Summerscales House

• placement of

the house at the front of the deep lot on the west side of River Road, with its front oriented to the south and east facade with enclosed two-storey verandah to nearby River Road

• the extent and layout

of the spacious grounds landscaped with trees and grass

Key elements that define the dwelling's form and large unaltered exterior include:

• its four-square plan typified by the square proportions,

frame construction with horizontal wood siding painted white, shallow hipped roof and symmetrically composed front facade

• the picturesque qualities of the stone-faced lower portion of the enclosed two-storey

verandah with set-back upper portion; the south-facing one-storey open verandah; the carefully crafted dormer windows on three sides, including the protruding east dormer; the subtle range of window shapes;

and tall brick chimneys

Key elements that characterize the building's rich interior include:

- the layout surviving from 1912, with a large front entrance and L-shaped staircase; the balance of small front parlours and large dining room and kitchen at the back; the six upstairs bedrooms and bathroom located off the central east-west hall, with a stairwell to the attic

• the exceptional craftsmanship

of finishes and details, including the carefully joined woodwork of the entrance foyer with oak pocket doors; the numerous staircase details; window and door casings; baseboards; oak fireplace mantel; built-in cabinetry and window box seats in the parlour and dining room; dining room plate rail; decorative plaster;

etc.