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The dining-room of the middle house also has a Colonial treatment, and has 
preserved the chair rail common to earlier types 
Here is a more elaborate mantel treatment. The arrangement of the large smoke- 
room lounge and winged chair about the fireplace is admirable 
strictest economy makes them a ne¬ 
cessity or nothing at all, but there is 
the feeling among some people that 
in a community development there 
is an absence of privacy and absence 
of individuality. I have heard it 
said by . a .facetious critic of the 
community movement, that she felt 
sure, did she live in such a locality, 
that she would feel exactly as she 
imagined the poor orphans in an 
asylum felt, and whether or not she 
wore the dull, brown uniform she 
felt confident that the clothes and 
expression and appearance of all the 
individuals would eventually become 
uniform until, as she put it, “the Each °* '^ e houses ^ as a porch 
Community Was nothing more than decidedly attractive. This one 
a school of fish.’’ Of 
course whatever truth 
there may be in this 
passing statement, it is 
certain that many would 
prefer houses constructed 
after their own ideas and 
with the privacy of their 
own grounds. 
There is a very happy 
medium between these 
two extremes in work 
that has been carried on 
by Mr. Charles Barton 
Keen at Stratford, Pa. 
Mr. Keen felt that where 
several close friends or 
Several members of the A hedge running along the street boundary of the 
same family desired to 
treat a section together, 
the result would be decidedly attractive architecturally and eco¬ 
nomically as well. If the architect is allowed to treat an ir¬ 
regular plot of land with freedom, if he is emancipated from the 
stringent rectangular lines of plot boundaries, the result is apt to 
be most agreeable. 
In speaking of the development Mr. Keen remarks: “It seems 
superfluous to discuss the advantages from an architectural 
before each one of the group. This lattice-covered gateway fits the detail of its house 
exceptionally well 
standpoint, as with a little considera¬ 
tion it should be evident to all. Our 
modern suburban and country set¬ 
tlements, even in the best localities, 
are a series of violent contrasts and 
discordant styles. There are great 
possibilities in the development of a 
plot of ground in the hands of a 
skilful designer with the idea of uni¬ 
formity of style and harmony of 
line and composition. The three 
houses illustrated show in a small 
way what can be done in designing 
in a harmonious style—each house 
practically of the same type and color 
treatment, yet with its own note of 
room capable of being made individuality dictated by the site, 
opens from the dining-room plan, and taste of the owners.” 
Noticing the disposi¬ 
tion of the houses along 
the main street as shown 
at the head of this ar¬ 
ticle, it is apparent at 
once that there is no 
monotony of treatment, 
although a similarity of 
expression.* Mr. Keen 
has taken the Philadel¬ 
phia sample of the farm¬ 
house type of dwelling 
and allowed it a variable 
treatment. 
The house appearing on 
the extreme left of the first 
photograph at the head of 
houses receives a slight difference in treatment pa°e and the bottom 
of this page, is interesting. 
Upon the road frontage 
it shows the plain facade of a Colonial type, pleasantly enlivened 
by the judicious use of lattice and a simple but effective doorway 
treatment. But the other side, as seen on page 375, is very much 
different. It has that long, projecting roof which gives such a 
decidedly inviting terrace porch. Its row of delightful windows 
seems leaning out to catch the attraction of a garden view. 
(Continued on page 395) 
( 376 ) 
