Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-07-23

| that prompted it was the sam, that we are en-
dpavoring to illustrate--the necessity OF a UNITY
of color in the house and country about 1t.
We think, in the beginning, that the color o.
all buildings in the country should be Oh those
soft and quiet shades, called neutral tints, such
as fawn, drab, gray, brown, &C., and that al
positive colors, such as white, yellow, RED
blue, black, &c, should always be avoided =
neutral tints being those drawn from nature, and
harmonizng best with her, and positive coors
being most discordant when introduced into ru-
raj scenery
In the second place we should adopt the shade
of color, as far as possible, to the expression
style. or character of the house itself. Thus
large mansion may very properly receive some
what sober hue, expressive Of dignity while q
country house of moderate size, demands light.
er and more pleasant, but still quiet tone and
small cottage should, we think, always have
cheerful and lively tint. Country houses
thcklv surrounded by trees, should always be
painted with lighter shade than those standing
exposed. And new house, entirely unreliev-
ed BY foliage as it is rendered conspicuous by
the very nakedness of its position, should be
painted several shades darker than the same
building if placed in well wooded site. In
proportjon AS house is exposed to view. let its
hue be darker, and where it is much concealed
by foliage, very light shade OF color is to be
preferred.
Wordsworth remarks, in speaking Of houses
in the Lake country, that many persons who
have heard the white condemned, have erred
BY adopting cold slaty color. The dulness and
dmness of hue in some dark stones produces an
effect quite at variance with the cheerful ex-
preston which small houses should wear
!. The harnp yellow" he adds runs into the
opposite extreme, and is still more censurable.
Upon the who the safest color, for general
use, is something between cream and a dust
color"
This color which Wordsworth recommends
for general use. is the hue of English freestonc.
called Portland sfone-a quiet fawn color, to
which we are strongly partial, and which har-
monzes perhaps more completely with all stu.
atoms in the country than any other that can be
named. Next to this we like ,carm grey, that
is, drab mixed with very little red and some
yellow Browns and dark greys are suitable for
barns, stables and outbnildihgs, which it is de.
sirabe to render nspicuous-but for DWELL
ings, unless very light shades of these latter col
ors are used they are apt to give dull and
heavy effect in the country.
A very slight adnxture of a DARKER color is
sufficient to remove the objections to Write paint
by DESTROYING the glare Of white. the only color
which reflects all the suns rays. We would
advise the use of soft shades, MT much remove
ed from white, for sm,ll cottages, which should
not be painted in too dark a shade,as that would
give them an aspect Of gloom, in the place Of
glare. II is the more necessary to make this
suggestion, as we have lately observed that
some persons, newly awakened to the bad effect
of white, have rushed to the opposite extreme,
and colored their country houses Of such a SOM
bre hue that they give melancholy character
to the whole neghborhood around them.
a species Of monotonv is also produced BY
using some neutral tint for every part of the ex.
terror of a country house. Now there are fei-
lures, such as window facings, blinds, cornices,
ETC., which confer the same kind Of expression
on house that the eyes, eyebrows, lips, &c.
of face do upon the human countenance. To
paint the whole house plain drab. gives it very
much the same dull and insipid effect that
coorless features x white hair, pale eye
brows, lips, &c. &c. do a face "A certain
sprightiness is therefore always bestowed on a
dwelling in a neutral tint BY painting the bold
rr projecting features of different shade. The
simplest practical rule that we can suggest for
rf.cting this, in the most satisfactory and agree
able manner, is the following: Choose paint
Of some neutral tint that is quite satisfactory
and lot the facings Of the windows, cornices
| ~ Ut Vdllllcu several SIlducS udIhcI, VI III
same color.
The blinds may either be still darker shad
than the f,cngs, or else the darkest green -
This variety of shades will give a building
cheerful effect, when, If but one Of the shad,.
ware employed, there would be dulness an,
heaviness in the appearance of its exterior
Any one who will follow the principles that "
| lave suggested cannot at least. fail to avoid tii
gross blunders in taste which most common
house painters and their employers have bee
so long in the habit of mntting in the prac-
tice of painting country houses.
Uvedale Price justly remarked that many pco
Pile have sort of callus over their organs OF
sight, as others over those of hearing and "a
the callous hearers feel nothing in music but
kettle drums and trombones, so the caous seer,
can only be moved by strong opposition Of black
and white, or by fiery red. There are we my
add, many house painters who appear to be
equally benumbed to any delicate sensations it
shade or color. They Judge OF the beauty %
co!ors on houses as they do in 1.-THE raw pigment
and we verify believe would be more gratfed t,
paint every thing chrome yellow, indigo blue
pure white, vermilion red, and the like, thai
the most fitting and delicate mngling of shades
to be found under the wide canopy OF heaven
Fortunately fashion, more powerful teache
OF the multitude than the press or the schools, i
now setting in the rig.t direction. A few mel
of taste and judgment, in city and country, hav
set the example by casting off all connection
Nth harsh colors. What few leaders do a
hrst, from nice sense IN the harmony OF col
ors, the many will do afterwards, when they Sc
the superior beauty of natural tints supportc
and enforced by the example of those who bull
I and inhabt the most attractive and agreeabl
houses, and we trust at no very distant time on
I may have the pleasure of travelling over GU
whole country without meeting with singl
! habitation of glazing and offensive color, br
every where see something Of harmony an
+ beauty.