The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-26
A CELTIC RESIDENCE.
An Old Style of Architecture for New
Vanderbilt House.

New York Maj and Express.
The house which Mr.. VIM. H. Vanderbilt has
given to his daughter, Mrs. Seward Webb, will
be when finished one of the most interesting
houses III town. The conception is novel and
nothing is spared in carrying it out The house
makes one OF the TWO houses on Fifth avenue,
just below the St Luke's Hospital the corner
house being occupied by Mrs. Twombly. While
the house intended for Mrs Webb is adapted to
the needs of young and fashionable couple, its
interior revives as far as possible the features
and feeling of the past. The style, if one may
use the word IN this way. is Celtic. This is not
more matter Of detail than of the general as
pect of the interior. The entrance through the
heavy oaken doors, on which the wrought iron
ornament is worth some comment, is
arched and ribbed in oak. The wood has been
treated by one of those modern stains that so
counterfeit time Beyond the arch the hall ex-
pands, paneled on wall and ceiling with the oak.
In ar angle made with the library is large fire
place with mantel of oak. The grand staircase
is opposite the door, and turning exposes boldly
its course, but the under part of the stairs is
even made ornamental with its panels passing
above the hall seat with it's mirror. The stair
case with its balustrade beams and pillared cor
ridor give opportunity for fue work in wood. the
details being Celtic. The wall above the vain
scottlng Of the staircase are in the composition
alluded to above, with rough surface and border
OF Interviewing lines. This is being stained to
initiate the soft yel!owish red stains of an old
wall The hall is lighted by group of three
windows and the skylight above The glass is
Kept very light, but the hall remains appropri
ately darkened.
Immediately off the hall is the library Ma
hogany panels the entire room with shelves. The
upper division is arranged to indicate afrieze.
The prominent feature of the room is the fire.
place, which is faced with grayish green blocks,
rock faced of Galway marble. On each side is
fine carving in the mahogany panels of dragons
! breastlng waves. Above the mantel recessed is
one window, in which is a coat Of arms bearing
II Celtic cross. The wide bay continues this
part Of the room and the window seats are
utilized for convenient receptacles. The draw:
ing room leads out of the library. This room
alone departs from the dominant tone of the
interior The decoration is Louis Seize, and
came from Paris. 1t is paneled throughout in
The ornament is most graceful, and consists
of fruit, garden implements, gar
lands, tambourines and harps sus-
pended from bows of ribbon. This ornament
is in white and III relief on panels of delicate
pink. The ceiling consists of border of mold
ings about painted CENTER in which branches
of garlands only break up at the edges in the
blue and white clouds of a summer sky.
The dining room returns to the massive rich
Celtic forms. The oak has been stained till
almost black. The walls are paneled and Dor
dered with rich heavy band of ornament, and
the trleze above separates panels Of ornament
by delicate fiuted semi-detached columns. The
ceiling is paneled with heavy cross beams.
which would not be amiSs in much larger
room, but lends a baronial air to a room even Of
this size. The mante is especially fine. Heavy
columns wreathed with bands of mstetoe and
oak flank each side. Between are small panels
separated by bands of rich ornament and rib
boDs thatfOrm at every intersection St. Andrews
cross The massive buffet stands in an alcove Of
stained glass, across which from above the arch
is spanned by heavy twisted beams, forming
open panels, afterward doubtless to be filled in
with some stutfs as from which ancient banners
once hung. The small breakfast room adjoining
is paneled In German oak, beautiful both in grain
and tone. The panels between the ceiling beams
are painted with roses and garlands, and a cab
met filled in with beveled glass adds to the
cheerful aspect Of the room.
Immediately over the diningroom is DR..
Webbs study. Here eliminated all this feeling
for the old Scotch forms and traditional aspect
The room is vaulted and lined in old oak. It's
arrangements suited to man of studious
tastes, and includes balcony with staircase
leading to upper shelves The fireplace is ca
pacious and intended for lare e logs, which are,
indeed, to be used in all the large firepaces, dis
pensing with the steam heat. Above the fire
place are large cupboards with wrought iron
fastenings. This in lieu of mantel. On each
size figures carved in oak. Ore is
female figure, presumably Abundance"
The other is an ancient Celt in battle array
These two figures are cut from one tree cut half
In two, aud are executed with great spirit. Their
purpose, however is not purely ornamental, for
by applying key to an insignificant spot they
open and disclose behind recess large enough
to discreetly conceal man. Mrs Webbs room
carries out the same feeling 1t spans the en-
tire front. The walls are wanscotted to the
freize in mahogany with st. Andrews cross
marking the panels. Arising out of this wains.
cottiug raised dias is the bed, its columns
making parts Of the construction, and to be
afterwards hung in baronial fashion with rich
curtains. The freize is to be of embroidered
velyets. The wood makes wide border on the
ceiling, which is to be SPAWNED by beams and en-
close painted panels. The huge fireplace is at one
end, and here i'll the manufacturing renaissance
details heighten and varies prevailing orna-
ment. The doors are kept in keeping with the
wainscottin One discloses a bath room lined
throughout with white marble. Others lead into
capaciOus closets and to the staircase which
climbs up the little towerette into the nursery
above.