Home Fit For A King

HOME FIT FOR A KING

Duchess of Marlborough's New Palace In London.

NOBLE MANSIONS VILLAS BESIDE IT

Cost of Blandford House, Being Erected by the Duke In Mayfair, Is Already $1,500,000 and End of Outlay Is Not In Sight-Halls and Staircases All of Marble.

The palace the Duke of Marlborough is building for himself in the heart of Mayfair recently began to emerge from its swaddling clothes of scaffolding so that it is possible to gain a first idea of its extent and magnificence, writes the London correspondent of the New York World.

It promises to be far and away the finest example of domestic architecture provided for London in recent years. Beside its stately proportions the house that the late Barney Barnato built for himself in Park Lane, but never occupied, is a mere glorified villa, while the brownstone mansion erected by Alfred Beit further up that avenue of millionaires is merely a stunted and dingy edifice. 

When it came to be a question of having a town house, the duke determined to have something appropriate to the grandeur and dignity of his titles and descent, as well, of course, as his own position, or nothing at all. Blandford House is a princely structure, princely in style, in position, and, by all accounts, even more princely in cost. It is stated that he paid $380,000 for the freehold site; $320,000 was the original contract for the building, while over $800,000 has already been expended in furniture and decorations, though this is by no means the end of the outlay in that direction. 

The house is rectangular in shape, and if it has defect it is that it is too narrow for its length. The front measures 63 feet, while the side measures 109. Greater width was impossible in view of the site chosen, which has the advantage of having a street on all its four sides. Along the whole length of the side runs the picture gallery and ballroom, lighted by eleven stained glass windows, with marble columns supporting a richly carved ceiling. The main entrance is on Curzon street and on the left hand corner. The entrance hall is a fairly wide space opening into a large hall, from which rises the main staircase of white marble. The stairs are of a great width, and after the first six steps are ascended a broad gallery is arrived at, four each side of which winds a double continuation of the stairs, all of marble. 

At the point on the stairway where the high stained windows throw a multicolored light over the mosaic floors and marble columns the ceiling rises to a height of thirty feet, and it is here that all the most magnificent carvings will be introduced. Many niches have been left in the walls for the reception of statues, on which numbers of artists are now at work. 

There are fifty rooms in all. The duke's writing room and study is on the ground floor, to the right of the entrance. Next to it comes a large and perfectly circular morning room, with three doors, while at the back, running along from one end to the other, is the dining room and servery, with a series of lifts on the most approved American principles, wherewith to convey all edibles from the kitchens below. There are two drawing rooms on the first floor, one at either end of the house, so as to have the sun or shade as the summer day advances. 

From the picture gallery you can have access to either, and a marble balustrade looks over the wide stair that seems designed at many parts to contain cozy seated corners for conversation after dinner. The most modern appointments in billiard rooms, self contained bath and bed rooms, lifts and all other comforts are being provided in a very thorough manner, and the smaller important details of design in the fittings are all made especially by several of the biggest firms in America. 

The third floor is devoted to the nurseries, bed, bath and dressing rooms for the young Marquis of Blandford and his little brother, and there are two large playrooms where swings and other recreations may be freely enjoyed. It is somewhat a pity that there is no garden space anywhere about the house, nor is there even a space between the street and the house itself. The open area that will run halfway round the house lights the kitchens and stores below. Fortunately, however, there is a good deal of light from the front. 

The decoration of the exterior walls is severely plain and is only relieved by a series of carved marble heads of classical design upon which a number of French and Italian workmen are now engaged. The cornice on each side of the building will weigh 100 tons. For the past two years the duke and duchess have been making extensive purchases on the continent of tapestry and furniture for their new home. The style of decoration will be almost entirely French, and no orders have as yet been placed with the leading London furnishers.