then four walls and an overhanging roof alone need be given. The view
shows the principal front of the building; on page 163 is the ground
plan; _a_ is a small hall having a window looking into the conservatory
on the right; the door leading to the servants’ department is on the
left; _c_ is a small study, 16 ft. by 14 ft., with a decorated ceiling,
containing the shield of arms of the owner. The drawing-room, _d_, size
28 ft. by 15 ft, has the
[Illustration: The ceiling of drawing-room.]
ornamental ceiling of bold Elizabethan character; this covers the whole
ceiling, and the effect of such ornamentation
[Illustration: Cornice of drawing-room.]
is very good. Often, in the olden times, a portion of the rib moulding
was gilt, the ground of the ceiling being of a light blue; ceilings of
this kind exist which represent foliage and flowers, giving the effect
of a garden bower. The preceding illustration shows the present ceiling.
The simple rib moulding is in plaster, with small flowers and pendants.
The section of the rib moulding to a large scale is shown in the cut;
which also gives the cornice and frieze of the room; _e_, in the ground
plan, is the dining-room, 16 ft. by 12 ft., this opens on to a terrace
paved with
[Illustration: Plan of attic. Basement plan.]
marble in black and white squares--the present ornamental tiles were not
in common use at the time the design was made; _f_ is the kitchen, _g_
the scullery, and _h_ the larder. A small enclosed servants’ yard, with
place for coals, wood, and other conveniences, is in front of the
kitchen. The yard has a separate entrance from the front. This is the
whole of the accommodation given on the ground floor. The one-pair plan
shows the five bedrooms. These are without dressing-rooms, there being
no space for them. A small turret staircase leads to the attic floor.
This gives two large bedrooms and a small one for the
[Illustration: Section through building.]
servants. The large bow-windowed room might serve as a nursery. The
tower was carried up and contained a bell. The basement plan contains a
large and small wine cellar, and one also for beer; there are four
cellars, besides an inner cellar under the stairs.
[Illustration: Front elevation.]
The principal staircase is very light and cheerful, having on one side
three large windows, with a ledge or stand for flowers. It was proposed
to panel it entirely with oak, and have an ornamental ceiling similar to
that in the drawing-room, with a pendant in the centre. The section is
taken through the drawing-room, staircase, and kitchen, and shows the
form and height of the rooms above; also the stone stairs to the
cellars.
[Illustration: Details of gable ornaments.]
It will be seen that the walls rest upon a concrete foundation; the
scale is too small to show the damp course or the ventilating bricks, as
previously described (see page 159). The chimneys are shown carried up
nine inches square, excepting the kitchen chimney, that being 14 inches
by 9. The staircase was to have a plain Elizabethan iron railing, and
the whole of the wood-work to be coloured and grained oak; the roof was
to be covered with slate, these requiring a less solid base; ornamental
ironwork crowned the summit of the principal roof over the staircase. An
illustration of the front of the building is given on page 169.
[Illustration: Section and elevation of chimney.]
The figures on page 170 illustrate various kinds of treatment for the
carving of the finials and pendants, and the ornaments of the small
gables; it being usual in these structures not to have any two parts of
ornamental detail exactly alike. It has all to be carved by hand, and
requires only slight extra trouble on the part of the architect to make
separate patterns for the workmen. A section and elevation of one of the
chimneys are shown also; they are fitted with the small cap introduced
and used so extensively by the late Mr. Thomas Cubitt, at Belgravia and
Pimlico; this will
[Illustration: Knocker. Key escutcheons.]
[Illustration: Oak corbel.]
be found fully illustrated in the chapter on chimney and flue
construction. At the time this design was made, this plan was not
known. The chimney is shown with an iron funnel 2 feet in height, a
chimney-pot, in fact, let into the stone work at top, having no
projection within for soot to lodge. Two of the stone balustrades are
illustrated. Every separate balustrade in such buildings should be of a
different pattern.
[Illustration: Stone balustrades.]
The knocker on the entrance door, the key, escutcheons for the doors,
and a corbel in oak from the entrance front, are illustrated on page
172.
[Illustration: An external frieze.]
_DESIGN No. 15._
A SMALL COUNTRY HOUSE.
[Illustration: The front elevation.]
This building was intended to be only a comfortable country house for
the residence of an eminent provincial solicitor. It was directed to be
made of superior character, as the owner, being a person well known in
the county, considered that the
[Illustration: The ground plan.]
eyes of the whole neighbourhood would be upon it. The situation was on
one of the roads leading out of Maidstone, and as the land in which it
was to stand was taken on lease for 99 years, nothing beyond a superior
gentlemanly character could be given to it, as it is only in freehold
houses that any superior or expensive architectural adornment should be
indulged in. The Roman or Italian style, as being the most appropriate
and the one best understood by builders, was adopted.
[Illustration: The plan of the upper floor.]
The front of the house had no prospect, the side of the road opposite to
it showing only a high bank with boulders of ragstone, peculiar to the
county of Kent; and for this reason none of the principal windows looked
towards it. The back-front and side, however, turned towards the hills
between Maidstone and Rochester. Very precise directions were given as
to the arrangement, size, height, and number of the rooms. The study,
_c_, was to be on the left of the entrance-hall, and its size 16 feet
by 12 feet. It was made 16 feet square. The drawing-room, _d_, having
the chief prospect, was to be the principal room. This was made 20 feet
by 17 feet. The dining-room, _e_, was 20 feet by 16 feet; both rooms
looked into conservatories, _i_ _i_. The back front faced the north--a
very favourite aspect for the principal rooms with many of the noblemen
and gentlemen of Kent; the reason being that the flowers in the gardens
under the windows, turning towards the sun, present a cheerful and
agreeable appearance to the occupants of the rooms.
[Illustration: Plan of second floor.]
[Illustration: Plan of basement floor.]
The dining-room had steps leading down to the garden; the kitchen _b_,
scullery _g_, and small larder _h_, were on the right of the entrance,
the kitchen and the study having small windows by the side of the
entrance, so that all visitors coming to the house might be seen. The
servants’ door was in the small yard by the side of kitchen, with a
place for coals; _o_ is a small chaise-house, and _p_ a stable for a
pony; _l_ is the dust-hole.
[Illustration: Frieze of drawing-room.]
[Illustration: Frieze of dining-room.]
[Illustration: Section of cement skirtings.]
The upper floor had to contain five best bedrooms; these can be seen in
the plan. Their sizes were 17 feet by 12 feet, and 16 feet by 10 feet.
There were three dressing-rooms, the largest 12 feet by 10, the two
smaller each 12 feet 6 inches by 6 feet. The second floor contained two
rooms for servants, one 16 feet by 10 feet, the other 12 feet by 10
feet. The basement had a footman’s pantry, 12 feet by 9 feet 6 inches,
and a dairy of the same size. This had steps down to it in the area.
There was a wet larder with a window, a wine cellar, and a beer cellar.
[Illustration: Section through entrance-hall and dining-room.]
The interior was plainly finished, with nothing beyond the best modern
enrichments. The whole of the interior had Keen’s cement skirtings. The
staircase had a skirting flush with the wall, so as not to take away
space from the stairs; this is shown at page 178. There were ornamental
roses in the centre of the ceilings of the principal rooms. The section
of the interior is made through the principal entrance, across the
staircase and dining-room; and in the upper floor, through two of the
dressing-rooms.
[Illustration: Elevation of portico.]
The only architectural feature in the front of any importance was the
portico (see page 180). A bold and prominent effect was given to it. The
estimated expense of the building was 2151_l._, full price put down as
2250_l._
* * * * *
The vignette is an elevation of an Elizabethan balustrade, in stone,
intended to crown a cornice, and to be placed in an elevated position
against the sky line.
[Illustration]
_DESIGN No. 16._
A COUNTRY VILLA.
[Illustration]
This villa, which has just been erected in Berkshire, in the
neighbourhood of Windsor, is intended as the country residence for a
lady of rank. The living rooms are large and noble, and the
accommodation
[Illustration: Plan of ground floor.]
for a small establishment ample. The plate (page 182) shows the garden
front, and above is the ground plan. The two principal rooms, the
drawing and dining-rooms, are respectively 25 feet by 18 feet and 21
feet by 18 feet. They are to the left of the hall; this, of moderate
size, leads to the principal staircase, which is of very easy ascent,
each step rising less than
[Illustration: Plan of upper story.]
6 inches. The second landing opens to the servants’ staircase; _b_ (see
page 183) is the kitchen, size 15 feet
[Illustration: Plan of wine cellar.]
by 14 feet, with the larder _h_, leading directly out of it,--_g_ is the
scullery, with an oven, and a shoot into the dustpit _m_, _n_ is the
housekeeper’s room, and _j_ the butler’s pantry; _c_ is the lady’s room
or study. This was enlarged, by taking down the partition, marked on
the plan by the dotted lines, to allow of a splendid oak cabinet being
placed there. A door in the room opens direct into that of the
housekeeper; _k_ is the dairy,
[Illustration: Section through drawing-room, staircase, and kitchen.]
and _l_ a place for coals. The wine cellar was at first intended to be
placed under the principal flight of stairs, descending a few steps; but
a large one, _b_ (see page 184), was afterwards made.
[Illustration: French cut pine woodwork, from the exterior.]
The plan of the upper story shows it containing two large principal
bedchambers--each with a dressing-room, and a large room with two
fireplaces serving as a nursery, but which could at any time be made
into two rooms by putting up partitions.
The servants’ sleeping apartments, the housemaid’s closet, and the
servants’ staircase, occupy the remaining portion of the plan.
The cost of erecting the carcase of the building, including the wine
cellar, was 1108_l._ The cost of finishing, putting up the principal
staircase in Portland
[Illustration: Plan and elevation of iron glazed casement to
entrance-door.]
stone, and leaving all work required to be painted with two coats, but
exclusive of papering, stoves, ironwork, marble mantelpieces,
conservatory, verandah and exterior decorations to roof, was 1550_l._
Mr. Hockley, of Kensington, was the builder. When the mansion was
finished so far, all ornamentations, &c., formed an agreeable occupation
for the lady to complete from favourite examples seen by her on the
Continent. The extra parquet flooring in the dining and drawing-rooms is
from Switzerland. This cost 148_l._ All the stone flooring of the hall,
staircase, passages, and conservatory, is covered with tiles from Italy;
these are about 8 inches square, but not so well made as the English
kind, although more artistic. Each has a small figure put in by hand,
which is different on every tile. The tiles are faced with a white
china ground and look extremely well. The common tiles cost 16_s._ per
100. The grotesque figured tiles,
[Illustration: Plan and view of remains of old house.]
of which the illustration on page 189 shows four, cost 2_l._ per 100.
They were supplied by M. Giustiniani, of Naples. The marble
chimney-pieces were to be supplied from Italy. The ironwork of the
staircases, and the panel to fill up the opening in staircase, shown
dotted in the upper plan, were supplied from Paris. It is different from
any ironwork that can be procured here, of elegant design, and covered
apparently with a thin coat of zinc. This gives it a silvery metallic
appearance, and it does not require
[Illustration: Four of the Italian figured tiles.]
painting; it is really a coating of glass, and is termed the _lavenant_
process. It it said to be a great preservative of the iron, and can be
put on in different colours. Each of the windows of the principal rooms,
and the hall, is fitted within with Price’s steel revolving shutters.
These cost 75_l._ The upper windows on the outside have iron balconets,
likewise from France, and the roof, surrounding the principal parts, is
finished with the French cut pine patterns. They were supplied by M.
Jules Millet, of 12, Boulevard du Temple. The entrance door has the two
upper panels
[Illustration: French iron staircase railing.]
filled with French castings, executed in a fashion different from the
English mode; but one quite worthy to be followed. The iron panel is
placed on the outside, with a light iron glazed casement fitted behind
it. This in warm weather can be opened, so as to admit fresh air into
the hall. The plan and elevation of the casement shown from the inside,
on page 187; by the side of it is one quarter of the external iron
casting.
It may be remarked that these French patterns, both in iron and wood,
are not finished off as clean as they would be in England. The castings
appear just as they came out of the sand, and the wood pattern exactly
as the machines or saw left them; but they are extremely elegant, and
the metallic appearance of the ironwork is very pleasing.
The former house is pulled down, except a portion, permitted to remain,
which is formed into a decorative building for the garden; the plan
(page 188) shows _a_ the old kitchen, _b_ the wine cellar made into an
ice-house, _d_ a lock-up closet, _f_ a prospect tower, _c_ a closet in a
small enclosed garden, and _e_, a garden seat.
On page 190 is a pattern sent from Paris for the staircase railing.
[Illustration]
_DESIGN No. 17._
A DOUBLE SUBURBAN VILLA.
[Illustration: Perspective view.]
This building was intended for erection on a leasehold estate at a
little distance out of London. It would have been of rather plainer
character, but the view (page 192) shows the design first made. The
frontage, or width of ground for each house, was
[Illustration: Ground-floor plan.]
60 feet, the depth 150 feet. The character of the building was of the
domestic style of the reign of Henry VII., and the accommodation it
afforded is given in the several plans. The ground plan shows two large
rooms _D_ and _E_, the drawing and dining rooms, which can easily be
opened into each other by sliding back the inner doors into the
partition; _C_ is the library, with a book-room leading out of it. _B_
is the staircase, of a size rather larger than that generally allowed in
London houses. Very often, sufficient attention is not paid to this
highly important part of our dwellings by builders, nor full space
allowed for it. A
[Illustration: One-pair plan.]
good staircase should have, at every six or seven steps, a landing of at
least 2 feet 6 inches in depth. Where winding stairs are used they
should have a good sweep; the tread, in the centre, should be 1 foot in
width, the riser never more than 6 inches in height--less even would be
better. It is also of considerable importance in a staircase that the
height of the steps in the various flights should be the same. Some of
the most costly and important of the builders’ houses in London, erected
on highly rented land, have the staircases so confined that these, an
architect’s well-known rules, are wholly put aside. Staircases with
risers of 6 inches in height from the ground to the one-pair floor,
increased to near 7 inches to the two-pair, the latter flight containing
probably 30 steps in a straight line without a landing, render a house
almost uninhabitable.
[Illustration: Attic plan.]
A servants’ staircase is a most desirable addition to a large house.
The present building was not considered of sufficient importance to have
one. It was proposed to be placed between the tower and the dining-room,
but it was rightly considered that the two staircases should be put
together so that the
[Illustration: Basement plan.]
landings of each, on every half space, should be on the same level,
separated only by a door, and giving the servant immediate access to
every floor of the house. A position between the library and staircase
would have been most proper, but there was not sufficient width; it
would have interfered with the kitchen, and would have made too
intricate a plan, which, for houses to be erected on leasehold land, is
objected to by builders unless directed by the party purchasing.
[Illustration: Section of roof to larder.]
[Illustration: Section of steps to garden.]
With a servants’ staircase follow a large housemaid’s closet, sink, &c.,
which must always be provided where possible. The plan of the one-pair
shows three large bedrooms and one dressing-room, with the tower room,
which was intended either for a morning room, a
[Illustration: The side elevation.]
school room, or a boudoir. There is a large conservatory on the
principal landing of staircase, and a closet leading out of it. A
good-sized aquarium with a regular supply of water could be easily
arranged in the centre of the conservatory. The attic plan contains
three large rooms for servants, and the tower room was to be used as a
smoking room, or as a play room for the children.
[Illustration]
The basement contains a private breakfast or dining room, _T_, with a
large store closet, having an opening one foot in height filled with
perforated zinc opposite
[Illustration: Half elevation of small library.]
the window of the passage; _N_ is the housekeeper’s or servants’ hall;
_B_ the kitchen 23 feet by 18 feet, with _G_ the scullery behind, _H_,
_H_, the larders, _S_ position for a lift, and _L_ a place for coals.
The basement stairs should have been on the side adjoining kitchen.
[Illustration]
It is a difficult thing in this class of house to confine the smell of
the cooking to the kitchen. An endeavour was made here to effect it. The
kitchen had no direct entrance to the body of the house, the servants
going through the passage, by the side of the area, from which it was
well ventilated, to get to the common staircase. This had a window at
the top, not shown in the plan. The small section on page 197 shows
[Illustration: Elevation of hall screen.]
the mode of ventilating the larder; _a_ is a slab of slate let into the
wall, _b_ a pane of perforated zinc, _c_ iron bars glazed with thick
glass, so that whatever the weather, there would be full ventilation,
the fresh air always entering and the confined air leaving the room.
This is the usual mode, in large houses, of covering the external
passage leading from the kitchen to the house.
[Illustration: Details of hall screen. (See page 206.)]
The general view shows the front and side of the two houses. The
elevation of the side front is given on page 198.
[Illustration: Plan and elevation of entrance garden-gate.]
The three small illustrations on page 199 are various details of the
exterior. One is a part section of the roof of turret, showing the
timbers and the vane at top, an elevation of one half the upper gable
window, and half of one of the small front windows; these portions of
the exterior, together with the arcade at the entrance and balustrade
over it, were to be executed in stone.
The Gothic window by the side of the arcade is an example from Berstead
Church, in Kent. The gentleman for whom the design was made caught a
sight of it in the “Architect Sketch Book,” and required it might be
introduced as a small window in his library. An elevation of one half of
it is given on page 200.
The general section (page 201) is of one of the houses taken through the
drawing room, the staircase, and the library. The staircase is well
lighted, having a conservatory and closet on the first half-space
landing. The ceiling of the staircase is finished with groining and
pendant flowers; the stairs have a plain Gothic iron-railing, painted
and lightly gilt; the section shows the party-wall between the two
houses.
[Illustration: Balustrading on garden wall.]
The entrance is divided into an inner and outer hall, divided by a
Gothic screen in carved oak, the various openings of which, together
with the upper panels of the folding doors, are filled with embossed
glass. This keeps the house warm, and prevents cold draughts from
entering; a second glazed screen separates the inner hall from the
staircase; the effect of the screens when there is plenty of light
behind is extremely pleasing. It was for such a screen that the
door-handle illustrated at an earlier page, as a vignette, was made.
[Illustration: Balustrading in front of house.]
Of the first of these screens, that in the hall, only the larger lower
and upper panels were to have white embossed glass; the smaller openings
were to be filled with richly coloured embossed glass; a small elevation
of the hall screen, and portions of its details to a larger scale, are
given on pp. 202, 203.
The chimney pieces were proposed to be of cast iron, and to be painted
and slightly gilt.
The expense of construction of the pair of villas would be nearly about
7800_l._
[Illustration: Front.]
Cut-wood canopy to a door at West Brompton, a short distance beyond the
Metropolitan District Railway. It has been constructed about twenty
years, and stands well.
[Illustration: One of the side trusses or corbels.]
_DESIGN No. 18._
DESIGN FOR VILLAGE SCHOOLS, AND READING ROOM.
[Illustration: Front elevation.]
[Illustration: Plan.]
This building is about to be erected in the county of Norfolk. It will
contain a boys’ and girls’ school, with two rooms each, forming a
parlour and bedroom, for the master and mistress; _a_ is the entrance
porch, _d_ and _d_ are the two school rooms, and _e_ and _e_ the living
rooms. The centre of the building forms the reading, lecture, and
meeting-room for the village. The small room _c_, leading out of it, is
a book room for the secretary or attendant; _b_, _b_, are open yards;
each master and mistress have private entrances, and yards to
themselves. The construction is of the cheapest kind; on a brick
foundation, quarter framing is placed, filled in with brick, and
plastered inside and out. The columns in the centre are trunks of trees,
standing on stone slabs, and each has a flat stone capping. This
building complete should not cost more than 850_l._ It is much to be
desired that every village should have a room set apart, distinct from
any public-house or tavern, where newspapers and books can be provided,
lectures given, and various entertainments supplied the villagers.
[Illustration]
_DESIGN No. 19._
A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL AND SCHOOLS.
[Illustration: Elevation of front.]
This design was made for a building intended to occupy a site leading
from the High street in a
[Illustration: Plan of chapel and schools.]
very fashionable district, immediately out of London. The ground was
rather confined in area, and from its position, being behind the houses
in the street, it could only be approached by a narrow avenue between
two of the houses.
[Illustration: Transverse section of chapel.]