The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-10-04
WHITE HOUSE RENOVATED.
ARTISTIC NEW DECORATIONS IN
THE hTATB APARTMENTS
Ihe Main Corridor, the East Room, the
Green Pnrlor. and tho State Dining
Room Made More Beautiful Than Ever
Lit BY the Electric Light.

s"o"i Maue more Beautiful Than Ever
Lit By the Electric Light.
The White House begins once more TO wear
an aspect OF habitableness although men are
still busy on the decorative plastic work in
the main corridor. The frescoe on the ceiling
OF this corridor is very harmonious in color
and design, being of light terra Gotta red
with gilt and sage green mingled in the
ornamentation. The centre design is an oval
medallion from the middle of which is sus-
pended the gilt and glass-globed chandelier.
the lower row Of electric lights being shaded
by lily shaped crystal shades The centre-peice
is surrounded by border with small disks
lald on at intervals all in the same color tones
At each end of the lobby, over the marble
mantels, the plastic ornamentation is of the
colonial renaissance style, in the same
suDdued reds. Over the centre Of the east
mantel bas relief of Washington completes
the design. 1t is surrounded by a laurel
wreath, with the national colors above
on either side, and an eagle over all. perched
on the typical bundle of fagots. The west
mantel is counterpart ofthe one already de-
scribed only in the centre medallion President
Lincoln is the design in bas relief bust
Going into the grand East room the chan
deliers, sparkling with cut-glass pendants, soon
naeh a Thousand soft rays as the light is turned
on with single turn OF the knob at the stor-
age battery. The new carpet will not be
placed In this grand salon much before the
holidays, but the old one has been freshened
up, and the many windows are rehung with
lace and silk plush curtains. All are in low
tones OF gray-brown that is very refined and
restful to the eye. But speaking of windows
one has but TO walk into the renovated Green
par!or to see gem of pair Of windows as
finely and artistically hung with draperies as
ever were put up by decorator In the first
place these windows harmonic with the deli
cate shade OF green in walls and ceiling,
KIND OF gray-green tone that would enchant
an artists eye The windows are ecreened at
the top for about three quarters of yard deep
with open fligree work of colonial design
Below 1t Is stretched the pole upon which the
satin lambrequins of old rose color are grace
1ully dropped, and finished with border of
openWork gimp and silk fringe. The heavier
curtains are looped back ON either side over
SIX muslin curtains, which are bordered with
point applique. and are confined with heavy
double cords and tassels The heavy Wilton
carpet, OF delicate pattern and green color-tone,
was made III Yonkers, N. Y, by Smith g. Co.
All the carpets, curtains and decorative work
were done by American manufacturers
The portraits Of Mrs. Tyler, Polk, and Hayes
are each set In handsome new gilt frames to
harmonize with the other decorations. There
is just suspicion Of pink beside the gilt on
the wall panel work and in the handsome cell
ing rrescoes 1t will be couple of weeks be-
lore the furniture will be ready for this gem of
parlor, which is a hitting companion piece of
refined work TO mate with, but not to match
the charming Blue parlor done up last season.
The Red parlor remains as 1t was, only
smartened up by recent house-cleaning.
Entering the State dining-room one is
struck with the marked improvement made in
its appearance. The tone Of the frescoing is
cafe du lait The ceiling is outlined in
delicate pattern of the colonial style The
whole has wax finish. The chandeliers are
In three great clusters OF crystal and silver
The side walls are finished with high dado
border at the foot, and deep freiZe at the
ceiling. border with deeper tones OF color,
and clusters Of cornucopias, scattering luscious
fruits from their overflowing horns of plenty
with garlands OF roses which bind these fruit
clusters together. The effect is very fine.
The carpet Is in harmony with the rest of the
surroundings. 1t was made at the Lowell
mills. The windows all have the open screen
at the top, which serve to emphasize the
beauty of the decoration and minister to the
utilitarian duty OF ventilation. These much
needed improvements were not open to in
spection generally during the past week, but
were so near completion as to tempt reporters
to take peep at their loveliness In advance.
Mr.. Yergason has proved his abundant taste
and skill as decorative artist by the beauty
and good taste of his woik in these fine rooms
The electric light now flashes all over the
Executive Mansion
Below stairs the halls, stewards room,
laundry, and baths have received attention
and been much improved; while the baths in
the residence proper have been renovated,
and the finest porcelain-lined tubs provided,
with tiling on the noor and walls In few
days Mrs. Harrison and the family will re-
turn to enjoy themselves as never before In
the renovated and beautlfed White House,
which owes much to her strong housewifely