February, 1917 
45 
detail, whether they are used alone or in 
conjunction with cement or split stone. 
Frequently one sees them serving as the 
foundation for a small house, and some¬ 
times as the outside wall throughout the 
lower story. In this case, the stones are 
laid in cement with wide mortar joists. 
Oftentimes the mortar is stained a deep red 
or black, if its natural color does not har¬ 
monize with the building trim, and occa¬ 
sionally small rope is inserted in it to give 
a corded effect to the surface. 
Following naturally from the subject of 
cobbles as a house foundation, comes their 
equally popular use in porch pillars and 
parapets. To carry still further the idea of 
harmonious exterior decoration, a stone 
chimney is often added, which may or may 
not be combined with a stone fireplace in¬ 
doors. In the case of the bungalow, the 
fireplace is usually of cobblestones, to con¬ 
form with the informal environment of this 
picturesque type of dwelling. 
In Pillars and Rockeries 
For the pillars of pergolas and summer¬ 
houses, too, cobblestones are admirable. The 
cement for these should be hidden as much 
as possible to give the effect of a wall laid 
dr}" without mortar. The rough, grayish 
stones furnish an ideal support for clamber¬ 
ing vines, and contrast charmingly with the 
green of the foliage. Gate posts built of 
cobblestones are effective, especially when 
topped with flowers, and they may be com¬ 
bined with a boundary wall of split boulders 
and cobblestones, thus affording a method 
of enclosure that for dignity and beauty is 
surpassed only by the hedge. By draping 
vines over such a wall, one can approximate 
to a surprising degree the charm of a hedge. 
A rockery of cobblestones, modeled after 
the plan of a well-curb, makes a charming 
bit in a shaded portion of the garden. The 
stonework should be laid 2' or 3' above the 
ground level, and put together with cement; 
otherwise, it will crumble to pieces. After 
the enclosure is filled with rich loam, suit¬ 
able plants should be inserted. If the loca¬ 
tion is particularly shaded, rock ferns are a 
good selection, but if the sunlight touches 
the rockery, even for only a short while 
each day, hardy plants that will withstand 
drought, such as nasturtiums or petunias, 
will prove to be a good choice. 
Another use of the cobblestone is as a 
standard for the sun-dial in the formal gar¬ 
den, while a well-curb and supports for a 
well covering built of this material are ad¬ 
mirable. In conjunction with the latter use, 
an approach of stepping-stones and a gutter 
of cobblestones afford quaint touches in 
keeping with the scheme of the whole, and 
convert a simple idea into an artistic bit. 
There is an effect of permanence, of 
changeless solidity about all stonework. Its 
permanence, however, is only one of its 
many advantages. Cobblestones in their 
variety of coloring and size offer unlimited 
opportunities for artistic arrangement. They 
may be split, allowing of a flat surface which 
will be even more brightly tinted than the 
rounded surface of the whole stone. By 
combining the gay flat surfaces with the 
less gaudy round surfaces, or by using the 
one or the other in conjunction with split 
boulders, wonderfully beautiful effects may 
be produced. In the case of a cobblestone 
foundation, or wall, trimmings of quarried 
stone, either smooth or rough finished, add 
an often desired variety. 
Combination and Environment 
An excellent argument in favor of the 
cobblestone is its attractiveness when com¬ 
bined with other materials. By its use artis¬ 
tic variety may be added to the rather plain 
surface of the concrete house. Then, too, 
these stones combine well with brick, and 
many interesting and harmonious results 
have been contrived by the blending of the 
two materials. When used with wood, care 
must be taken that the wood chosen is solid 
and heavy enough to carry the theme. The 
combining of these two materials will be 
more effective if the cobblestones are intro¬ 
duced only in minor details, and are kept 
free from contact with objects that are light 
and flimsy in appearance. 
Environment counts a great deal in the 
success of cobblestone work. The most fit¬ 
ting location is that in which the stones are 
found most plentifully. City streets are 
hardly the proper place in which to display 
the cobble’s artistic qualities to the best ad- • 
vantage, nor is level, velvety lawn framed 
in a setting of hedge. The seaside, with its 
rocky shore, affords the best environment, 
for here the surroundings are in entire har¬ 
mony. Among the mountains, too, the cob¬ 
blestone may well be used. 
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THE DRAPING OF THE FRENCH DOOR 
Visualize this in a bedroom; a balcony 
outside. Treat the drayos in the same 
fashion as the windows, using a pleated 
valance to cover the top trim. If com¬ 
plete seclusion is desired, the curtains 
may be arranged to be drawn or a glass 
curtain of net or scrim may be attached 
to the doors 
It is often desirable to show the door trim, 
especially in a living-room. In that case, 
shirred curtains attached top and bottom 
with headings on rods will prove the solu¬ 
tion. If a more elaborate scheme is wished, 
there can be two sets of curtains to each door, 
one Ming loose from the top, the other from 
the middle. Net, scrim, gauze and silk are 
the best fabrics 
Among the many abominations is the 
French door with the transom. It can 
be filled in with a piece of plaster board 
and painted to simulate the trim or 
covered, as here, with a fitted valance. 
Glass curtains add privacy. They can 
be drawable or attached to the doors as 
in the sketch to the left 
