March, 1909 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 97 
two columns of stained 
wood, a low wall filling in 
the lower space on either 
side, while the central space 
forms the entrance. The 
wood trim is limited to a 
narrow base mold and shelf 
rail that runs completely 
around the room, serving as 
capitals for the entrance col- 
umns. Undoubtedly the 
striking feature of this room 
is its wall covering of fig- 
ured Japanese paper; the 
ceiling is covered with a 
plain tint paper with suf- 
ficient yellow to harmonize 
with the gold of the walls. 
This striking and unusual 
wall covering forms a rich 
background for the Japa- 
nese prints and other ob- 
jects used 
for wall The living-room looking toward the fireplace 
deco- 
rations. The open archway of the effect to which the architectural forms here so readily 
living-room gives an agreeable lend themselves. The fireplace occupies one corner and 
adjoins the bay window of the entrance front. 
The studio of Mrs. Stephens, who is best known by her 
full name of Mrs. Alice Barber Stephens, 
is entered by a short stairway that adjoins 
the main stairway. It is a vast room with 
a beamed ceiling, and a fireplace under an 
arch built in the entrance wall. Each of the 
remaining three sides is lit with windows, 
one of which gives upon the great stone 
porch that is a conspicuous feature of the 
exterior. [he studio of Mr. Stephens is 
above. The oak beams of the barn roof 
are still visible, while a veritable flood of 
light 1s admitted by three great windows. 
beyond it. It is wood paneled throughout to Contrary to popular belief, there is no mys- 
the base of the arched ceiling with which it is tery in an artist’s studio. Space and light 
covered. The rich gold paper of the living- —light of the right kind, and preferably 
room is used for the ceiling here, a splendid crown to a_ from the north—is all that is desired. These are the es- 
charming room. Old time furniture adds to the quaint sential requirements, and such fittings and draperies, such 
: IS iLO 
and _pictur- 
esque out- 
look across 
the hall to 
the dining- 
Plan of the second floor 
room be- 
There is now no hint that an ancient stone barn was the nucleus from which the house was developed 
