92 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
February, 1906 
The Residence of J. Du Pratt White, Esq. 
Nyack, New York 
EW houses on the banks of the Hudson River 
are more ideally located or better suited to 
their environment than the residence of Mr. 
J: Du Prate White; at Nyack, INSeY3 9 Mr: 
White enjoys the immense advantage of 
a \) owning and controlling the water front ad- 
jacent to his house, which is a privilege accorded to very 
few other river residents, as in most cases the water front is 
exclusively controlled by the railroads. 
No effect produced by the expenditure of money or by the 
most lavish work of the landscape architect could improve 
upon the view from the garden front of this house. The 
building stands far enough back from the street to give it an 
air of seclusion, and is set high enough above the river to 
have full advantage of a magnificent view. ‘The house is 
designed in the English half-timbered style, adapted to 
American requirements, is extremely picturesque, as well as 
practical, and is of a style which is becoming very popular at 
the present moment. ‘The basement and first story are built 
of local field stone, laid with deep joints, while the upper 
stories are of stucco placed on metal lath. The roof is cov- 
ered with cedar shingles. All the exterior woodwork is of 
chestnut, the rich grain of which is brought out by the use of 
a brilliant dark brown stain. 
While piazzas are not a feature of the houses in Eng- 
land which are built in this style, they are a necessity in our 
country, and no country house is really habitable without 
plenty of piazza room. If properly designed and disposed 
of they need not be in any way objectionable, and surely 
there is excuse enough, in this particular case, for the ample 
piazza on the east side of the house with its octagonal 
“outdoor living-room.” 
ttt} 
LLL 
This Picturesque House is Ideally Located Overlooking the Hudson River 
The outdoor living-room has come to stay, as well as the 
indoor living-room, and is now regarded as a very important 
feature of a well equipped house, whether it be the small 
cottage, the suburban house or the large country house. To 
have a piazza converted into an outdoor living-room, and to 
have it separated from the entrance porch, is now the proper 
thing. ‘There was a time when it was thought necessary, by 
both the client and the architect, to have a piazza extending 
from the front door across the front of the house and return- 
ing at either side, and sometimes around the entire building, 
thereby preventing the sunshine and light to enter the rooms 
of the first story. As we progress in all things we progress 
in the building of a house, and the acme of the successful 
houses of the present day is to have them combine all the 
features brought about by well skilled architects, who have 
put into their work all the common sense and practical ideas 
possible to make a house more livable. 
To have an outdoor living-room inclosed with glass, which 
may be well sheltered from wind and storm, and making it 
possible to furnish with proper and comfortable furnishings, 
which may be insured against damage from inclement 
weather, is what the up-to-date client wants for his modern 
and up-to-date house; in fact, a place where he can find se- 
clusion and quiet in summer and a place where he can take 
a sun bath in winter. These outdoor living-rooms should be 
placed on the southerly or easterly side of the house, as in 
this particular case, and where the breeze may reach it in 
summer and the sun in winter. 
The interior of the house, as will be seen by a glance at 
the plan, is convenient and practical as well as artistic, and 
these three features usually make a happy and successful 
combination. 
