A LATTICE MOTIVE OF DELICATE DISTINCTION 
‘'There is a psychological as well as a practical aspect to the screening of a garden with lattice for the imagination is aroused in picturing the step be¬ 
yond.” This motive is carried throughout the garden of Mrs. Alonzo Woodhouseat Easthampton, L. L, even forming the posts for tennis enclosures 
THE DECORATIVE USE OF TRELLIS 
ESTELLE H. RIES 
Author of “Gardens and Sculpture Charm Together” (Aug., 1923, G. M.), “Just Outside the House” 
(Jan., 1923, G. M.), “When the Gardener Builds His Home” (Jan., 1922, G. M.) and other articles 
Selecting Patterns in Structural Harmony with Tea-house, Sun-porch, and Wall—The 
Elaborate Treillage of French Pavilions and the Sturdy Simplicity of Colonial Lattices 
T WAS among the pastoral and rustic scenes of the 
countryside, where low, white houses stood back from 
elm-shaded roads, and simple gardens lay at the door- 
step, that the trellis support for growing vines was first 
extensively used to beautify the modest homestead. In the 
earliest days of domestic tranquility in this country, our fathers 
felt the intimate charm of selected vines—knew that they 
blended the house with its setting and provided color and ani¬ 
mation where there was none before. While lattice had been 
well known before this time, yet nowhere had it been used with 
the refreshing directness that was employed in rural architecture 
during our Colonial period. Here it was recognized as a neces¬ 
sity, and not as the elaborate adornment of luxurious estates. 
And just as simplicity and dignity marked the efforts of early 
American craftsmen in other fields, so did this branch of design 
conform to that same spirit. The lattice arbors and porches 
at this time were dominated by like standards. 
Since those times, lattice, then but a simple makeshift, has 
become more ornamental in design and intricate in character. 
Not only does it better serve its original purpose, but many new 
uses for it have been devised. 11 has become affixed to the house 
as part of its decoration, and has also become an interesting ele¬ 
ment in its interior adornment. On the grounds, too, we find 
it combining pleasingly with structures of stucco, brick, frame 
and other customary building materials. 
To the gardener, lattice in one form or another is almost 
indispensable, and may be used in a variety of places where it 
combines utility and beauty with full deference to both. 
Before your vines have time to grow, lattice may be con¬ 
structed on a barren wall where it will be used as a clinging sur¬ 
face. Here it affords decorative interest at the very start, and 
provides color and life as the development of the vine proceeds 
and partly conceals it. Lattice also serves a useful purpose on 
an open porch by providing semi-privacy for the occupants 
without interfering with their view beyond. Many a porch 
has doubled its charm and convenience by this simple expedient. 
Placed around a window, lattice may be used to improve a 
defect in proportion, as well as to support vines, and it is also 
well fixed in front of a window-sill, fence-like, to prevent plant 
pots from toppling over. It may do much to disguise a long 
stretch of blank wall, either on the house, or the garage. In 
these cases it is. not necessary to grow vines over the lattice, 
but it is entirely possible to do so. 
1 know of at least one case where lattice was placed on the 
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