A California Craftsman and His Work 
ivy-grown stone wall. On the smooth ex¬ 
panse of water are the lotus and water lily 
of the Nile, blossoming freely in their season 
and almost touching the quaint summer¬ 
house which floats or remains stationary, as 
may be desired. This is large enough for a 
dozen persons, and affords an excellent place 
for afternoon teas or siestas, while the soft 
air stirs the long grasses and tiny fish dart 
among the Zanzibar lilies and the rare aquatic 
treasures that suggest Egypt and the Nile. 
In the midst of this picturesque setting 
stands the artistic house with low spreading 
roof, which with its contents give expression 
to the owner’s desire for substantial handi- 
CARRIAGE-HOUSE WITH ARTS AND CRAFTS WORKSHOP ABOVE 
A GLIMPSE OF THE SHOPS 
work of merit and distinctive artistic design. 
To describe the contents would require the 
technical knowledge of a connoisseur, for 
their selection is not the choice of an ordi¬ 
nary man but of one who is cultured from 
years of travel and work in the Bennati 
studios of Paris, and who has made a study 
of wood carving and artistic craftsmanship 
and landscape architecture. Even the metal 
work on locks and doors deserves close at¬ 
tention, while a description of the superb 
arras tapestries of the fifteenth century and 
of the embroideries would delight the experi¬ 
enced traveler. Though this artist has 
planned many other houses, his own pos¬ 
sesses the individuality that gives the finish¬ 
ing touch to art craftsmanship. 
It is not on his home and grounds, however picturesque 
they may be, that Mr. Eaton’s fame rests, hut on the ex¬ 
quisite handicraft that is executed in his unique arts and 
crafts studio in the upper storey of his picturesque carriage- 
house. This interesting shop is open on all sides, Iree to 
any inspiration that may be gathered from Nature, and 
from it have gone forth such exquisite productions that 
they have attracted the attention of the art loving public at 
all the recent exhibitions. Since pieces of his craftsmanship 
were first exhibited at the Bookbinders’ Guild of San Fran¬ 
cisco the fame of this artist’s work has grown and is a 
striking example of the appreciation accorded work which, 
though not cheap in a commercial sense, is not subject to 
the claims of a fickle fashion. 
From the workshop come designs that are simple or elab¬ 
orate as the case may be, but finished with a touch that is 
always sympathetic, whether the object dazzles with its 
brilliancy or appeals to one like the soft tones of a nocturne. 
Here are made beautiful books, decorated on parchment, 
guests’ books and wedding books with boldly illumined 
cover designs consisting of figures, initials and borders. 
Some of these are of white vellum, wonderfully delicate and 
chaste in appearance. Many are bound in brass and 
A FLOATING SUMMER-HOUSE ON THE LILY POND 
33 
