The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-08-07
Our 0liu.
JAS. c. FLOODS RESIDENCE.
nm the San Francisco Ne,os Letter.

=,
From the San Francisco Neaos Letter.
The contract for the interior fittings
, decorations, and furnishing of the new
palatiaf mansion of Mr.. James G. Flood
was awarded about year ago to Mr.. Will
liam Baumgarten, of the celebrated firm
of Herter Brothers of New York. 1t was
the result of a long and earnest competi-
ton of the foremost firms in the profes-
sion, not only of this country, but also Of
Europe, each submitting competitive draw
ings embodying their best endeavors and
talent. 1t may be stated to the credit of
the successful firm that the selection by
Mr.. Flood and his advisers was simply and
only based upon the merit and superiority
of their designs over all others, and now
that their work is completed and this
noble residence ready for occupancy, it
is safe 10 say that San Francisco pos
sesses in this palace of Mr.. Floods an
art creation of the highest rank, to be
classed with the noblest palaces of the Old
World, and worthy to inspire and instruct
future generations.
1t may be of interest to give short de-
scription of the prominent characteristics
of the various rooms, each OF which Is
wonder of completeness, and contains an
amount of thoug int and study and artistic
skill revealed in every detail that would
require a good-sized volume to do it justice.
To commence with the vestibule, we notice
the impressive simplicity of the heavy
oaken doors, relieved by immense hinges
and handles of wrought bronze, floor of
marble, mosaic of exquisite design OF foliage
and grapes, in quiet neutral tints; the walls,
covered high with rich wainscoting of
Numidian marble (the most beautiful of
all marbles); the frieze and the tunnel
shaped ceiling, again of mosaic OF light
tone, with graceful designs of wreaths and
ribbons and notices of welcome,
Passing through the vestibule doors one
enters the antehall, which, to the right,
leads to the reception room, on the left to
the library, and en- face to the main hal,
and is separated from each by heavy por-
there's of genuine antique Gobelin tapes
tries The ceiling here is domed and rich
ly decorated on gold ground. The tym-
panums over doors and wainscut contain a
decoration of fgure-composltions painted
on canvas by Mazerolles of Paris, one OF
the first of Frances painters. They re-
present the various arts and sciences, and
in their grace of form and coloring remind
one of Paul Veronese.
The reception room, a spacious COM
partment of 40x26 and 20 feet high, is an
inspiration of the Ganges. Every thing is
Indian; the teak wood carvings made to
order in India; the curtains of doors and
windows and the coverings of the luxurious
divans and seats are veritable embroideries
of gold and silver on velvet, sought in the
various capitals of Europe. The parquet
floor is covered with an immense India rug,
the walls are hung with pale red silk vel.
ours, and from the ceiling are suspended
four chandeliers of Eastern form, adorned
with opalescent and ieweled glass and can
dies, They hang symmetrieally in large
circle, and diffuse light at once rich and
subdued.
The library, to the left of the antehali,
is a room of the same dimensions, but how
different in its complexion! Here every
thing is earnest and quiet in color, stately
and impressive in form. High book cases
line the walls all round, made of dark Cir
cassian walnut. A hugh mantel Of vert
antique marble, with large columns carry
ing hood, rises up and connects with the
ceiling, which is divided into panels by
heavy beams of the same wood. The style
is of the heavy French Renaissance, the
carving not profuse but delicious in its
crispness. The windows, five in number,
are hung with curtains of dark gray-blue
silk velours of exquisite design, and so ar
ranged by overhead transoms of open wood
work as to admit the light from above,
Sash lace curtains close to the wipdors'
Embroidered linen shades and long lace
curtains under the heavy silk curtains COM
plete the window finish. The metal work
is of antique dark bronze, specially model
ed for every hinge, handle, keyplate, &c,
in patterns as varied as original. The rich,
dark colored India rug, the large, massive
table, and the comfortable sofas and arm
chairs, covered with handmade tapestry,
all combine to give this room an air of re-
pose and dignity and warmth which is the
very essence of library.
We now enter the main hall, or atrium,
the center of the whole house, around
which are grouped all the rooms, opening
up to the roof, and surrounded by bal
cony on the second story 1t receives a
food of light through an enormous sky
light, made of opalescent glass of pale del
icate tints. The wood employed through
out the hall is of the real San Domingo
mahogany, SO rarely seen In modern times.
The walls to three-fourths of their height
are wainscoted with richly carved panelling.
The openings to the antehall and stair hall
are arches supported by heavy columns and
caryatides, as are also the door castings to
drawing room and dining room, and all are
hung with genuine antique Gobelin tapes
tries, The parquet floor is covered with
an enormous rug, almost an inch thick, OF
deep, rich, red hue and hand knit, and in
the center rises upon marble pedestal an
extraordinary porcelain vase, measuring it.
self almost seven feet in height, of Etruscau
form, deep lapis lazuli blue in color, orna-
mented through the center with a wreath
of cupids and foliage of delicate flesh tint,
simple, noble, grand 1t is one of the
great chef d eaUres of the world renowned
mandatory of Sevres, and has not its
equal in beauty and size either in this coun-
try or elsewhere.
To the right of this hall one enters the
drawing room, large room, 28x46 and
20 feet high The immediate impression
is that here the artist has achieved the
climax of his talent. Light tints prevail
throughout; the woodwork, finished in
ivory enamel and gold, rises in richly carved
pilasters up to the ceiling, dividing the
walls into numerous panels, which are
hung with an all-silk velvet of delicate
pale yellow shade and richly embroidered
with gold, silver, and chenille; the upper
part of the walls is divided into panels by
profqsely carved brackets, each Of the pan
els containing igure-paintings representing
the muses., the seasons. &C., and the ceiling
also in ivory color and gold, contains one
large center panel representing "Dawn,
and two smaller side panels representing