HANDSOME VILLA RESIDENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 8898, 9 July 1896, Page 3

HANDSOME VILLA RESIDENCE.

♦ • It is surprising how soon the face of a country alters. Where once nothing oould i be seen bnfc dense bush and swamp, in the course of a lev years comfortable homerteada and smiling cornfields relieve the monotony. The same applies to our hills of drifting sand, and it i* surprising in what short f pice of time a wilderneis nf sand on be completely transformed. In Wangauui, on the seaward tide, we have had that faofc frequently demonstrated, and there are toJay to be found handsome private residences, with pretty gardens and wellstocked orohardi, where a few years ago tbe winds held the sand at their mercy, and drifted and shifted it hither and thither. All honour to tho industry of those who undertook the work, and were not above putting up with a little inconveniense at firit ! We had the, pleasure yesterday of visiting such a placr, s. haodsamc villa Miidenoe just in course of completion on a five-acre eootian a little balow tho new Hospital, the property of Mr A Bignell. of the welt known oontraoting firm of Russell and Bignell. A sand bill in the centra of the section ha* bean lowered some 10 or 16 feet, a hollow in front facing the road to CastleoliS has b*en filled in with the surplus soil, and ia being laid out as a lawn, while round the building, whioh is ereoted on the hill in question, the grounds are laid off very prettily for a garden. Standing on the section, elevated some 15 or 20ft above the level of the road, with a, capital view of the river, is the newly ereoted villa, 60 x 44ft, divided into eight rooms, with a fine spacious hall and passage at end. It is a trite saying that a shoomaker's ohildren are generally tho worst shod and a carpenter lives in the worst house, but in raspeot to Mr Bignell the Utter saying does not hold good; for every oonceivable convenience is apparent throughout the building, whioh of course has a frontage to the road. There is a gable end with bay window at the aeaward side, and a six foot verandah goea round the front and town side of the building, ending with a nicely fitted and convenient conservatory, whioh opens into the drawingroom. Over the top of the verandah is some ornamental cist iron work, while the whole appearance of the building generally iiopreites one as being of a most substantial and striking build. We must not forget to mention the oh-m-neyi, of which there are three treble ones, matls_ of pressed brioka and tuok pointed, of quite a novel and handiome appearuoe. The foundationa of the building also are of briok, the latter showing out plainly. Entering the front door, with murinease glass panels with similar handiome glass side and fan ligbts we find ourselves in the hall, 30 s 7. *Tha latter ia beautifully finished. On either aid* are diagonal framed panel dados of handsome wood, tho very best cabinet workmanship being a'down.as indeed is exhibited in all moulding!, etc, throughout, whioh *m of special pattern, and very ohoice. At the end of the hell is a massive arch, with appropriate carved brackets and carved panol and keystone, with moulded soffit. On the left of the hall ia the drawing room 16 z 14, with marble mantelpiece and heavy trusted bay-window also of speoial design. The 1 moulding* under the ceiling are very attractive while underneath we observe *> picture rail, whioh is a most convenient fixture and prevents the tearing of the paper so often occasioned when cutting tip piotnres. Thii rail is in all the principal rooms. Adjoining tbe drawing room is the principal bedroom, 20 z 14, in wbioh is a fireplace with oemtnt {coder. This room is lit by au orial window, and facea Castlecliff. This oponi into the children* room, adjoining which and on the itmg aide is another bedroom. Retracing our stopi along tbe hall we first observe a bedroom opposite the drawing room IS x 14, and next i« undoubtedly the most attractive room in the house— the dining room, 20 x 16, which opens into the conservatory and liada on to the verandah. A hand-ome salmon-colored paper, with dado of a darker ■hade, is very pleasing to the eye. From this in another nicely fitted up bedroom with fireplace while nt the roar is the kitchen, with range hot and oold water laid on, and every possible convenience. Close handy is the bathroom, finely- appointed pantry, soullery with complete appurtenances, eto. At the rear of the building is the wood and coal and waihhouse also fitted up with all necessaries. Speoial attention has been paid to the ventilation, each room in this particular being well looked after. Tbe papering of the walls and ceilings is a feature in itself, and the blending and tinting is very chaste. Electric bells are placed at convenient spots in each room, and in faofc everything that goea to make a thoroughly well appointed villa reiidenoe has been thoughtfully provided by Mr Bignell. Tbe whole of the painting and papering was executed by Mr R. Hughes ia a first- dais manner ; Mr John Kay carried out the brickwork, and Mr 0, Carrel did the plumbing, all the work being done in a very aatiifactory manner.