The Country House (with Designs)Châteauneuf, Alexis de
History
The Country House (with Designs)
Châteauneuf, Alexis de
Architecture -- England -- History -- 19th century; Architecture, Domestic -- England; Country homes -- England
As regards the ground, we have no park, but sufficient extent of land
to make a large paddock very park-like: it would not suit our views to
have a park: the situation is not romantic; but as the ground is poor
and wild, we shall command more ornament than profit. To the north or
north-west there is a rising terrace, well sheltered with high trees;
this slopes down for about a quarter of a mile into the valley of the
Cray; the aspect is therefore south-east, and this comes best according
to the slope of the ground. If you prefer that the house should stand
high, you may have in front a good terrace of at least two hundred
yards long and eight feet high; if lower down the hill (half way), the
terrace will not be so good, but there will be better shelter from the
north wind, and at the back there will be rising ground, through which
the walks of the pleasure ground may be conducted, and still the house
will be well above the valley. In front, looking over this valley, and
across some fine orchards (for which Kent is celebrated) and some
waving fields of corn, there is a mass of wood on a rising hill, about
equal to the hill on which we are situated; on the right there is a
fine view of Knocholt beeches; in the valley there is the town of
Footscray, seen through the orchard at about half a mile distant, and
by a little dexterous cutting and levelling we shall be able to get a
glimpse of the small winding river.
On the right of the hill on which we are to build, there is a small
spring at present rising in some swampy ground covered with alders;
this we propose to clear, and shall be enabled, if you think it worth
while, to enlarge into a small sheet of water. With this general view,
you will see that we are well off as to aspect, have woods in the
distance, and a valley (of no great beauty indeed, but still a valley)
with a quiet stream, and this is always pleasing. I think it may be
considered as a fair average specimen of English scenery, such as is
met with in the southern counties.
Now as regards the house. There must be a good dining-room, a good
general morning room, which will serve as drawing-room, and a large
library; one or two small rooms, in which to receive persons on
business, &c. As regards bed-rooms, offices, &c. this will be matter of
future consideration, when we have settled the important matter of site
and style. I should, however, mention, that, as circumstances may make
it desirable to add to the size, it will be advisable that there should
be that irregularity in the plan as will admit of this, so that it may
be in the end, a house costing from £10,000 to £12,000.
With respect to the offices, I think we make a great mistake in
England, as we manage to hide them, and lose all the benefit of
increasing the size and importance of the house by these additions. I
know, however, this is a very difficult point to manage, and merely
throw it out for your consideration.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account