The Studio yearbook of decorative art (1915)

SMALL COUNTRY HOUSES AND COTTAGES


HOUSE IN THE MIDLANDS—ENTRANCE FRONT M. H. BAILLIE SCOTT, ARCHITECT


especially incaseswheretheroadfrontofthehouse is towards the north,
would suggest the removal of the kitchen premises to the front, so
that the whole of the frontage to the south can be given up to a sitting-
room overlooking the garden, and the passage reduced to a minimum.
Again, it is necessary that in the small house the elements and features
of its design should be simple,andtheideathat there is anything vulgar
in simple things must be challenged. As a matter of fact the reverse of
this proposition is nearer the truth. An expensively moulded front
door in mahogany and a marble step to a cottage would be obviously
out of place; and, in a lesser degree, attempts to reproduce the features
which may rightly be found in larger houses, destroy entirely that
peculiar and unique
charm which be-
longs to the small
house, and to the
small house alone.
In the study of eco-
nomy in building it
is, however, very
easy to overstep the
mark. It is not
enough to consider
the first cost only.
The question of up-
keep must be duly
considered,and this
applies more espe-
cially to the wood-
work. Elm for doors
is durable and saves
periodical painting,
io

PLAN OF HOUSE IN THE MIDLANDS