International studio (56.1915)

An Old New England Home

of solidity and stability. The irregularity of the
newly-added outside chimney of brick is as un-
usual as it is pleasing; quite “in the picture,” and
quite in keeping with the irregularity of the
original central chimney of field-stone, which has
been retained. At the rear, the rebuilt “ex-
tension” is perfectly harmonious. The substance
of this house dates back fully a century-and-a-
half, but a jig-saw veranda had been added at a
period much later than that of the original
colonial design. This Mr. Sumner replaced by an
entrance that, so far as I know, is, as applied to

vation, it frequently happens that interiors done
by a professional “decorator,” though charming
in themselves, seem far from kindred to their
inhabitants. The Sumner interiors are an ex-
pression of those who were to abide within them
—a fit setting for their Lares. Come first with me
into the unusual living-room, the heart of this
distinctive farm home.
As the house has an eastern exposure, the
living-room receives morning light. There are
windows also at the south and west. Here, as
elsewhere throughout, have been inserted new


ANOTHER VIEW OF THE FARMSTEAD

BY PHILLIPS WARD

dwellings, without any definite precedent. It is
a true porch, with a small concrete pediment and
half-windows on either side, and serves as a re-
ception hall, an alcove, or, in warm weather,
something similar to the old Dutch stoep. A
broad Dutch door of weathered oak, fitted with
antique wrought-iron or with careful replicas,
admits one to the entrance, the inside measure-
ments of which are approximately 7^ x 9.
At the right opens the dining-room, at the left
the living-room. Opposite the entrance a stair-
case of box pattern, with an ample closet beneath,
has taken the place of the old direct stairway.
This permits of a vista that effectively links the
two rooms. To make a somewhat trite obser-

window-frames and new sashes—copied from the
original; the lower eight-pane, the upper twelve.
The floor is also new, as there was not in the
original house a square foot of decent flooring.
The general structure was, of course, excellent;
fashioned of prime lumber and good stone in a
day when builders did not scimp their work.
The great ceiling beams had been overlaid with
plaster; downstairs this was removed, revealing
the rough outlines and the adze marks, used to
make the plaster adhere. These beams and all
other woodwork in the first story were treated
to secure a warm brown tone. The sidewalls are
covered with oatmeal paper. A southward ad-
dition measuring 12 x 18 gives this room twice

LXV