The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-15
American Homes Resuming a
National Character.
RISE OF THE MAIDsgRvANT
"LOunging" Rooms at the Top of the
House Elevators Used in Pri-
yate Residences.

The pleasant homes" of America are
} gradually resuming distinctive nation
al character; and although not so grand
perhaps as the stately mansions of Eng
land, are quite as luxurious in all their
appointments, and fully as typical Of a
refined modern existence as are the
English country houses, so long celebrat-
ed in verse and story. Among the many
charming houses built on the South
Shore" of Long Island, one whose broad
facade unobstructed by trees, Is open
to every cool breeze that blows in from
the ocean across the Great South Bay,
deserves in the truest meaning of the
word that name of Home"
1t is a long, low house, 4 northern en-
trance giving access to a large oak-pan-
elled hall, with a staircase on one side,
the first easy fight of which reaches a
landing, whereon a tail colonial clock
ticks it never forever, forever never, "
to the household The next flight leads
to another resting pace, a perfect nest
of scarlet pillows on the low broad bench
against the wall "A fretwork of oak,
supported by pillars, divides the end OF
the hail from the rest of the room, and
forms a sort of alcove, wherein are kept
the various belongings of the family.
One of the happy ideas is an oaken shelf
four feet from the floor, about a yarG
in depth, divided into compartments
about foot wide, with the initial OF
each member of the family in brass
above his of her particular pigeon-hole,
wherein gloves, golf-balls, etc, may be
kept. A larger compartment with the
letter &c" is reserved for stray articles
belonging to the guests
. l. rta1Nl -1NNt fF1e
"iivable" hall is red. 1t is carried out
in the red leather which upholsters the
luxurious chairs, the red bricks of the
fine fireplace the tail lamps with their
red silk shades the cushions of the win
dow seats, and even the big vases filed
With red gladioli. The rugs repeat the
same tone and on high shelf which
runs all around the room like a frleze
are the birds of Long Island, stuffed
and mounted in the best style a the
taXidermist.
All of the bedrooms open their wide
windows toward the water, and are fur
nished in colored denims The green
guest room is particularly attractive Its
deep window seat is covered with light
green denim, and a mass of rose-colored
cushions. Green denim curtains are
worked on the edge with ping silks, ana
sash curtains of dainty muslin are ted
back with narrow ribbons of green and
pink. The wall paper is of light green
and pink roses the bedspread of light
green denim, powdered with rosebuds
with table and bureau covers to match.
The woodwork and rugs of light brown
and vases full of pink and white Jap
anese roses and green leaves, carry out
the effect, which is that of an orchard
in full bloom.
The dining hail in this attractive house
is English in style. Cut glass ornaments
replace the silver, which is left in town.
Cut glass cande.ebra and large center
lamp, with rustic bowls and dishes prop
eriy flied with flowers deck the table,
which is covered with a superb cloth
deeply bordered with old gulpure,
One Of the features of the house Is the
great veranda, inclosed in glass and vene-
tian shades. This ia the general lounglng
place of the family. Large pots of palms
stand in every direction, with smoking
tables, tea tables and work tobles with
their various paraphernalia. Boxes OF
scarlet geraniums are in every corner,
ard are blooming profuse,y in the slim
ulatng salt air; and on the many easy
chairs, lounger and tables, scarlet dem
i'm covers heavily embroidered with white
linen thread defy sunshine and fog. AS
If it were part and parcel of the archltec-
ture of the house, the wide doors of
the piazza open to one of the features OF
- the place, superb hedge Of Usage or
ange, seventeen feet high. Vstas have
been cut through it's dense foliage to
give glimpses of lovely flower Parden;
while beyond, the soft greens, browns
and yellows of the Cow meadows are lit
up by the exquisite coloring of the rosy
marsh-mallows, which follow the wind
ing of the little creek like a vivid pink
ribbon.