The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-16
Local Decorating Concern to
Erect Magnificent New
Building Birmingham
STRUCTURE WILL BE
FIVE STORIES HIGH
Birmingham Firm Will Represent the
Entire South in Newly Consoli-
dated Company-Details of ,>
Proposed New Building

Arrangements have practically been
completed whereby the W. D. Colby Dec
Grating company of Birmingham will CON
solidate with one of the largest decorative
firms in the north. which has establish
ments in some of the chief cities of he
country. extending from the Atlantic to
the Pacific coasts.
The local firm will act as southern rep
resentatives for the associated firms. the
territory including all of the southern
states from New Mexico to Virginia, and
north to the Ohio river and the Mason
and Dixon line. All of the business in this
territory heretofore conducted by the
northern firm will hereafter be. conducted
by the southern branch.
Will Erect New Building
The Colby company will erect a new
building during the coming year, which
will be one of the most unique and dis
tinctive buildings in the south. It will be
five stories in height, the facade will be
Gothic and multitude of Gothic VIM
dows will give ample light to each story.
THE first story is to be several steps be-
low the sidewalk level and will be used
for the display of lighting fixtures. brio
a-brac and gift articles of approved
craftsmanship. The floor will be of Ludo-
wicii or Welsh quarry tile. the walls of
caen stone and the ceiling will be beamed
in walnut, richly decorated in the style
of Italian renaissance.
A large bay window for display pur-
poses will occupy the front of the second
story and the entire second floor will be
devoted to an exhibition of handmade
replicas of authentic period furniture.
The third floor will be divided into a num-
Der of rooms, each to represent room in
a model house. There will be reception
room, parlor. dining room and bedrooms,
all furnished complete in an authctic
period style with draperies, floor cover
ings and furniture as we'll as decorations
In harmony. 1t is announced no expense
will be spared in fitting up these rooms,
and they will be instructive models of
good taste in every detail
Elizabethan Showroom
There will be no floor between the
fourth and fifth stories, the entire two
stories being devoted to an immense Eliz-
abethan show room. Panelled walnut
woodwork and glass cases in fElzabethan
design for the storing of samples OF dra-
perry fabrics and wallpapers will be car
ried around the room to the height of one
story. Above this the walls will be OF
caen stone hung with rich antique tapes
tries. The ceiling will be mansard being
almost entirely of glass, supported by
Gothic piers and buttresses. In the front
of this show room will be a charming
inglenook with cushion seats abutting an
immense Gothic window In the rear will
be large balcony with steps leading to a
studio directly under the roof and covered
with glass. A very choice and exclusive
collection of rugs will be kept underneath
this balcony, in the front of which will be
a large old English fireplace.
The w. ID. Colby Decorating company
has been in business in this city for the
past 25 years and has gradually evolved
from a wallpaper concern to one of the
country's leading decorative establish
ments. During the past five or six years
the company has successfully handled
SOME of the largest decorative and Cur
nishing contracts in the south and the
rapid growth of Birmingham and other
southern cities encouraged the firm to
believe that enlarged facilities and a spe-
cially designed building are now justi-
fed.