The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-10-26
A Fashionable Mania.

Sentimental people who are looking after
something odd in the way of country house,
are informed by the American Architect that
thcy can now obtain in Switzerland ready
made chalet. 1t seems that company has
been formed at Intorlaken for the manufac-
turc of Swiss ch6lets, tho parts being fitted
together, numbered, and packed In small
compass, ready for setting up wherever the
purchaser may fancy.
No doubt the suggestion will BIO welcomed
by the sort Of people for whose benefit 1t is
made. The prospect OF getting genuine
Swiss chalet to set up by tho seashore or
among the mountains will fill them with de-
light. Fantastic as tho nelghboring cottages
may be, they will havo an even more pecu-
liar dwelling, and 1t will como from the
Alps, amid which such structures have so
often gratiiicd their eyes.
Perhaps it will be well, too II the present
affectations in the architecture OF summer
houses are carried to an extreme, If, indeed,
it Is possible to go any further In that dlrec-
ton than we have now got. Even as 1t is mt
present tho more or less fashionable summer
resorts exhibit most extraordinary and
confusing collection of odd dwellings, in
which, however, there Is one general pur-
pose, that OF compelling attention by a fan
tastic architectural design. A street OF such
structures in n seaside place where urban
wealth has chosen to display itself is n fear
full and wonderful sight, and view Of the
interiors OF the houses would add to the
amazcment of a sensible observer
The pronounced Queen ANNE style OF ar
chitecturr, rs 1t Is called for want Of n name
for something which Is really all artistic
hodge podse. is tho fashionable architecture
OF the day, and people who want n country
house usually demand that it shall be In the
prevailing style, Just rs women want their
gowns cut and trimmed according to the
modes established for the season by French
mantuamakcrs. The fashion was set by
architects who wished to vary tho old mo-
notony OF house construction and put up
dwellings OF a more original design. AS
single structures these new houses wore
often interesting and altogether creGitable
They stood out among others, presenting an
| agreeable variety. But tho attention they
attracted soon induced demand for others
OF the same general sort, and thon the wits
| OF architects were veXod to devise for every
| body who wanted snowy country house
| something still moro unusual In tho way OF
angles and pinnacles. ornamentatiOn and
| color Hence the present startling result.
Inside the houses. too. tho decorator has
been taxed to produce the most bizarre
effects. II ono man Inns secured peculiarly
fantastic interior arrangement, his neighbor
| either copies it or distrcsscs an architect by
| demanding somo still more eccentric com.
| bination. Meanwhile, spurious antiquities
and Eastern stuf5 are manufactured In great
quantity to satisfy the demand OF these rivals
In house decoration. People even go to ar
| lists studios to get models for the arrange
ment OF their rooms. unmlndfu' OF the fact
that what may be suitable and appropriate
and tasteful in u studio may DO altogether
| ridiculous IN parlor or n library. Nor d,
| they seem to understand that surroundings
| which may harmoni2c with the tastes and
| pursuits OF one household may only serve to
make more prominent by their !ncongruity
tho vugnrity or practically OF another.
OF course the desire to mako the home
more beautiful, which has grown mp here Of
recent years, Is deserving OF commentator
The ordinary rich mans dwelling Is not 50
dreary n place as 1t used to be when the
floors were covered with tlaring carpets, anc
the furniture and decoration were OF the OLD
steamboat variety. 1t Is also good thing
for people to take an interest In furnishing
up their homes. But the rage for novelty
! aud bizarre effects In architecture and doc