June, 1908 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



249 



"RocksynT' 



The Summer Home of Burt L. Syms, Esq., Greenwich, Connecticut 



By C. W. Whiteway 



N THE north shore of Long Island Sound, 

 in that "Newport of Connecticut," Green- 

 wich, which during late years has become 

 famous for its beautiful houses, stands the 

 residence of Burt L. Syms, illustrated in 

 this article. 



The house is situated on a high knoll 

 about a mile from the station, in the section of the town 

 known as Rock Ridge, and has one of the most commanding, 

 and hence one. of the finest, sites in Greenwich. 



The Colonial Hall Contains a Broad Staircase with a Mahogany Rail 



From the. broad stone terraces the town spreads below on 

 all sides, and a view can be had across Long Island Sound 

 of the purpled hills of Long Island, and for many miles to the 

 east and west spreads a beautiful panorama of woodland 

 and shore. 



The house is a fine example of what an architect can do to 

 enhance, a naturally beautiful location by adapting the build- 

 ing to the form of the land. It seems to grow easily out of 

 the earth and become a part of the natural surroundings. 

 The effect is carried out in the material and color used on 



the exterior. The stone- 

 work of the terraces and 

 foundations is composed 

 of stone taken from old 

 walls which formerly di- 

 vided the farm lands in 

 the vicinity. Great care 

 was taken in laying these 

 stones so that the weather- 

 beaten and moss-grown 

 faces were not marred in 

 handling. The surfaces 

 were laid to show, and the 

 joints of the stonework 

 were recessed so that the 

 walls have the appearance 

 of having stood for years. 

 The shingles at the sides 

 of the. building were left 

 to turn their natural silver- 

 gray, but the roof shingles 

 were stained a soft olive- 

 green. It will be seen that 

 through this blending of 

 natural colors in the build- 

 ing itself a harmonious re- 

 sult is achieved that could 

 be arrived at in no other 

 manner. 



The rounded out feel- 

 ing of the hilltops is car- 

 ried out in the building 

 through a clever applica- 

 tion of a Colonial gambrel 

 roof, with gables, which 

 disguise the utilitarian ne- 

 cessity of the second story 

 without marring its use- 



