Regency Household: Villa in the Cottage Style

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VILLA IN THE COTTAGE STYLE DESIGN No 9 PERSPECTIVE VIEW PLATE XV FRONT ELEVATION GROUND PLAN PLATE XVI END ELEVATION CHAMBER PLAN PLATE XVII ALTHOUGH coming under the same denomination as the preceding this design differs from it very materially being in some respects more strictly cottage like while in others it is more fanciful Its lowness at least in proportion to its extent the smallness of the upper windows and the introduction of many of them as dormers in the roof all concur to aid the former character On the other hand the size of the building plainly bespeaks a residence whether temporary or permanent of a superior class as do likewise the lofty upright windows in some of the rooms the viranda entrance the conservatory the balconies & c Such being the case it may be allowed to escape reprehension for not exhibiting more of primitive simplicity or for having even a dash of the fantastic The large arched recesses forming balconies to two of the chambers are undoubtedly more in the style of such cottages as young ladies build in their dreams than of those which Gainsborough and Morland painted They are not unpleasing in themselves nevertheless and independently of their recommending themselves as appendages to bed rooms in the country and as affording ample space for stands of flowers they are of some advantage in the elevations since they admit of larger windows being placed within them without becoming too conspicuous or seeming to be mixed up with and consequently in some degree to disturb the rest of the upper part There is some novelty and not an unpleasing effect in placing as is here done an angular gable above a curved sur face Neither has this been done arbitrarily because the semicircle in the upper story is a continuation of that forming the entrance below and perfectly in harmony with the curved roof of the viranda porch while the gable above it keeps up consistency in this respect throughout
the elevation The varying flow of shadow thus obtained is certainly beautiful in itself and somewhat similar to that thrown by the volutes of the Ionic capital on the upper part of the column The plan is well adapted for either a Villa or Hunting Lodge where accommodation is required for resident visitors there being rather nume rous bed chambers on the upper floor and the other being so arranged as to admit of quite as much display as would be expected in such a house Beyond the hall is a small ante room connecting the dining room drawing room and library besides which the two latter are also con nected by a little conservatory This ante room being no more than an inner vestibule or piéce de communication which the servants would enter in order to reach either the drawing room or library it is not desirable that it should have at all the appearance of a sitting room consequently the want of a fire place is no objection For the same reason too the single window at the end would although placed obliquely be sufficient Were it not thought so the adjoining door into the library might also be glazed either with stained or ground glass or with double plain glass with coloured silk between it of sufficient substance to prevent per sons seeing into the library but thin enough to admit light or else this door might have mirror panels corresponding with the glazing of the window which would not only produce complete symmetry of design but greatly enhance the effect on first entering the ante room while the window itself would also be seen reflected from certain points of view Some further remarks on this plan occur in the account of Design No 13 Cost of this Building in brick and stucco 2750 Extra if with stone quoins 280

The design and description appeared in Domestic Architecture: Being a Series of Designs for Mansions, Villas, Rectory Houses, Parsonage Houses, Bailiffs’ Lodge, Gardener’s Lodge, Game-keeper’s Lodge, Park Gate Lodges, Etc. in the Grecian, Italian, and Old English Styles of Architecture. With Observations on the Appropriate Choice of Site; the Whole Designed with Strict Reference to the Practicability of Erection, and with Due Attention to the Important Consideration of Uniting Elegance, Convenience and Domestic Comfort with Economy … With Accurate Estimates Appended to Each Design (1833).

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