New-York tribune., 1908-02-09
WINTER ROOF GARDEN
Colony Clubs Nezo Tea Room an
after Luncheon Retreat.

Now is the winter of our discomfort, but on the
roof Of the Colony Club. No. 12 Madison avenue
1t has been made glorious summer There, IN the
newly opened winter garden, the birds sing and
the flowers bloom. Dwarfed apple trees blossom
in tiny pots, and Japanese goldfsi-arlsto-
Gratis of the fnny tribe-disport themselves amid
the foliage of their crystal home. Whatever the
temperature outside, it never falls below ~ de-
greeS here.
But it is no: the sun of York that dffuses this
genial warmth. It comes from two tall green
porcelain stoves at either end of he garden and
was not obtained without difficulty. These stoves
are not in the least like ordinary American stoves.
Those, of course. were impossible, so 1t occurred
70 Miss Elsie de Wolfe. who has done all the fnte-
ror decorating of the club, that German porcelain
stoves would solve the difficulty. But getting them
and getting them on to the roof of the colony
Club was no easy matter. They were ordered
from a Partisan firm last August, to be made IN
green instead of white and gold of the Germans.
and when. after many moons, they at last arrived
here, it a problem how to get them delivered
They were so large ard heavy, reaching nearly to
the roof of the winter garden when in place. that
no trucking company could be found to handle
them firm which is in the habit of moving
couches finally took the contract. Then a new
difficulty presented itself How were they to he
got into the winter garden? They could not be car
red through the house, and they could not be ele-
waited TO the roof account Of stone coping
that runs along the edge, and if IL had not been
for the kindness of a netghbor who allowed them
to be carried his roof, they might sun De on
the sidewalk. When at last they had been deposit
ed on the floor of the garden the cheering tidings
were conveyed to Miss de Wolfe that they were
smashed to pieces However, the tale must have
been exaggerated, for they show signs of
their past vcissitudes they considered quite
the most successful feature of the place
The garden is simply the summer pergoa, rooted
and inclosod on side with glass, and all these
additions can be removed in summer. The two
ends are brick in beautiful colorings. which
will improve with the lapse OF time. and the white
beams of the roof supported by brick pillars.
On one side is white trellswork against a green
background and this vines traied. On
the other si0e vines are trained between and
the windows.
Tall potted plants set along both sides and
baskets OF ferns hang from the ceiling. The lights
skilfuny hidden in pendant glass wistaria
blossoms.
A rare rug from the Stanford White collection
covers the centre of the tiled floor and simple
cheesecloth curtains, bOrdered with green hang at
the windows. Couches and easy chairs OF supreme
comfort stuffed with down and upholstered in
eaboratey fowered effects and quaint little tables
of different shapes disposed at convenient in
tervals, for this is the tea room of the club
In order to get a table, however. 1t is necessary
to claim 1t long time before it is wanted. such
is the popularity of the garden It happens also
that this is the only place where members
entertain their friends of either informally.
Before the garden opened there place
take a friend for tea and place take him
or her after the luncheon dinner Invitations
to luncheon and dinner much sought after,
particularly by men. who find the delights of
after dinner smoke doubled when they have it
in the winter garden.