File:American homes and gardens (1911) (17966248958).jpg

Title: American homes and gardens
Identifier: americanhomesgar81911newy (find matches)
Year: 1905 (1900s)
Authors:
Subjects: Architecture, Domestic; Landscape gardening
Publisher: New York : Munn and Co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
io8 AMERICAN HOMES better not smoke." The beauty of the mantelpiece lies in its simplicity. The motto relieves in a pleasing way the somewhat severe lines, and the effect is altogether delight- ful. Another illustration shows a handsome and somewhat elaborate mantelpiece designed by Mr. William Price. On the breast of this mantel is painted the following quota- tion :— "O turn thy rudder hitherward awhile, Here may thy storm-beat vessel safely ride, This is the port of rest from troublous toil The world's Sweet Inn, from pain and wearisome turmoil." Still another illustration shows a simple living-room with AND GARDENS March, 1911 "The fire burns brightest on one's own hearth." "Fireside happiness, to hours of ease, Blest with that charm, the certainty to please." —Rogers. "Sure the shovel and tongs To each other belongs." These words, though ungrammatical, might be applied to the side of a mantel close to where the andirons are placed. "There is no fire without some smoke." "Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round,
Text Appearing After Image:
A billiard room with a motto painted on the wall a little Ingle-nook. Above the fireplace hangs a board on which is painted:— "Two at a fireside." And also— "I built a chimney for a comrade old, I did the service not for hope or hire, And then I traveled on in winters cold, Yet all the while I glowed before the fire." On a beam that supports the rafters are painted the words:— "Who hath smelt wood smoke at twilight? Who hath seen the birch log burning? Who hath lain alone to hear the wild goose cry? It is there that we are going with our rods and reels and traces, To a silent smoky Indian that we know, To a couch of new pulled hemlock, with the starlight in our faces, For the red God calls us out and we must go." The following quotations are very apt for fireplaces:— And while the bubbling and loud-hissing urn Throws up a steamy column, and the cups That cheer but not inebriate wait on each, So let us welcome peaceful evening in." —Cowper. "How great a matter a little fire kindleth." —New Testament. "Sir, he made a chimney in my father's house, and the bricks are alive at this day to testify it." —Shakespeare. Motto treatment is no new method of ornamentation—■ no passing fad. It is as old as history. Nor is it a revival of an old custom, for mottoes and inscriptions have been used steadily in buildings and houses for many generations. Since mottoes in the home enhance its charm by their inter- est, their educational value and their decorative appearance, surely they deserve to be more generally used. Moreover, when painted, they afford an excellent opportunity for in- troducing the right note of color into a room, and when tastefully applied, and thoughtfully chosen, the mind and eye are treated to the pleasure of harmony in both thought and color.

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