and Fowler. Much has been said of her bringing genteel American comfort
to the grand houses of England. Perhaps this "genteel comfort" is the result of
a primitive, albeit appealing, sense of scale and proportion. These rooms, and
especially those belonging to P de R, almost look as if they were hobbled
together by a child whose toys were very fine antiques. This is not to say
that I believe they were "hobbled" together, because clearly they represent vast
amounts of time, specificity, and expertise; just that they exude a charming naivete.
They seem to reflect a child's perception of an imposing and fantastical space, as
opposed to an adult's, who might pompously bask in the grandeur of his
surroundings because it affirms his maturity.
