The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-27

PhOtO
while the decorative work around the
five large windows is I'm perfect accord
with the other arrangements OF the room
From the grand salon there are three
doors leading respectively into the east
ern reception parlor, the grand entrance,
and the corridor around the Franklin
street court.
Crossing the grand hallway. through
the western reception parlor, one IS ush-
cred into the library. Here the same ar
tstic taste Is displayed on every side a
decided contrast between the finish OF the
parlOrs and that OF the library Is stink
ingly pleasing by reason of It's location
abundant light for the library is secured.
Two windows overlook Franklin
street and one jefferson street
The entire room is finished in "a rich, dark
mahogany. beautifully polished and
carved. The bookcases. tables ana
chairs. are similarly designed, and car
pet Of delicate olive corresponds wiz
the ooloring Of the ceiling The costly
paintings. the massive onyx clock, t>e
chandelier In the centre have all been
selected with an eye 10 taste.
From the library one enters hallway,
along which is the Office for ladies' an
elevator. and various other convenience.
Along the entire JenersOn-street front
extends hail. which intersects the hall
the porte cOchere. Following this I'm
southerly direction one passes suite OF
bedrooms to the right. where
fun views Of the Franklln-strcet
court are obtained. A little furth-
or. and you pass the ladies' promenade.
overlooking the grand rotunda on the
left This hallway Is admirably lighted
from the Jefferson-street side, and ex-
tends from "a point near the library all
the grand Hlufpor-r.oru on
the Main-street end of the building.
THE GROWING FEArUIE.
The crowning triumph Of the entire
structure in many respects is the grand
diiing-room. There is no language which
can give the reader compile te idea Of
this magnificent department. TO say that
II IS work OF art is a mild statement.
A room with such dimensions and re-
curing such appointments as to be in
accord with the rest or the palatial struc-
ture without having an appearance of
gaudy and heavy display is far too seldom
seen. There must be not only richness
of cOlOring and beauty Of design. gut har-
ony, taste, contrast and shading must
be carefully studied. To throw together
In haphazard way a great variety OF
brilliant effects without an eye 10 blend
Ing OF tints or impressions will necessarily
produce what is known as vulgar dis
play" In the grand dining-room there is
display, but II Is done with that selection
OF materials and hues. that grouping OF
motifs which appeal TO the intellect as
well as the vision. Strength. force. and
emphasis must be properly toned There
must be nothing crude harsh, or dis
cordant. Severity of form may be modi-
fled by brilnancy of color. and what might
be otherwise pronounced excessive sim
plicity may be strengthened by bOidness
in decoration.
All these points have been scrUpulously
observed. and the result is a master
piece OF architecture and art combined
No one style Of architecture has been
employed in the grand dining-room.
Choice features from several types have
been so blended as TO produce variety
originality and beauty DOrc, Ionic
Corinthian. and Italian renaissance are
all employed. the latter having the most
conspicuous part The general effect is
dazzling. eXquisitely beautiful Richness
of cOlOring and decoration Is employed
70 the best advantage New beauties are ;
continually being discovered. and the !
whole is faultless pleasing TO the sense |
Of sight. and grand in conception
The grand dining-room is i46 by 90 feet |
in dimension and is divided into three !
smaller apartments. each As feet square. !
The ceiling of the room Is of papier- !
mache. handsomely moulded and deco |
rated with vari-hued plastering effects. !
The room extends the fun width OF the !
building along the Main-street end on the I
second floor. There are eight large win |
dows above the rotunda and nine opening !
over Main street. Three windows OF SINH |
lar size open over Jefferson street and |
three at the eastern end of the room. |
Gold and blue are the principal colors |
OF the ceiling The magnificent arch |
WAYS. over which are the two clocks in !
gold aud blue, the splendidly decorated |
pillars resting against the walls. finished 1
in hard wood, with dark red panels, the |
eighteen heavily ornamented bronze chan
deliers. one for each square in the cell J