Oxford Union Society Rooms

IMPROVEMENTS IN OXFORD, UNION SOCIETY ROOMS.-The re-decoration and furnishing of the smoke room has just been completed under the direction of G. Faulkner Armitage, of Altrincham, Cheshire. The decorative painting has been carried out to Mr Armitage's designs, by local men in the employ of Mr T H Kingerlee. The ceiling is richly decorated; each of the panels contains a coat of arms of one of the Colleges, placed in chronological order and richly mantled. The upper portion of the walls has been decorated in a stencilled pattern, introducing on to a warm tan ground a bold design in several tints. The lower Wall, painted and stencilled in more sombre tones and in a diaper design, is separated about ten feet from the floor from the upper by an enriched fibrous plaster frieze, enclosed in wooden mouldings and decorated in colour and gold; this work being cast directly from the carved wood model, retains all its freshness and crispness. This treatment of the walls has the apparent effect of reducing their great height, and so giving to the room a more homely appearance. An additional fire-place has been formed in the end wall, and a noble oak mantel has been erected here, a second one like to it being also built in place of the old stone one. A great feature has been made of these fire-places, with rich tiles of glowing colour, and wrought-iron and hammered copper fire grates, and above in the panelling two fine etchings by Macbeth, after Velasquez and Rembrandt have been introduced, which give great dignity to the superstructure of carved oak. The room is completely furnished with luxurious lounges - in one case forming a kind of family pew opposite the fire, and in others breaking the room into convenient bays, each seat having its electric bell. There are numerous coffee tables and stands in the window recesses for papers and books. There is one piece of antique furniture in the shape of a long oak table. All the furniture is in solid oak, and the lounges are covered in a rich Wilton material, which is calculated to last for a generation. The window curtains are of a bold design in tapestry, and have been manufactured from Mr. Armitage's designs in his own looms. The floor is covered all over with thick cork carpet of a  warm self-colour, and upon these are laid some large squares of Axminster carpet in rich design and colouring, made especially for this room. The electric lighting has also been altered, and artistic wrought-iron brackets – made, like the fire-grates, in the Altrincham Smithy – spring from the frieze rails, currying two incandescent lamps each, while three wrought-iron electroliers are to hang from the roof. Extensive alterations have also been carried out in other parts of the premises. A new staircase has ~been constructed to connect the upper with the lower library in such a way that access to both libraries is now confined to a single door. The accommodation for books thas beau tl Of increased by the addition of several now bookshelves, and the lower library to a large extent re-furnished. In other parts of the buildings the lavatory, kitchen, and offices have undergone complete renovation. The total outlay involved is about £2000, to meet which a special appeal to was made to all members of the Society, both past and  present. [Oxford Journal 11 October 1890 page 6]

Reference           Oxford Journal 11 October 1890 page 6