THE FIREPLACES OF GOLDEN GATE VILLA

If it is true that the hearth is the soul of any home, then the Golden Gate Villa is a most soulful abode. The Villa boasts seven magnificent fireplaces; six are preserved in their original splendor as wonderful examples of 19th century Renaissance Revival style, in the more restrained English version.

You encounter the first fireplace in the reception hall of the Villa. It occupies the wall facing the front entry, exhibiting a Neoclassic dignity of proportions. The facing is rectangular golden-yellow glazed ceramic tile, with a hand-pressed, bas relief inset plaque depicting a trio of lounging women, perhaps the Three Graces. The face is framed by large side pillars of English Oak, which support a masterfully carved oak mantle of English make. Two double sconces flank a mirror that artfully reflects the stained glass transom over the front door.

In the gold parlor to the right of the front entry is perhaps the most elaborate of the Villa's fireplaces. It has a stunning face of onyx, a semi-precious stone, with gold leaf neo-classical swags below a large mirror lit by double sconces. Evidence shows that while this fireplace was originally designed to burn coal, it was modified during construction to be gas-burning.

The billiard room fireplace has pillars and mantle of Spanish cedar embellished with gold leaf, surrounding a yellow tile face with mosaic detail on the hearth. Three mirrors are divided by carved scrolls.

The imposing dining room fireplace, also made in England of English Oak, has six corbels supporting an elaborately carved and mirrored mantle with alabaster sconces to both sides. The face is of dark olive ceramic glazed tile.

The fifth fireplace on the Villa's main floor, located in the ballroom, was added in 1912 by then-owner, Lucian Sly. It is in the Beaux Arts style, wider and more open than the 1891 fireplaces, with a lower, less ornate wooden mantle, now painted white. The tile face is painted black.

On the second floor of the Villa, both of the Master bedrooms have gas fireplaces in glazed ceramic tile and birds-eye maple.

In the rounded tower bedroom the face is of square yellow tile. The fanciful maple surround incorporates delicate spindles, shelves and mirrors.

The master bedroom fireplace has a face of lavender tile surrounded by birds-eye maple.

It is interesting to note that the woodwork throughout the Villa is of redwood, which was artistically "combed" (hand painted) with a more perfect grain than is found in nature. The woodwork in each room originally was finished to match the wood of that room's fireplace. The balustrade and railing of the grand stairway are in English Oak to match the reception hall fireplace.