112 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
April, 1914 
The garden front 
extend towards the principal approach to 
the house. The objection to this plan was 
that the seeming front of the house was 
devoted to the kitchen premises. This 
wing, therefore, was planned so as to con- 
ceal all the utilities, kitchen yard, drying ground, etc., within 
walls, and what is usually called the kitchen yard is made 
to extend under the second-floor rooms, which are devoted 
entirely to the servants’ quarters. The appearance of this 
wing being somewhat unusual, gives a distinctive note which 
is enhanced by the charm of the terrace sloping garden and 
rising wooded country beyond. 
The house is an excellent type of brick construction. It 
was planned for Mr. C. C. Stout by Mr. Horace Wells 
Sellars, architect, of Philadelphia, who has succeeded in 
evolving a really good example of a Colonial country house, 
which not only gives pleasure to the eye, but is replete with 
every convenience that makes for comfort. 
The house is built of dark red vitrified brick which con- 
trasts well with the white painted trims and green shutters. 
The flatness of the walls is relieved by an arch of bricks 
above each window. There are circular windows with a 
header course of bricks between the ordinary windows on 
the second floor. "J'he same attractive lights may also be 
seen in the two main gables. The deep overhanging eaves 
or pent roof add an air of distinction and serve as a shelter 
to the terrace that runs across the entire width of the house 
at the rear. A piazza is built at one end, which is furnished 
with willow furniture, sturdy Windsor chairs and prairie- 
grass rugs. An unusual feature may be noticed in the double 
deck balconies which add greatly to the general appearance 
of the front of the house. Beside the entrance door a well- 
designed Colonial settle enhances the beauty of the place. 
The planning of the house and the laying out of the grounds 
are so completely one scheme that a description of the 
garden will not be out of place before the house. 
The site on which the house is built having been consid- 
ered from all points of view, it was a delightful occupation 
to try to make an ideal garden when Nature had already 
been so prodigal. A 
steep grassy incline 
dotted about with 
small groups of 
trees, as well as 
some beautiful old 
shade trees made an 
excellent beginning. 
At the foot of the 
hill a small stream 
wandered through a 
plantation. .An open 
space suggested the 
making of a lily- 
pond. Here it is 
always peaceful and 
terrace 
The service front 
the songs of many kinds of birds may be 
recognized by the ornithologist. 
The house is screened from the high- 
way by a natural hill; a plateau was made 
on which to build the house just below this 
incline. The carriage drive comes in at the boundary line 
of the estate and leads to the house past the kitchen wing. 
Winding, it forms a half circle in front of the house, where 
a generous space is allowed for turning without proceeding 
to the stables. A straight road runs parallel with the house 
behind a clump of shrubbery. Creepers, flowers and ever- 
greens have been generously planted, and a flower bed with 
successive blooms is always a bright spot of color seen from 
the house or enjoyed at closer range. It lies under the 
shelter of the hill, wdiich also screens the house from a 
dusty highroad — a point that has to be considered nowa- 
days, when motoring so often spoils a country place not far 
enough away from the road. On the left the house is ad- 
vantageously placed in the lee of a hill, which, with a care- 
ful planting of shrubbery, forms an excellent screen from 
the neighboring house. As Mr. Sellars planned both 
houses, he was able to choose the best site for each house, 
knowing that privacy could be obtained by judicious plant- 
ing. It is in the rear of the house that the most beautiful 
views can be obtained, and it makes Its appeal in the charm 
of terrace above terrace with delightful architectural stone 
seats. Stone steps flanked by privet hedge lead from one 
terrace to the other. The red flagged terrace at the back 
of the house possesses a long white bench placed beside the 
hall door. Bay windows on either side, all beneath the 
pent roof, form a pleasant picture with bright striped awn- 
ings and clinging vines against the red brick walls. At the 
end of the terrace some red brick steps lead to the walk 
and are distinctly pleasing. 
The owner of this estate takes a great personal interest 
in the garden and spends much of his spare time therein 
with great success, If one judges by results, for everything 
there planted by him has reached luxurious growth, with 
the care he gives it, which speaks well for personal over- 
sight on the part of 
the home - maker. 
I'he garden is so 
large that there is 
scope for further 
developments, and 
many improvements 
have been made 
since the photo- 
graphs were taken. 
A charming little 
bridge is built over 
the stream and 
forms a short cut to 
the lower roadway. 
The pond, too, is a 
First floor plan 
Second floor plan 
