HOUSE AND GARDEN 
June, 1913 
of the logs which in the fall sparkle in the open fireplace. Great 
steps led down to the lower level; a pergola most naturally found 
its place there, and walls, again of field stone, cluster in at the 
foot, encircling flower-beds which in season are masses of vari¬ 
egated color. The chestnut pillars and half-timber construction 
were stained a deep olive; the spaces between were filled with 
stucco, the cement being kept its natural color. The eaves, in¬ 
stead of being scant, were double or treble the ordinary size, pro¬ 
jecting to the north and south, 
casting deep shadows upon the 
side walls as the sun traveled its 
course from morning till night. 
The chimney, such part of it as 
showed above the roof, was also 
made of the field stones, and so 
from foundation to peak there 
was a harmonious combination 
not only of line but of color: 
the gray stones with their light 
and shadow, the strong uprights 
with their deep tone of color, 
and the beautiful gray of the 
plaster. 
The doors were all Dutch doors 
making it possible to leave at 
all times, if so desired, the 
upper portion open. While the 
exterior finish of our little home 
was of stone and plaster, the in¬ 
terior finish was of wood. In 
every room on the main floor 
the timber construction showed 
in the ceiling. The side walls 
were of yellow pine, and in the 
main room a large fireplace had 
its timber construction as well, 
with closets at either side to act 
473 
as wood boxes. The color scheme in the main room was a soft 
gray, while simple rugs of green matting were on the floor; in 
the guest room, a beautiful peacock blue; the pantry was white, 
and the kitchen a serviceable wood color. These restful colors 
were obtained in the majority of cases by the use of a simple 
kerosene stain, again adding materially to the economy of the 
work. 
Before the house was fully finished we camped out, and no one 
can describe the joy of perfecting 
the final details of such a home. 
Each day brought its new prob¬ 
lems. The conventional awnings 
would have been out of place on 
such a home, so we thought out a 
plan: they were to be constructed 
of lath, each eighteen inches to 
two feet in width, and vines 
trained over them, thus producing 
a beautiful effect without as well 
as within the house. For the sun¬ 
light flickering between the leaves 
and the many little tendrils hang¬ 
ing down always cast a cool and 
restful shade. Outside the case¬ 
ment windows at either end of 
the dining-room were flower 
boxes, placed at a height so the 
flowers could be seen from the 
room as well as from the outside. 
I hese, with their flowers and 
hanging vines of green, made a 
most attractive setting for the 
windows. The porch also had its 
border of flower boxes. The per¬ 
gola, covered with its flowering 
vines, framed the west front of 
(Continued on page 497) 
The windows instead of being separated were grouped in most 
cases, and each room had light from but one direction 
The eaves were double or treble the usual extent and caused a shadow 
along the wall in the sunny part of the day 
The half-timber work was of the sort used in the English houses; that is, 
was structural rather than purely decorative 
