October, 1905 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



233 



"The Monastery" — The Hall 



festoons in relief above. At the further end are the stairs, 

 partly inclosed within open woodwork. The walls of the 

 upper landing are covered with palm leaf paper in green and 

 white ; the balustrade is painted green, and a green carpet is 

 laid on the stairs. 



At the head of the stairs is the morning-room, finished in 

 the same way, with palm leaf paper and with green paint. 

 It opens onto a large porch so close to the edge of the rock 

 that the water is practically below it. The dining-room ad- 

 joins the morning-room and is finished in gray, with green 

 wall decorations. The service rooms and kitchen adjoin the 

 dining-room and are continued along the hall. 



Another portion of the house opens to the right of the 

 vestibule and hall. Here is a small stair-hall, with a private 

 stair to the upper floor. Immediately adjoining it is Mr. 

 Searle's room, which is finished in yellow. It has a tiled 

 mantel and paneled seats. Beyond it, with a large doorway 

 opening into the hall, is the music-room. The woodwork is 

 painted gray and the walls are covered with pink and white 

 paper. There is a white marble mantel, and the furni- 

 ture is chiefly antique. Curtains of pink and white add to 



the very distinctive cheer and charm of this apartment. 



It is easy to see and to understand the charm of this house, 

 for charm it is in very agreeable and penetrating quantity. 

 It is quaintly conceived, a striking, marked house of distin- 

 guished individuality, yet very well done. If there be oddity 

 in the leading lines there is at least no eccentricity, no note of 

 awkwardness, no effort at effect. On the contrary, there is a 

 very natural development of good lines beautifully harmo- 

 nized and very satisfactory in themselves. 



This is the real secret of the success of the house. It is 

 good, and goodness in a house sums up and includes about 

 all the excellencies to domestic buildings that need to be con- 

 sidered by either the architect or the client. 



The interest of this house centers chiefly in form and in 

 line. Each of these important parts, considered separately 

 and together, have been well studied. The situation also adds 

 greatly to its charm. Perhaps any dwelling would be interest- 

 ing here, any one well designed and well executed; but Mr. 

 Searle has been fortunate in obtaining a house that adds to 

 the interest of his site, adds to it in a thoroughly compre- 

 hensive and complete manner. 



