Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-12-03
Color ofHnnses.

Color of Houses.
One Of the most prominent and important features
Of a human dwelling, is the color which has been
given it by the pauler. We are led 10 this beii.i
because that the color is first seen in The distance
approach, and serves in great measure 10
progresses the mind in rela ion only TO the dwell
ling itself, but TO the character of the owner,and
affects Iavuraby uniavorabiy, as il harmonzes
or iails to haTmOnze with surrounding objects. The
quality which colors possess OF blending har-
ANONYMOUSLY with the foliage Of trees, with flowers and
the drapery OF the ground about, has often been no.
ilced, we presume, by many Of readers, and this
quality should give them preference over all 9th.
ers for a rural dwelling. Such are the different
shades Uf gray, drab, and buff light buff, or
cream is Of the most beautiful and lively Of all
colors for cottage in the country For large farm
house, with its broad roofs and spacious verandahs
drah, or gray, (f Of brick stone) would be
more fitting ds expressing strength and extended
space upon the ground. Strong, positive coors,
such as white, red, green, ETC., are always in bad
taste amidst green fields, and blossoming orchards
and golden iruita while mild, neutral color lends
charm to house in the country, which no other
feature affords. singular fashion prevails all over
this country, Ut is losing ground in some parts how.
ever) of painting dwelling houses of all sizes and
characters, 'chte Whether they stand upon bare
PLAIN or bald eminence, il would seem that every
fine house is inevitably doomed 10 wear this sepui-
chral dress How this color acquired its populari.
ty It is impossible explain n OF for lis durabiitv
for as is commonly used il has very poor qualities
IN this respect not account Of its greater cheap
ness, fol- the milder colors such we have spoken
OF, are as cheap at first cost and cheaper in the end
they more durable not certainly for lis beau
ty, or because it harmonizes with the landscape for
nature, whence all our ideas of beauty are derived,
never pains eyes with such garish objects
Strong colars seldom seen in natural landscape
and-lhen they are shown in small objects, such as
flowers or parts OF flowers All landscape garden.
ners, from Knight & Repton TO Downing, have
agreed that white Is not proper-a tasteiu--color
for rural dwelling, unless the latter is almost hid
den from view by thick plantations of trees and
shrubbeTy. In such cases the detached gimpses of
white through the green foliage produce a veIy
pleasing effect, and the house becomes as it proper.
y should. the most interesting object in the whole
scene 1t is not our purpose to condemn outright,
the use of white lead aud oil as coating for wood.
en- buildings, but avow with much earnestnesR,
that on the of good taste as well as economy,
IT cannot stand Tor moment, except said above,
where the house is sheltered by trees which shield
it from full view and soften down its harshness
and rigid glare. But in nearly every we great.
y prefer some OF the neutral tinis, which harmon
lze more easily and agreeably with the objects about
whatever they may be-.
Those who have passed through the little village
OF Dearbornvle in this county, have not failed TO
notice the noble pile of buildings here erected for
the use Of the officers and troops Of the U. s.. Ar.
my. The color of these buildings is by no means
their least attractive feature in truth we believe it
was the color alone that prompted The exclamation
which we have heard Oftentmes repeated by sIran.
gers when passing the Central Railroad; @What
beautiful buildings ~ The color ia light buff, and
we strongly recommend il for country houses as
more suitable and pleasing than any other that could
be chosen. For the larger class of country houses
as welt as those in villages built Of BRICK or s.one
we would recommend chat of the University build.
ings at Ann Arhor, as example Of the finest taste
10 be met with in the Western states. The color of
these buildings is light gray, which is neither daz-
zlIDg nor gloomy, but gives strong conception Of
substance and durability from its resembling stone
10 paint wooden buildings the color of stone is a
deception which is not agreeable. We suhloin
cheap wash for wooden houses from Dosrring which
we know to be good.
{" Takea clean barrel that will hold water Put
in it half bushel Of fresh burnt lime and slake il
by pouring il boiling sufficient TO cover it
tour or i've inches deep and stirring il TIL saked
Dissolve in water, and add 2 lbs of suphate of
zinc, (white vitroD which in few weeks will
cause the wash TO harden the woodwork. Add
sufficient water to bring it the consisence of white
wash Now TO make this pleasing cream color,
add lbs yellow ochre. For Gawn color take
lbs. amber, | ID. Indian red, and half a pound
lampblack TO make it gray or stone color, add
/ lb. umber and 2 lbs Iamphlack''
The lampback should first be thoroughly dissolv-
ed in alcohol before mixing with the wash. This
cooring is cheap, and as durable as white lead and
oil, and looks well. When shall have got rid of
the strange notion about white paint, we shall be en-.
abed to mud many substitutes which will add an ele
ment Of interest 10 our homes altogether unexpected
and which will tend TO unite the house and grounds
thus forming agreeable whole, instead of sepafa-
ting them completely, as is done when the former is
painted white-Farmer's Companion.