I promised my readers last week that I would tell y’all the tragic tale of the former ‘Queen of Albemarle’ wineries. Ms. Patricia Kluge, ex-wife of the late philanthropist John Kluge (died Sept 2010 at age 95 and most famous for founding Metromedia), has been in financial hot water for the past year+ (at least publicly)...
It all got questionable - to me - in July 2007 when she abruptly closed Fuel, Co. a gas station/bistro mix after being open for barely four years. It has all gone downhill since that first closing. Clearly Kluge and her latest husband have run her massive divorce settlement from John Kluge into the ground. This past summer, Kluge held an auction with Sotheby’s at her expansive home Albemarle House. That sale grossed $15.2 million dollars. Since that time, Kluge has lost the expansive Albemarle House as well, expansive as it is 25,000+ square feet. Originally, Albemarle House was listed for sale at $100 million but has continually dropped in this economy. This does not include her Vineyard, the real estate development Vineyard Estates and additional assets in the area.
Kluge has creditors up in arms here, owing money to Farm Credit, Sonabank and Bank of America. Local businesses are owed tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars - can you imagine having those massive amounts owed on your books during tax season? What a nightmare - this includes construction companies for renovations as well as almost $3,000 owed to a local pool maintenance company. Such a sad thing. What is even worse is that while they haven't missed a single payment of the $1.2 million gift to the local community college Piedmont Virginia Community College --- they have only made five payments while five still remain on the Kluge-Moses Science Building (which has already been completed, opened even, for over a year now).
As you marvel at this large estate, understand that it isn't a real estate. The Kluge's built it in 1985.
Please enjoy a photo tour....
"King George III Serpentine Walnut Cabinet"
"King George III Serpentine Dressing Comode"
"the average wall lights"
"Living Room (in the English style)"
"Drawing/Music Room"
"the average wall clock at Albemarle House (Qing dynasty Guangzhou Imperial Clock)"
"Dining Room table"
"Dining Room"
"The Hallway"
"Back porch"
"The Rose Terrace"
Most information I knew first-hand, but some statistics may have come from The Hook story called “Reversal of Fortune” by Lisa Provence. She clearly did her job of covering all of the bases on this story – you go, shug! Most photos are of public domain, but some are from The Hook and Sotheby's.
Another big gift that I got this Christmas was the Cricut Create by Provo Craft. I originally had asked for the Expression, but seeing as I don't make big posters an awful lot, this similar tool certainly will come in handy while in my office at home. M really is trying to get me to do things I enjoy more often.
When you open it up, this keyboard appears to match the cartridge you placed within the Cricut, and this area is called the Dashboard.
The Cricut used to come with the cartridge called "George" but it now comes with the cartridge "DonJuan" instead. It includes both letters, numbers, short phrases as well as graphics.
As the Cricut serves many different purposes, they recommend that you purchase Replacement Blades and have a tool kit to really enjoy everything the Cricut offers.
So, M got me two replacement blades and a spatula, to lift graphics and letters from the paper!
Does anyone else have a Cricut Create or Cricut Expression? I would love to hear people's opinions on the Cricut and what cartridges they have gotten the most use from, as I hope to use mine to make cards, packages, decorated boxes for my jewelry, posters--- any sort of thing I think of, I guess!
Me at Christmas around 1994. This photo was taken at my Grandmama/Grandpapa's house on Jackson Avenue in Lexington, VA. LOVE my skirt! ha!
In my family, as there are so many of us, we have to write a list every year. It gets given to the significant other and the parents are both CC:d on the email. Basically, this list is done so there is no possible duplication of gifts. I was surprised to learn as I grew up that I had many friends who never did a list! Imagine my surprise! Wow!
Anyway, I am one of those people who always asks for books. I think books are the one amendment to the rule on not re-gifting. You can re-gift a book, or give a used book, and it is just as good as a brand new one. You are being good to the Earth, and what if the book is something perfect for a friend or family member. Obviously, I normally own up to it being "used" or whatever, and give another gift to even things out a bit, but I never see why that is wrong, right? [Although if the book smells like cigarettes, or you are giving a book to a germaphobe, then things may want to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis! ha!]
The following items are some of the many things on my wish list this year. These are normally guidelines for family who just don't know what to get me, so these are normally a list of want/needs:
The Cricut Expression. It is an expensive item, but I know with my jewelry-making, scrap-booking and other heart-friendly activities that I would use the heck out of this item. It looks like something way more entertaining and time-saving in comparison to my current trace-and-cut methods for items! Plus, I see it as ideal for things like designing attractive boxes for presentation (i.e. a pair of earrings I designed, etc.).
The Conair I-series Ionic hair dryer. Yes, it is a pink hairdryer! However, it is an ionic hairdryer which is way more forgiving on my thin, baby-fine hair. It can take my hair 5 hours to air dry, literally. This hair dryer should help me figure out how to style my hair now that it is to my belly-button. I am running out of ideas and I really don't want to chop it off, yet!
One of the most controversial films of its time (the glove strip-tease scene), Gilda is an American film classic. I love this movie and the music, the dancing and Rita Hayworth! I have been compared to her (hello, super compliment) and I just love her as such a vivacious character in this film!
Trailer for Gilda, a Columbia Pictures film:
From Williams-Sonoma, I asked for the long stainless steel All-Clad ladle. I make lots of stocks from scratch in a big tall stock pot, as well as making lots of soups and stews in the winter, so I would get a lot of wear out of this kitchen piece.
I love a specific product from Origins, called Clear Improvement. It is a fantastic mask that I can rely on to completely resurface my face and neck to baby-soft cleanliness. It uses charcoal, white Chinese clay and other ingredients to completely clear my pores out. Love. Love. Love!
As I began my entry, I mentioned books. I asked for several this year for Christmas, but here are a few of my favorites:
The 1982 edition of Martha Stewart's Entertaining:
The Woman's Guide to Law School by Linda Hirshman:
and, the book Pinstripes and Pearls: The Women of the Harvard Law Class of 1964 by Judith Hope:
Thanks for Ms. Mindless doing this post originally - I love it! [which she got from JGWIC who was copying Vanity Fair]
I N S P I R A T I O N S
FAVORITE DISCOVERY fashion and decor inspirations from magazines NECESSARY EXTRAVAGANCE hair trimmed FAVORITE PLACE IN THE WORLD Corolla, NC or Greenbrier, WV FAVORITE CHARITYRiverkeeper, Nature Conservancy FAVORITE MOVIE A Philadelphia Story FAVORITE VINTAGE STORE my Mom's closet - with her permission, consignment places STYLE ICONS Mommy, Grandmama, Coco Chanel, Katharine Hepburn
C L O T H E S
JEANS DKNY, Seven UNDERWEAR oh, I could go on for hours about my lingerie... Primadonna, Chantelle, Hanky Panky, Fantasie, Fleur't, Marie Jo SNEAKERS Puma WATCH Coach T-SHIRT J. Crew DAY DRESS J.Crew, Lilly P DAY BAG Vera Bradley EVENING BAG Coach, Lilly P, J. Crew, vintage FAVORITE ACCESSORY my pearls
B E A U T Y P R O D U C T S
LIPSTICK Clinique All Heart MASCARA MAC Plush Lash in Brownette SHAMPOO Paul Mitchell Awapahui Shampoo MOISTURIZER Burt's Bees Beeswax and Banana hand creme PERFUME Chanel Coco Madmoiselle SOAP Bulgari Eau The Blanc (its Tea in french, don't feel like playing with the keyboard!) NAIL POLISH OPI WHO CUTS YOUR HAIRDiva's Hair & Day Spa
H O M E
WHERE DO YOU LIVE Goochland County, VA CAR Ford Focus Centennial Edition FAVORITE ART Alexander McQueen Fashion Week Fall 2006 show with Kate Moss hologram SHEETSSFerra Celeste and Lindsay border sheets in white and blue STATIONERY Boatman Geller PETS Lily Anne, a cocker spaniel/golden retriever mix COFFEE TABLE BOOKS african odyessey: 365 days by anup and manoj shah FLOWERS pink peonies, pink carnations, freesias FAVORITE GADGET iTouch FAVORITE COCKTAIL French 75 FAVORITE DESSERT dark chocolate raspberry truffles from Cocoa Mill Chocolates of Lexington, VA FAVORITE SNACK Cheese Its
My brother and I in the locks at Colonial Williamsburg, 1995 or 1996.
This ad has been running recently throughout Virginia. I am completely, 100% in love with it's simple message. It is part of our nation's history, there is no reason why every American in their lifetime can't make it to Colonial Williamsburg:
Doors. Have you ever thought about them that way until after this ad? It is just gorgeous. I cannot complain about the colors in those historic buildings, either. Thank goodness for the Rockefellers, hmm?
"In 1926, the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church, shared his dream of preserving the city's historic buildings with philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., and the restoration began.
Dr. Goodwin feared that scores of structures that had figured in the life of the colony and the founding of the nation would soon disappear forever. Rockefeller and Goodwin began a modest project to preserve a few of the more important buildings. Eventually, the work progressed and expanded to include a major portion of the colonial town, encompassing approximately 85 percent of the 18th-century capital's original area.
Mr. Rockefeller gave the project his personal leadership until his death in 1960, and it was his quiet generosity of spirit and uncompromising ethic of excellence that guided and still dominates its development. He funded the preservation of more than 80 of the original structures, the reconstruction of many buildings, and also the construction of extensive facilities to accommodate the visiting public.
In the preservation of the setting of Virginia’s 18th-century capital, Mr. Rockefeller and Dr. Goodwin saw an opportunity to ensure that the courageous ideals of the patriots who helped create the American democratic system live on for future generations." [http://colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/cwhistory.cfm]
This one is called "Streets" I haven't seen it on TV yet:
To look into vacationing at Colonial Williamsburg, please go to http://colonialwilliamsburg.org/
Inspiration: The Greenbrier, my Grandmama, myself, and the http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2009/08/handpainted-wallpaper-gorgeous-dining.html.
I do not know about y'all, but my Grandmama is a big fan of Wallpaper. She isn't a huge damask person, so much as some chintz here and there as well as birds and florals. She has immaculate taste, so I look up to her when I think of putting my first home together.
I recently was looking at the Carleton Varney wallpaper website [http://www.carletonvltd.com/] and saw some gorgeous damask pieces. I then realized I could possibly do the dining room in grey ABOVE the chair rail, and grey damask below the chair rail and above the crown molding, or vice-versa. What do y'all think?
This is the Carleton Varney Raj Damask in white-blue:
The dining room color is Woodlawn Colonial Gray, another NOVA plantation (seen here behind the couch)!:
**Our dining room looked like this when we visited it - they "gave" us the "window treatments" AKA lengths of fabric stuck through plastic-finished hooks in (eww):
Our plan with the dining room is this:
Ethan Allen - Townhouse Rectangular Dining Table
It has drawers on either end to store serving pieces, etc, and can extend to being 120" long! The legs are fluted and just amazing!
For chairs, we are planning on going with a chippendale side chair of about 5 on either side, so 10 total, and then 2 host/arm chairs. We may over time add a few more to fill in the wall spaces left!
The bay window has a space which would be sweet to put a couch/loveseat in but there is no room. So, our best option is a storage console piece which we could move during the holidays to stick a tree in. This is the one we have been going with - it is from the same collection as the Ethan Allen Dining Room table:
My mother was incredibly kind and gave us her old display case from her first marriage. It was used for storage when I was growing up on our farm, in the barn, for I believe horse accessories/etc, and now has a neat shabby-chic wearing to it. The pecan has withstood time well (as good pecan should), and has an older grey-ish finish on it, which we look forward to sandpapering off a good bit, to really make it look even more antiqued. There are two lights which need to be replaced on the inside, and the shelves are made of glass. I am on the fence about this, but I am thinking maybe replacing the glass and their holders with a grey-covered velvet would make it better for fine display pieces - wedding china/silver, antiques from my family, collections of my grandmama, etc...
For looks, it is very similar to this china cabinet and display piece by Ethan Allen (Maison), except flat across the top - and the pecan is marbleized underneath the fading finish:
Lastly, we want a blue and gray oriental carpet with touches of ivory, rose, and champagne tones for the dining room. So, here are some inspirations on those lines...
Or
What do you all think? Draperies are natch our last thought, as these pieces are much more significant in the order presented!
From: thetearoom.typepad.com, a more minimalist look. We want something dressier. Like the shelves though.
PBF and I will soon be doing major decorating for the house. Not just because it is the holidays, but because we will be starting on the major painting. Why are we doing it in the winter, you may ask. Well, because where we live in VA you can leave the house open all day long, and in the Summer that = HUMIDITY. Not good when spending a bunch of $$ on high-quality paint that could bubble, get dust on it, or just look bad. So, we have been waiting for this dry/low-humidity weather to kick in and it has in the past month. By the time my exams are over it will be perfect.
Living Room
We plan on painting the living room a deep dark forest green. Maybe a dark polo green is a better way to put it, as forest green has more brown in it. This isn't that kind of color. We will be purchasing the paint for Lowe's and we/I will be doing it ourselves. I have seen jobs at friend's houses that professionals did and they completely destroyed the crown molding. To be honest, this painting job feels like something I should do as I am worried they may "screw it up"... so I would rather screw it up myself than have to be concerned with someone else.
The living room color is Montpelier Palmetto Green, named for Montpelier in VA:
A lot of people - parent included - have questioned this choice, but the room is the length of the house, has a TON of crown molding, plantation blinds in white, and gets a TON of natural light, so the light won't be sucked out in a bad way.
This is what the living room looked like when we visited it the first time:
You can see that they had professional window valences made, but they did not really "work" with the rest of the Living Room. It was a mish-mash of things, understandable as they were recently married AND the husband was relocated out of state during the time the house was on the market - but not in our taste design-wise at all.
A more formal version of French Country. From: FineLiving.com
Our plan with the living room is to be minimalist (as in few things that are key pieces, not as in a Modern look). We hope to keep the look of French Country consistent in the house so we are going for classic, home-y, and traditional, without being stuffy. Our house is a colonial so layout-wise it is perfect. This is also so when I inherit items they can be placed throughout the house without looking out of place (my parents and grandparents have dozens of antique furniture pieces and collected pieces of artwork and figures from Europe). For example, my great-grandmother had a gorgeous Gold oval mirror which my parents currently have in their living room and I would love to have it for over the fireplace when it is my turn. It would be perfect there.
We were given as a housewarming gift from my Grandmother and Grandfather a beautiful sofa table: It is from Ethan Allen, the Maison collection (perfect name!), and is in the finish Rustique.
We plan on recovering the couch and sofa my parents had in the farmhouse I grew up in this fabric pattern - yellow background with red and green diamonds within it: This fabric is from Ethan Allen.
With a few throw pillows done in this pattern, which I love as it picks up the colors from the sofa and is a bit whimsical and 19th century at the same time: This fabric is from Ethan Allen as well.
I cannot wait to take all of the silver/brushed nickel fixtures including the living room ceiling fan and replace them with brass ones - such as the one below: This is a Hunter Bayport 42-inch four-blade ceiling fan with antique brass fixtures: This photo was taken from Amazon.com.
We are debating closing up the open "TV shelf" space above the gas fireplace and turn it instead into a real fireplace mantle with a family painting above it (not a portrait, a piece of artwork from my family, obviously). We'd get a media center to house our entertainment center, etc.
We have already ordered a large bookshelf from Ethan Allen to be delivered next month so the room becomes more library-style as we hope it will be used as such. It is large but we want it to look classic and still be functional (we have a TON of books between us). The shelf will go between the windows facing the front porch. Again, less floor space taken up because this shelf is TALL:
The collection is called Tango at Ethan Allen. (This bookshelf is actually 3 shelves, so use perspective in that regard).
Here is another photo of the living room (Thanks, Blackberry Tour!), including our goofy Halloween decorations! haha:
All Historic paint colors are shown here: http://www.valsparatlowes.com/explore-colors/historic-colors/paint-colors.html.
You may find that choosing Lowes for paint is a poor choice, or, at the very least - random. Well, originally, I was going to get the paint there because of my father's discount but now that doesn't apply (this Fall he went back to being an Executive Sales Manager at Pitney Bowes). However, they carry Valspar which is incredibly high in quality, and they have a relationship with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is an organization I have a great deal of passion for - as they have assisted with many projects near and dear to me. Currently, a major project of theirs is the Miami Marine Stadium, a unique structure to say the least:
Check out the NTHP at: http://www.preservationnation.org/.
