The Editor’s Talks and Correspondence 
be ivory, as this is the color seen in the woodwork of really old 
Colonial houses. The mahogany stain may be obtained in various 
tones, from the rich purple red, which some of the old mahogany 
furniture shows, to the tobacco brown of the San Domingo mahog¬ 
any. Any of these shades are harmonious with the ivory enamel. 
The mahogany stain should be used for doors throughout the 
house, the ivory white for the standing woodwork. 
Where oak or any stained wood is to be used for the standing 
woodwork in any of the rooms of the Colonial house, a rich dark 
stain, resembling the color wrought by time, on oak, ash or chest¬ 
nut is recommended. The finish of this wood over the stain may 
be either a rubbed wax effect or preferably a perfectly dead finish, 
as this latter treatment preserves the idea of natural wood. 
FLOORS 
Where the fioors are finished for rugs they may be of oak, maple, 
or any other hard wood; these should be carefully finished in the 
first place and much trouble in future will be avoided. Where the 
wrong treatment has been given a floor it is absolutely necessary 
to thoroughly cleanse the old finish, there are varnish removers on 
the market which will do this successfully. After this has been 
done the floors may be treated as new. If wax is to be used there 
are excellent prepared wax finishes; these can be applied regularly 
and well rubbed in with a heavy polisher. Where the floor is to be 
waxed a stain may be used if desired, or the wood will be left in the 
natural color, and the repeated weekly applications of the wax will 
gradually darken the floor. If a finish in the nature of a varnish 
is decided upon, there are several excellent ones on the market; 
high or semi-gloss, or an effect closely resembling wax may be 
secured. If the floor to be finished is of oak the best paste filler 
should be used, followed by a single coat of stain. When this is 
thoroughly dried the first coat of floor finish, wax or varnish can be 
applied. Where a varnish is used two coats are required over the 
stain and three coats if the wood is left in the natural color. Maple 
and hard pine fioors do not require any filler, they should be treated 
with this exception in the same manner as advised for oak. 
FIXTURES AND INTERIOR HARDWARE 
Some of the leading hardware firms have made a special study 
of correct Colonial hardware, and supply excellent reproductions 
as well as original and entirely appropriate designs along these lines. 
Where the doors have been stained mahogany, an attractive effect 
is to use the glass knobs throughout, set in the dull or polished 
brass. Suitable effects in central lights are supplied by designs after 
the old-fashioned chandelier, with side lights in form of sconces, 
and for mantels and tables, candelabra are appropriate. Even at 
the risk of repeating myself unnecessarily I would impress upon the 
prospective builder the necessity of making a careful study of the 
appropriate in the fittings for his house. To the architect, the client 
whose ideas have been formed along the right lines, the work of 
planning and designing the house becomes a pleasure, but where the 
client’s preconceived ideas are wrong, endless difficulties are 
encountered. 
MANTELS AND TILES 
The choice of correct mantels for Colonial houses is, as I have 
said, not difficult. In many instances the architect prefers to 
design a mantel entirely harmonious with the interior detail of the 
room. Where, however, for reasons of economy or others, it 
seems best to make a selection of a ready made mantel, if the detail 
of the room has been planned this should be carefully considered 
in conjunction with the mantel selected. Simplicity should be the 
key-note throughout and an avoidance of the ornate will greatly aid 
in the correct composition of the room. 
In selecting the tile to be used, some idea of the furnishings and 
general color scheme of the room must be in mind, unless an abso¬ 
lutely free hand in the furnishings and fittings is possible as, for 
instance, where new furnishing is to be done throughout. In this 
latter case consideration of the exposure of the room is important. 
An effective color arrangement is to repeat the ceiling color in the 
tile. Where the color scheme cannot be determined in advance, a 
selection of a neutral tone tile is advised. In some rooms the dull 
white tiling is a wise choice, particularly where the ceiling will be 
white, green of a soft shade, cafe au lent or dull tans. If, however, 
it is possible to determine the color scheme it is a good plan to 
make a feature of the tile coloring. 
In a very beautiful library which I have recently seen, the stand¬ 
ing woodwork of the ash had been stained a shade of blue which 
suggested the sheen of the peacock, or that of favrile glass. The 
ceiling of this room was beamed and but little of color showed 
between the heavy timbers, a soft yellow tan color was used here 
1 he loose cushions of the chairs in this room were covered with a 
green fabric, and blue green tile was about the fireplace which 
brought the green of the furniture covering and draperies (which 
were the same) into complete harmony with the blue green of the 
woodwork. On the library table the lamp had a shade of favrile 
glass which gave a completing touch to this most attractive room. 
All fixtures were in bronze as was the hardware. A two-toned 
hand woven rug in shades of moss green was used. 
HEATING AND PLUMBING 
It is in the plumbing and heating appliances of the house, as well 
as in bath-rooms, laundries and kitchens, that we wisely depart 
from the planning of the old Colonial residences; along these lines 
the marvelous advance of hygienic and sanitary ideas is important 
and must be taken advantage of. With tile fioors and walls, in a 
bath-room fitted with the most approved and up-to-date plumb¬ 
ing, beautiful as well as sanitary effects may be obtained. In the 
service department of the house tiling is again exceptionally attrac¬ 
tive and advantageous to use for wainscot and floors. If, however, 
for any reason a wainscot and floors of wood are preferred for the 
butler’s and kitchen pantries, these may be finished in the natural 
color with a tough and durable varnish which is unaffected by heat 
and moisture. If yellow pine or maple is used for this woodwork, a 
clean, clear effect in color is obtained as both of these show shades 
of yellow. The walls of the service department may be painted in 
oil as this finish is readily cleansed and is practical. In planning 
the kitchen the windows should be set high, allowing tables, shelves 
and sinks to be placed below them. 
HEATING APPLIANCES 
While there is no single effect in a room more thoroughly decora¬ 
tive than an open fireplace, in these latter days there are but few 
houses to be found which depend upon them for heating the house. 
The radiator has become a fixed factor in the home, and while 
these may be most unattractive features, they seem an absolute 
essential to the comfort of living. One of the largest manufac¬ 
turers of such heating appliances has made a special study of meet¬ 
ing the suggestions of the architect as to the best way to disguise 
these unattractive objects. The coils of pipe are so arranged that 
they may be adjusted under a seat, in a corner cabinet, or set in 
some specially designed or built in piece of furniture. This is a 
matter that the architect can take in hand, and working with the 
manufacturers, entirely do away with the objectionable feature, 
insuring only the delightful warmth and comfort that steam or hot- 
water provide. 
CORRESPONDENCE 
EXTERIOR COLOR FOR HOUSES 
I note in your Correspondence Department that you give much 
advice as to the interior color scheme for the house. Having 
availed myself of your services in this line in the past, I wish to 
express my complete satisfaction with the results and ask a further 
favor. I realize that sufficient consideration has not been given 
to the outside color of my house as it is not attractive. I have 
used a combination of red sandstone with brown clapboarding, 
(Continued on page J, Advertising Section.) 
I2 5 
