Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-28

object OF art, rare vase with hoWerS or lew
shelves for the most companionabie books
for nothing is introduced into such room
for mere form. Above the wainscoting
forms shelf on which are placed objects of
art and rare plates. These in effect form a
frieze, for the wainscoting is high, against
background of old Spanish leather which
in centuries past didservice in some chateau
in Spain.
UNIQUE DECORATIONS.
This wninscoting, should have said, for
it is distinctive feature, encloses the doors
on each side and the mantel. The wood is
French walnut and the same wood is used
in the ceiling beams which are exposed.
Between these the plaster has been decorated
in color The floor is hard and strewn with
rugs. In such a room a woman carries her
own individuality. No room is complete
until the personal touch is given. This the
most accomplished architect and decorator
cannot counterfeit. Here, consequently,
one must leave what cannot but be the most
attractive element of the room.
In Mrs. W. K. Vanderbilt's house this
room was originally called the sewing room,
for parlors, boudoirs, sitting and living
rooms had been exhausted in the organlza-
tion of the house before the top floor was
reached But the business of sewing is car
Gated to hours of familiar ease. Its fitting
up is suggestion from the domestic archi-
lecture OF England, and more directly from
Haddon Hall, that famous historic pile in
which Cromwell put on such frills and
aped the aristocraey. The room is
wainscotted high in pine, and is
merely succession of small
squares row on row. The wood
is pine painted Tuscan red and brought to
an egg shell gloss. The mantel is copied
from one in Haddon Hall, and has fire fac
ings of Carlisle stone with an overhanging
mantel panelled as the wainscotting. The
wood is carved in pilasters above the walns-
cotting and is apparently used to support
the cross beams which make sqnares that
are plastered and painted old gold. This
room catches all the sun of the east and the
sun of the south, which includes also the
western sun and the panorama of the sun
set. Immediately joining this room is an
other that is used as q conservatory, and
through sliding doors this room of lively
cheerful red obtains a fascinating vista of
green.
THE LADIES COMMITTEE.
The character and disposition of the room
is disclosed in its furniture. 1t contains ab-
soIutelv nothing but divans, ottomans,
more elouuen. of the delights of 'lolling"
room. But it must be confessed that these
rooms sometimes have a more bracing air.
1t is here that the ladies' committees meet,
and the committee is an important element
in a fashionable woman's lite as an assem-
bly, or the Patriarchs' ball. Indeed, if the
walls of these luxurious treats could speak
they would probably reveal nothing more
genuinely humorous, and in every way en-
tertaining, than the doings of the ladies'
committee.
The most complete advance yet made in
this upward movement for light and air has
been made in the new home of Mr.. Ogden
Mills, the son of Mr.. D. o. Mills, the Cali
fornian. Mr.. Mills house is on Fifth ave-
nue. and Sixty-ninth street, and overlooks
the Central Park. To live on this park is a
happy lot, if one doesn't mind the malaria,
and has faith that it will yet be properly
drained. But Mr.. Mills has lifted himself
above the evening dews and damps, and can
enjoy to his fill those acres of lawn and
wood, which he has not to keep shorn and
trimmed, and those miles of drives and walks
which he has not to sprinkle and keep clear
of snow. The lower floors of Mr.. Mills house
are in fact state apartments. Here may be
the balls and formal banquets; the living
rooms are on the top floor. There isrepeated in
familiar way all the details of the lower floor.
In front is the living room, the entire width
of the house, which occupies two city
lots. This room is in French walnut and
after designs of the renaissance. Behind it
is the dining room-and in attendance on it
the buffers pantry, kitchen, and everything
that may render it independent of the rest
of the house. This,-It seems, gives to city
life, life of brick and mortar, its most
ideal aspect. It enhances the value of
wealth and commends it wholesomely. The
eYs rests on nothing that is not lovely, the
roar of the streets is afar, and above all are
the delights of privacy, the bosom of the
family is no longer mythical.
A YOUNG GIRLS sANCTUM.
Touching this same subject there is a
growing custom, and which is considered as
one of the educational influences Of the day,
to give the young girl of the house sane
tum on the top floor. For this the elevator
is not necessary, for her legs are active and
strong, as nine out of ten her mothers are
not. Into this room no one enters without
her permission. Here, if she so chooses, she
may have frieze of her favorite actors
photographs, here she may practice with
some likewise enterprising friend the
fragrant cigarette, here she may essay poetry
and trife in art. Here her reading is prac-
tically unrestricted. It was in such den
that the daughter of strictly orthodox
house made the acquaintance of "Robert
Elsmere, which friend puts in as evidence
of the unqualified freedom of young girls
sanctum.
In such room girls individuality de-
velops and il there are any warning signs,
they will eventually appear more openly,
and in time for check or reproof and they
will occur under the parental roof.
A very pretty example of such a room be-
longs to young girl who must be nameless.
1t is what is known as a hall bedroom on
the top floor. Her taste in photographs in
clines to royalty, and here she enjoys the
company of the most interesting of the
crowned heads of Europe. Around the room
as frieze are Raphael's ''Hours," frieze
broken on one side by that quaint fantasy
of Church, mummy's head smelling a
rose, and on the other by Giotto's head
of Dante. The furniture has been espec-
tally designed for the room. Here are her
books and everything that is most dear to
her. In the window is window seat, and
beneath it is locker for further treasures.
To insure her greater privacy, in the lower
half of the sash is the royal entrance of
Queen Elizabeth into a castle courtyard, a
splendid piece of color in stained glass and
filtered through this is the more prosaic
aspect of the street.
Here this young girl reigns supreme.
Sometimes she receives visits from other
members of her family. But she is always
notified in advance that no undue liberty
may be taken of her privacy.
MARY GAY HUMPHREYS.
OKLAHOMA HOTEL RULES.
Directions Which Transient Guests Are Re.