STYLE AND ARRANGEMENT O^' THE HOUSE. 199 



have generally^ however, been impressed with a certain 

 diminutive look presented by detached buildings of this 

 class. To be effective, they must be massive to a degree 

 which materially increases their expense. For small 

 or moderate villa residences, the most suitable style, we 

 humbly think, is one or other of those forms usually 

 called cottages : and as there is a great variety of these, 

 an architect can be at no loss in furnishing or suggesting 

 such a number of designs as will aiford materials for a 

 good selection. The varied outlines and low elevations 

 of houses in the cottage style harmonize better with the 

 limited scenery of a small residence than those huge 

 square masses of brick or stone and mortar which are 

 frequently seen overlooking, and as it were overpowering, 

 a place of three or four acres. The affectation of Gre- 

 cian architectm'e has generally led to a tame uniformity 

 in villa mansions. The pattern followed iti many cases 

 is, with some slight variations, the street house, that is, 

 a house with a main door in the centre, and a dining- 

 room and drawing-room on each side of it. So long as 

 this fashion prevails, there can be little hope of improv- 

 ing small residences. Except in special circumstances, 

 one or both of the principal rooms above mentioned 

 should be on the side of the house opposite to that in 

 which the principal entrance is situated; or, if this 

 cannot be effected, they ought to be in a line at right 

 angles to the main door front. It is indeed convenient 

 to have a window towards the entrance for the inspection 

 of approaching visitors ; but that can be easily accom- 

 plished by directing one end of the dining-room or par- 

 lour to that side of the house. In suburban residences, 

 it is desirable that the public rooms should command 

 the whole or the greater part of the decorated grounds. 



