Evening Star Newspaper, September 3, 1927, Page 13

REAL ESTATE % WASHINGTON, D. C, he Foenin Sia“f SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1927. HOME & GARDEN| 13 A Home-Owning and Building Page for Washington and Its Suburbs MODEL HOME IN ROCK CREEK ACHIEVEMENT OF L'ENFANT'S IDEALS ARE BELIEVED NEAR Responsibility Rests With Operative Builder—Zoning Laws Help, but Do Not Require Beauty. BY DON S. WARREN. ‘With many of the Nation's outstand- ing city planning experts devotedly at work seeking to guide into proper and beautiful channels the huge volume of building that is going on in Washing- ton and its suburbs, and with-a quick- ened public conscience here as to what constitutes fitting development, the National Capital today, in the opinion of many, stands at the thresh- old of the achievement of the ideal of L’Enfant as the most beautiful city in the world. Already surpassing many another capital city or metropolis in beauty of public buildings and in natural beauty of trees and parks, which are being enlarged annually through wisely made appropriations, the attractions of ‘Washington are being enhanced in no small way by the erection of monu- mental churches, non-governmental office buildings and homes of meritori- ous design. ‘While instances of gross mistakes in private building programs, due to lack of effective or timely zoning reg- ulations, lack of civic pride or eco- nomic factors, may be pointed to here and there, the fact remains that ‘Washington is a city of beautiful homes. Best of all, the prospects for the future become increasingly bright as private and governmental agencies fall into line in organized effort.for. the protection and enhancement of the esthetic side. of Washington's development. . Real estate firms, speculators- in houses and builders of subdivisions, responsible for the creation of the great majority of the dwellings in the metropolitan district of the National Capital, hold within their grasp a tre- mendous power for good in the devel- opment of this city. Because of the rapidity with which Washington is growing, it may truly be said that they hold ‘he key to the ultimate beauty of the Capital, for, while zoning regulations have proved a boon of magnitude here, it must be remembered that these regulations do not require a builder to erect homes of beauty. The fact that Washington has such a wealth of commendable homes is a tribute to the public spirit, workmanship and artistic capabilities of its speculative builders. porter of beautification programs for Greater Washington, and it was to this end that it sponsored.this year and in the preceding year the building of a number of model homes, a move- ment which attracted thousands to study the various.exhibition houses, and which created widespread favor- able comment. One of the model group house developments was featured in a recent issue of a magazine having a great national circulation. In ‘furtherance of this movement for the good of Washington, The Star will publish several descriptive articles dealing with some of the Capital’s res- idential developments. The first of these follows herewith, and others will be published in later editions of the Saturday real estate section of The Star. Homes in Foxhall Viliage Emb'ody. Foxhall Village in the late yester- day of Washington’s development was a panorama of rolling hills, grassy fields and wooded areas; an interesting hillside of greenery and natural beauty having a commanding view of the Potomac and it palisades; a section rich with memories of its early owner, Henry Foxall, one of the prominent figures of the Georgetown which grew to be the foundation of the National Capital. Here in this section in the trouble- some days of the beginning of the mineteenth century, on the river edge of this area which Foxall called Spring Hill Farm, he built the first great cannon foundry of the new Republic fyom which heavy arms and shot were dispatched to the lake region to be used with telling effect in the struggle of 1812. Has 125 Homes. Here also in later years, even until i few vears ago, was a large area un- touched by great residential develop- ments to the east and north, a sec- tion through which rabbits and squir- yels scampered at the sight of youth- ful hunters and through which hikers trudged; just 10 or 15 minutes by au- tomobile from downtown Washington, 'yet totally detached from the city ‘proper. Spring Hill Farm thus was sus- ‘ceptible to a residential development of worth, or it might have been trans- formed into a subdivision of houses of hetrogeneous design and shade, of uncertain stability, some good, some ‘bad. or row houses boresome in uni- formity and a blight architecturally. Foxhall Village today a com- munity of something more than 125 ‘English group houses spread over a high section of Spring Hill Farm in 2 manner preserving the beauty of nature to a commendable degree and in which new growths of flowers, trees and bushes have been intro- duced to soften the marks of material development. House Won Prize. A representative house in this com- smunity was awarded the prize of the ‘Washington Board of Trade this year for merit in construction and archi- ‘tectural outline, and the three eminent architects who served as judges stated 4n their report that Foxhall Village “exhibits something unusual in this line of work and should inspire emu- lation among builders engaged in this type of residential construction. The design is to be commended for its picturesque qualities and the pleasing differentiation which gives a sem- blance of individuality to each house.” Members of the jury were James Rush Marshall of Washington and Theodore ‘Wells Pietsch and A. Palmer of Baltimore. What then are the desirable fea- tures of this row-house development which merits commendation and emulation? § An inspection of the village reveals at once the picturesque qualities spoken of by the judges: Row houses #o differentiated in outline and style Bs to constitute each one a distinct entity; interesting roof lines with old time English chimney pots stick- ing up into view: generous plots of ground dedicated for parkways, large oval or rounded center park zreas forming breaks in the lines of the streets: sign posts having an air of old English; carefully planned landscaping and, most evident of all, the immaculate appearance of every- thing. In the layout of the section the natural contour of the rolling hill- side was preserved to a maximum degree. The hill is steep, making the planning and arrangement of the houses difficult, but it was this slanting character of the I made possible the broken roof lines and brick terrace walls which are intersperced at lot lines buttress- ing level-graded lawns. The rows of houses were con- tinued around corners at the inter- section of streets and thus the de- velopment shows V and U shaped outlines of houses which will be- come enclosures with completion of the squares. By this means rear views of houses from the streets are precluded. A No two houses in this community mre exactly alike, each possessing gome distinctive feature. Some are brick in construction, some stone, some stucco with exposed timber- work; others are a combination of stone and stucco, brick and stone, brick and stucco. One house has a small single bay window; its neigh- bor has a double bay; the roof of one runs parallel with the street line; (others run from front to rear of the house. One has an inviting porch and another presents the outlines of % brick chimney and fireplace in its front walls. To add further differentiation to the : Many Features of UnusugrArchitecture rows of houses, the lines are broken into groups of three, seven or even as many.as seventeen in one line, as on Reservoir road. In the longer rows, to preclude monotony, groups of two or three are set slightly back of the nor- mal buildingline. Will Emulate Crescent. One of the most interesting develop- ments there now is under construc- tion. A circular plot at the end of Surrey lane has been dedicated to the Federal Government as a park space and here Q street as it intersects with Surrey lane will form a larger curve about this circular area. Back of the public sidewalk at this point will rise a semi-circular stretch of lawn and on this rise will be a second sidewalk fol- lowing the outline of the street and well back of this, the new row of houses will be erected, carrying out the idea of the famous Crescent at Bath, England. Strips of center parking will be de- veloped through Q street and half way between Surrey lane and Forty-fourth place this will be enlarged into a great oval parkway providing a touch of ad- ditional greenery to the section. The great oval park in the cen- ter of Greenwich parkway is ringed with a border of American box bushes, 500 in number, and outside this row is a second border of English ivy. This is protected from the street by a strip of two feet of lawn adjoining the curbing. The inner portion ef the oval is covered with a neat growth of grass, broken only by four Camperdon or_‘“weeping” elms of dwarfed stature. Boston jvy clambers over terrace walls which are lined with barberry bushes and here and there forming color contrasts against white stone steps are American box bushes. A Lombardy poplar adds occasional heighth to the landscape development and four Japanese cherry trees in the Spring provide dashes of color at four points on the oval of Greenwich park- way. Wisteria, forsythia, hydrangea, delicate bridal wreath and other plants have been planted in all lawns. Landscaping in Rear. Landscaping and other finishing touches have been carried to the rear of the houses, where from 15 to 20 different plants are to be found along trim wire fences, which mark the boundaries of the lots. Here are the calendula, verbena, colombine, zinnia, petunia, sweet william and holly hock adding their color at seasons of the year to coreoposis, scabjosa and salva. Closer glimpses of the homes pre- sent other impressions. Plaques or medallions bearing designs fashioned after shields or coats of arms noted in English_history grace the facades of houses here and there. And over num- bers of the houses are found orna- mental stone lintels of different de- signs. An old ship lantern hangs at the side of the doorway of one home in Surrey Jane and in other houses will be found “false” windows, which are reminiscent of early days in this coun- try and in England when taxes on real estate were assessed according to the number of aperatures in a build- ing. . These blind windows in olden times thus afforded architectural bal- ance or contrast in buildings while at the same time the owner evaded the extra taxes which would have been assessed had the windows not been blocked up as a part of the wall. SPONGE MOTTLE FINISH ON WALLS ATTRACTIVE Plain walls are attractive in cases where care must be taken not to de- tract from pictures, or in large formal rooms where a certain severity adds to statelines: On the other hand, there are many places where the mot- tled effects obtainable with paint are not only in good taste, but add a charm and a distinction to interior walls that can be had in no other way. A striking mottled effect, and one gaining in popularity, is what is termed the sponge mottled finish., One of the advantages of the sponge mot- tled finish is its wide adaptability. successfully in this finish, whether it is used as an all-over treatment or in panels. In the case of panels there should usually be greater contrast be- tween the colors selected for the two- tone effect of, the sponge mottled finish than when an all-over pattern is em- ployed. While almost any number of colors may be used, one or two in addition 0| The Star has been a constant sup- Almost any room may be decorated | to the ground coat will ordinarily be found sufficient to produce a decidedly interesting effect. Upper: Photograph of north side of Greenwich Parkway, Foxhall Village, showin, velopment. Lower center: View of a representative house in the village, and, at lower left and right, SCENES IN UNUSUAL ENGLISH GROUP HOUSE COLONY HERE the individual character of the homes in this type of row house de- photographs showing details of entrances. HUNDREDS OF VISITORS THRONG * TOVIEWLYON VILLAGE HOME. Hundreds of visitors continued dur- ing the past week to throng The Star model home in the Granada terrace section of Lyon Village, Va., which last Sunday was opened for one month of public inspection. The house will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ‘This model home, the second of the series sponsored this year by The Star, has been furnished throughout by W. B. Moses & Sons, with furni- ture and hangings in keeping with the Italian country house architectural lines of the place. In the living room of the house visitors find a happy blending of mod- ern comfort with Italian period fur- nishings. Roman red draperies of antique satin hang from hand-wrought iron drapery rods of spearhead design. In the center of each rod is a small hand-wrought iron shield of medieval design. Underneath the draperies are Austrian puff shades of Hindu silk in ecru trimmed with boullon fringe and tassels. The furniture of the living room Includes a Savonarola chair with legs forming an “X,” a large easy chair with high back upholstered in green, a large longue of unusual design up- holstered in a variegated pattern in which blue predominates, and ag slightly curved fireplace bench with padded seat supported by wrought. iron legs in an intricate Italian de- sign. A fine walnut table of the two- pedestal type, a medieval cabinet and bookcases complete the living room furnishings. The dining room hangings are simi- lar to those in the living room, except that the central shield is not used. The furniture is of Italian finished N remin_g an apartment at the figure you would pay monthly to own this house, you lose more than the sum represented by your - rent receipts. You lose among other residential advantages, an association with substantial property owners who have happily and permanently solved their future home-living problems by purchasing homes in this ex- clusive section. chestnut, with several sidewall pleces of beauty and utility. The chairs are of chestnut with decorative shield de- sign. The breakfast room set i5 a pleasing combination of coral red edged with a broad band of light brown and striped in black. The hang- ings are striped Roman draperies. The center of the roomy kitchen is occupied by the latest and most ap- proved. type of white porcelain-topped table with a convenient movable stool attached to one table leg. The em- The Triangle of Increasing Values —between Massachusetts and Connecticut Avenues and Wood- ley Road. Over 250 homes built and under construction. Actual improvements and home values exceed $10,500,000. Wooded villa sites, lots, central and side hall homes, with lots from 75 to 300 feet front. Call for Literature and List of Over 300 Purchasers Middaugh & Shannon, Inc. ESTABLISHED 1899 1435 K St. N.W. bossed linoleum which covers the| kitchen floor was cemented to the floor and provides a durable floor covering of beauty and sanitary convenience. Upstairs the master bedroom con- tains a suite of dusty walnut finish, comprising a ‘full size bed with box springs and felt mattress, a chiffonier, a dressing table equipped with side lights, a commode, and a writing desk placed in the graceful, arched alcove. There is also a chaise longue of quilted glaze chintz. The guest bedroom is equipped with a full size bed, dressing table and chest of drawers, all finished in a soft green, with a decorative flower panel. The draperies of sunfast madras in a multi-color design with lavender pre- dominating, are hung on painted wood ‘Massachusetts Park Main 8685 brackets and reds that harmonize with the rest of the room. There is also a boy’s room, containing a single bed of mahogany, with chest of drawers, writing desk to match and a lounging chair. In the bathroom are draw curtains of a rubberized material in a cretonne pattern. AREA IS NEARING COMPLETION Finishing Details Advance Far Enough to Give Idea of How Finished House Will Appear. Work on_ the model home being erected in Rock Creek Park Estates, the third of the serles of four demon- stration houses sponsored this year by The Star and the Home Owners' Institute, was being pushed today as the house entered the last three weeks of its preparation for the month of public inspection which will begin September 25. Finishing work on this house, which is located. on Orchid street, one block above Kalmia road, now is well un- der way, and each day the ultimate appearance of the home with its fea- tures of the English and French rural cottage style of architecture become more apparent. Fine Marble in Fireplace. Here and there some of the finish- ing structural details are in place and show the care taken in their se- lection. The three chimneys have been capped with an oval top, using a darker color mortar, which gives the appearance of age in the smoky effect obtained. Exceptionally fine pieces of Italian marble of creamy color with fine black markings have been set for the living room mantel AIDS HOME DECORATION. Choice of Lighting Fixtures Among Paramount Considerations. In the selection of decorations for a house one of the paramount consider- ations should be the choice of lighting fixtures, The lighting equipment is more or less permanent and cannot be moved and changed as easily as furniture or draperies; therefore the home owner should select fixtures which will give lasting pleasure and service. It is also important that the fixture be artistic by daylight as well as when it is elec- trically_illuminated. The day of the monotonous chande- lier is gone.. Reflected lights, lamps and side attachments are coming into their own, and they may be had in a multitude of styles and finishes. Lan terns and candle brackets are particu- larly popular. Finishes are usually pro- tected by a thin coat of lacquer and need no attention other than dusting. MONEY WELL SPENT. Investment in Building Held In- vestment in Prosperity. An investment in the building indus- try is an investment in prosperity, says George E. McKinnis, president of the United States League of Local Building and Loan Associations. There were over $8,000,000,000 em- ployed in the building industry of the United States last year. Home building was the largest contributor to this en- terprise, which added greatly to the prosperity of our country. An active home-building program_ best reflects the community’s life and progre: built-in porches. trays in cellar. refrigerators, hot-water Built-in garage. Main 352-353 Realtors Colonial Homes Concord Avenue at Third Street Sample House—5513 Third Street N.W. Features: These homes contain six large rooms, tiled baths, built-in tubs, concrete front porches, one-piece enameled sinks, Automatic storage heater, servants’ lavatory and wash CONVENIENT TERMS Price, #8,950:2 Excepting Corner FLOYD E. DAVIS COMPANY pantries with heat, Kkitchen cabinets, large 733 12th Street N.W. The new houses on 28th Street N.W. should not be mistaken for raw, untried community developments. They are specially constructed homes in a district which appeals to families of taste and responsibility. Two baths, clothes closets of cedar, garage, maid’s room, shower and lavatory, laundry. hot-water heat system, etc. Prices, $17,500 to $19,000. - Terms: $2,500 monthly. Other homes in Woodley Park up to $4! (Open house at 2923 28th St. N'W. every day until 9 P.M.) (Turn off Comnecticut Avenue at Cathedral Avenue, or at the Klingle Bridge.) WARDMAN 1437 K St. N.W. anment and $125 ,000. Fireplace, built-in refrigeration, instantaneous it e o SHANNON & i rooms. kitchens. Day: with tile in subdued colors for the hearth. Similar Ceramic tile in harmonizing colors is being set in the dining room hearth. In the kitchen rectangular rubber tile in three tones of black, ivory and gray will be laid in basket- weave pattern. The plastering is now completed, and jams will all be in place by the end of this week. The finished floor- ing of quarter-sawed white oak is on the job, ready to be laid on top of the felt which will cover the subfloors. The trim or. woodwork for the door and window openings is all cut and ready to be fitted in place. Roof Partly Completed. Much of the roofing slate is al- ready laid, and the general effect of this particular quarry of slate, with its irregular waving line ends, is most pleasing. The casement windows, known as London cottage type, are now all in place and aid in making apparent the livableness of this home inside and out. This type of window tends to create the atmosphere of & real home. The finished grading around the house is practically completed, and the front is now being sodded. To reach the demonstration house, drive out Sixteenth street, passing by Alaska avenue, to Kalmia road; left on Kalmia road one block to Orchid street, and then one block to the right on Orchid street. Another route, slightly longer, is through Rock Creek Park to Beach drive, continuing northerly to Kalmia road, thence to Orchid street. | {4 Quincy Terrace Quincy & 22nd Sts. N.E. —the beautiful community with the attractive Bungalows and two-story Houses—built on— 45-foot-front lots A different neighborhood from any you know of ; differ- ent Homes from any in Wash- ington. Large rooms; harde wood floors; tiled baths; per- fect fixtures. Built for home investment and paying a big dividend in comfort and con- venience. 56,850 to 38,450 Small cash payment Easy monthly terms Open every day and evening, cluding Sunday and Labor EB;;"; Bus goes directly by Quis ‘Ter- Ave. and 22nd St. E.. walking north fo Homes. An- other bus will take you within two squares. Harry A. Kite (Incorporated) 1514 K St. . Main 4846 g TR — The Beauty of Colonial America —— The Ultra Modern Conveniences of the 20th Century ---and The Re; markably Low Price --- combine td make this one of the Finest Home Buys n Washingto'n — $8.250. Large, well landscaped lots. Attractive verandas. Six large Completely equipped ight basements. All modern conveniences. To east on LUCHS, Sample House 2408 Third St. N.E. At 3rd & Bryant Sts. N.E. M. Rhode Isiand ~ Avenue Stireet. then go morth two blocks to the sample home. Reach—Take any dus goin Hhode Isiand. Avenuer the Rainier car. or drive oui o A INC.