Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-08-17
A Picturesque Modern Residence.

The REPORTER has several times giver
partial description of the residences
OF private citizens in the twin cities
During the last few years beautiful
homes, and artistic surroundings have
added to the city's interest, and up
building the public interest in the citys
growth. The improvements to the
| home of F. MacKinnon make it one of
the attractive homesteads that is near
ing completion, and becominga a mansion
IN place of the old homestead.
There are about twenty rooms Of
which eight are new, and of modern
architecture. The vestibule and large
old English hall are finished in oak
with oaken paneling, and grand stair
case leading to the second story. From
the ball we enter the drawing room,
the library, conservatory, dinning room
and sitting room. The drawing room as
well as library are finished in red birch
native woods, having large plate glass
windows of modern finish in the draw
ing room, while the library has Queen
Anne window built high in the rear of
the building, both of these rooms are
furnished with CRATES and radiators,
and have delicately tinted and frescoed
walls. The conservatory is connected
with the hall, also the dining room, and
heated from steam pipes that are carried
throughout the house. 1t has south
and west elevation and is well lighted
and protected. Connected with the
grand entrance hall, also dining room,
is the children's dining room and sitting
room, the latter furnished with linen
closet complete in its appointments,
having cupboards, drawers and recesses
of ample proportions. Beyond this is
large, airy boudoir furnished with closet,
wardrobe, CRATE, etc. The servants
room, kitchen, pantry, laundry, cellar,
larder ETC., are at the rear of the dining
room, and beyond these, out houses,
carriage house etc, all under the ex-
tentlon of one roof. On the second
floor are two large guest rooms, one
with front and south view of river and
city, finished in old pink and gold, with
delicately tinted paper, and radiators
in corresponding colors, the other is in
robins egg blue, and cream color
furnishings. The nursery is a large
pleasant room i'll baby blue and gold
coloring, opening into the main hall
where window seats fill both ends, CIV
ing a delightful play room of 33x12
feet. The upper hall is finished, as is
the whole grand lower hall and vesti-
bule, in native highly polished hard
| wood. A bath room 10x14 with modern
appliances is on the second story. The
third floor has large hall occupying
the whole floor, except the tower
which is leading feature of the decora-
tive effects of tie house. 1t reaches
from the roomy, picturesque porch
forming the vestibule on first floor, and
giving an octagonal front to the upper
hall and to an observatory finished as a
studio with windows on sides, and front,
S1NihS uIdSSHlHClcIC VIEWS, anu tCTUll-
mating in tower of conlcal shape
Large oaks and evergreens over top
the house and broad lawn, and flower
garden flank the house on either side,
thus making one of the prettiest of the
numerous elegant homes that grace the
twin cities.
Mrs. MacKinnon designed the plan,
and Mr.. Cola as supervising architect
and master builder carried out her
ideas to harmonious completion. His
ability as architect, and courtesy in
adapting his plans to suit the individu-
ality of his patrons is one of the
strongest elements of his success and
popularity here. Mr.. Will Martin has
done all of the fine painting, papering,
frescoeing ETC., with artistic taste and
perfection. Messrs. F. E. Taylor and
Geo. Moulton as master masons did ex-
cellent work in all departments of stone
and brick work, plastering etc. The
cellar and foundations show as perfect
a bit of workmanship as can be found
in the country.