Country House of Character - "Bonnycrest," the Residence of Mr. Stuart Duncan Esq. at Newport, R. I., by John Russell Pope, Architect

What constitutes the perfect country house? Country Life asked this question of several of the leading architects in New York, and asked them to indicate some country houses which they had designed and which, in their opinion, made them distinctive from other houses.

"Bonnycrest," the Residence of Mr. Stuart Duncan Esq. at Newport, R. I., by John Russell Pope, Architect

In "Bonnycrest," the home of Mr. Stuart Duncan at Newport, R. I., Mr. John Russell Pope has successfully achieved his object in designing a house which contains the charm of cottage, and yet has sufficient spaciousness to fit in with the neighboring estates.

 ***Below is the response from Architect John Russell Pope - 1919***

"Bonnycrest," the Residence of Mr. Stuart Duncan Esq. at Newport, R. I., by John Russell Pope, Architect

THIS place was not planned as an archeological effort to transplant a baronial castle to the shores trod by our Pilgrim Fathers. The only effort in connection with its inception was the prerequisite that it must be, or at least have the charm of a cottage and still be of sufficient spaciousness and accommodation to take its place among the other great places of Newport.

"Bonnycrest," the Residence of Mr. Stuart Duncan Esq. at Newport, R. I., by John Russell Pope, Architect

The lack of enormous rooms, galleries, and impressive staircases has completely accomplished a result which makes "Bonnycrest" essentially a home. How well this problem has been solved can best be appreciated while wandering among its charming rooms filled with its quaint treasures of walnut and oak and rare embroideries. The estate itself with its restful lawns and terraces presents a curious and refreshing combination. On the entrance side it might well be situated in the midst of a vast estate of field and forest. Infinite care has already reared a lawn that shows fair comparison to the wonderful carpets surrounding the old houses in England.

"Bonnycrest," the Residence of Mr. Stuart Duncan Esq. at Newport, R. I., by John Russell Pope, Architect

The side facing the water is just as appropriate to its location, for here can be seen how the materials used in the building have harmonized with the colors and texture of the rocky shore merging the house with the boulders and not merely perching it on top of the ground. The materials have been assembled and used with such judgment as to produce a feeling that here is a home old enough to have been venerated by at least three or four generations.

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"Bonnycrest," the Residence of Mr. Stuart Duncan Esq. at Newport, R. I., by John Russell Pope, Architect - Robert Yarnall Richie aerial photo ca. 1932-1934