International studio (59.1916)

The House of Mr. George B. Post at Bernardsville, N. J.

A CORNER OF THE GARDEN


exalted standard of architectural exclusiveness by
well-selected and trimmed arbor vitae, bay trees
and box of unusual dimensions.
From the west we get another picture which
invites because it places in a proper relative
position the upper and lower terraces with their
stately approach. Here it is that we can enjoy
the lay-out of the place and from it we learn
further regarding the way in which the garden
has been contrived to hold the sunlight and to
benefit by the shelter of the easterly winds. As
a matter of fact, there are three separate and
distinct gardens. They are enclosed by stone
walls and hedging so that each one has its own
view, its own peculiar colour note, its own dis-
tinctive individual appeal. They lead to each
other by a natural climax.
Of course, it is more usual for the visitor to
climb the hill and approach the house along the
elm-shaded avenue leading to the forecourt.
While standing on the terrace immediately in
front of the central hall and looking down upon
the valley we can enjoy a fascinating picture
which is particularly acceptable on an early
morning in June or on a moonlight night. It is
a picture showing the richness of a palette which

has been studied not only in relation to its colour
and texture values but with regard to the season
in which the plants blossom. When flooded with
sunlight, the picture is very brilliant. The cop-
ing to the stone wall, benches and vases, the curb
of the lily pond, the dignified steps by which we
get from one level to the other and the paths,
even those that extend into the heavy under-
brush of the woods, respond to the bright light.
The red cedar is said by some to be our cypress.
It is very important here with its vigourous
growth, indicative of healthy and successful root-
age. Its dull russet green, which brings into
prominence the silvery sheen of the masonry, the
texture of the green sward, is a strange quality of
conventional framing so welcome to the pastoral
scenes when fashion favours the garden garbed in
white, heliotrope, violet, turquoise, and, of course,
that phase of salmon pink which is generally as-
sociated with light tones of coral. The designer
of this garden evidently studied the shadows as
well as the textures and colours, and so devised
the scheme that it brings in the hills, the salient
outline of which forms the natural climax.
Even from the terrace we get the perfume of
the rose garden, which occupies the centre of the

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