File:American homes and gardens (1905) (18152180435).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar00newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York, Munn and Co
Contributing Library: The LuEsther T Mertz Library, the New York Botanical Garden
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230 AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS April, 1906 the bounding highway. Mr. Vanderbilt's house overlooks it on the south, and it is thus impossible to divorce it from any general scheme of landscape development. In the development of most of the Long Island estates the first step has been the erection of a splendid mansion; the second has been the arrangement of the grounds and the cul- tivation of the land. Mr. Vanderbilt has, in a sense, re- versed this system, and has directed his attention in the first place more particularly to his land, giving the house problem a somewhat secondary consideration. Instead of beginning with a great house, such as might naturally have been ex- pected with a property of this size, he built a house of com- from the house and yet which form integral parts of it. The arrangement is an immensely clever one, since it has resulted in a house of large size, covering a very considerable amount of ground, ample enough for every modern use, and creating on the further or inner side, a great open court, which faces the south. The house covers so much ground that the rear parts of the court are completely enclosed within it; it then stretches away over the summit of the hill until ended, at the crest of a lofty eminence, by a stately balustrade. This vast open court constitutes the chief part of the house grounds. Immediately beyond the porch, which is actually a terrace covered with an awning, is a square basin with a foun-
Text Appearing After Image:
A Fountain Plays in a Square Basin in the Court on the South of the House paratively modest size in 1902, and enlarged it in 1903 and 1904, giving his chief attention to the development of his land. The older part of the structure is a plain two story house with a high pointed roof, which forms the center of the dwell- ing. A great glazed corridor or vestibule was built across the entrance front, connecting with wings on either end, which constitute the larger part of the expansion of the house. This vestibule is lighted by great double windows with elliptical heads, the central one forming the entrance doorway. An applied column between each window forms the chief orna- mental feature of the front. On the inner side of the house the expansion has been ac- complished by loggias of similar design, which take their origin on either side of the central building, and extend in gentle curves to outer wings, which are practically isolated tain in the center. Beyond, the broad path reaches a short flight of steps to a somewhat lower level; on either side is a great stone vase. Further on, on the lower level, are vast stretches of grass, with flower borders set within their limits. In the center of the whole is a fine Venetian well head; and then, further on, the court ends semicircularly—as it began —with a balustrade. It is wonderful to walk down this beautiful space, with its superb lawns, its richly blooming flower beds, its well kept paths. The interest is never permitted to flag for a moment. On one side is a semicircle of old columns, treasure trove from Europe, with a quaint Hermes standing erect in the center. And then, beyond, is the marvellous view; the hill dipping down immediately below the balustrade, and the land stretching out beyond on every side, gentle hills and green fields and splendid groups of trees, a fascinating, moving

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