The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-11
THE OPENING OF NEW CLUBS WILL
ADD ZEST TO THE WINTER SEASON
Miss Mary Lou Cobb to Wed Lieutenant Hoiday-Mr
Wilson's Engagement to Miss Chambers of Mont
gomery-Dinner Parties at the Southern Club-Other
Topics of Social Interest-Personal Notes

Certainly Birmingham has much OF
which to be proud in the beauty of
her club buildings. Society has quite
raved over the improvements both in
decoration and the mode of entertain
ing in recent years at the Country
club. Now comes the Southern club and
announces itself ready for a house
warming with the definite date fixed
for. the night of February 8. Those
who have braved the debris incidental
to remodelling a building, and have in
spected the new portion of the club
and the redecorated ballroom have only
praise for the architect and decorators
who have so transformed the Southern
club building. Within a short time the
last of the lighting fixtures will have
been placed, the final bits of plaster
and stain have been removed and with
the draperies hung and every chair
and table in its place the club man.
agement will welcome the inspection
of the members.
The incumbency of the present pres
ident Col. T. o. Smith, is "red letter"
period in the history of the club be-
cause of the growth of membership and
of Accommodations for their comfort and
entertainment The style of the new
quarters also reflects the beautiful
taste of the president and those who
have been associated with him in the
work of providing space adequate and
appropriate for the clubs member
ship. The new cafe is called the Tudor
room"
Perhaps no creation of Birmingham
architects has been more greatly
admired than will be this con-
sistent example of the old Eng
1ish banquet hall. It's sheer beau
ty is all-compelling, but it's gran
deur and dignity are essentially in
keeping with the standards of the
Southern club since its earliest DAYS.
The lofty walls curve inward at the
top where the trimmings, like the struc-
ture of the room in general, are soft
toned. The panels break most agreeably
the heavy decoration of the massive
walls. and introduce really excellent
mural paintings. both high In the dome
of the room and on the lower walls,
of historic English scenes. That they
were the work of local decorators, Mr..
Hawkins and his associates at Mayer
Brothers. is matter of pride to those
who recognize the excellence of the
various details in both the banquet
1,
the throne room scene picturing Queen
Elizabeth-the two large tapestries on
either side of the entrance to the ROOM
Massive columns are arranged so that
curtains may be hung 10 form private
dining rooms in the corners of the hi z,
brilliantly lighted apartment, and q
picturesque alcove, in keeping with the
style of the Tudor room, was erected as
musicians gallery.
The ladies' dressing room a dainty
charming place. is on this floor and
done IN white enamel. The ladies' en-
trance is on the street near the Athletic
club and the dressing room adjacent to
the elevator.
The ballroom, everyone will be glad
to know, offers 20 feet of additional
space. This is due to the very attractive
stage built for the musicians, which
takes them off the main floor, and also
several feet of actual enlargement 1t Is
a beautiful ballroom, the old ivory of
the walls and woodwork suggesting the
delicacy and eXquisiteness of the ball
gowns to be worn there, and the lights
were selected with the same splendid
taste.
Mrs. T. o. Smith, the wife of the pres
ident of the club, and Mrs. David Rob
erts have been co-workers in the selec-
tion of many of the draperies and ac-
cessories for the rooms as well as in
the decision as to many little details
needing a woman's keen judgment. The
artistic perception in interior decoration
for which each is known among her
friends Will be noted in many quarters
in the rejuvenated Southern club.
The general public and even those very
closely interested are refused just now
the privilege of inspecting the new Press
club quarters in the Jefferson County
Bank building though before many weeks
the workmen will have finished their tasks
and one can enter without encroaching
upon fresh cement, tar, plaster and paint.
Everyone is interested, even the nonmem-
bers because of the unique locality of the
club perched highly above everything
else in the city, and there are out of
town members in many quarters who are
iinpatently awaiting the opening.
For the feminine friends of the Press
club, and to the wives and sisters of
members, the arrangements have been
most generous and thoughtful The space
set aside for them is surprising, and dec