Through the evergreens that nearly obscure this house, it is the extravagance of the wavy cut of wooden shingles, piled up to simulate thick thatching, which first catches the eye. The matted texture of the roof responds with picturesque effect to the projections and recessions of the supporting white stucco walls and the heave of dormers and gables. This house is saved from coyness by the severity of the opposition of roof to wall, by the skillful composition of its plastic massing, and by the press of all first-floor casement bands against the eaves of a roof extravagantly pulled down to them. Windows for the second floor and attic peek through the roof under trapdoor dormers at two levels, one of which is crossed by a projecting chimney. A peppering of carefully placed small windows and plaques sparingly relieves such plain surfaces as remain, like the cylindrical swell of the turret beside the entrance. The roughcast and thatched cottage that inspired English Arts and Crafts designers is blown up to
You are here
Black Estate
Mid-20th century. 960 Hartford Pk. (barely visible through evergreens)
If SAH Archipedia has been useful to you, please consider supporting it.
SAH Archipedia tells the story of the United States through its buildings, landscapes, and cities. This freely available resource empowers the public with authoritative knowledge that deepens their understanding and appreciation of the built environment. But the Society of Architectural Historians, which created SAH Archipedia with University of Virginia Press, needs your support to maintain the high-caliber research, writing, photography, cartography, editing, design, and programming that make SAH Archipedia a trusted online resource available to all who value the history of place, heritage tourism, and learning.