DOI issue:
Nr. 116 (November 1902)
DOI article:Watson, W. R.: Some recent Scottish domestic fittings and decorations
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19877#0120
Scottish Domestic Decorations
tranquillising impression of perfect safety which all achieve true home-like atmosphere. The furniture
parts of the structure should impart to the beholder, designed for the rooms affords a proof, if such be
Too often in a crowded city where the dwellings required, that the so-called modern art handicraft
are arranged in a tiresome but necessary sequence can be appreciated by ordinary men and women ;
of street, terrace, and square, it is found that the that its best principle and aim is not merely
architect has sacrificed the whole beauty and extravagance and peculiarity, and general dis-
seemliness of the entry for the sake of enlarging comfort, but the discovery of new forms, more
the living rooms. Two feet of width gained in the in accordance with the life of our time than the
dining-room is but a poor exchange for a mean bad copies and vulgar variations of stereotyped
and paltry hall, for the keynote of a house is designs with which we have been in the habit of
struck by its main entrance. Certainly, the former surrounding ourselves. It is a matter for regret
uses of this once important portion of the that the designing of furniture is so often handed
domicile are no longer possible, owing to over to the upholsterer, and that houses otherwise
different modern require-
ments, but the architects
of No. 12, University Gar-
dens, have succeeded in
showing that the hall has
possibilities, even when the
tyranny of space limits the
actual measurements. By
judicious treatment, the
architects have contrived to
secure at the very threshold
something of beauty, com-
bined with a suggestion
of uncramped ease and
leisurely well-being which
lends an indisputable
charm, and awakens memo-
ries of the serene, old-world
stateliness of some seven-
teenth or eighteenth century
house.
Mr. Gillespie, who is re-
sponsible for the working
out and completion of No.
r2, University Gardens,
treats the fireplace with
due emphasis as the natural
centre of the room, and
therefore the most impor-
tant feature within the four
walls; he makes it a place
of decorative pleasantness
and peace, and the appear-
ance of comfort is never
found at variance with de-
corative excellence. To the
couch or settle, too, this
architect gives outward and
visible sign of that grace ot
comfort and rest without music cabinet, drawing-room designed by j. gaff gillespie
comioru anu icsi wimuui executed by john Crawford
which no chamber can bronze cabinet furniture by w. gilbert
108
tranquillising impression of perfect safety which all achieve true home-like atmosphere. The furniture
parts of the structure should impart to the beholder, designed for the rooms affords a proof, if such be
Too often in a crowded city where the dwellings required, that the so-called modern art handicraft
are arranged in a tiresome but necessary sequence can be appreciated by ordinary men and women ;
of street, terrace, and square, it is found that the that its best principle and aim is not merely
architect has sacrificed the whole beauty and extravagance and peculiarity, and general dis-
seemliness of the entry for the sake of enlarging comfort, but the discovery of new forms, more
the living rooms. Two feet of width gained in the in accordance with the life of our time than the
dining-room is but a poor exchange for a mean bad copies and vulgar variations of stereotyped
and paltry hall, for the keynote of a house is designs with which we have been in the habit of
struck by its main entrance. Certainly, the former surrounding ourselves. It is a matter for regret
uses of this once important portion of the that the designing of furniture is so often handed
domicile are no longer possible, owing to over to the upholsterer, and that houses otherwise
different modern require-
ments, but the architects
of No. 12, University Gar-
dens, have succeeded in
showing that the hall has
possibilities, even when the
tyranny of space limits the
actual measurements. By
judicious treatment, the
architects have contrived to
secure at the very threshold
something of beauty, com-
bined with a suggestion
of uncramped ease and
leisurely well-being which
lends an indisputable
charm, and awakens memo-
ries of the serene, old-world
stateliness of some seven-
teenth or eighteenth century
house.
Mr. Gillespie, who is re-
sponsible for the working
out and completion of No.
r2, University Gardens,
treats the fireplace with
due emphasis as the natural
centre of the room, and
therefore the most impor-
tant feature within the four
walls; he makes it a place
of decorative pleasantness
and peace, and the appear-
ance of comfort is never
found at variance with de-
corative excellence. To the
couch or settle, too, this
architect gives outward and
visible sign of that grace ot
comfort and rest without music cabinet, drawing-room designed by j. gaff gillespie
comioru anu icsi wimuui executed by john Crawford
which no chamber can bronze cabinet furniture by w. gilbert
108