Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-25
old STYLES SEEN
AT WHITE HOUSE
Controversy Once Caused by
Dominant Note of Furni-
ture Collection.
Continued From First page.l

frequent affairs are delightful, according
to those who have received invitations.
On the second floor is the private
dining room, scene of many an impor-
tant breakfast and luncheon conference
At these meals the President entertainS
his close friends and advisers. This
gracious room has walls of creamy
color. The design of the furniture il
Chippendale, and the works of the ole
master seldom have appeared to better
advantage.
Silk and damask cover the walls ir
the red, blue and green rooms Drap-
cries of heavier texture and harmonic
ing shade filter the suns bright rays
Fixtures are gold and crystal.
Old Four Posted Bed.
In one of the bed rooms is fine ole
four poster bed. Other old pieces in
the room are not so glorious, but are
in keeping and most satisfactory. Walls
in this room are cream colored ano
paneled. A few pictures, an oil paint
ing or two on the walls, give the room
added distinction.
Another interesting bed room is that
in which Prime Minister Ramsay Mac
Donald slept during his visit to this
city last year. The elongated bed In
which the Briton slept is believed tc
have been brought to the White House
by Abraham Lincoln from his Spring
field, Ill, home. The heavy black wal
nut bed is typical of the mid-nine-
tenth century, and its length lends
credence to the belle. Other pieces Of
the Victorian period adorn the same
room-the one in which Lincoln SLEPT
during his presidency. The elaborate
carving, comparatively low footboaro
and high headboard of the bed seem
curiously quaint today.
1t is difficult to trace any of the
furniture now in the White House bach
to the day when its purchase was or
dered in John Adams administration
It is considered very likely that Wash.
ington, with his connoisseur's eye, ad.
vised on many of the pieces. Many ole
pieces are to be found, but due to the
firing of the White House by the British
in 1614-an episode Of the War of 1872
the Madisons lived for several months
in a building now occupied by drug
store at Nineteenth street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue. Hard use by presidential
families over the period of a full cen.
fury likewise destroyed the life of much
of 1t. The present appropriation fol
replacement Is evidence Of this fact.
Mrs. COOlidge's Discoveries.
It has been but few years, too, that
an American public has manifested ar
interest in old furniture. McKim re-
built some pieces in 1902, and Mrs
Coolidge uncovered a few finds wher
the third floor was converted into stor.
age room and servants quarters in 1927
There are many admirable things
about the furnishings in the White
House. and many lessons for Washing
ton neighbors to draw. It Is just as
possible to make mistakes in huge, dig
nified and formal rooms as it is in the
tiniest cottage living room.
It Is evident to the uninitiated that
the vast floor spaces, the lofty ceilings
and the massive furniture are suited To
the purpose of formal and informal
affairs of state of a nations execu-
tive. Similar appointments against a
less grand background would be dis
tinctly out of place.
Unconstraint Is Favored.
The usual home maker prefers an
atmosphere of informality and uncon-
straint. The preferences Of the family,
the requirements for guests and the
family budget are matters which do not
worry Neighbor Hoover
Discriminating students of home fur
nishing will find the Lincoln bed room
interesting as historical shrine
rather than as a room to be emulated
in the home. Victorian furniture is
regarded generally today as one Of the
best-to-be forgotten eras In design.
AS the years roll on it will be inter-
esting to note the reaction of the cur
rent generation to the contributions of
Neighbor Hoover. While many are
prone to accept today'S modernism as
the best, the ONCE furniture, for in
stance, combines the experience Of
years Of study, and it is likely to stand
as monument of twentieth century
progress, commentators say.