DOI Heft:
The British Empire
DOI Artikel:Jones, Sydney R.: Cottage interiors and decoration
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21779#0026
COTTAGE INTERIORS AND DECORATION
this method is still practicable for modern cottages, as several of the
accompanying drawings show.
The most appropriate doors for cottages belong to the class known as
ledged and braced. The battens, that is to say the upright timbers, should
be no more in number than is necessary for adequate strength. Two
examples of ledged doors are illustrated on pages 3 and 4. The common
doors of four, six, or eight panels are not suitable for cottages, and it is
better to use those constructed with two upright, or three oblong,
panels (p. 6). All doors naturally look best when made of oak, neither
stained nor varnished, but coloured deal will give good results. Necessary
fittings, in the shape of strap-hinges, latches, and bolts, will enhance
the decorative effect if they are well and serviceably fashioned, and bear
the true mark of the craftsman. Most of them will come from the black-
smith’s anvil and will be painted black. Quaint in their suggestion of
old-time memory are the door-fasteners made entirely of wood, small
things that impart distinction to familiar features. Now, after years of
disuse, they are being employed again ; on page 7 are given examples
of a wooden latch, handle, and button.
Of the several kinds of windows used in English houses the casement
variety is best for small buildings. Leaded lights are most to be desired ;
but, if expense prohibits the use of them, the glazing bars can be made
of wood. Stone mullions are costly to build and, for that reason, are not
often seen in modern cottages where wooden mullions are the general
rule. Attention is called to the casement window here reproduced
(p. 7). In this instance the mullions have been built with plain un-
moulded bricks, an ex-
periment that has proved
successful. The good qua-
lities of the bricks are ex-
posed for interior effect,
and, needless to observe,
no upkeep charges for
painting will ever be ne-
cessary with this type of
window. The snug win-
dow-seats, such as may be
seen in old farmhouses and
cottages, suggest ideas for
present work. They are
but rarely possible nowa-
days, for they were built
within the thickness of
the walls, and the times of
massive walls have gone
12
SIMPLE BRICK AND TILE FIREPLACE
this method is still practicable for modern cottages, as several of the
accompanying drawings show.
The most appropriate doors for cottages belong to the class known as
ledged and braced. The battens, that is to say the upright timbers, should
be no more in number than is necessary for adequate strength. Two
examples of ledged doors are illustrated on pages 3 and 4. The common
doors of four, six, or eight panels are not suitable for cottages, and it is
better to use those constructed with two upright, or three oblong,
panels (p. 6). All doors naturally look best when made of oak, neither
stained nor varnished, but coloured deal will give good results. Necessary
fittings, in the shape of strap-hinges, latches, and bolts, will enhance
the decorative effect if they are well and serviceably fashioned, and bear
the true mark of the craftsman. Most of them will come from the black-
smith’s anvil and will be painted black. Quaint in their suggestion of
old-time memory are the door-fasteners made entirely of wood, small
things that impart distinction to familiar features. Now, after years of
disuse, they are being employed again ; on page 7 are given examples
of a wooden latch, handle, and button.
Of the several kinds of windows used in English houses the casement
variety is best for small buildings. Leaded lights are most to be desired ;
but, if expense prohibits the use of them, the glazing bars can be made
of wood. Stone mullions are costly to build and, for that reason, are not
often seen in modern cottages where wooden mullions are the general
rule. Attention is called to the casement window here reproduced
(p. 7). In this instance the mullions have been built with plain un-
moulded bricks, an ex-
periment that has proved
successful. The good qua-
lities of the bricks are ex-
posed for interior effect,
and, needless to observe,
no upkeep charges for
painting will ever be ne-
cessary with this type of
window. The snug win-
dow-seats, such as may be
seen in old farmhouses and
cottages, suggest ideas for
present work. They are
but rarely possible nowa-
days, for they were built
within the thickness of
the walls, and the times of
massive walls have gone
12
SIMPLE BRICK AND TILE FIREPLACE