covered with artis- 

 t i c decorations. 

 The bathrooms 

 have tiled floors 

 and wainscotings, 

 porcelain fixtures 

 and exposed nickel- 

 plated plumbing. 

 The servant quar- 

 ters, trunk room 

 and storage space 

 are placed in the 

 attic. The cellar 

 contains the laun- 

 dry, heating apparatus, fuel rooms, etc. The stable, which is 

 so necessary an adjunct of the country house, is designed in 

 the same style as the dwelling, and is built of similar ma- 

 terials. It has, however, a pronounced individuality of its 

 own, and clearly proclaims its purpose and its use. It is 

 planned and arranged in the best modern style, and is fitted 

 with the most approved conveniences for the horses and 

 carriages and for their rapid handling. The coachman's 

 quarters have been placed in the upper story, and . are 

 both convenient and pleasant. The whole property has 

 been well developed, and has been arranged with great care 

 and skill. 



Mr. Bradford L. Gilbert, architect, 50 Broadway, New 

 York, N. Y. 



