DOI issue:
No. 32 (November, 1895)
DOI article:Scott, Mackay H. Baillie: The fireplace of the suburban house
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17295#0118
The Fireplace of the Suburban House
textures or surfaces, but re-
duces everything to one
monotonous dead level.
Those who have felt the
charm of an old beam with
its adzed surface will be able
to appreciate how all this
is lost under the modern
joiner's plane, and this is
but one example amongst
many of the degradation of
modern craftsmanship in
this respect.
The mantelshelf has now
come to be considered
almost the essential adjunct
of the fireplace, and although
its adoption is generally due
to thoughtless and mechani-
cal repetition there is much
to be said in its favour. It
affords a very suitable posi-
tion for decorative speci-
mens of china or metal-work
which, if carefully chosen
and arranged, will all help
to give its due importance
to the fireplace. It should,
however, be specially borne
in mind that a few good
specimens will be far more
effective than a number of
inferior ornaments.
In choosing decorative a corner fireplace designed by m. h. b. scott
articles for such a position,
the general homely character which it has been our the ornaments, and which may become a resting-
object throughout to attain should be specially place for he knows not what atrocities in china
borne in mind. The old brass candlesticks which and glass. The most satisfactory results are only
are generally relegated to the kitchen, exactly obtained when the mantelpiece and ornaments are
enforce this homely note, and there are few things considered together. In designing a mantelpiece,
more inviting than the twinkling lights of the for instance, in dark oak or ebony, much of the
polished metal against a background of dark oak. effect may depend on the extent to which the dark
So we may have recourse to the kitchen again for background is relieved by china plates or vases,
a few old willow-pattern plates, and then with a and these things should be considered in the
mug of flowers our mantelshelf may be considered original design. The mantelpiece may not neces-
complete. The term "mug" has been used advisedly, sarily be complete in itself, and may be made,
because vases are almost invariably so ugly in form absolutely simple, to form a suitable foil to some
and colour that the very name has become cor- superb specimen of china or metal-work,
rupted with evil associations, and suggests nothing Grates may be broadly classified under two
but the mantelshelf of the lodging-house with its heads, as movable or fixed; the former including
artificial flowers under glass and its bespangled the various kinds of fire-baskets and dog-grates,
vases. ■ and the latter the modern varieties of cast-iron
It is a painful thing for the architect to design a grates. These latter have generally been of such
mantelpiece for which he dares not hope to choose phenomenal ugliness, that many art-loving people
10
5
textures or surfaces, but re-
duces everything to one
monotonous dead level.
Those who have felt the
charm of an old beam with
its adzed surface will be able
to appreciate how all this
is lost under the modern
joiner's plane, and this is
but one example amongst
many of the degradation of
modern craftsmanship in
this respect.
The mantelshelf has now
come to be considered
almost the essential adjunct
of the fireplace, and although
its adoption is generally due
to thoughtless and mechani-
cal repetition there is much
to be said in its favour. It
affords a very suitable posi-
tion for decorative speci-
mens of china or metal-work
which, if carefully chosen
and arranged, will all help
to give its due importance
to the fireplace. It should,
however, be specially borne
in mind that a few good
specimens will be far more
effective than a number of
inferior ornaments.
In choosing decorative a corner fireplace designed by m. h. b. scott
articles for such a position,
the general homely character which it has been our the ornaments, and which may become a resting-
object throughout to attain should be specially place for he knows not what atrocities in china
borne in mind. The old brass candlesticks which and glass. The most satisfactory results are only
are generally relegated to the kitchen, exactly obtained when the mantelpiece and ornaments are
enforce this homely note, and there are few things considered together. In designing a mantelpiece,
more inviting than the twinkling lights of the for instance, in dark oak or ebony, much of the
polished metal against a background of dark oak. effect may depend on the extent to which the dark
So we may have recourse to the kitchen again for background is relieved by china plates or vases,
a few old willow-pattern plates, and then with a and these things should be considered in the
mug of flowers our mantelshelf may be considered original design. The mantelpiece may not neces-
complete. The term "mug" has been used advisedly, sarily be complete in itself, and may be made,
because vases are almost invariably so ugly in form absolutely simple, to form a suitable foil to some
and colour that the very name has become cor- superb specimen of china or metal-work,
rupted with evil associations, and suggests nothing Grates may be broadly classified under two
but the mantelshelf of the lodging-house with its heads, as movable or fixed; the former including
artificial flowers under glass and its bespangled the various kinds of fire-baskets and dog-grates,
vases. ■ and the latter the modern varieties of cast-iron
It is a painful thing for the architect to design a grates. These latter have generally been of such
mantelpiece for which he dares not hope to choose phenomenal ugliness, that many art-loving people
10
5