Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-18
art, dim and all but indistinguishsbls with
A Most Artistic Interior.

Most Artistic Interior
Mr.. Lyman Tiffany's house on Connecti-
cut avenue was not only designed by him
self architecturally, but under bis handi-
work has become noted as having one Of the
most artistic interiors IN Washington. His
gifts appear to be manifold, and evidences Of
his diversity of talent meet the eye at every
step. The most remarkable piece OF work
vet accomplished by Mr.. Tiffany is the
mantel in the library, where from floor to
ceiling it rises a mass of elaborate caving.
The tall. slender-legged storks and myriad
birds have been treated with the greatest
ability, and present strlkingly realistic
appearance.
In repousse work Mr.. Tiffany has attained
the same degree of perfection, as is shown
by the tea table which stands in one corner
of the parlor. This is of brass, hammered
out during his residence in Dresden several
years since. The top represents German
legend, the old xtlettering running in and
out among the groups of raised figures. The
top, which is about three feet long by two
feet broad, is mounted in blue plush, Q
fringe of hammered brass surrounding it,
and hot water kettle and tea caddy Of
copper are hammered to correspond with
this table. Some fine work in repousse sill
yer has also been accomplished by Mr..
Tiffany.
Her Paintings in the Paris Salon.
Mrs. Alfred Clifford Barney, formerly Of
Cincinnati, but for the past year, with her
husband, a resident of Washington, has the
unusual distinction for an amateur artist Of
having had painting accepted and hung
In the Paris Salon. Mr.. and Mrs. Barney
leased furnished house last season-which
was their first winter in Westinghouse
that society had not the opportunity of judg-
Ing OF the latter's artistic talent, which will
be vouchsafed when she finally becomes set
tied here as a resident in the house now in
course OF erection on Rhode Island avenue,
near Seventeenth street.
On the several occasions Of dinner parties
given BY Mrs. Barney last season the guest
cards painted by the hostess were perfect lit
tie gems, and as such will always be pre-
served by those ior whom they were de-
signed. A fact not generally known is that
Stanley, when he first left England for the
interior OF Africa, started upon his e1plor-
ing expedition as the fdnce OF Mrs. Barney,
then Miss Pike, of Cincinnati. Upon his
return it was to find his iormer lady-love
married IT, her present husband.
Mrs. Senator Henderson's AIhambra Han.
Mrs. Henderson, wife of the ex-senator,
occupies the spacious stone castle at the
head of Sixteenth street and the Boundary,
for which she not only drew the intricate
details of building, but which she has fur
ther beautifed with number of her own
figure paintings, which are unusually fine.
The hallway is modelled after a portion Of
the Alhambra, sketched by Mrs. Henderson
during one of her many trips abroad, and it
is not only beautiful but very unique. Il
is octagonal in shape, the walls of pale blue,
rising from the marble tiled flooring.
About the many arched doorways broad
borders are formed OF Moorish hierogiyph-
les in darker blue mingled with gold. The
white auG gold morning room, on the left,
near the entrance, is separated from the
hallway by a partition wall four feet high,
the space between " mich and the ceiling is
filled in with Moorish fretwork of white
and gold.
Colonel john Hay may be regarded az
among the pioneers OF modern interior deco
ration in Washing ton, his residence on La
fayette Square having been one of the first
to discard the old time heavy interior deco
ration and adopt the lighter tones both in
woodwork and furnishing. The wide,
square hallway, might be Justly termed
poem in cream and gold, as the staircase
and woodwork throughout is of white ma
hogany.
Collection of the Brazilian Minister.
Madame Mendonca, wife of the Brazilian
| Envoy on special mission in this country,
had the happy knowledge last season that
her house contained the most valuable prI-
vate collection of pictures to be found in
the city. The majority OF them were pur-
chased abroad by Senior Mendoncs and are
veritable works of the old masters.
One of them, Corot, is a pastoral
scene, one of the few in which
he has ever introduced human figure
The house leased last season on New Hamp-
shire avenue was always thronged upon re-
ception days alike by society goers and
persons OF artistic sense outside of the
! charmed circle. To each and all a cordial
welcome was given by Madam Mendonca,
who, though an American by birth, in ply
sique and coloring is to the full as Spanish
| looking as any OF her attractive young step
daughters, who always assist in entertaining
| the guests on such occasions.
1t is not yet decided whether or not Senor
| and Madam Mendonca will return to WASH
] ington, but should they do so they will en-
| deavor to secure house with large ball
| room or gallery in which their paintings
| can be hung to a better advantage.
Miss GRUNDY, JR.