Ann Johnson of Old Salem, North Carolina, lives in a historic home that she refers to as a living museum. Although living in a historic community can be a challenge because of restrictions meant to preserve its heritage, she has created a gracious and elegant home with the help of talented craftsmen and artists. Sunny yellow, a color often used during the late Civil War period, brightens and warms the walls of Ann Johnson's colonial home. It color blends elegantly with the living room's antique furnishings and its warm red and blue fabrics and rugs. This home has lots of windows, and there's a lovely view from every room. In the cozy kitchen, laid out for maximum efficiency, a view of the garden seems to extend the house and gives a feeling of peace, relaxation and tranquility (figure A). The kitchen floor is painted in a bright red-and-white checkerboard pattern that employs the stenciling technique of the period (figure B). In its time paint acted as an economical preservative for the wood floor and added bright color and spirit. The foyer's painted flooring features several fruit motifs -- figs, pomegranates, strawberries and blueberries -- chosen for their colors (figure C). Each fruit has symbolic significance as well, representing aspects of life such as passion, spirit and abundance, making this pretty painted floor as rich in meaning as it is in color. Beautiful tin pieces made by craftsman Chuck Baker are found throughout the home. Lanterns, flasks and a glorious fig-design chandelier (figure D) in the dining room are some of the homeowner's favorite objects.
RESOURCES :
Colonial Homes:Classic American Decorating
Model: 0688164676
Author: Rosemary G. Rennicke
Hearst Books, April 1999
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