DOI Heft:
No. 32 (November, 1895)
DOI Artikel:Scott, Mackay H. Baillie: The fireplace of the suburban house
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17295#0119
The Fireplace of the Suburban House
have acquired a prejudice against cast-iron. If,
however, a cast-iron grate is designed with carefully
modelled ornaments, it may be made a very artistic
object, though it never quite attains to the simple
homeliness of effect gained by the cast-iron fire-
basket on the open hearth.
Most of the wrought-iron grates of the shops,
however good they may be in design, all bear the
mark of articles mechanically executed by the
dozen for sale. That unique individual character
which may be noted in old wrought-iron work
dumbly expressing the love of the workman for his
work, although it may seem a trivial matter, is just
the little more which constitutes the essential
difference between the lifeless commercial product
and the vital work of art.
The dog-grate, which is here illustrated, was
made by a local smith from a design by the present
writer.
It will not be out of place here to suggest some
improvement in the design of the kitchen range
from an artistic point of view, for although we can
hardly hope to attain to the exquisite picturesque-
ness of the old cooking apparatus, it may at least
COAL-BOX DESIGNED BY M: H. B. SCOTT
I 06
DOG-GRATE DESIGNED BY M. H. B. SCOTT
be contended that the modern range is unneces-
sarily ugly, and might be treated with advantage in
a simpler manner. The elaborate sham hinges and
mouldings which form part of the oven-door might
well be dispensed with, and the whole range might
at least be made inoffensive in design.
Glazed tiles may be used in the fireplace, either
in connection with a cast-iron grate or in lining
the recess for a dog-grate. Perhaps the most
effective, especially if used with red brick, are the
blue and white Dutch tiles which present such a
variety and quaintness of pattern. The average
pattern tile cannot be recommended from an
artistic point of view, but some very good effects
may be obtained by using the plain glazed tiles in
various colours. Of these, perhaps the best are
those with what is called an antique ground and
a rich peacock blue or green, will form a very
good background to copper-work in the grate and
dogs.
The designing of coal-scuttles was so fully dis-
cussed in connection with the competition in The
Studio that little can be added here on the
subject. The design which is illustrated consists
of an oak box stained a dark purple and orna-
mented with hammered copper. The front opens
downwards so that the coal falls forward and is
kept in at the sides by pieces of sheet iron which
move forwards with the lid.
This coal-box would be suitable for a seat, and
although, the writer has little liking for articles of
furniture which " contrive a double debtto pay,"
there is a special advantage in making use of a
coal-box in this way at a fireside when the space is
somewhat limited.
A corner fireplace is particularly adapted for a
small room, and the illustration shows a suggested
treatment for a homely entrance hall. It is difficult
have acquired a prejudice against cast-iron. If,
however, a cast-iron grate is designed with carefully
modelled ornaments, it may be made a very artistic
object, though it never quite attains to the simple
homeliness of effect gained by the cast-iron fire-
basket on the open hearth.
Most of the wrought-iron grates of the shops,
however good they may be in design, all bear the
mark of articles mechanically executed by the
dozen for sale. That unique individual character
which may be noted in old wrought-iron work
dumbly expressing the love of the workman for his
work, although it may seem a trivial matter, is just
the little more which constitutes the essential
difference between the lifeless commercial product
and the vital work of art.
The dog-grate, which is here illustrated, was
made by a local smith from a design by the present
writer.
It will not be out of place here to suggest some
improvement in the design of the kitchen range
from an artistic point of view, for although we can
hardly hope to attain to the exquisite picturesque-
ness of the old cooking apparatus, it may at least
COAL-BOX DESIGNED BY M: H. B. SCOTT
I 06
DOG-GRATE DESIGNED BY M. H. B. SCOTT
be contended that the modern range is unneces-
sarily ugly, and might be treated with advantage in
a simpler manner. The elaborate sham hinges and
mouldings which form part of the oven-door might
well be dispensed with, and the whole range might
at least be made inoffensive in design.
Glazed tiles may be used in the fireplace, either
in connection with a cast-iron grate or in lining
the recess for a dog-grate. Perhaps the most
effective, especially if used with red brick, are the
blue and white Dutch tiles which present such a
variety and quaintness of pattern. The average
pattern tile cannot be recommended from an
artistic point of view, but some very good effects
may be obtained by using the plain glazed tiles in
various colours. Of these, perhaps the best are
those with what is called an antique ground and
a rich peacock blue or green, will form a very
good background to copper-work in the grate and
dogs.
The designing of coal-scuttles was so fully dis-
cussed in connection with the competition in The
Studio that little can be added here on the
subject. The design which is illustrated consists
of an oak box stained a dark purple and orna-
mented with hammered copper. The front opens
downwards so that the coal falls forward and is
kept in at the sides by pieces of sheet iron which
move forwards with the lid.
This coal-box would be suitable for a seat, and
although, the writer has little liking for articles of
furniture which " contrive a double debtto pay,"
there is a special advantage in making use of a
coal-box in this way at a fireside when the space is
somewhat limited.
A corner fireplace is particularly adapted for a
small room, and the illustration shows a suggested
treatment for a homely entrance hall. It is difficult