St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-27
FINISHING TOUCHES.
Some Of rI.e Magnificent Decorations of the
Vest Hotet-4rtistic HOrE.

Some of fIae Magnificent Decorations ofthe
Vest Hotet-.4rtistic WorE.
Strangers coming to Minneapolis some
times imagine that the West hotel is entirely
completed, whereas many thousand dollars
are yet to be expended in adjoining and
identifying the interior. Few of our
own citizens even have any conception of
the richness and extent of the decoration
now in progress save vague idea that a
structure which cost million and half is
to be finished in manner which will cor
respond with its general elegance. The
work is being done by the famous Hertsr
Bros. of New York, the frescoers and deco
ratOrs who have decorated the interior of
W. 4. Vanderbilt's palace at New York and
many other costly public and private build
ings in different cities. The idea which has
been carried out is to make the interior of
the West, with the exception of its exchange
and billiard rooms, resemble private resi-
dence of some magnate rather than hotel
which is open to the accom- mediation of the
general public. To this end the style of the
decorations throughout is subdued in tone
and delicate in design, any approach to gau-
diness being carefully avoided.
The walls of the ladies' ordinary have been
covered with rich gold leather paper, the
coiling finished in delicate tracery of light
yellow. gray blue and pink. The corridor
has been frescoed in a corresponding man
ner, although differing slightly in tone and
design. The work is all very delicate, so as
to avoid the obstruction of light. The bill
lard room is much simpler in decoration,
but is very tasteful in design. The frescoing
of the
MAIN DINING ROOM
was completed Wednesday. The ornamental
ton OF this room is much more elaborate
than that of the others, although the ex-
change, with its carved mahogany ard
marble, will present a richer appearance.
The walls are in various tones of light red,
while the ceiling is deliberately frescoed, the
eighteen panels formed by the heavily carved
beams being filled with geometrical wheel
work relieved by Moresque scrolls. The two
smaller dining rooms have been finished in
much the same style. The rooms on the
second floor, the parlors, ladies' reception
room, the club room, COL Vests suit of
rooms, etc, are TO be richly finished, the
mural decorations being very costly. For
instance, the walls of the ladies' reception
room are to be draped with silk tapestry, the
walls of the parlors will be covered with
damask hangings, while the walls in some
of the others will be covered with embossed
flock paper with bands of paper mache at the
top and bottom. These rooms will first re-
ceive attention, and when completed the ex-
change will be commenced upon. Much
more might be said by the way of descrip-
ton, but the hopelessness of attempting to
convey even an idea of what is to be done in
identifying the apartments is obvious. Like
a picture it must be seen to be appreciated.
THE WORK on THE RoTUNDA
will begin in about two weeks by which time
it is expected the mahogany woodwork will
be in place. The wall spaces extending
from the polished stone vain soothing to the
cornice will be finished in oil in what the de-
signer terms a ''warm pale red," relieved by
rich border, and the surface
sprinkled with a light design. Above
is series Of panels, the width OF
the entrcsol story, forming broad frieze, sep
arated from each other by fat columns and
piasters of mahogany with carved capitals
and faces. 1t was intended to have plate
glass mirrors fill the panels, but the idea has
been abandoned. and heavy relief work of
renaissance design, richly colored and
touched with gliding, will be substituted.
Over the desk will be a group of four en-
blemated panels representing agriculture,
industry, commerce and art. The ceiling is
for the most part of stained glass, which adj
mits the light from above, and the remain
ing spaces between the beams will be fres-
coed in pleasing designs. 1t will be num-
Der of weeks before the decorators will be
through. but it is safe to say that by the time
the summer season opens, the most elegant
and artistically decorated hotel in the coun-
try will be entirely completed, and ready to
welcome the guests from abroad, who have
heard much of its magnificence, and will
come not to be disappointed, but surprised.