The evening times., 1899-10-21
WHITE HOUSE CHANGES.
The improvements and RedecOra
tiOns Now Completed.

The improvements and RedecOra-
tiOns Now Completed.
During the past three months the White
House has undergone not only the thor
| ourgh overhauling and renovation usually
| made during the summer season, but in ad-
dition many improvements have been add
ed which were made possible by special
appropriation during the last session of
Congress. eo'
A considerable portion of this special
work was performed during the recent abb
the Mansion now presents an appearance
more in keeping with its dignity.
OF all the apartments and corridors re-
decorated the Blue Room received the
greatest amount of attention. The new
decorations and additions do not fail to
produce harmonious result. The ideas
developed ir-he designs are neither gaudy
nor extravagant but the room as 1T now
stands from an artistic point of view, is
perfectly harmonious.
Those who are familiar with the Blue
Room decorations will be able to note the
changes that have been made, while others
can derive a fair idea of the State Room
of the White House as it now appears by
the following description:
1t is a perfect oval in shape, and the
three large doorways leading into the
Green Room, the Red Room. and the red
corridor are of solid dark mahogany. The
mantel is of white marble and is in se-
verely plain Colonial style. The windows
are three in number and reach from the
frieZe almost to the floor, and their wood
work is finished in ivory white. The cell
ing is frescoed in azure blue, with the dec
in of
by the escutcheon of the United States,
and circling from each of them are conven-
tional scrolls. wreaths, and stars From
the centre of the ceiling hangs the historic
chandelier which has been in the White
House from before Lincoln's time. 1t has
been reset with prisms OF Bohemian glass
of finest cut, which scintillate with thou
sand rays when II is lighted.
The walls 10 the frieze are covered with
a heavy silk material of a small geometric
pattern, and in each of the spaces between
the windows, doors, and mantel are pan
els of a softer shade of blue in a satin
damask pattern The panels are framed
in ivory and gold and over each one OF
them is a bracket of Etruscan gold, whose
branches carry electric bulbs.
unique feature of the room is the cor
nice, which is an egg and dart design. be-
hind which lie half concealed electric bulbs
throwing a transparent and atmospheric
light upon the ceiling and greatly enhanc-
ing its beauty. Under it is the frieze in
low relief, outlining a wreath and loop
decoration which makes IL look like lace
embroidery.
On the east and west sides of the room
are two large pier mirrors OF the English
Colonial type; they are framed in Ionic
columns, with headpieces of ivory and bur
nished gold and with three festoons OF
the FURNISHED gold reaching across their
tops. These mirrors broaden the prospect
of the room indefinitely. The one on the
east side of the room rests on the marble
mantle, upon which and at each side, are
some of the most historic furnishings OF
the White House.
There are the two tau gilt candle stands
with their fifteen prongs, which tradition
says were presented TO President Jackson
by General Patterson, of Philadelphia; on
the msntel is the French gilt clock which
was presented by Napoleon ] to Lafayette
and given by him to the United States
Government. The two tall vases at either
side of it have been in the White House
for many years. The other mirror rests
on the gold consol table. which has, been.
a part of the White House furniture since
the early part of the century. ~
The frames of the furniture are prob
ably as old as anything In the house.
They are of mahogany, but have been gild-
ed from time immemorial They are
in the Louis XIV style, and have been
covered with the same damask that is
used in the wall paneling. The windows
are curtained with the daintiest of Brus-
sells lace, which is almost cobweblike in
its tissue. The over-draperies are of
heavy plain satin Of the same tints as the
walls: they are trimmed with 'fringed' pas-'
r,~1 hoo nj ell
cords and tassels On each side of the
centre south window stand the magnificent
Sevres vases which the French Govern
ment presented to the President at the
close of the Spanish war. The velvet car
pet which covers the floor is a plain azure