The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-18
4 Group Of The Picturesque
Homes II GrQymont Hezghb

which is ono of the most splendid spec
linens of old-time furniture in Birming-
ham, and is especially valuable TO fits
! owners. as it was among the furnishings
in the home of Governor Patton, Mr.
McDavids grandfather. A feature that
appeals especially to visitors in the Nc
| David home Is the evidence of its pretty
chatelaines wonderful personality, which
pervades the entire place. Her talent as
a home-maker is enhanced by her gift
as an artist which is shown in num-
Der of the paintings which adorn the
walls.
The Snow residence across the way Is
| one of the most picturesque in Gray
mont 1t Is distinctly modern, frame
| house, painted green and finished in rou-
| BILE stones. A terra Gotta roof over tho
odd entrance adds touch of color quite
pleasing in combination with the green
and white. It's interior is charming. the
furnishings of each of the rooms denot-
ing the artistic tastes of Mrs. Snow and
Mrs. Edna Snow Brown, who have made
i it a veritable gem. It's adaptability for
! entertaining was shown last winter when
Mrs. Brown was the hostess at an after
J noon reception which several hundred
! Birmingham women attended. An abund-
! ance OF chrysanthemums and other au-
tumn flowers deeked the pretty rooms,
/ adding a gala touch to its already ar
tistic interior The lawn surrounding
!
velvety surface, kept in perfect condi-
ton even In midsummer and even now,
during the absence of the family, a time
when too many yards are showing neg
lect
! Lying next to the McDavid place is the
| w. d. Smith home, a pretty structure
/ combining the English with the Spanish
/ type of architecture. The lower story
! is built of pressed brick, above which Is
white cement paneled with darker color.
! 1t stands, as does the McDayid place,
upon a lot 200 feet square and is beauti
fully terraced In front while the rear gar
den is filled with growing things, the old
| fashioned flowers which are so loved by
these Graymont folk, being predominant,
but others are found. too, and bordered
! by flowers is vegetable garden.
The interior of the w. D. Smith home
/ is one of the most artistic in Birming
i ham, Its decorations are the perfection
! of harmony. An expert, indeed, was con-
suited when the furnishings and decora-
! lions were chosen-Mr. John Builder of
Chicago-the brother-in-law of Mrs. Smith
/ and an artist in the way of interior dec
Grating. One enters a broad hall whose
woodwork is a rich walnut and tones
j exquisitely with the soft green of the
/ tapestry wall paper The furnishings are
/ all mahogany here as in the rooms be-
/ yond, with the exception of several quaint,
i high-backed chairs cushioned with the
/ softest green tapestries and showing no
wooden frames. These are in the living
room, which opens, as does the dining
room, opposite, upon the reception hail
| with broad folding doors of glass There
! is not more beautiful room in Birming-
ham than this. 1t Is very large and
| long, and at the end opening on the We
randa may be entered through great
French doors which on a summer day
II, - l.
lawn. The walls are a soft brown, throw
ing into relief some of the quaint old por-
traits that hang thereon. The dining
| room is the cheeriest place Imaginable
with its paneled walls of dead white sur
| mounted by a frieze of purple-shaded
flowers and the furniture Is Sheriton.
Mrs. Smith, who is one of the city's
most public-spirited women and is con-
nected with some of it's greatest charity
movements, as well as prominent In the
social life of the community, is an ideal
! hostess for such a home. 1t has been COM
pleted only a year and a half but has
already been the scene of one large aft
ernoon function which is remembered with
intense pleasure by her guests, and she
as well as others in the little coterie en-
terrain frequently In a small way.
Mr.. and Mrs. q. B. Winslow's homo
Is on the next corner. In a grove or
shade trees and with Its brow dress show
ing among the leafy green 1t extends O
pleasant welcome. 1t is fashioned of clap
boards stained brown and combined with
gray stone.
The type is a combination of French
and English. large living room with
cosy brick fireplace is furnished in
mission style and opens into a quaint
little den. Mr.. and Mrs. Winslow have
travelled a great deal and there are two
curio cabinets filled with treasures brought
from many lands. A breakfast room en-
closed in glass adds much to the beauty
of the homestead.
| Not far from the Winslows is the Leon
ard T. Beecher property. Mr.. and Mrs.
| Beecher plan this fall to erect a hand
some colonial home, but at present are
| occupying their garage, whose interior Is
] ideally picturesque with it's low roof and
| large, comfortable living room and cum
ming little breakfast room.
| Col. and Mrs. T. o. Smiths new home
is perfect specimen Of English archi-
lecture. 1t is built of brown stone with
| the upper half of cement. The drive at
the side leads TO picturesque lodge of
the same character as the residence. The
lawns and gardens are beautiful, the
! back yard showing splendid specimen
| Of the landscape garden, and the result of
expert, skill. Though only months old
1t is already blooming with roses of many
| varieties, anu Japanese lines, hOllyhOckS.
| bluebells, deutzia, Marigolds, jessamines
| and world of other blossoms that recall
| the Elyton of ante bellum days Mr. Smith
| Is partial to roses, and his American beau
| ties, Marechal Neils and other handsome
| varieties are as beautiful as one may find
| In the florists hothouses Prim little
| flower beds surrounded by rows of young
hedges are specifically grouped about a
| central mound wherein Is white marble
sundial Carved across its face is the
motto, Number Only Sunny Hours" This
| sundial is the one thing needed to make
| the garden perfect Back of 1t Is a
| rustic pergola over which vines are be-
| ginning to creep, and rustic arch SINH
| larly constructed leads to the rosarium
A Cherokee rose is climbing over the arch
A privet hedge that is now about a foot
high separates vegetable garden from
/ the flowers. This is as carefully laid out
as is the italian garden.
The interior of the Smith residence is art
itself. Entering from a terra Gotta tiled
veranda the first impression is splendid.
The finish is all of the handsomest ma
hogany, the heavy doors all having one
panel. A central hall divides the dining
room and library. A wide stairway of
mahogany and white spindles descends
| down the center and is itself a beautiful
ornament. 1t Is the stairway of the Eng
fish house and the ba1ustrade curves with
| artistic grace. Soft green Powered tap
estry covers the walls and harmonizes
| prettily with the terra Gotta in the library
beyond. A frieze that is painted there
next to the ceiling is composed of the