1868.] Descriptions. 171 character, possessing such an evident boldness and daring in its construction ; such a freedom from all conventional laws ; at the same time, infringing on none, that would be imposed by nature ; such a thorough appropriateness and uniformity throughout, in every minute detail of the ornamentation, so lavishly poured out on it, as cannot fail to im- press the mind of the beholder, and the student. The style, it may be here remarked, is more peculiarly applicable to secular buildings, than to ecclesiastical, to which latter, the northern Gothic — as it is to be found in France and England — is more suitable. We will now proceed to give a short description of the material which should be employed in the construction of the Store-Front, which forms the topic of this article. We should give the decided preference to a stone of a light color ; but, either granite, or marble, might be used, if preferred ; in the event of either of the two latter being selected, there would be a slight variation. Should, however, brown-stone be em- ployed for the purpose, there would be a saving, on the estimated cost of the construction, of about twenty per cent.; or about what the expense would amount to, if a front of iron was determined upon, including the cost of painting. We ourselves would give the decided preference to the two first-named mate- rials ; and, as there are various shades of either, we would recommend the lightest shades possible. The woodwork of the doors and win- dows should be of walnut, or other dark wood, equally hard and durable ; and should all be simply oiled with three coats of the best linseed oil, boiled, without the addition of any varnish. The glass, throughout the first story, should be plate ; and all above, through- out the remainder of the building, of crystal sheet, double thickness. The estimated cost of the erection of a Store-Front, constructed of either mar- ble, or granite, in accordance with this design, we would name at eighteen thousand dollars. ($18,000.) DESIGN FOR A VILLA IN THE ITALIAN STYLE. This design, an old favorite and a fa- miliar friend doubtless, to many, will, at a glance, show, that it is adapted to the re- quirements of a climate like ours, more particularly that of the Middle, Western and Southern sections of our country, which may be said to be almost a counter- part — during at least two-thirds of the year — of that wherein the style of archi- tecture to which it belongs originated. It is the only style in existence that, in our opinion, conforms to the tastes and wants of the present age in America ; and this cannot be said of any of the other styles, so far as they are applicable to the purposes, and uses of domestic architecture. The broad roofs, veranda lis and ar- cades are leading characteristics of this style in Italy, and strictly adhered to, as indispensable. It is capable of the most varied, and at the same time, the most simple outlines ; and is the most appropriate, not only for rural and ur- ban residences, but also for those par- taking of the character of both, and neither exactly one nor the other. Of course there would be slight modifica- tions to suit particular localities ; as, for instance, exterior architectural or- naments in the city would be more con- fined to a rectangular front, while in rural localities, where all sides are ex- posed, much more attention would have to be paid to general effect. The leading features of this stjde are perhaps more familiar, than those of any other, to the genei'al observer ; but we may enumerate a few of the more important ones. The most striking characteristics of Italian architecture are irregularity, strong and bold con- trasts, and a constant aiming at what
