Morning journal and courier., 1881-09-14
London Houses and Furnishings. From Olive Logans London Letter in the San Fran
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 During his occupation of the official resi- dence in Downing street, MT. Gladstone is having his private mansion, 73 Harley street, fixed up" most gorgeously. It is noble old house. with two wide wings, penetrated | by spacious entrance hall which he has I filled with good statuary and hung with fine pictures. The decorations at present in progress are in the prevailing high art style, and the stained glass over the old fashioned l fanlight window of the entrance door is ! really beautiful bit of work. The grand drawing rooms remain much as they have l been for some years back; they are formal saloons for the reception of crowds and with l their long French windows and stately fur niture are well adapted to the purpose. Talking of furniture, there is a splendid exhibition of it going on just now in the Ag- ricultural Hall, Islington, an immense building, which is everything by turns l and nothing long first serving as horse- show,. then as 8 cattle-show, anon as the jousting ground of military tournaments. At present the merchandise offered to in- spection is of kind well adapted to win the attention not only of those ''about to mar ry," but of those who are already bound by Hymen's letters. For what in all the scope of mortallty's common round Is of more i'm portance to us in our daily life than the bed we lie upon, the chairs and sofas we sit upon, the table of. which we eat, the carpet over
 
 homes pervades all classes of society in this community, where the proportion of those who are willing to endure life at hotels and boarding houses is infnitesimal as against the number who insist upon having at least the semblance of home, if it be nothing more extensive than a couple of rooms and kitchen; nor must it be forgotten that thou sands upon thousands of snug and even handsome little houses are to be had in the London suburbs at yearly rents ranging from $2OO to $40O. Who pays $500 pays quite handsome rent, and can almost command his ne1ghborhood; while, as to those who pay $1 900 and $1, 200 year, they, mark you, aae ffthe swells.n To furnish all these abodes, hundreds of thousands of hands are working every day, and busy artistic pencils are sketching designs for the artisans to fol- low.
 At the furniture trades exhibition we see the pick of their handiwork for the best frmstof London upholsterers are exhibiting marked feature of the show is the compar- atiye cheapness of the articles offered, while the element of beauty is assiduously studied all the same. Even Jackson $ Graham, an old established firm, which formerly seemed to do business solely on the assumption that every one who could afford to furnish at all could afford to do it regardless of cost, have fallen into line, and cater for the moderate purse. Beautiful indeed are some of the dining and bedroom suites of furniture, the
 
 ing en rapport. A set of painted bedroom furniture is remarkable for it's delicate color and 6neness of design, both of which are repeated in the wainscoting Cabinets deco rated with medallions; early English side boards; hanging cupboards, with paint ed tiles; easy chairs of a wonderful softness, padded sultanic comfort, which must be felt to be understood, are features of this interesting exhibit. One firm seeking novelty has studied and re- produced an entire dining room and bedroom set in the style of the Tudor epoch. This imposing furniture is carved in quatrefails and massive holdings, decoration repeated on foors walls and ceilings The glass is all beyeled. There is passion for beveled glass just now, and it is introduced into re- productions of 18th or 17th century work. the solecism being forgiven in the fine effect produced. The Queen Anne, the Chippen- dale, the Sheraton and the "Adamesque" are the prevailing models. Anything is accept- ed, however odd, so long as it's form and fabric are sound and striking. There are collectors to be found, who collect all sorts of strange things and have no doubt that George Augusta Sala's move of decorating his entrance hall with wooden statue from in front of tobacconist's shop will have a considerable following.