ENGLISH in style and in air of permanance is the home of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Thomason at 10456 Seeley Avenue. Though that is the address, it also fronts on Longwood Drive.
The view from Longwood Drive is perhaps the best. One sees a large house of light brick and yellow cream color stucco with wood trim and slate roof set far back on the hill on a walled terrace to which two walks of rough stone lead in low steps. From Seeley avenue a long drive leads to a carriage court, at one side of which is the garage, built in the same style as the house.
The entrance is on the carriage court. A tiled floor alcove allows entrance to the main hall, on the opposite side of which is a semi-concealed stair leading to the second floor. At the left end of this hall, the north end of the house, is the large library, paneled in dark wood and containing a large fireplace and commodious book shelves.
Leaded-pane glass windows and doors look out across the large flag-stone terrace, down the hill toward Longwood Drive, and windows on the other side toward Seeley Avenue.
The living room at the other end of the hall, decorated in rose-grey, has an attractive corner fireplace nook. An open archway at the further side leads into the large sun room, with Rookwood tile floor and casement windows, in three walls.
The dining room is thoroughly distinctive. A huge bay-window, containing eight sections, looks across the terrace to Longwood Drive.
The walls are finished in light green, with which the heavy silver wall candles and chandelier make an attractive combination.
A swinging door leads through a service pantry to the service hall and kitchen. The most modern conveniences, including ice-machine and rubbish incinerator, make the house practically independent. The outer service door is reached by a short flight of steps from the service hall. A double stair to the basement is reached both from kitchen and the rear hall. A well-lighted billiard room, occupying the space under the sun room, is an attractive feature.
The second floor arrangement is well adapted for privacy. Two maid’s rooms and bath are reached from a side hallway. A guest room, finished in canary yellow, and bath are at the end of another side hall, in the walls of which are linen and clothing storage closets. The owner’s bedroom contains a bay window, similar to that of the dining room and directly above it. Separate bathrooms are provided for it and an adjoining bedroom. A sleeping porch is reached from a communicating hall.
Many other distinctive features, such as the arched ceiling construction in the lower hall, characterize the house, which was recently rebuilt, using as a center the 8 room house in which Mr. and Mrs. Thomason had lived for a number of years. For sentimental reasons they did not wish it destroyed.
The large and attractive grounds show the result of careful planning by a landscape architect and do much to enhance the charm of the house.
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