New-York tribune., 1909-10-04
WHITE HOUSE CHANGES
WORK OF DECORATORS.
PhIipmne Wood Used in addition
to the Building.
rFrnn The T-lhun. Rureau. ]


washington oct S-An important contribution TO
the comfort and beauty of the new addition 10 the
executive Offices viii be made by the Philippine
Islands President Tafts abiding interest in the
sVefare OF those people under the American fag in
the Far East led him consent with alacrity Nl"n
the architects and decorators suggested that t--a
Philippines could furnish tasteful wood for the dec
Grafton Of his office The parquet floor of the office
Is 10 be OF Tuscan-Calao wood. dark green wood
which is grown in the islands The furniture for
the Presidents office and for his new private room
win be covered with The hide Of the carabao, or
white buffalo imported from the Philippines.
Rapid progress is being made by the large force
of builders in getting ready the new addition TO the
executive Offices and hv the decorators in putting
the finishing touches not only 10 the executive Of
sices hut the White House itself. The White
House from the exterior presents a spotless white
and the decorators are pushing the interior work.
which they hope complete boy the time Mrs. Taft
reaches Washington. about October Is The Green
Room being entirely redecorsted the furniture re-
upholstered and the woodwork repainted. The en-
tire building viii presens new appearance upon
the return Of President Taft IN November
The addition 10 the executive Offices rests on
the former Roosevelt tennis court and provides spa
eiOus Office for the Of the President Sec
rstRry Carpenter and the Cabinet, well as a pri-
vate room for the President
Especial attention has been given she decorations
and furnishings OF the Presidents office and pri-
Eate room The walls OF the s9ruer, an oval
shaped room, resembling the Blue Room in the
White House. 10 be gray-green. with metallic
effect. over a cream enamel low wainscor around
the room VIII be embroidery Of stars and stripes
an gray-green and gold. The treatment Of the win
dow draperies viii show originality well as
marked fitness for their surroundings. While this
room VIII be somewhat formal. Il IS expected that
its general appearance viii appeal 10 the official
and unofficial visitor alike Office in every way
bshtting the dignity OF the Chief Executive.
The Presidents private room which adioins his
Office Is apartment % much smaller dimensions.
II IS 10 be used. as its name indicates for semi
private conferences. The tone VIII he red.
The furniture VIII be somewhat or the lounging
tye. and IN that respect viii differ materially from
that Of the Presidents Office, which. though com
Portable. win be smart and businesslike A rug.
darker than nat Of the walls and draperies, will
cover the floor.
The furniture of the old Cabinet Room will he
dark, soubre green which obtained in the old
quarters wall covering and draperies Of a light
golden tone will take its place and give the room
much more cheerful appearance. A rug of the
same tone viii contribute toward making this
council chamber M place for its distinguished
. occupants
The Office Of Secretary Carpenter viii be quite
Spacious. It's walls and draperies are 10 be soft
mellow green, with metallic effect. The rug will
have dark red ground. with the wall tone picked
out in the border. Mr.. Carpenter viii the fur
niture from his former Office. which is conpara-
IS lively new.
great deal of time and thought was given 10
the work of decorating and furnishing the e,ecu-
tive Offices by Nathan c. Wyeth. the architect in
charge Of the work, and by Colonel Spencer Cosby,
Superintendent Of Public Buildings and Grounds.
After their plans were completed President Taft
carefully inspected all the plans and the ex-
ception OF one or TWO changes. approved the work