The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 24, 1907, Page 12

By o effects w ripe e . E artis sense ess seem to him Jeorge calfulated resuits fier having submitted his designs : received the approval of the owner of the mansion, the way Was open t T eed with e restora- tions and continue interruptedly to & conclusion. The gre se, ome of he largest and most splendid kmown to former generations, was recently & commanding site on Paz- e, where an extended view sco Bay and the ocean is ronments which fnake the the chosen seat where we ture find congen- end sympathetic companionship. Af emoval the mansion was en- nized to an extent that in Sen the State. Tts ex- oved, all the un- older type of xtensions a additions as were sug- gest professional knowledge and ted taste. The re- rovements are not rmonious, correct and ir changes in ‘ ec of con- n 80 w those of the e architect had full s nd unlimited sway. The prodigious dimensions of the apart ments h 2 fourteen feet in height and proportionately large in other measurements, permitted ample epportunity for a perfect realization of the most extanded scheme. The plan LY. mbines various forms of the re ssance, in barmony with the ap- , and this form was faithfully adhered to throughout. Entrance from the street is gained parance of the exterior through 2 door of bronze and plate #lass, of elaborate design and Paristan c eption, a beautiful example of mod- - French art at its very best. The great hall is of splend!d dimen- sions and decorated in magnificent The coloring is old gold and the effect under artificial light most bril- tant. The group of columns at the foot of the stairway is finely propor- tioned aids the impression of dig- which the superb decorations and huge dimensions of the apartment convey. With the exception of the capitals, their color is ivory white ht standardes are of carved w gllded, and sre master- pieces In aesign and workmenship. The globes fact e of cut glass, made by manu- u in France. The decorative work, in panel, ceiling and border, is ©f a character to excite admiration from the most critical artist or enthusjastic Jayman whose knowledge of the plastic its possibilities when applied to decorations is mo more than netors e expression with which the artist who executed the work has en- @K’!A‘TF[W TTANSION O ON PACIFIC AVENUE;— SAN FRANCISCO ‘A CORNER OF THE SINING ROOMT dowed every curve and line Imparts life and animation to the somewhat dif- ficult substance in which the decora- tions are executed, and the result is in & high degree successful. The great kall relles upon its fine proportions as much as its adornment for the ef- fects produced. It furnishings are of extreme but well judged simplicity. The mantel and its flowing decorations as well as the elaborate celling and paneling are subjects of extended artis- tic appreciation. All is worked out with the conscientiousness of the true artist intent upon endowing his handi- work with intelligence and executing the designs of the architect with the utmost truth and fidelity. The dining- room of the mansion is an apartment considerably larger in dimensions even than the great hall and quite equal to the most exigent demands which the widely extended reputation ‘of the owner for graclous hospitality can make upon it. Every detafl of this room has been subordinated so as to create certain effects and to bring into prominence those features which are in. tended to.dominate, The ceiling is a superb example of renaissance and is divided lnm panels, in which every de- tall, no’ matter how minute, has been worked up with consummate skill. The beams of the celling are heavy enough MANTEL to do the work of carrying that which is above them, being big enough In section to give the richness and dig- nity which they would not have if they were shams. The fireplace, with its border of embossed brass and richly designed furniture, is a feature notice- able for elegance and beauty. The special and crowning featurs of the dining-room is the large mantel occupying the space of a small-sized apartment, and, in designing, the archi- tect incorporated certain theories claimed by him to be truer to anefent custom In construction than now ac- cepted by the majority of architects. The mantel, it will be noted, Is car- ried to the ceiling, a detail seldom ob- served in the most costly examples, but nearer to the practice of the amciemt builders who originated and planned those beautiful examples found in pal- aces and mansions of the renaissance period. Like every architectural feat- ure which the masters retained and beautifisd, the towering mantel had a utilitarian purpose, namely, to act as 2 smoke chamber through which the smoke arising from the fireplace could be conveyed to the upper air. The propriety of extending the mantel to the roof is thus demonstrated at a glance and the belief that the giant mantel' is nbthing but an architectural adornment is thought [to be a mistake. Instead of the towering sideboard, carved tables are {ntroduced with ap- propriate effect and the glaring light . from_ without is mitigated by narrow windows draped 1n . velvet - curtains planned so as tc permit just ‘enough- HALL &na no more H:ht than neuum—h eacn mu.lhu,uu aqpo?hddn a.,nylo €all for no specia: gescription, though enter. ENTRANCE \AND GRAND STAR- THE YRENCH ROO “White. ~ = - THE SINING- FOOM The architects who designed and exe- ~ . equally elaborate,” but with mors re- ‘the due regard !ar hu:nony throygh-' cuted the decorations wara Maybeck & The French room ahd the llbn.rr are gard for comvention 'n:d‘p% ‘and’ out'is maintained.”