topic Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor? in Holiday

Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Imadickens — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 04:45:55 GMT

Years ago while on a trip to Williamsburg I bought a fabulous book called, Decorating and Entertaining the Williamsburg Way. It takes you through the seasons and shows unique seasonal home decor and recipes from New Year's Day Baruch through a formal New Year's Eve celebration, and seasonal holidays in between! There are instructions for making the Christmas orange pomander balls, pumpkin soup in real pumpkin Tourennes, Christmas decor and natural dyed Easter eggs using cheesecloth, parsley and onion skins! Does anyone else decorate seasonally like this? I'd love some new ideas! I love Williamsburg decor and am getting tired of the same old cheesy stuff from Target! I would love some new ideas and recipes! It takes holidays and decor to a new level!

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

OnlyShopsOnline — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 05:57:26 GMT

I LOVE Colonial Williamsburg. I love the homes, decor...the entire atmosphere. I used to decorate in that style quite a bit. But, over the years I've modernized a little...more like a modern traditional. And, some of my older pieces fit in nicely.

My sewing room is decorated with a lot of the things I've purchased there....framed photos, large illuminated replica houses, samplers that I've stitched over the years, etc.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Bellabutterfly — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 06:05:26 GMT

jewelwisher...

I too love Williamsburg decor. Around 17 years ago my husband and I spent 5 days in and around Williamsburg.

I am also a history buff and as is my husband, so I was in my glory. I truly enjoyed everything...Loved it! It was late July and the humidity was a killer.

I told my husband if we go again I would love to visit between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The pictures I have seen from books with all the real fruit wreaths, garlands and the wreaths using real turkey feathers are so beautiful.

My style of decortating is "Traditional", in the way I chose to decorated our home.

My formal dining room is Solid Cherry Wood and Bufett has the Tradtional Pineapple Finial.

My living is Traditional also with many Asian pieces of furniture that came over from England.

Remember Traditional Style came from England and France...With trade going back and forth that is were the Asian infulance first came into the United States...thru England...Way back then...

My master bedroom has an antique 100 year old Brass Bed with genuine alabaster trendles. My husband's dresser is a Traditional High Boy. My dresser is the matching piece but much longer and shorter in height its mirror has the Traditional Pineapple Finial. I have the bedroom decorated with French Toile Fabrics.

The best advice I can give for you to find your style...

Is go to the library and take out several books on "Traditional Style". Get Furniture Books and Fabric Books on Traditional Style...And don't forget books on "Traditional Style Lighting".

When you find the style you are drawn to then you can start to begin to transform your home. A great place to buy is Estate Sales, Auctions, and Antique Shops.

Also, remember it is better to buy "Quality"...Take your time and purchase wisely.

Instead of buying a bunch of knock off particle board furniture...Quanity.

I hope this helps Jewelwisher...

And yes, Orange and lemon pomander balls are alot of fun to make, I have made many. Word of wise dot you pattern on the oranges and lemons with a permant fine tip marker then using a nail punch it into the fruit it makes it so much easier getting that clove in.

I also purchased the Thomas Jefferson Cookbook while I was there and the Williamsburg Cookbook.

Enjoyable thread jewelwisher...Good Luck

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

qualitygal — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 08:53:18 GMT

When I was really into wanting to bathe in that time period, I was half this age. I still love to look at it all, but alas, that's as far as I took it. Enjoy, it's very comforting!

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Patriot3 — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 12:43:14 GMT

I absolutely love Williamsburg, been there several times and would go again if I were more physically able. It's like walking into a different time. I have a lot of Wmsburg things, but don't necessarily decorate in that style. If I had the $$, I would! I get their emails and always go thru the offerings. They have discounts, too, at various times.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Kachina624 — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 14:05:23 GMT

Williamsburg style is very elegant and graceful but not my cup of tea. Too formal. I like my home decorated in a way in which people can relax. We have a different lifestyle now.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

alliswell — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 14:13:36 GMT

I love it too . . . just not entirely everywhere . . . I like to mix. It lends itself to many styles.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

athenian — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 14:16:39 GMT

Yes, since I first visited as a child. We have some pieces that are Colonial, but have less formal things, too. My dream is to win the lottery and move into one of the houses in the historic area.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

software — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:08:22 GMT

Oh absolutely!

I'm on the email list for Mt. Vernon. I've purchased a few things from them & love the website.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

debcakes — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 16:38:12 GMT

I think you need another trip to Williamsburg. I just love it. I know I need another trip.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Nomore — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 18:32:06 GMT

We visited Wmsburg a few years ago, I love the style which is not prevalent in my area of the country. I have several things from here, from when QVC used to carry the line and some from there in Colonial Williamsburg, and some from stores. It's not most of my decor, but it all fits in well with everything else I have; my style is definitely not formal.

I browse online at Wmsburg and get the catalog from Monticello.

I've noticed lately on decor shows, the hosts insert "Williamsburg look" into the presentation on some items (sometimes questionable), not just the lanterns. I wonder who is reading the forums...

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Aviatrix — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 00:37:48 GMT

My Mother loved maple wood and our living room was done in what was then called Colonial style. I grew up with the love of maple wood. When I got married, I bought an Ethan Allan dining room set in maple. I still have it and it looks as good as new. When I visited Colonial Williamsburg, I felt at home. There is something so warm and inviting about Colonial furniture. I don't know what the difference is between Colonial, Early American etc. styles. I just know I love them all.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Puzzle Piece — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 15:14:20 GMT

Colonial Williamsburg is one of my all time favorites to visit. Only been there twice but would go again and again. I live in So CA and we dn't have anything like that here. Our weather really doesn't alllow for that kind of decor.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Imadickens — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 20:44:58 GMT

Bellabutterfly, you gave great suggestions! Your home sounds beautiful! I love the Asian influences mixed with the traditional! I also am over the moon for pineapples! I bought a large, framed botanical print of a pineapple matted in forest green the last time I visited Williamsburg! Your diningroom sounds lovely! Does the buffet have the brass rail around it? We built a large colonial in a new development years ago! It was my dream home. My mother bought us a new traditional Cherry diningroom set...large pedestal table seating twelve with inlaid wood. Eight chairs and a beautiful lighted China breakfront. My server was purchased separately and worked beautifully with my new set. After thirty years one Thanksgiving my dd rested her arm on the table and the leg snapped in half! We had it repaired but I was worried about the chairs, which had been reinforced several times! I guess we needed more humidity in our homes. After much looking I settled on a traditional set fro Macy's . I only bought a table and eight chairs. It's ok, but not my beautiful set! I found a table that would be much better for our house and lifestyle as well as be more my taste! The store that sells it carries beautiful Williamsburg type furniture. I've purchased many pieces from them in the past! My favorite furniture came from Eldred Wheeler. It was a tiger maple table, chairs, and step back cupboard. I had just remodeled my kitchen and had a large breakfast area. It was beautiful! Not two months later someone rang my bell and bought my house! We looked for over a year for another and had to settle on a small 1700's colonial! We put much love (and money) in it but it didn't work for us for many reasons. We were lucky to sell right away and have been in our 1960's ranch for 12 years! It's a great neighborhood and had been lovingly cared for. Problem is, I love my home but it's not my style! I'm used to Colonial type decor and although my things work ok, I'm having trouble now that I am having to replace worn out items! I will heed your advice. Buying quality is indeed the way to go, even tho I get tempted to buy more of lesser quality. I am never happy with those purchases and end up replacing them at higher cost! I may be back for advice, if you don't mind!

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Imadickens — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 20:46:59 GMT

@debcakes wrote:
I think you need another trip to Williamsburg. I just love it. I know I need another trip.

I'm game...when are you free?

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Imadickens — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 20:50:23 GMT

@Puzzle Piece wrote:
Colonial Williamsburg is one of my all time favorites to visit. Only been there twice but would go again and again. I live in So CA and we dn't have anything like that here. Our weather really doesn't alllow for that kind of decor.

De cakes and I are planning a trip there, are you in?😉

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Puzzle Piece — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 03:08:12 GMT

@Imadickens wrote:
@Puzzle Piece wrote:
Colonial Williamsburg is one of my all time favorites to visit. Only been there twice but would go again and again. I live in So CA and we dn't have anything like that here. Our weather really doesn't alllow for that kind of decor.

De cakes and I are planning a trip there, are you in?😉

I wish I were. Too many things taking place here at home - getting ready to move to another city this Fall.

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

Imadickens — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 04:01:03 GMT

@Puzzle Piece wrote:
@Imadickens wrote:
@Puzzle Piece wrote:
Colonial Williamsburg is one of my all time favorites to visit. Only been there twice but would go again and again. I live in So CA and we dn't have anything like that here. Our weather really doesn't alllow for that kind of decor.

De cakes and I are planning a trip there, are you in?😉
I wish I were. Too many things taking place here at home - getting ready to move to another city this Fall.

May I ask from where to where? I loved relocating as a child! Born in Chicago, moved to Grosse Pointe, Mi, back to Chi town then to NY! I always wanted to return to Chi! Love it there sooooo much! Wherever you are going, I hope you enjoy the adventure! Good luck!

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

1Snickers — Sat, 03 Sep 2016 18:21:27 GMT

I live in WIlliamsburg,VA and it been my home for over 40 years. Formally Newport News,VA and visited a lot. As a child I toured the Governor's Palace and Maze.

There are many books available on decorating here. The stores and Craft House have Wreaths and decorations for sale.The prices are much more expensive than QVC.

Last year I decorated my new Bethlehem lights tree just after Halloween. I used sugared fruit ornaments, wreaths & garlands in my Victorian living room. The items from QVC were as nice as those I have bought in Colonial Williamsburg which I also used.

The tree was up and decorated in 45 minutes and down in less.(I didn't have to wrap glass ornaments). Decorating was done for the whole Holiday season.

The first week in Dec. there is the Grand Illimination white lights are turned on in the buildings. Wreaths decorate the town made of fresh fruit (which must be changed often due to sun & birds). I was a member of Greensprings Garden Club,that does the yearly Homes tour. With judged arrangements.

My Cousin is coming from FL Dec 2 and we will enjoy walking the town and the Holiday Markets with fruits and seasonal greens and decorations for sale.

Williamsburg is a special place especially during the Holidays!

Re: Anyone else love Williamsburg decor?

CAMOGIRL — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 13:25:06 GMT

My house was VERY Early American a few years back. Not as formal as a lot of Williamsburg stuff can tend to be - but I did mix in a few of their items, I had a large Persian rug from there that was gorgeous - the coloring and shading was what really made the rug look a bit aged and the workmanship was outstanding. Their large shrub glasses made excellent wine glasses, and a couple of their bird bottles always made good homes for some of the birds.