Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-12
Predominating Influence
of Palatial Dwelling
Is Its Simplicity.
TALL TREES ENHANCE
VIEW FROM STREET
Sunken Garden in Rear
Adds to Attractiveness
of Grounds.

One of the most impressive private
residences completed in Greater Wash
ington during the past year is the capa-
cious stone house recently completed
for Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph H. Milans at
Chamberlin avenue, Kenwood, Md.
Tudor English in architectural de-
sign, the predominant feature of the
exterior of this palatial dwelling is
simplicity. It consists of central
transverse section with two great
gabled wings at either end set out
from the main section as bays.
The stone used throughout the facade
development is variegated in color with
gray and brown tones dominant,
while the roof is slate of neutral color.
The entrance is unusual, bright stone
work marking the outline of the door,
way and the line of the gable above
it. Leading to the wide stone terrace
in front of the entrance are stone steps
Semi-circular in outline.
The house Is large, but set we'll back
from the street as it is, its appearance
Is graceful and this characteristic is
enhanced by several groups of tall trees
whose slender trunks and branches
stretch far above the roof of the house.
Garage i'm Basement
At the right of the expansive lot is a
driveway leading to a somewhat de-
pressed automobile yard and entrance
to the three-car garage in the basement
of the dwelling. At the left of the
house is seen the heavy outline of a
covered porch.
Another attractive feature of the
grounds is sunken garden to the rear
of the central portion of the house.
The interior of the house which is
in keeping with the architecture of the
exterior, contains many unusual fea-
lures in design and apportionment,
among them billiard room and GYM
nasium of goodly size.
The wide front door of oak and slid
ing grill door just beyond it open into
spacious entrance hall 06x16) which
has tile flooring worked out in pat
terms or red, green and yellow tones,
and an atwood beam and panel ceiling,
which at once sets the tone for the
whole structure. A wide staircase at
the right end of this hall leads to the
upper floors, ornamented by an iron
railing. There is an iron grill below the
ascending stair hall.
There is other iron work ornamenting
the entrance and steps down to the
lower level of the living room in the
left wing of the house. This room, 10
feet wide and 80 feet deep, has as its
most prominent features great cut
stone fireplace. wooden beam ceiling
and walsl finish in rough texture
door opens on the side covered porch
which in turn connects with the rear
sunken garden.
Dining Room Simple
The dining room at the front of the
right wing Of the building is finished
in simple style similar to that of the
living room, and back of this room
are buffers pantry, rear stair hall, adj
joining breakfast room which over
looks the rear garden, and kitchen,
which is finished in green.
On the second floor at the front Gen.
ter is large sitting room with built-in
bookcases and open fireplace. 1t Is
finished in the same style as the main
rooms of the first floor. The three
bedrooms and one guest room on this
floor are papered in interesting new
designs and the woodwork, of red gum,
has a light brown finish. The master
bedroom in the left wing and the guest
chamber have private baths, while
the two other bedrooms in the left wing
have bath between them. At the
extreme rear of the right wing is den
with a splendid view of the sunken
garden.
On the third floor, in the left wing, is
the gymnasium, Is feet wide and 80
deep, which has hardwood floor.
There are also on this floor two guest
rooms and bath and two maids rooms
and bath.
The billiard room is in the finished
basement, where also are provided space
for the three-car garage, laundry room
and storage quarters.
The house, erected for Mr.. and Mrs.
Milans by the Kennedy Chamberlain
Development Co., was designed by A.
H. Sonneman, local architect.