Identifier: americanhomesgar41907newy (find matches)
Title: American homes and gardens
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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n old English saying was that the wayto build a house was first to construct themassive chimney and then build the houseround it. With the central mast of brickand stone firmly planted in the ground,the rooms could then defy the assaults offrost and tempest. The well-to-do of our great cities, if wemay believe the wails of the sufferingtradesman, show an inclination to protracttheir residence in their country homes lateryear by year, some not returning to towntill the approach of Thanksgiving. Thepleasures of the fireside, therefore, on rainvdays and chilly evenings are greatly en-hanced by the artistic form and decorationof the chimneypiece and hearth with itsfurnishings. Architects have not been slowto cater to the taste for chimneypieces inthe old English style and that of the Dutchas shown in the pictures of the greatmasters. In many localities the land yieldsin numbers all too plentiful cobble-stonesof various forms and sizes. These, in 3i6 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS August, 1907
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3—The Stones of Which this Fireplace Is Built Were CarefullySelected for Color and Size combination with brick, are in great favor nowadays in theconstruction of massive chimneys. Their various colors andshapes produce a pleasing mosaic effect and a satisfying senseof solidity. These are in great favor, especially with artistswho go to the country and build studios in which to pursuetheir work face to face with Nature. A fine example of theprimitive type of chimney is shown in Pig. 3. If the floorhad been tiled instead of planked no fender would havebeen requisite; and this would have added to its impressive-ness. A very artistic chimney built of cobble-stones is thatof Fig. 4. Here the brick front of the hearth renders thefender unnecessary. The handsome wooden paneled and

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