International studio (26.1905)

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DINING-ROOM ARTHUR 1. KELLER'S HOUSE

wall texture in the latter and a striped paper in two
tones of green in the former and white woodwork
for both alike. Colour variation was afforded by
the Oriental rugs on the door, the pictures, furniture
covering and door hangings. A hall settle with
panelled back was made from a design by Mr.
Keller to dt the space between the front door and
stairway, and its surface was finished to correspond
with the woodwork.
In the drawing-room a collection of water-colour
paintings is fastened to the wall in the manner in
which such works are placed in the galleries, with-
out the aggressive showing of silver or metallic
cords from picture to ceiling. The old piano that
dates back to 1800, and which appears in some of
Mr. Keller's colour studies, stands along the wall,
and, in another part of the room, are some musical
instruments that are kept in active service by the
artist's family. Two old sofas, one of Sheraton
pattern and another of late Colonial days, with
some Chippendale chairs, are in this room. The
modern mantel has had its wooden cabinets and
upper shelves removed and a classic decoration in
piaster fitted as an over-mantel. Thin sash cur-
tains of lace and net give a trim exterior to the win-
dows, and for inside effect a less conventional treat-
ment has been adopted by hanging straight lengths
of cream-white madras to the floor.
The library walls have been arranged in horizon-
tal sections that apparently lower the height of the
tall ceilings, and contribute a large measure towards

the cozy, home-like interior.
A three-foot frieze of copper-
coloured burlap is hung on
the upper part of the walls,
with the same material in
dull, dark green placed be-
low as a wainscot. Low
bookcases painted green like
the woodwork and base of
the walls have been built to
fit the spaces between doors
and windows. Candlesticks
are in evidence all over the
library, as in every room in
the house, and when, on oc-
casions, candle lighting is
made the chief means for
illumination, the full charm
of the quiet colouring is
more than ever apparent.
The dining-room has the
same choice of colours for
walls and woodwork as the
library into which it opens, with, however, a dado
and chair rail. Two china closets with ordinary
wood-panelled doors—one at either side of the
recess that holds the century-old mahogany side-
board—have been altered for the better by a
simple expedient of the artist, who has had upper
doors made with latticed panes of glass and
rounded tops, showing the old china within. The
silver candelabra on the top of the sideboard once
belonged to Thomas Jefferson, and Aaron Burr, it
is said, often sat beneath these lights.
Besides the usual family rooms a studio has been
created on the top floor for the artist by throwing
two rooms into one and adding a skylight. The
city dwelling of this artist, full of suggestive ideas
to the intelligent maker of a home, and satisfying
in detail to every one interested in Mr. Keller's
work, is only occupied during a portion of the year.
The pressure upon the artistic labors of its owner
makes the interruption of a vacation impossible,
and, as partial recompense, a studio-home is set up
for the summer months in the invigorating air of the
Shawangunk Mountains.
'W 1 RANZ CHARLET, whose painting,
I we present to our
! ^ readers in this issue in a reproduction in
JL colours, a contemporary Belgium painter,
does most of his work in water colour. He
is a member of the Society of the Forty Aquarel-
lists. The Belgium government purchased five of

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