Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-29
THE SOCIAL WORLD
Mrs. Roosevelt Receives in the
Newly Decorated Red Room.
WHITE HOUSE CHANGES
MANY INTERESTING NEW FEA-
TUREs ADDED.
Recent and Coming Hospitalities in
Private and Official Homes
Interesting Notes.
WHITE HOUSE CHANGES

Mrs. Roosevelt contributed very material
ly to the pleasure of that contingent of her
friends invited yesterday for ner afternoon
at home. To most Of those present it was
the first opportunity of seeing what the
modelling that has been going on in the
White House since early last June really
means. The change even in the limited
portion completed is marked that the
White House of yore exists now only in
memory. Absolutely new conditions pre-
vail and every step from the glass-enclos-
ed, vestibufed entrance to the parlors ex-
hbitS a new picture as strange and unfa-
miliar as the faces of the ushers, doorkeep-
ers and the household servants. The re-
moval of the stained-glass partition makes
of the old-time lobby and the corridor a
commodious apartment, divided now only
by the supporting columns, holding up the
arched ceiling. Considerable dignity Is
thus given to the approach to the state
parlors, while on such occasions the
evening receptions, etc, this newly-acquir-
ed entrance hall will give almost as great
additional entertaining space as If such an
other room as the east room had been an
nexed.
The entrances and exists being also pro-
V1ded by the basement staircase, the ex-
posture and draughts incident upon the
former use of the main entrance will also
be avoided, point for which the Ameri-
can public can scarcely be too grateful The
distinguishing coloring of the hall is buff
and white, but there is yet much to be done
before this part is completed. Hard wood
floors and rugs have replaced the carpets
In both the private and state dining rooms,
as we'll as the red parlor the latter being
as yet the only room of the suite ready for
inspection or use.
The main entrance to the state dining
room is from the hall, though there are the
two smaller doorways from the red room.
The oldtimers among the official diners
at the Presidents board. who have par
dining room, or in the corridor, or in the
east room, or wherever else the table was
spread, will have a delightful surprise in
their new environment the coming season.
President Roosevelts hospitable desires
may now be abundantly satisfied although
his facilities are not greater than those
supplied in several of the private residences
in this city. By the addition of the space
formerly occupied by the west staircase
and the entrance to the conservatory an
made Of the old room. The walls are pam
eled in old English oak, the upper parts
showing carvings.
The conventional ornamentation Of the
early EngllSh dining room, probably that
In vogue at the era when the White House
was built has been followed. A giant
moose head, recently presented to the
President by the people of Nome, Alaska
has the place of honor over the manteI
Other heads fill panel spaces left for them
around the entire apartment. Over the
has four-line text in old English type,
and may therefore be full of meaning since
nobody is as yet able to decipher it. The
tints of the woodland picture of the big
tapestry hanging on the north wall are re-
peated in the covering Of the chairs placed
around the entire room.
The highly polished dining table stretches
north and south and the chairs at the head
and foot have tall and deliberately carved
frames, a foot higher than the head of a
person using them. Only margin of two
or three yards of the hardwood floor shows
outside of large green rug down the CEN
ter of the room. Neither the lace nor the
heavy hangings at the windows are yet In
place.
The red parlor is so red, so to speak, as
seemingly never to have fully deserved it's
mamie before. The walls are covered with
red velvet the lower foot or two having a
Wainscoting painted in ivory white. This lat
ter trimming is in harmony with the mantel-
piece, which is a narrow shelf of white
marble, upheld by two female heads on pill
lars. The furniture has highly polished
frames somewhat like cherry and the COW
ering is red leather. The shapes are square
and on simple lines. A small crystal chan
delier hangs In the center, and a row of
candles surround it, in which, however
electric lights CLEAN. Side lights over the
mantel, etc, also simulate candles.
The walls are SO far bare of pictures
but it is understood to be Mrs Roosevelt's
intention to have the portraits Of the Presi-
dents, which formerly hung there again
put in place, or at least some of them. The
portraits of former mistresses of the White
House will be hung in the lower corridor
on the basement floor, which, in the new
order of things, will be a much more i'm
portant part of the mansion than the word
may signify now, or until it is thrown open
for the use of the guests at the first of the
gala occasions Of the winter. Then it will
be found that Chartrains portrait of Mrs
Roosevelt will be in this gooday company
OF noted American women.
The private dining room has received such
a Christening touch in the scheme of dec
Grafton that it appears singularly plain and
unadorned. The ceiling has been arched,
the walls appear white, or nearly SO, and
old-time china presses replace other pieces
of furniture. The buffets and side tables
are of the same type Of colonial furnish
ings.
house is the absence Of stiff arrangements
Of plants and flowers, the products of the
once hallowed conservatory.
There are plenty of flowers, but new
idea directs the placing. Back of where
Mrs. Roosevelt stood to receive yesterday
a tall vase on a table had a half dozen
perfect specimens Of the American beauty
rose; on the mantel a cut-glaSs vase had
a few more roses and so on. The White
House has been behind the times on floral
decoration for many years-but it begins to
look as II day of artistic thought in these
matters was near at hand.
Mrs. Roosevelt is SO happy in regaining
even the partial use of the mansion that
she Is not likely to encourage many other
reservations or remodelings for long time
Her energy, however, being somewhat Of
contagious character has hurried up the
task of each one concerned in the work.
and has made possible the present COM
Portable, If not entirely complete, condition
Within month or two at the most the
White House will stand as it will probably
be left for the next generation at least.
Mrs. Roosevelt's first at home this season
was as entirely devoid of formality as We're
her farewell gatherings last spring She is
| looking unusually well and the animation
and liveliness which formerly only inti-
mates enjoyed is now a delightful bond of
association for those whose acquaintance
| is but of recent forming. Her gown of
| heavy white lace and white cloth was
| dainty and becoming Assisting were the
Presidents sister, Mrs. Douglas Robinson
| in jetted black lace, over old rose silk;
| Mrs. Cowles, in-white and black crepon
| Miss Alice Roosevelt in light blue WOOL
| and Miss Helen Roosevelt of New York, in
| pale green cloth. Mrs Shaw, Mrs. Knox
| Mrs. Payne, Miss Wilson, Mrs. Cortelyou
Mrs. Bingham, Mrs. Loeb and Mrs. Barnes
| were also in the receiving party The
Misses Hitchcock and Miss Hagner did the
honors at the tea table Colonel Bingham
made the presentations to Mrs Roosevelt
and Captain Cowles, and Major McCawIey
were likewise on duty.
The wearers of the latest fashionable