Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-09-10
The Cottage by the Sea.
DETAILED Description OF THE HousE FOR
THE PRESIDENT AT ELBERoN.

As so often happens with this style of cot
tage there is no entry Immediately in front.
The central projecting portion is enclosed
and has windows above. with vine-laden
balcony above that. then more windows and
above that the gabled roof.
The entry is little at one side, under the
porte coche. and the doors are in two parts
so that the upper one may be readily opened
and conversation easily exchanged while the
lower part remains closed. BY this arrange
ment conversation without anyone outside
coming in or anybody inside going out is
made an easv matter. Immediately within
the vestibule is the hall, high. wide apart
ment, with fireplace, low tables, Uttered
with curious things, and few oddly y-capari
soned chairs and an overhanging balcony.
OF equal width with this hall, and extending
entirely back is the dining-roo the floor
elevation of which is about two feet higher
than the hall, and is approached by two easy
landings like dais. These landings have
pedestals and small articles of furniture in
the corners, and an immense portiere OF some
heavy Persian stuff extends entirely across ii,
hung on rings, so that the two apartments
may be isolated at pleasure or preserved in
an unbroken view. One corner contains a
high old-fashioned clock. The hall and din
ng-room take up the whole depth of the cot
tdSc. WHICH 10 Piopapis my WV Ehpo'S
division where the portiere hangs there is =
rack. such as is often seen on the top of old
English mantel-pieces, which is filled with
plates and pots and jugs and such odd fan
cies.
rhe fireplace in the dining room is very
large and wide, with very ornamental Chin
new piece also Uttered with curiosities and
the ceiling is lofty. II is heavily paneled
throughout with wood and cock, In places.
as over the chimney-pec the dark wood is
in relieved panels. cut in whorl-shaped de-
signs. The cork covering some sections of
the walls is cut in small pieces OF great va
riety of shapes, cleverly set in place like Mo
sale work. There is a curious dresser of hard
wood built high in one corner, with project
ing shelves and odd hooks and corners. some
open and some with doors. The floor is lit
tered with rugs little ones of crimson and
black ani large ones of buff and chocolate.
and the furniture is of that simple but artistic
form sensibly conforming shape, design and
material to the purpose intended.
The rear middle section opens upon a small
veranda reached by two steps and from there
nothing can be seen save the sea. 1t over
looks the very edge of the bluff, which is so
high as to hide the beach, and bathing houses
below, and the land view at either side is cut
off bv projecting parts of the building, SO that
the endless ocean is the only object the eye
encounters, and the breezes whether from the
east or south. are always available. This is
the room which the President will almost
certainly occupy at first, and will probably
be his abode throughout his stay at Elberon.
The only other room large enough or suit
ed in other respects to receive him is the
south chamber on the second floor. This is
about twenty five feet wide and fifteen feet
deep. with an arched ceiling about twelve
feet high in its highest part 1t contains "A
very wide, low bedstead, elegantly covered.
The head of the bed is toward the north and
should the President occupy it he can have
either the direct breeze from the left or the
south wind from Immediately in front Of him.
both passing over balconies where they may
be tempered by bomboo screens, which also
shut out the sun when necessary and admit
nothing but the breeze. The room is elegant
ly furnished with quaint and pretty corner
effects. but, as elsewhere through the house,
there is an absence of everything gaudy or
luxuriant. The whole house, outside and in,
gives an idea of comfort without regard to
fashionable display, The parlors have cor
ner divans with padded figured silk cushions.
The chairs are all made for comfort, and the
screens, which are the handsomest articles in
the house, are ornamented simply with shells
and miniature fishes Philadelphia Times.