Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-04
BLUE ROOM. REFURNlSHED
Where Diplomatic and other Disti.-
saished rer.o1 Are Presented
Harmon of she Decorations.

last nlSnt Tor Hno nrof time IN three moHtuS.
The room haS BEEN In the hands Of deco
rators, and = cost of several thousand
dollars has bSen rented and refunished.
The blue parlor has always been the off,
cial reception ROOM corresponding to the
throne room Of European palaces. 1t Is
the room in which diplomats and other
distinguished visitors are received.
1t is more than dozen years since this
room was decorated and furnished. and 1t
became necessary to have it done over dur
ing the summer.
Without losing sight Of the propriety
that this room should be made worthy in
appearance of it's high Office in the resi-
dence of the executive Of so great a nation
as the United States, 1t was, however, de-
sired to utiliZe-so far as might be done
with taste-the previous decorations, and
while the decorative character Of tho room
has been changed. and the color scheme
nado more harmonious than ever before. 1t
has been found possible to utilize some OF
these former decorations.
Colonial style of Decoration.
The room is colonial in style and finished
in blue, thus preserving its historic char
acter. But while colonial architecture and
decoration are composite" and the former
scheme Of decoration was also composite
an effort has been made this time to make
tie decorations harmonious. Colonial arch
lleCluT0 dIlo ueCUT6LlOH COVeE q luullltuuC
of classes and variations. based upon the
classic architectural outlines, combined
with ideas or motifs" taken from nature,
such wreaths and flowers. The particu-
room is what might be called the English
Colonial" and is about the same as that
practiced by the Adams brothers Robert
and James,, who were architects to the
King Of England from 1862 to 1892. The
Adams school Of colonial effects was in
vogue during the early part of the present
century; and gradually faded out about
in the Of applied relief in carton-pferre
and papfer mache.
The base color of the room was selected
from her favorite shade The utilization of
the former decorations and the working
out of the details were done by the decora-
tors, under the supervision Of Col. T. A.
bingham. officer in charge Of public build
irgs and grounds.
The room is paneled. and the color scheme
is worked out in shades of the blue referred
to- relieved by ivory white, with the slight
est possible illumination by gold.
The decorations Of the ceiling, which are
in relief. follow the oval shape of the room,
and are composed of conventional scrolls,
wreaths and stars supported at both ends
by the decorative escutcheon Of the United
States. The ceiling itself is an interbend
of blue and grayish white, graduating and
diminishing toward the center. from which
depends a magnificent chandelier for cleo
tricity and gas, with countless scintillating
prisms q
The cornice.,., with its egg-and dart and
other enrichments, Gonceals a row Of cleo
trio bulbs. which when lighted impart
transparent and atmospheric softness to
the ceiling light. Under the cornice is a
frieze in low relief, with an embossed I'M
derprint. The treatment of the mediums
employed in this composition is perhaps
unique in decorative art, for without greatly
taxing the Imagination 1t resembles a lace
embroidery aPpliquea on fabric combining
relative shades, "
Walls Covered with SILK.
The walls are covered with a silk stuff of
small diaper patternai This stuff is used as
a background for pdnefs, at measured in
tervals around the, room. The frames of
these panels are in ivory and gold, and the
filling is blue figured damask. lustrous
and lated. Over each panel is a bracket
in Etruscan gold. whose branches carry
electric bulbs. These brackets assist In
evenly distributing light.
The dado is In low relief and treated to
represent texture harmonious with the
general design and color scheme of the
room.
The top of each panel Is finished by two
festoons of flowers starting from a wreath
and executed in relief
Two mirrors of English colonial tyne
with frames of ivory and FURNISHED gold
are on opposite sides of the room, resting
respectively, on the marble mantel and on
6oiu HeSe mirrors broaden
the prospect and distribute the light evenly
The windows, over the tops of which are
deliberately carved grills, are hung with
Brussels lace. supplemented by over-drap-
cries tn plain satin, trimmed with passe-
menteries. The plain satin aids in balanc-
ing the effects Of figure and field.
The carpet with its plain center and
colonial border. is not the least important
factor in the tout ensemble of this beau
tlful room. and its pile Is deep and kindly.
Former Furniture Retained.
The former furniture of the room has
been utilized. 1t Is 4of an uncertain type
although leaning somewhat to the Louis
XIV period. 1t has been regilded and COW
cred with the same damask that was used
in the Panels of the wall.
1t is believed that this room has never
been before so tremendously decorated.
number OF designs were submitted, and the
work was assigned to W. B. Moses & Sons
of this city. Their work has given thor
ough satisfaction. and the President him
self has referred to the successful compile
ton Of the contract In terms of the highest
praise.