Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-12
The President,s New Home.

Inc w nlte house, alter It's baptism
Of paint aud decorations and its new
dressing of rich furniture, is greatly
improved in appearance. The trans
formation is marked. Almost from
the very entrance the much needed
renovation was begun. The decora-
tiOns of the main vestibule are of a
character which does not require fire.
quent alterations. II has a tiled floor
which was only put down last year.
under Mrs. Hayes direction. The
main lobby, which divides the house
on the lower floor. has been greatly
improved. The wall is kalsomined in
a light shade and a heavy frieze runs
around it near the ceiling. The chairs,
lounges and settees have been re-
covered with a light silk and wool
brocade
The double door. opening from this
hall into the East Room, is hung with
gracefully draped lace curtains on the
inner side, from an ebonized bracket
This is the only symptom of @stheti-
cism in the entire bulldog. Black
cords and pretty little silver knobs are
arranged to allow its speedy adjust
ment in any manner desired. The
furniture in this room is rich. but not
very snowy. The entire effect is sub.
dued and pleasing. The wood work
is of ebonized wood, the upholsteriug
of the main suit being in old gold bro
cade, softened by mingling of golden
brown. The woodwork on thearm of
the sofas and chairs terminates in
carved animal heads. The frame
especially the top piece-is carved in
flowers and pretty designs, the center
piece being a laughing male face
here are other settees and chairs in
this room, upholstered in ecru
plush, while here and there are placed
odd chairs, upholstered in crimson
and gilt brocade with plush panels and
silk fringes. The window hangings
are tasteful and elegant; the curtain
are of old brocade, the same as the
furniture, the lambrequins are Of
plush, embroidered with an artistic
flower design in natural colors, the
whole pattern outlined by gilt trac.
iugs.
The Green Room is still the Green
Room, but not the bottle green Of the
past. The tints are Of the iaintest
Nile green, and their freshness makes
the room beautiful. The velvet car
pet has light figure center and Dor.
der of shaded green's. The curtains
are Of Nile green satin, bordered by
plush balls and gimp. The mantel
lambrequins match those on the win
dows. The furniture, which consists
of a couple of sofas and reception
chairs, is in pale green satin and
plush. The woodwork is of ebony
plainly moulded. All of the chairs
are OF different shapes. Under the
gaslight the newcomer would take
this room to be the Blue Room-the
pale green's taking on that shade
when the daylight is gone-but for a
glimpse of the Blue Parlor, and its
bright blue sand gilt-framed furniture.
There has been nothing done to this
room, its furniture-now charmiugly
acknowledging just as we'll as
ever.
The Red Parlor has been made a
sumptuous room. The carpet is of
velvet, a light ground and deeply
shaded flowers, and flagree crimson
wool mat. The furniture is uphol-
stored in crimson plush and the wood
work is in rosewood, with gilt tracings.
The divans are similar in shape to
those in the other rooms. One chair
with a heavy gilt frame stands near
the fireplace, and is made up of old
gold damask with raised velvet flowers
in crimson. A couple Of other chairs
are in other silken textures and have
inlaid frames of Eastlake patterns.
The hearth is tiled, and within tho
fender are andirons and old. d.fashioned
brass shovel and tongs. The window
curtains are of crimson plush, looped
back by thick silk chords and heavy
tassels. The mantle and window lam
brequins are made to match the fire
screen, which is Of tapestry work de-
picting scriptural scene, aud has a
massive gilded frame surmounted by
an eagle. The mantle ornaments are !
bronze clock and vases.
The stairways and halls have ali
been recarpeted in a dark red velvet
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