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Beneath this shabby exterior Mr. George C. Wales saw great possibiliti es to restore the house. One ell too far gone to be restored was replaced 
_ by a new one; otherwise the original building was unchanged 
A Remodeled House of Good Taste 
by Mary H. Noethend 
I T has proved to be a step in the right direction, this trend toward 
remodeling old-time farmhouses into summer and all-the- 
year-round homes. Unconsciously the interest has gone farther 
and has awakened in the hearts of owners a corresponding interest 
in the collection and study of antiques. Harking back to Colonial 
days, we find this is the only consistent kind of furnishing. 
Doubtless this awakening has saved from destruction many a rich 
and rare piece of heavy old mahogany, for when this ancestral 
furniture went out of style many valuable pieces were sent to the 
wood-pile. 
The most attractive farmhouse remodeled by Mr. Dwight 
Blaney is located on the extreme edge of Weston, bordering the 
Wellesley line. When discovered during an extended search for 
just such a home, it stood dilapidated and weatherbeaten, but 
showing unmistakable points of worth. To one unaccustomed to 
Colonial architecture it gave little hint of what restoration would 
do for it. 
It was admirably situated for a quiet summer home, being far 
removed from the bustle of city life, and showing an attractive 
landscape view. The old farmhouse stood just back from the 
road on rising ground, surrounded by a large apple orchard, while 
in front were two mighty elms that had stood sentinels since the 
house was built. It was not so far back as to make it inaccessible, 
but far enough from the road to allow a stretch of lawn. 
Under its shabby exterior Mr. George C. Wales, the architect, 
saw great possibilities, and under his careful direction the house 
was restored. On one side an ell too far gone for restoration 
was replaced by a new one, the original exterior was carefully 
preserved, and the house soon assumed the fine proportions which 
it shows to-day. The exterior was treated to a coat of Colonial 
yellow paint, with trim of white and green blinds, and woodbine 
was trained over the front porch, adding much to its restful ap¬ 
pearance. To make the scheme complete: at one side, not too far 
away, was placed an old well sweep, and beyond an old-fashioned 
garden was laid out, planted with nodding bluebells and stately 
hollyhocks, arranged side by side with the fragrant mignonette 
and heliotrope. 
If the exterior had been unpromising at the time of purchase, 
much more so was the interior. This had been changed to suit the 
whim of the various occupants, and the different rooms showed 
layer upon layer of gaudy old wall-paper covering the fine old 
woodwork, while the huge fireplaces had been bricked up to per¬ 
mit the use of air-tight stoves. 
Hardly a vestige of its original architecture was left, save the 
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