X.
In these designs for cottages it will be observed that there has been no attempt made to adhere to any historical style. And this, we believe, shows a greater appreciation of the beauties of architectural styles than if they had been misapplied and tortured into what once was known as “Rural Gothic” or “Italian.”
After defining architecture to be “the material expression of the wants, faculties, and the sentiments of the age in which it is created,” Owen Jones, in his “Grammar of Ornament,” said that “Style in architecture is the peculiar form that expression takes under the influence of climate and the material at hand.” Accepting this definition, we see the absurdity of copying buildings erected under totally different conditions from ours. Although an Italian villa is more adaptable to our wants than a Greek temple (and our country-houses have often copied both with lamentable results) it does not readily submit to be Americanized. Italy may give us suggestions, and France, England and Germany offer us many and valuable ones, but in adapting them to our country houses we must show discrimination. And our own wants and sentiments, if well and naturally expressed, take forms that are not displeasing, even if Corinthian columns and Gothic arches are absent.
The question of color is an important one, as an unfortunate selection may spoil the (otherwise) prettiest house. We have discovered that considerations of cleanliness do not require us to paint our houses white, which, even with the addition of green shutters, is hardly satisfactory. The staring, conspicuous effect of these white houses is what we should avoid, and the tints we choose must be those that will blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The pearly gray that shingles become after exposure to the atmosphere has a very good effect if relieved by contrast with some other color. A good treatment is to give the house a coat of crude petroleum, and, if desired, a transparent stain may be mixed with it which will show the grain of the wood. A range of soft yellows, reds and browns, may be so obtained. Messrs. Rossiter and Wright have published a book entitled “Modern House Painting,” which gives excellent directions and examples.