NEW NOTE IN HOUSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21656, 23 November 1933, Page 4

NEW NOTE IN HOUSES

One of Sydney's most attractive homes, which expresses the spirit of the new movement in architecture, has received many admiring comments from passers-by, states a Sydney writer. Tho architectural scheme of this house develops the theory that the building should harmonise with its surroundings, and bo designed in such a way as to gain tho full advantage of its position. Built on a sharp slope, the wonderful view of tho distant mountains is emphasised in the living room by three tall arch-shaped windows, which reach from tho floor almost to the ceiling. The glass door of tho main entrance and tho fanlight repeat the arch shape, as do the long windows on each side of it. The entrance hall has been eliminated so that the door leads into the spacious living room, but through three arches, which repeat the line of the arches on either side. The light and delicate stairway which leads down to tho floor below is of wlyit the new school' of interior decorators call "pickled" wood, that is, innocent of any stain or paint, so that the lovely grain of tho wood can be seen. It is also innocent of any carpets. Tho whole idea is to let in the light and invite the view to come and live with us, instead of purchasing a block of land for the view and then building it out with high walls and tiny windows, carefully curtained to exclude even tho ghost of tho beauties beyond. Moreover, people arc finding that even if the sun does sap the colours a little from interior decorations, there are such things as double-backed curtains with fadeless exteriors, turning their bright faces to tho sun, and anyway, what does a bit of fading matter in comparison with the other compensations : J