A Unique Residence at Flushing, L. I. 
By SARAH E. IUJGGLES 
N ESTLING under the elms in one of the most 
picturesque sections of Flushing, Long 
Island, is a residence to which one is im¬ 
mediately attracted by the uniqueness of its archi¬ 
tecture. The architect and owner, Air. John P. 
Benson, has very ably demonstrated the successful 
treatment of a site which is so beautifully endow ed 
by nature. 
The exterior suggests a quaintness and originality 
which is lacking in the majority of houses. Sim¬ 
plicity has been the key-note for the exterior as w ell 
as the interior. It has been said: “ The simple 
house is the most difficult to design, because the 
effect of the whole is to be produced by the house 
itselfwithout any help from adventitious ornaments, 
fancy parts or extraneous ideas. ” For these reasons 
the house here illustrated may rightfully be called a 
simple house. 
It is very apparent that in the planning of this 
residence the architect has studied carefully every 
detail in order that the space allotted for the erection 
of the house be utilized to the best advantage. Lit¬ 
tle space is given to halls and stairways while the 
livable portion of the house is the feature in this 
most unusual dwelling. A glance at the floor plans 
will show a very convenient and practical arrange¬ 
ment of the interior. The living-room is content¬ 
ment in itself. It is thirty-six feet long and two 
stories high, the ceiling lines being broken by the 
roof gables, while the many windows supply much 
sunlight and its attendant cheeriness. At the 
left, as one enters, is an open fireplace which is 
quite ten feet in width. The facings are of 
Harvard brick and show a mingling of many soft 
and beautiful tones. Much care has been exercised 
in the selection of the standing woodwork which 
is of boldly grained chestnut, stained a soft nut 
brown and having a dull finish. 1 he walls are 
of rough plaster, tinted a shade of cafe- an lait. The 
window curtains are of a rich dark red Japanese 
fabric and hang in long graceful folds at either side 
of the window. The upper hall is in the form of a 
balcony and overlooks the living-room. A handsome 
antique bronze rail forms the balustrade of the 
balcony, the curved lines standing out in charming 
contrast to the more severe structural lines of the 
interior. Instead of making a distinct feature of 
each, the living-room and dining-room have been 
treated as one; the opening between being about 
fourteen feet in width. A wooden folding screen is 
hinged to the casing and affords seclusion to the 
dining-room when desired, or it may be folded back 
adding what appears to be from the living-room, a 
large alcove space. Many pieces of the furniture 
were designed by the architect. A door from the 
dining-room leads into the butler’s pantry and kitchen 
which contain all the modern conveniences. 
At the left of the entrance hall springs the stairw 7 ay 
which leads to the second floor. There are four 
bedrooms on this floor each being treated in a simple 
and characteristic manner. Closet room abounds 
throughout the house. The passageway leading 
from the bath to the balcony is provided with closets 
wffiich extend the entire length and from floor to 
ceiling. One large play-room occupies the third 
floor. 
From a practical as well as artistic standpoint, 
little seems to be wanting. Pleasant to live in, pleas¬ 
ant to look upon, the house has a distinct charm 
all its own. 
