CHATEAU AT CASTELNAUDARY.
The internal decoration of the structure represented in the accompanying engravings is due to Mr. Arnaud, an architect at Carcassonne. The front already existed in part, and merely the finishing of it is due to him. As for the parlor and dining room, of which we give an illustration, these two rooms, like the rest, were studied with very artistic care by Mr. Arnaud, and the execution of the work was closely watched.
CHATEAU OF CASTELNAUDARY—FRONT VIEW—M. AUBRY, ARCHITECT.
The chimney that decorates the dining room is of Echaillon stone, and was made at the works of Mr. G. Biron. It is 14 feet in height, and cost, all carved, $1,400. The flooring of the rooms is of oak, of two colors, and was put down by the house of Idrac, of Toulouse, which makes a specialty of old oak inlaid floors. The color of the old oak, introduced into the very substance of the wood, lasts an indefinite length of time. The wainscoting of the dining room and that of the parlor is of walnut, and forms a frame, in the case of the dining room, for old tapestry. In the parlor the panels are covered with large‐figured cretonne.
INTERIOR OF CASTELNAUDARY CHATEAU.
The ceilings are of plaster, with mouldings. To that of the dining room are affixed, by invisible hooks, some old Japanese plates. These produce a very happy effect in the ceiling as a whole, and in nowise injure it. The ceilings are painted in softening tints, the principal of which are red, blue and maroon. The dining room cost, as a whole, $3,600, the old tapestry included. It is 24 × 30 feet, and the parlor is 28 × 37 feet.—La Construction Moderne.