Generally speaking, due to the smallness of the average plot upon which
the little house is erected, the building of a prominent pathway to
the front door directly in a straight line from the street, cutting
the lawn and the property in two equal halves, is not pleasing. The
lawn will be small enough as it is without chopping it into two pieces.
If a straight approach is desirable, it should be made of materials
that will not visibly produce this effect of division. Stone slabs
of greenish color or neutral tones set with open joints, or even
stepping stones, solve the problem. But the straight approach has not
the mystery and picturesque quality of one which curves around the
outside of the lawn, and is framed in with planting, so that the view
of the house is constantly changing as one proceeds.
The roadway to the garage might also be the way to the house. Nothing
looks uglier than the straight cut from street to garage. Planning the
location of this service building so that it cannot be seen from the
street is an excellent step in the right direction.
The material of which these paths and roads should be constructed ought
to be in harmony with the house. Brick paths look well with brick
houses, stone paths and gravel paths look well with stone houses,
concrete paths and roads go well with concrete and stucco houses, for
one naturally associates these materials as being left over from the
building. It is the most natural thing in the world to use up a few
of the bricks for the paths after one gets through building the brick
house, or laying some of the stones to walk upon, after finishing the
house of stone, or using up a few odd barrels of cement for the walks
when the job on the concrete house is over. And being so natural a
thing, there is a likable gesture in doing it.