The Decoration of Houses

by Edith Wharton; Ogden Codman

• Tapestry, use of, in northern Europe, [39];
  • its subordination to architectural lines of room, [39]
• Tiepolo, frescoes of, in the Villa Valmarana, [42];
  • in the Palazzo Labia, [136]
• Titian's "Presentation of the Virgin," doorway in, [53]
• Toiles de Jouy, [166]
• Trianon-sous-Bois, fountains in banqueting-gallery, [158]

• Udine, Giovanni da, ceilings of, in collaboration with Raphael, [97]
• Urbino, ducal palace of, [6];
  • doors in, [52];
  • fireplace in, [74];
  • cabinet of Isabella of Este, [123];

• Vanvitelli's staircase at Caserta, [108]
• Vatican, Bernini's staircase in, [108]
• Vault, the Roman, influence of, on ceilings, [191]
• Vaux-le-Vicomte, interior shutters at, [69];
  • saloon at, [137]
• Versailles, frescoes in Belvédère, [42];
  • windows in rooms of Mesdames de France, [68];
  • shutters in same, [69];
  • library of Louis XVI, [148]
• Vestibule, [104];
  • furniture of, [105];
  • lighting of, [105];
  • absence of, in English house-planning, [110]
• Villa, Italian, chief features of, [4], note
• Villa Giacomelli, at Maser, over-mantel in, [76];
  • Madama, in Rome, ceiling of loggia, [97];
  • Rotonda, near Vicenza, saloon in, [136];
  • Valmarana, near Vicenza, frescoes in, [42];
  • Vertemati, near Chiavenna, over-mantel in, [76];
  • carved wooden ceiling in, [89]
• Viollet-le-Duc, on doorways, [52], note;
  • on mediæval house-planning, [109]
• Voguë, Hôtel, at Dijon, [7]

• Wall-decoration, [38]
• Wall-papers, [44]
• Walls, [31]
• Ware, Isaac, on proportion, [32];
  • on sliding doors, [49];
  • his definition of staircase, [106]
• West Wycombe, Donowell's stairs at, [111]
• Windows, decorative value of, [64];
  • dimensions of, [65];
  • plate-glass in, [67];
  • French or casement, [68];
  • sash, [68];
  • curtains, [69], [70];
  • shutters, [69], [72];
  • lambrequin, [71];
  • muslin curtains, [72];
  • blinds, [73]
• Wood-box, [86]

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Charming as the Italian villa is, it can hardly be used in our Northern States without certain modifications, unless it is merely occupied for a few weeks in mid-summer; whereas the average French or English country house built after 1600 is perfectly suited to our climate and habits. The chief features of the Italian villa are the open central cortile and the large saloon two stories high. An adaptation of these better suited to a cold climate is to be found in the English country houses built in the Palladian manner after its introduction by Inigo Jones. See Campbell's Vitruvius Britannicus for numerous examples.

[2] The plan of the Hôtel Voguë has been greatly modified.

[3] Cabinets retained this shape after the transporting of furniture had ceased to be a necessity (see [Plate III]).

[4] It must be remembered that in describing the decoration of any given period, we refer to the private houses, not the royal palaces, of that period. Versailles was more splendid than any previous palace; but private houses at that date were less splendid, though far more luxurious, than during the Renaissance.

[5] "Si l'on dispose un édifice d'une manière convenable à l'usage auquel on le destine, ne différera-t-il pas sensiblement d'un autre édifice destiné à un autre usage? N'aura-t-il pas naturellement un caractère, et, qui plus est, son caractère propre?" J. L. N. Durand. Précis des Leçons d'Architecture données à l'École Royale Polytechnique. Paris, 1823.