The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-06
BJ MYRTLE MILES


 Birmingham chief beauty lies in it's private residences and it is amazing how rapidly the number is increasing. visit ors frequently comment upon the varied types of architecture. finding charm Tn the individuality which owners and arch fleets have conspired together to pro- duce. And they are springinG up in every direction so fast that one has the great est difficulty assoeiating owners and To- calities Mansions suggestive of the Span ish and Italian Renaissance, or the spa cious and hospitable colonial" which will never be out of place in the south; bunga- low and cottage-that term of broadest latitude which may be given to the abode of the wealthy with its every sumptuous luxury, or to the veritable cozy little nest which many small families of limited means or ideas anent simplifying servant problems have begun to build-esch mas an especial charm of its own An arch- itect indeed. said a few days ago that the general style is just "Amerlcan
 IT was my pleasure to spend after noon this week in one of the newest or them all and one of the handsomest- MT. and Mrs. R. N. Wheelers splendid new home on Maplewood avenue was impressed here with the fact that artlst and architect had combined in producing effects harmonious and beautiful, for Mfs. Wheeler (she was formerly Miss Kate ca hslan it will be remembered was one Of a trio of talented sisters, and the Cahalan home near the Terminal station was as charming as home-loving hearts and skil- ful hands could make it. The interior showed many a panel painted or carved by one of the sisters and outside there -I fan U stood on the veranda of the Wheeler place the other day, and looked down upcn the eity-for one does indeed look down. the Brown-MarX building. they told me being 150 feet beloW-the sweet. great hearted woman who was hostess spoke with much feeling of the old home the many joys and the sorrows, too, that had made it more dear than any other could ever be. ''I would rent 1t only to friends, she said simply, because wanted the privilege of going there some times There are two small doors on cupboards placed at either side of the din- ing room which are relics of the old place. They are superb specimens of hand-earving. the one a design in corn i, and the other branch laden with cher ries. One was carved hy Mrs Wheeler and the other by her sister, then Miss Margaret Cahslan
 The Wheeler residence of yellow brick and white stone stands high on terrace above the avenue, from which an ap- proach is made from the side up two long flights of stone steps. The broad porch is designed in Mosaic tile and passes around the side to a pretty conservatory opening from the living room and sweet with narcissi and hyacinths blooming among leafy ferns and palms.
 The sweep, as one enters, is beautiful. A mammoth living room, decorated in old ivory. opens into the dining room, another handsome apartment. the wiGe opening between making the two into one great room at the end of which is gray stone mantel. In the grate burned cosy fire. The living room, showing bril- liantly under 2s lights, is furnished with mahogany and leather but. in the dining room beyond, the Mosaic table, cabinets and buffet gre built of richly carved oak. A door opens into apartment still further back and here in one of the eosiest little breakfast rooms imaginable we had tea at the pretty handicapped table, The soft brown green of Holland furnHhngs and low plate rail, showed ,inda subdued glow from clusters of yellA nel-like lights matching in tones theH sfector which hung low above the thdtable. Tn china cabinet and Dutch cupboard the breakfast service was delft bl,l
 [The library is room which one en- f fers from the living room by passing up three steps. It's slight elevation serves to lower the ceiling, giving cosy effect It is lined with low bookcases but the dormant figure is an exquisite portrait the only one which adorns the walls-of tbe late Miss Mary Cahalan. elder sister of Mrs. Wheeler. When one passes up 4he broad stairs which ascend from a charn,ing alcove built for the piano which seems part of it, one of the beau tffu, apartments on the second floor is nointed out as Sisters room.' It all most has a personality of its own. The walls are hung with the pictures which N1jss Mary loved and there are dainty 1;ttle trinkets that recall her beauty loving nature
 Tn another flight of softly carpeted st.frs and one enters the ball room. a ,rettv. oval-shaped apartment 65 feet {5onr and with several interesting little alcoves on either side. This has been srraueed for a summer lounging room and furnishings of willow make it cool and inviting.
 rrha interior decorations of the resi- derce are still unfinished. The long salon,
 ztth its old ivory beams. one can imag- tne vvith the pink roses which Mir. Vince Ter exnects to have show between when ft is frescoed The superb art glass 1w;ndows will show even more richly witf $be xoft greens and tans or the lighter colors.
 handsome garage in the rear cor vesnouds in type to the residence Above .ra the servants apartments. complete ana cosy enough to entice even the some wtat ..slippery'' Birmingham servant to bide a while There are no flowers yet IT