“ Villa-al-Mare ” 
THE DINING-ROOM, SHOWING PART OK THE PEWTER COLLECTION 
At one side ot the room is a large open fireplace, above 
which extends a wide marble mantel, exquisitely 
carved. At either end of its broad shelf is a bronze 
candelabrum, of artistic design, while in the center 
are two fine examples of the Italian potters’ art. 
Die furniture harmonizes perfectly with the style 
and decorations of the room, among the pieces being a 
piano at one end, a mahogany writing desk at the 
opposite end, and a very fine marble topped table, 
which occupies a position in front of the fireplace. 
Beyond this room is the living-room, a large 
and most attractively furnished apartment. Clreat 
French windows open directly onto a broad veranda, 
from which is obtained a fine view of the quaint 
terrace and the charming Italian garden just below. 
A wainscot some six feet in height runs around the 
walls of the room, from which a plain field rises to the 
edge of the wood cornice. The ceiling is crossed 
with heavy beams. The furniture is of the Italian 
type, and here, too, are found many mementos 
of Mrs. Lee’s native land. A large Oriental carpet 
of ex(}uisite coloring, in rich soft tones lies in front 
of the fireplace, and but partially covers the polished 
floor of the room. Easy chairs, placed artistically 
about, as well as a large couch, provided with soft 
pillows, lend an air of comfort, while the brass tea¬ 
kettle on the hearth suggests afternoon teas. A fine 
Venetian mirror hangs above the broad mantel. 
which is flanked on either side by curious old lanterns, 
resting on slender standards. At one end of the 
room is a tall, beautifully carved cabinet above which 
hangs a fine old Italian painting. Directly opposite 
is another cabinet, smaller in size, which was found 
in an old monastery, the carvings on which are rep¬ 
resentations of scenes of the “Quest of the Holy 
Grail.’’ Above this cabinet hangs an exquisite 
painting, a Tiepolo, and scattered about the walls of 
the room are fine old masterpieces, including some 
of Sir Joshua Reynolds’. A few modern paintings 
are also to he seen. 
From the end of the living-room one enters the den, 
a cosy apartment, commanding a view of the garden, 
and glimpses of the ocean between the trees. Its 
high vaulted ceiling is tinted a delicate shade of blue, 
and is studded with golden stars. Around three 
sides of its wainscoted walls extend low, broad, 
cushioned seats, piled with sofa pillows. Ancient 
pikes, swords, lamps of foreign workmanship, and 
various curios of great interest as well as of artistic 
value are scattered about, and form a most unusual 
collection of relics. A (piaint chandelier hangs 
suspended from the center of the ceiling directly 
over a low round table, while a rug, very rare and 
antique, lies on the floor before the fireplace, which 
is severely simple in design. Unicjueness is the key¬ 
note of this den, and it is certainly most attractive. 
