Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-08
A MILLION. DOLLAR RESIDENCE.

lQo new TeSluenCe Vi nobeig OaiieIpi
President of the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road, on Mount Vernon place, which has
been in course of construction since the
early part of 1884, will be ready for occu-
pancy about January l. 1t is The most ex-
pensive dwelling over erected in this city,
as its entire cost, including furniture will
amount to over 81, 100000. 1t is in the
finest section of the city, with the further
advantage of magnificent square before it,
in which have been placed the celebrated
Barge statues donated to the city by MIR.
William T. Walters. Not very far to the
right of the building are the Washington
Monument and the Peabody 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
Europe he purchased in Paris and London
unique designs in bric-a-brac and decora-
tions. 1t is said be paid 81 500 pair for
curtains for the library and parlor, and for
carpets almost phenomenal prices. The
furniture and decorations for the parlor and
bedrooms are of the most original pattern,
luxuriously upholstered and handsomely
gilded or bronzed. In the chambers modern
art predominates, as we'll as in the lobby,
where the marble tiling is most beautiful. The
walls are whitecoated in imitation ofbasket
work, with here aud there a flower of some
simple variety intended to relieve themono-
tonous interlacing Of straws. The ceilingo of
the main hallway is made in cherry panels
of octagonal shape, extending back to the
grand spiral stairway, also finished in cherry
with ebony trimmings. Overlooking the
area is an atlas-shaped skylight made of
cathedral stained glass in delicate tints, all
blended in the most perfect harmony.
The most eXtravagantly finished apart
ment is the ballroom adjoining the east par.
lor. In it are little inches of statuary, and
at regular intervals massive columns sup
port ceiling elaborately worked in plaster
and then bropzed. The floor is Of polished
mahogany, while the walls, except the lower
portion, which is wainscoted in Italian mar
Bile. arc snow-white. The conservatory, i'm
mediately in the rear, is already filled with
plants and shrubbery, and spaces have been
reserved for Mr.. Garrett's fine collection of
orchids Majestic chandeliers and electric
Jets in tinted globes, by special contrivance
made to shed soft, luminous rays, are plentl-
fully scattered throughout the house. The
most striking adornments Of ali the apart
ments are the antique tnantels, selected byMr.
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. Its
shelf is supported on either side by girl
child frowning under her heavy load.
Above the shelf the span is occupied by
large panel bearing this inscription: IA
little place called Paradise" Overhead
is brass network, with spearheads for
border.
Bath pools are conveniently placed on the
upper floors, with sides of Tennessee marble
and nickel plated lining, and furnished with
water through solid brass pipes and gold
plated fixtures. Down on the basement
floor are Mr. Garrett's private offices, laun-
dry, drying room, servants dining room,
kitchen, with nickel plated boiler and water
fixtures, pantries, coal and wood cellars and
other necessary apartments. The top floor,
with its large airy rooms and bath, will he
used by a chef and his corps Of assistants,
as we'll as by the other domestics, number
ing fifteen. 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. Garretts
father, at his handsome country place on
the Frederick road, few miles from the
city lmits.-Baltimore Letter to Philadelphia
Press.