Studio: international art (5.1895)

The "Magpie and Stump"

hideous but essential item, be it lock, handle, hinge
or the like, by adding more or less bad ornament
to it ; here Mr. Ashbee has tried by its simplicity of

"MAGPIE AND STUMP " ELECTRIC-LIGHT FITTINGS

form or beauty of surface to let the item in question
serve its purpose thoroughly with no added orna-
ment whatever.

"MAGPIE AND STUMP " ELECTRIC -LIGHT FITTINGS

In the dining-room a certain austerity is kept
throughout. More mediaeval than the other rooms,
as the sketch shows, with its fireplace at the further
end between two windows leading into the garden, its

pleasantly designed frieze painted by Miss Ashbee,
its nook stored with old blue and white Nankin on
its shelves, the room has colour and a certain air of
comfort which could not be indicated in the sketch.
Leaving it, as you ascend the stairs a small window
gives a pleasant peep into the dining-room. The
newels of this staircase, continued aloft into pillars
are a feature of the house and a pleasant one
Their use is not particularly obvious, but their
decorative value is unquestionable. Underneath

J«S- Cor<N.l

"MAGPIE AND STUMP " ELECTRIC-LIGHT FITTINGS

the tread of each step is a sort of bracket, as it
were, decorated -in gesso, but these items and the
grill-work of the first stage of the staircase are to
be seen in the drawing, and may be passed over
with a bare mention.

From the first landing of the staircase, doors
lead to Miss Ashbee's studio, access being gained
through this down a flight of steps to the large
studio used by Mr. Ashbee, which again by another
flight of steps communicates with his private office.

In the drawing-room you find quite a different
ideal ruling; no longer the austere simplicity of
the dining-hall, but a room which is not at first
sight conspicuously unlike many another modern
salon in the abode of people of taste. But the
originality which distinguishes the house reveals
itself here also as you study the details, the most

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