The editor wishes to extend a personal invitation to all readers of House and Garden to 
send to the Correspondence Department, inquiries on any matter pertaining to house finish¬ 
ing and furnishing. Careful consideration is given each inquiry, the letter and answer being 
published in due time as matters of interest to other readers. Where an early reply is desired 
if a stamp and self-addressed envelope are enclosed, the answer will be sent. No charge what¬ 
ever is made for any advice given. 
M ANY of the letters received by the Editor of House and 
Garden are made up of inquiries as to the best way to 
obtain satisfactory results in building a house at com¬ 
paratively small cost. Many others refer to houses already erected 
which have proven disappointments to their owners, the exterior 
color is not what they expected it would he, the finish of standing 
woodwork and floors is not wearing well, or does not harmonize 
with the furniture; the tiles, the hardware, the fixtures, the heat¬ 
ing and the plumbing of the house are one or all unsatisfactory. 
In these latter cases either the owner must make up his mind to do 
his work over again at great expense and trouble, or live with 
incongruous and unpleasing effects about him. It is intended 
that in these papers which will appear from month to month, the 
question of harmonious color for the exterior and interior of the 
houses be fully treated, and full and practical advice given on the 
choice of the various materials which go to make the interior 
complete and livable. The suggestive help offered will be appli¬ 
cable to houses of all styles and prices. 
Suggestive is a word advisedly chosen, as there are probably 
few who will wish to follow in its entirety, the interior finishing and 
decorating of the houses as described. We hold, and have practi¬ 
cal experience to back the statement, that it is not essential to 
spend a great deal of money to obtain attractive as well as com¬ 
fortable results in house building. The house chosen to describe 
in this first talk cost but $3,000 and while this particular house 
has been built for summer occupancy, it could readily be adapted 
to the needs of a small family for all-the-year-round uses. The 
plans are from the boards of a young architect to whom each 
success however small, counts for much. The woman who 
planned it says she gives her architect full credit for carryingout her 
ideas exactly, and also, with the generosity which is somewhat unu¬ 
sual with the woman who “ plans” her home, admitted that many 
of his ideas were good, in truth there was no bed space in any of the 
bedrooms as her drawing showed it, so anxious was she for win¬ 
dows and closets. The little drawing-room could only be reached 
through the dining-room, and the kitchen had no place for a stove! 
These, however, were mere details which the patient architect set 
right. The square house was shingled and clapboarded and held 
a central living-room which answered for a hall and drawing-room 
as well, a dining-room, two chambers, and a bath, good pantries 
and kitchen. The space above was lighted from an eyebrow 
window and was utilized for trunks and general storage,—the stair¬ 
way leading up from the kitchen. Hack of the kitchen was the 
maid’s room with a door opening on the side porch. Simple 
indeed, but wholly practical, compact and livable. The exterior 
of the house in color showed two shades of soft hrown, a difference 
in tone produced by the stain on rough shingles, and the smooth 
paint of the clapboarding. The trim, including the railing and 
columns (the latter supporting the extending eaves of the roof), 
was deep ivory in tone. 
In selecting the exterior color, the site and surroundings are 
of extreme importance; whether these be houses, trees or arid plains, 
they must point the decision. To make the best of unpromising 
settings, to have complete color harmony with the neighboring 
houses, and fit easily into the picture are the requisites for success. 
I have seen on the desert of Arizona a little four room cottage 
near the railroad track, made to appear inviting and cool. The 
house was built of adobe, the sun-baked bricks of the country; 
the exterior walls had been treated to a wash of soft green and in 
the deep recesses of the windows were set window-boxes in which 
were green things growing. Over each window an awning was 
stretched protecting the plants from the fierce rays of the 
sun. 
The awnings were made of split bamboo and painted a darker 
shade of green than the house. The gray tiles of the roof com¬ 
pleted the exquisitely restful color scheme of this little home in the 
desert. Some distance in the rear of the house stood a row of tall 
gray-green cacti like great sentinels against the line of sand-red 
foot-hills which were sharply outlined, and over all the wonderful 
blue sky. 
A more perfect object lesson could scarcely be found than by 
comparing this little house with others to be seen along the same 
road, the rough frame structures which house the section hands 
and also the yellow-brown houses of the native Indian, which 
latter, while picturesque, are most uninviting to live in. 
Where the cottage to be built is one of several in the shady 
street, the colors of the neighboring buildings must be considered. 
The brown stain previously referred to is always good, as are 
shades of moss and dark green picked out by the deep cream used 
for the trim. A soft yellow is often found effective, particularly 
when the simple lines of the house suggest the Colonial even in a 
very modified degree. There are conditions and surroundings 
in the real country which make a white painted house attractive 
and inviting, particularly where green shutters and much lattice 
work is part of the scheme. 
Every detail of the color of the exterior must be given careful 
consideration. If the foundation is of stone or brick or concrete, 
its color must be entirely harmonious, not only with the walls 
which rise from it, but also with the roof and trim. The choice 
of color for the paint of the porch floor and the finish of the ceiled 
roof are equally important. The hardware used on the front 
door, and the style and finish of the door itself are factors in the 
completed beauty of the house. 
All of the colors to be used should be tried together to insure the 
absence of any jarring note. There are excellent shingle stains 
now on the market and a request to the manufacturer will bring a 
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