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I’ve been really into classical architecture books lately (this one is completely fascinating). We’re going to be knocking out and rebuilding a few interior walls of the new house that will need some special moulding. I’ve been doing as much research as I can before we have to make final decisions there. So when I was invited to come down to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia with my sister Heather and sister-in-law Kenzi, I jumped at the chance to have a girls weekends and to tour the beautiful, historically restored town and soak up all the classical and colonial architecture (and I’ll be honest – the spa and the amazing food were a draw, too) :)
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The past couple of weeks have been SO intense with work and the upcoming move, it was really amazing to hop in the car, get out of the city and have some kid-free time with these ladies I love so much.
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Also, I was excited to go straight to the source to see the new collection of historically accurate paint colors Colonial Williamsburg recently launched with Benjamin Moore.
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The colors are more vibrant than you might have guessed, which makes complete sense after touring some of the homes in Colonial Williamsburg. Those early Americans were not afraid of color!
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I fell in love with one of the greens especially. Wouldn’t this dark jade make the perfect front door color for the new house, with gray for the body of the house, white for the trim and charcoal on some of the accents? I’m feeling good about this combo:
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The weekend really was magical. The Williamsburg Inn was amazing, the grounds were stunning, the museums and historical sites were fascinating and inspiring. I practically never put down my camera – there was so much beauty everywhere.
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Here are about 500 more photos of what caught my eye on the streets of CW. :) I was so inspired by woodwork! The fences, birdhouses, porch railings, radiator covers – everything had such a lovely attention to detail! Check it out…
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We had dinner on Saturday night at the Regency Dining Hall. Delicious food in a beautiful room! The Rockefellers helped to restore Colonial Williamsburg nearly 100 years ago, and this dining room felt so classic and inspired by that period. It is really lovely with chinoiserie panels, crystal chandeliers and frilly curtains. The jazz band was my favorite though. The singer’s voice was a spot-on Ella Fitzgerald. Such a treat.
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2) The Cheese Shop was a hit with us! I recommend picking up the Prosciutto and Provolone sandwich, a jar of their House dressing, and a selection from their great gluten-free wall and other assorted condiments.
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3) The wallpaper at the Wythe House. Every room is a different color and pattern!
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4) The grounds and special decorative touches at the Governer’s Palace are so beautiful. The inlay on the stairs is especially can’t-miss.
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3) Williamsburg at Home is full of really gorgeous, unique home goods, fabrics and paints that are designed to give homes a punch of colonial style, but that are surprisingly clean-lined and modern at the same time. The shop was really pretty – and I’m still dreaming of the inlay dresser below!
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4) Don’t miss stopping in to all the great tradespeople shops around town. I really enjoyed the weaver’s shop, the apothecaries, the cobbler and the general store.
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Have you ever visited Williamsburg? What was your favorite thing to do or see?
Wow, I am speechless. I never would have expected that there would be so many elements in this historical site that feel so modern. Thanks for letting us travel vicariously with you, Jenny!
It just goes to show there are some things that never go out of style! (Hello bamboo chair, chinoiserie panels, etc.) I DIE over that turquoise wallpaper with the splashes of pink in the Wyeth house. SO gorgeous! Looks like it was a great trip, and I need to add Williamsburg to our "future trip" list! See you soon! xoxo Grace
Love this post! I hope more travel related posts are in your future – you are great at it!!
i haven't been to williamsburg since i was little. i remember enjoying it then, but i certainly don't remember all of that! you have me dying to go back and take note of the beautiful design elements! thank you for sharing, it was a really lovely and inspiring post and i know all that editing took some time!
What is the name of the dark jade paint? I'm glad you got to eat at the cheese shop! Yummy!
What is the name of the dark jade paint? I'm glad you got to eat at the cheese shop! Yummy!
Wow so many interesting images here. I love the colour combination you shared and it looks like you made the most of having a girls weekend!
So beautiful! Oh man – I forgot to ask – where will Heather go when yall move!? :(
Oh la la! I grew up in Williamsburg and went to elementary school a few blocks from the powder magazine… it's always been beautiful and classic, but I've never seen it through such clean and modern design lens. Thank you for seeing and discovering such beauty+color+line in my dear old hometown!
Such beautiful photos! I'm from Virginia and remember going to Colonial Williamsburg as a kid for field trips :) So glad you enjoyed your time there!
Jenny, do you happen to remember the name of the shop with that bat wing print fabric? My boyfriend is a bat biologist, so I just *have* to know where I can purchase it! :)
I ADORE those salt and pepper shakers. Can I order them online anywhere?
We love The Cedars Bed and Breakfast! Beautiful home and delicious breakfast. Easy walk to the Williamsburg village and across the street for William and Mary.
I remover going to Colonial Williamsburg as a kid and loving it! It's a great place to spark a kids imagination. I remember desperately wanting to go back in time so I could live there. Now that I see all your pictures I think I still feel that way!
this post is amazing! I love all the shots you took, and I can't believe I haven't been there yet. I've just been scrolling and scrolling back and forth. thanks for all the inspiration!
Great colors and pictures! It's amazing how much inspiration we can still draw from the past and how it is still applicable to today.
Yet to go, but I think I need to put it on the travel list. I love a layered, colorful home. I'd love to buy up a couple gallons of those beautiful BM colors!
Looks like it was a really nice weekend! You captures some great patterns in your photos :) Also love that little phone closet!
Wow! Lots of inspiration! (The little green chair is my favorite!) Thanks for sharing your Williamsburg trip with us!
It's so elegant and beautiful!
xoxo PARIS BEE kids blog
If you liked your trip you should really visit Monticello in Charlottesville Va. I feel like I can't read an ID's interview without their referencing Jefferson!
Check out the molding in the dome room as a start:
http://www..monticello.org/site/house-and-gardens/dome-room
Such a great (and unique!) perpective on Williamsburg…We went a few years ago and I loved that cheese shop! Really great post – and never too many pictures!
I grew up in Williamsburg! So nice to see it through your eyes, love the vibrant colors and will checking out that new paint collection!
I love Williamsburg! It's where I went to college, and where I met (and eventually married!) my husband. But, I have to admit, that as design-y as I am, I never noticed half of all the beautiful details that you did. Just goes to show what a good eye you have!
Hi Jenny:
Is that MacKenzie who is with you? If so, I've known her since she was a little girl! I know she lives in NY, and even though I haven't seen her for awhile, I'd bet the house it's her! Can't wait to have you here in AZ!
xo,
Jilly
Hi Jenny:
Is that MacKenzie who is with you? If so, I've known her since she was a little girl! I know she lives in NY, and even though I haven't seen her for awhile, I'd bet the house it's her! Can't wait to have you here in AZ!
xo,
Jilly
Thanks for the pictures. Williamsburg is my 2nd "home"—graduated from William and Mary many years ago so the Tidewater holds a special place in my heart.
Oh wow, it's true. It's become "so modern" again! Great photos Jenny; thanks for sharing. I have to ask too. Where are the shoes from (the little wedges?) :)
I have this exterior color palette and haven't gotten tired of it in 5 yrs! This is some kind of record for me. Was inspired by a remodeled Victorian near the Atlanta Zoo. Gorgeous. I tried 23 different body colors before discovering the most beautiful of all: Sherwin Williams Aged Cobblestone DCR113 from the "Colors of Historic Charleston" collection. There isn't even a hint of purple or green. It is perfect. Good luck!
Looks like a great trip! I love the deep teal top (worn by your sister?) in the group photo. Is that an embellished neckline or a necklace? She looks beautiful in it!
Williamsburg is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, bordering Greenpoint to the North, Bedford–Stuyvesant to the South, Bushwick and Ridgewood, Queens to the East and the East River to the West. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 1.more information
Williamsburg is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, bordering Greenpoint to the North, Bedford–Stuyvesant to the South, Bushwick and Ridgewood, Queens to the East and the East River to the West. The neighborhood is part of Brooklyn Community Board 1.more information