New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-01
HOME AND SOCIETY.
A CHARMING COUNTRY HOUSE.

NEWEST PARIS rAsnIoNs-GETrING
RID OF WRINKLES
The pleasant homes of America are gradually
resuming distinctive national character: and al
though not grand perhaps as the stately man
sions OF England. quite luxurious in all their
appointments. and fully as typical OF refined mod
ern existence the English country houses,
so long celebrated in and story. Among the
many charming houses built on the South Shore
OF Long Island one whose broad facade unobstruct-
cd by trees is open 10 every cool breeze that blows
In from the ocean across the Great South Bay. de-
in the truest meaning OF the word the name
Of Home"
II is a long. low house. a northern entrance CIV
ing access TO a large oak-paneed hall. with stair
side. the first easy flight of winch
reaches landing. whereon tall colonial clock
ticks its never forever. forever never 10 the
household. The next flight leads to another resting
place. 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 nail
from the OF the room. and forms a sort OF al
cove. wherein kept the various belongings OF the
family. One OF the happy ideas is an oaken shelf
four feet from the fioor about yard in depth d.
vided into compartments about foot wide with the
initial OF each member OF the family In brass
above his or her particular pgeon-hoe, wherein
gloves. golf balls, etc. may be kept. larger COM
partment with the letter c. is reserved for stray
articles belonging to the guests.
The keynote OF this comfortabe-look!ng 'lvable
hall is red. II is carried out in the red leather
which upholsters the luxurious chairs. the red
bricks Of the fine fireplace the tall lamps with their
red silk shades the cushions in the window seats
and even the big vases filed with red eladioii. The
rugs repeat the same tone: and on high sheif
which runs all around the like rieze are the
birds Of Long Island. stuffed and mounted in the
best style Of the taXidermst.
All Of the bedrooms open their wide windows
toward the water and are furnished in colored
particulnrlV at
tractive. Its deep window seat is covered with
light green denim and a mass Of rose-coiored cush-
ions Green denim curtains worked on the edge
with pink silks. and sash curtains Of dainty muslin
are tied back with narrow ribbons OF green and
pink The wall paper is OF light green and pink
r.sos the bedspread OF light green denim. pow
dered with rosebuds. with table and bureau covers
TO match The woodwork and rugs OF light brown
and vases fun Of pink and white japanese roses
and green leaves carry out the effect, when Is mat
OF an orchard in full bloom.
The diningroom in this attractive house is Eng
llsh in style Cut glass ornaments replace the sii-
yer which is loft in town. Cut glass candeaore
and large centre lamp and crystal bowls and dishes
properly filed with flowers deck the table which Is
covered with a superb cloth deeply bordered with
old gupurc.
one Of the features Of the house Is the great
veranda Enclosed in glass and venetian shades
This is the general loungng place of the famiiy'
Large pots palms stand in every direction WIN
smoking WIN
their various paraphernala. Boxes Of scarlet ge-
rsniums are in every corner. and are blooming
profusely in the stimulating salt AR; ana on 'hc
many easy chairs. lounges and tables, scarlet denim
covers heavily embroidered in white linen thre1u
defy sunshine and fog. As If were part and par
eel Of the architecture OF the house, the VIDE doors
NJ the piazza open 10 one Of the features OF the
place a superb hedge Of Usage orarse. seventeen
feet high. Vistas have been cut through us ue'Se
foliage to give elmpses Of a lovely flower saIuen'
while beyond. the soft greens. browns ana Fe"o"S'
OF the low meadows are lit up by the exquisite COL
or,ne Of the rosy lnarsh-mallows which follow the
winding Of the little creek like vivid pink rioDoh
Nsa, maid servants instead Of men. are now seen
in many Of the best houses. Where butler anu
par;or-mad are employed instead OF hrs' ana
second maid the latter frequently serves iuncheon
alone thus allowing the former more time for his
silver and other duties. Some very wel--kept-up es
adjustments dispense with masculine ATTENDANCE
in the dnlng-room altogether. keeping two neat
looking maids alone while maids in lieu OF foot
men acting IL conjunction with elderly butler.
suffice for some very up-to-date houses
There are certain distinct advantages about women
servants In the first place they are much better
workers and much easier 10 manage than the idle
parnpered footmen. who consider II mira dig. 10
deviate in the slightest degree from their regular
service and 10 whom the dainty care Of a room is
an impossibility to be relocated in any event 10
maid Then they ask for fewer privileges, are less
apt TO change, and cheerfully serve a late ain
Der party an early breakfast TO the fashionable
American suburbanite who leads the curious hybrid
existence OF a hard-working business man with that
of smart fin de steele OF the world very
upsettng life by the way 10 the servants, ana one
which is the problem Of many household IN Tux
edo Hampstead and West Chester.
Moreover maids less expensive they require
less wages and cost less TO keep. and do consider
ably more. SO altogether maid servants are oecom-
ing more and more popular. The livery. so to speak
OF a parlor-mad OF the period is a plain. well-made
black alpaca gown with ticht-htting sleeves, gath
cred slightly only at the top; no apron a small
white square for cap. with black bow; large
white linen collars Ike a boys Eton collars and
deep white linen cuffs.
The introduction OF the elevator in private houses
has made significant changes in the arrangement
Of their interiors Heretofore the top stories have
been practically unknown regions; hther tended
the furniture when II had become shabby; hither
the insignificant members Of the family and the
moor relations climbed sleep. on the top floor the
servants roamed at will But the elevator has oblit
Grated the stairs and the result has been not only
the rescue but the apotheoss OF the upper moor II
Is now the most popular and the most exclusive
part OF the house The mistress has occupied 1t and
shut the door. Guests who enter the drawing room
NAV never be considered worthy 10 be received on
the top floor. A visit there is a seal OF intimacy
To be more specific the demands OF social life on
every New-York woman are so great that her phys
zeal and nervous constitution demands place where
she can retire and pull herself together-a place
where she can shut out the distractions OF the
household where the sound Of the doorbel does not
reach her and where she is spared the pain OF hear
ing the servant say that she is not al nome IL Is
such a retreat that the top floor gives her. There
she can repair in negl!ge. and can lie on couch
in the blazing sunshine; she can toss book on
the floor and let lle she can enjoy the fascinat
ing confusion Of things out of place with sweet I'M
concern This abandon is also delightful to those
of her ,ntinates who may come 10 tell her how
sweet is solitude out OF the depths OF diVans ana
cushions There they may gossip over tea without