Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-26
A NEWPORT DINING ROOM
USED AS A SITTING ROOM ALSO AT
HARBOR VIEW.

Written for The Evening Star.
Everything connected with the French
Vanderbilt wedding has been received by
the American public with an interest as
great as that taken by an old world people
in the marriage of members of it's royal
families. OF course, in this country, WHARF,
money appears to be king, It is quite
natural that the union OF so much wealth
should arouse the most intense interest in
the minds of the American public, demo-
cratic in everything save its appreciation
of a vast bank account.
A peep into the room where the wedding
breakfast and bridesmaids dinner was
served will delight the souls Of ambitious
householders. The dining room is one of
the handsome apartments in Harbor View,
the Newport residence of Mrs. Frances Or
monde French, mother of the bride. ana
where her family spent the summer when
on this side the Atlantic.
AS the Trenches are fond of English life.
their home, like the homes of most OF
Americas new rich. is very English ana
the dining room might have been taken.
form and furniture, from an old English
country house.
The hard wood floor is covered with hand
some rugs. The walls are finished in thing.
while the tiled chimney piece has a carved
wood overmantel. The allowed windows
have the finest view in Newport-that OF
the harbor-are uncurtained, and latticed
arch separates them from the rest of the
room.
Cushioned With Leather.
The high-backed chairs are cushioned with
dark leather and framed In twisted wood.
The heavy table Of polished mahogany mas
the same twisted decoration, the legs hav-
ing the appearance of stout pillars. and
the sideboard is supplemented by a side
board table. This piece of furniture is serv-
icable for holding dessert. the plate. the
glasses, etc. The tables are provided with
casters. so that they may be moved from
one part Of room to another to assist in
the service and rolled out Of the room
when there are many things to be taken
away. In houses where there is much en-
PERTAINING and where very formal dinners
are served the sideboard table is neces-
sity for by Its use the various courses may
be more easily and satisfactorily handled
by the servants. The increased capacity OF
the table by the addition of one or two
dershelves is a convenience. The fact that
the Trenches use dining room as sitting
chairs found there, forming a part of its
furnishing. The chairs are deep. luxurious
and heavily upholstered.
Thing on a dining room wall Is not often
SEEN but its usefulness is apparent, for
tile wall will last for years, and with the
use of little soap and water remain
fresh and agreeable as when 1t was first
put up.
The overmantel decoration Of carved wood
might be simulated in a less pretentious
house by the use of panels Of stamped
leather or paper. The row of plates that
adorn the top Of the French mantel are
valuable specimens Of china. but In an ordi-
nary dining room pretty plates of blue ware
would be equally decorative. The en-
brasure over the9 door is adorned with sew
eraI plates, the seffectcof the china on the
shelf and against the lined background be-
ing particularly agreeable to the eye, while
the oyerdoor design Is very original and
neat ~
The open fireplace gives a touch of home
ly comfort to the apartment. Artificial logs
will be found an sinexpensive substitute for
the real ones in homes where gas is avail
SG The pr peculiar aacheAsenect of the French
ceiling was effeeted IN building and cannot.
head gives an appearance of height to the
room that dimensions do not warrant. The
ceiling is finished1 in handsome dark colors.
The Afaderp. Comforts.
The entire effect of. simplicity and dur
ability is admirable. The room Is well light
ed, airy and spacious qualities that modern
ideas in house furnishing and finishing make
absolutely imperative. Electric light and
gaslight together with great, shaded lamps,
make 1t almost impossible for the family to
be left entirely without the benefit of some
illuminant The entire apartment is sup
piled with draft-excluding doors, but these
are set back in cases where entrance is
made from cold passage, so that a heavy
portiere may add both to the comfort and
convenience of those coming in or occupy
ing the room. The gradual entrance into
the brilliantly lighted dining room when a
dinner party is given adds to the effective
ness of the Impression produced by the dec
orations, lights and tables.
While the French dining room probably
represents many thousands of dollars in
fine. old-fashioned furniture, rugs and dec
orations, its general simplicity makes It,
easy to duplicate by Americans of modest
means. s. =
For Cold In the Head