Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/933

 VILLAS IN VARIOUS STYLES. 909 ing decree of intricacy are obtained. Some indication of a sideboard is introduced in the sketch, rather for the purpose of serving as a scale, and showing how it would come in, than of giving any positive idea of its design. In order to give a definite expression to the recess, and to keep it rather distinct from the room, the lower part of the wall is wainscoted and paneled ; and the panels at one extremity of it form the door by which the servants enter to serve up dinner, and which is in a straight line with the butler's pantry. Thus, when it was closed, there would be no appearance of a door at all ; and even when opened it would be hardly observable ; nor could there be any draught from it into the room, as it retires so much beyond the opening of the arch. Without verbal explanation it would be impossible to understand what the compartment above the side- board itself really is : it is, therefore, any thing but superfluous, to inform the reader that the divisions between the mullions would be filled with mirror, so as to form, in appear- ance at least, a kind of window, answering to, and reflecting, that in the opposite bay. Mirrors, indeed, very seldom form any part of the embellishments of a dining-room; yet, when applied as they are here, they assume altogether a different character from their usual one, as articles of furniture. Considerable light would thus be given to the alcove, and the idea of spaciousness greatly heightened ; while a striking vista would be created, as seen from the bay. In the evening the effect would be still more brilliant ; for then the lights on the sideboard, and those of the chandelier (suspended from a richly carved boss in the centre of the middle compartment of the ceiling), would be vividly reflected in this mirror window. So far, however, there is no great invention shown; for — I do not know whether in this particular style or not, or exactly in such a situation — apparent apertures formed by mirror, and other effects, have been frequently executed on a con- siderable scale. We must now see, therefore, whether we can hit upon any other device that shall produce additional effect. Each panel of the upper series should be made to di-aw down behind the lower one, like a common window-sash ; which being done, there would appear a series of rich compartments of stained glass, strongly illuminated from behind by lights within the staircase. Or a nearly equal effect might be obtained by painted blinds, executed in a superior and tasteful style. By this contrivance all the purposes of a music gallery would be answered, without any of its objections, since a iiarper, or one or two performers, stationed on the adjoining staircase, would be distinctly heard, without either seeing or being seen by the company. It has not been considered necessary to indicate this in the sections ; for unless this stained glass was required to be exhibited, which would not be very often, it might be entirely concealed on the side towards the staircase -by one or more sash-shutters, made to slide down behind the paneling on that side, and forming externally either ornamental compartments above the wainscoting, or m.ade level with, and just like, the surface of the wall : thus the painted windows or blinds, as might be, would be enclosed between the mirror panels on one side, and the panels just mentioned on the other. The walls should be stuccoed, and coloured of a clear and warm reddish tone ; and, in order to give the vivacity of decided yet harmonious opposition to them, the curtains would be fine merino, of a bright purple, lined with silk of rather a light red colour. The balance of colour throughout would be tolerably well preserved by the curtains within the arch of the alcove ; and, in addition, there ought to be similar ones on each side of the mirror window, hanging down as far as the sideboard. The panels of the doors, too, might be covered with the same material, enriched with gilt studs ; and, if this were done, the panels within the alcove also ought to be so covered. This wainscoting and the doors should be pale oak. As to the carpet, with the exception of a wide border, of a bold and rich pattern, where reds and purples would be the predominating colours, all the rest might be without any figure, and of some agreeable neutral tint ; because, in a dining-room, when the table is set out, and the company seated, very little of the carpet is seen or noticed, so that it can contribute little to the general effect : the carpet alone, therefore, would foim one marked distinction between an eating-room and a di-awingroom. 1850. Drawingrooms, The vestibule, staircase, and dining-room exhibit several strictly architectural features, keeping up the character of the exterior of the house ; but there is no reason for being particularly strict as to this, in these departments, which would possess sufficient agremens of a different description ; and where an air of cheerful- ness, and the lighter elegancies which modern refinement has introduced, ought at least to be as much considered, as a rigid adherence to certain prescribed forms. Although, however, peculiarity of style would be here less defined than in the preceding instances, it would not be entirely laid aside, but merely lowered in its tone ; it being still so far retained as to preserve a due degree of consistency throughout. The design of the windows, which are both transomed and mullioned, and have their compartments arched, requires such a degree of consistency ; and these, with corresponding paneling in the window-shutters and doors, with hollowed corbel cornices, decorated at intervals by delicately carved blocks, and with ribs on the ceilings dividing them into compartments.