Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-06
A PALACE.
A MAcNIFIcENT HOUSE.

Frss'e'nt 6arreti's New Mlnieu. Dollar Rest
denee In BaItlmors-some Exquisite Dses-
rauops.
A Baltimore letter says: The new
residence Of Robert Garrett, president
OF the baltimore and Ohio railroad, on
Mount Vernon Place, which has been
In course Of construction since the early
part Of 1884, will be ready for occupan-
cy about January LIST. 1t is the most
expensive dwelling ever erected in this
city, as its entire cost, including fur
nishings, will amount to over $1,000.
600. 1t is in the finest section Of
the city, with the further advantage
Of a magnificent square before it, in
which have been placed the celebrated
Barge statues donated to the city by
Mr. William 7. Walters. Not very far
to the right of the building are the
Washington monument and the Pea
body Institute, one Of the architectural
beauties Of the city, and across the way
are the dwellings Of some of Baltimore's
richest bankers, brokers, and lawyers.
During Mr.. CARROTS late visit to Eu-
rope be purchased in Paris and London
unique designs in bric-a-brac and deco
rations. 1t is said he paid 81, 800
pair for curtains for the library and par
Tor, and for carpets almost phenomenal
prices. The furniture and deco
rations for the parlOr aud bed
rooms are Of the most original pattern,
luxuriously upholstered and hand
somely gilded or bronzed. In the
chambers modern art predominates, as
well as in the lobby, where the marble
thing is most beautiful. The walls are
whitecoated in imitation of basket
work, with here and there a flower Of
some simple variety intended to relieve
the monotonous interlacing Of straws.
The ceiling Of the main hallway is made
in cherry panels Of octagonal shape, ex-
tending back to the grand spiral stair
way, also finished In cherry with ebony
trimmings. Overlooking the area is an
stlas-shaped skylight made of cathedral
stained glass in delicate tints, all blend
ed in the most perfect harmony.
The most extravagantly finished
apartment is the ballroom adjoining the
east parlor. In it are little inches for
statuary, and at regular intervals mas
sive columns support a ceiling elabo-
rately worked in plaster and then
bronzed. The flooring is of polished
mahogany, while the walls, except the
lower portion, which is wainscoted in
Italian marble. are snow-white. The
conservatory. Immediately in the rear.
is already filled with plants and shub-
berry, and spaces have been reserved for
Mr.. CARROTS fine collection Of
orchids. Majestic chandeliers and
electric Jets in tinted globes,
by special continuance made to shed
soft. luminous rays, are plentifully
scattered throughout the house. The
most striking adornments Of all the
apartments are the antique mantels Sc
lected by Mr.. Garrett while abroad.
They are nearly all made of mahogany,
upon which are carved characters of the
medieval days. The one in the library
is perhaps the oldest. It's shelf is sup
ported on either side by girl-child
frowning under her heavy load. Above
the shelf the span is occupied by a
large panel bearing this inscription :
"A little place called Paradise" Over
head is brass network, with spear
heads for border.
Bath-pools are conveniently placed
on the upper floors, with sides Of Ten
nessee marble and nickel-plated lining,
and furnished with water through solid
brass pipes and gOld-plated fixtures.
Down on the basement floor are Mr..
CARROTS private offices, laundry,
drying-room, servants dining-room,
kitchen with nickel-plated boiler and
water-fxtures), pantries, coal and wood
cellars, and other necessary apartments.
The top floor, with its large, airy
rooms and bath, will be used by chef
and his corps of assistants, as well as
by the other domestics, numbering flf-
teen. Many of the ideas used in the
construction Of the building were those
of Mrs. Garrett, whose fine taste is
we'll known here. At present Mr.. and
Mrs. Garrett are the guests of Mr..
Frick Mrs. CARROTS father, at his
handsome country place on the Fred
eIick road, few miles from the city
limits.