Correspondence re: remodeling of Palo Alto residence, 1887-1890

COOKS BROS.,

INTERIOR DECORATORS AND IMPORTERS OF FINE PAPER HANGINGS

108 & 110 POST STREET,

San Francisco, Nov 20th 1888

Mrs Leland Stanford Dear Madame

As the floors over which we have to lay the WoodCarpet have to be leveled some before we can put the others down, we would like very much to do that part of the work before the tiles are laid. The reason is this, those men can not avoid to leave sand and martor [sic] on the floors which is pressed into the wood, making planing very difficult. Trusting this will be agreeable to you and that you will Kindly notify us when that can be done.

We remain your most obedient servants

Cooks Bros.

COOKS BROS.

(COPY)

San Francisco, Nov. 20th, 1888

Mrs. Leland Stanford,

Dear Madam:-

As the floors over which we have to lay the wood carpet, have to be leveled some, before we can put the others down, we would like very much to do that pary [sic] of the work before the tiles are laid. The reason is this; those men cannot avoid to leave sand and mortar on the floors which is pressed into the wood, making planing very difficult.

Trusting this will be agreeable to you, and that you will kindly notify us when that can be done, we remain

Your most obedient servants, (Sig) Cooks Bros.

Chamber Mrs. S. $200.00, Bathroom, 30.00, Breakfast Room, 200.00, Library 140.00, Chamber above L, 140.00, Chamber Front, 200.00 $910.00,

Old part of house,

(COPY)

Mr. Brown.

I have gone carefully over your list of changes in the house at Palo Alto, and have interlined alterations. The roof only of the balcony is to be taken off. Mr. Stanford prefers the rest should be as it is now. I selected tile for the library fire place also dining room, and also for breakfast room. Some of the other rooms need fresh hearths; I cannot now remember which. You will please examine and freshen with tile hearths, in rooms where needed.

Enclosed, I send a list of prices for laying down wood carpet in the old part, one chamber and bath room, breakfast room, or our present dining room, the small present library room, chamber above this library, and front chamber above front parlor.

I also send you a letter from Cooks Bros. in reference to the laying down of same, which you will please attend to.

We desire the partition taken down between the front and back chambers, or rather, the wall only under the alcove. The walls in these rooms we will paper, and the ceilings can be decorated by Mr. Mudge, who is employed by Clark & Co., paper hangers, on Market St. He has received an order to decorate the ceiling of the dining room and library; also some of the bed rooms in the new part. I did not arrange as to the cost of same, leaving that for you to do, and will you notify them when they can begin work? I thought they might go to work soon, so all would be finished when we returned next April.

I also arranged with this firm for shades to all windows in old and new, and you will find cost of same.

Mr. Stanford desires there should be a railing on each side of the steps that lead into the basement, as there is great danger of walking headlong into the opening, as it now is. I have promised Mr. Chappell, a carpenter in the village of Menlo, an excellent man, to get work for him, while you are making the changes, and hope you will remember him.

In the room next to the servants dining room, which I will use for a China closet, I desire closets made with glass doors, let them be high, and come to the floor on one side, with one drawer at bottom. On the other side, there can be closet with solid wood doors, and no drawer, but shelves all the way. Make them of wood, such as is in the end closet, pine I think, and no paint on the same, only varnish.

I think, if possible, there should be a hose on top of house, to use in case of fire.

I can think of nothing else now.

With many thanks, for kind attention, from

Yours Respectfully,

(sig) Jane L. Stanford

S. Franino.

Nov. 30th, 1888

[handwritten interline notes from J. L. Stanford enclosed in braces {} ]

List of changes in Gov. Stanford's Palo Alto Residence.

Sliding door in lower main hall between old and new house.

Take out cupboards from under book-cases in library, and cut two feet off from bottom of cases, which will lower them four feet from present height. { I have left a card on one of the cases, the proper height. }

Change tile around fire-places and hearths in library and dining-room; also floor of lavatory and bath-room of second story. Put in fancy tile. { I have selected the tile at Montague & Co's Left it for to arrange the prices. }

Change partition around water closet in lavatory.

{ Gas lights to be sent from the East } Lower gas jets in dining room, library and main hall.

Fix floor in old house at door going into library.

Put hanging rail on both sides of all stairs where there are none; (except back stairs).

Take out doors and stairs from second story hall into chapel room; plaster up openings.

Fix up dark closet under stairs with drawers, shelves and clothes hooks, similar to closet (hall-closet) in old house. { In old closit [sic] leave the drawers and shelves on the right hand side. On left side, put clothes hooks and leave the high shelf that runs all around. }

Widen shelves in hall closet on second story, and put in clothes hooks. { Leave this till I return. }

Take out three shelves from hall closet in old part, and put up clothes hooks. { Have given directions about it. }

Cut off one section of balcony roof on side of new part, so as to let more light into room. { Take the roof off only and leave the lower part as it is. }

Put door in third story hall of L part, same as in second story hall.

Build stairs up to front tower starting from third story hall with door in partition, same as other tower stairs.

Put sash in tower of old roof with glass, and frost glass over sky-light in old part. { Leave this till we return. all to be undisturbed }

Fasten down water closet cover in third story of L part. { The bath room floors on upper floors to remain as they are. Also back bath room floor on second floor. }

[bottom of page in pencil]

Closets in Bath rooms sash in upper half of cellar door with bars

Office of G. W. CLARK & CO.

653 & 655 Market St.

San Francisco, Dec. 17th 1888

Mr Arthur Brown,

Dear Sir

Herewith find estimate as per your request. We have given an outside figure in order to be safe. as it is almost impossible to give exact figures. on the class of work to be done, It will be our aim to make the amount less if possible.

Rear Chamber top floor $425. Front " " " 425. Middle " " " 100.

Front Chamber 2nd floor 625. Back " " 625. Middle " " 100. Hall (Old House) 800. Office " " 600. 3700

[notation vertically to right of itemization]

New Part