The Madison Suite Gets Its Crowning Glory

Sep. 24th 2013

Today our seamstresses arrived with the Madison Master Suite’s Canopy for the Full Tester Bed!

Wow what a difference it makes for the bed!

DSC_0001 small

It really makes the bed look taller than before and really dresses the suite up!

DSC_0005 small

DSC_0006 small

DSC_0008 small

DSC_0010 small

DSC_0011 small

625494_444725285563930_1074940242_n

DSC_0012 small

DSC_0016 small

All we have left to do is add some portraits, pictures and small decor and we will have a finished room!

Thank you to Gates Antiques, most especially Mrs. Jo Gates for putting so much time into getting the details right for this suite! It looks beyond beautiful! Any President would be over joyed in staying here!

Gates Antiques

12700 Old Buckingham Rd  Midlothian, VA 23113

http://gatesantiques.com/

Now I wonder who will be the first to sleep under this canopy!

At this moment, the suite is available for this coming weekend!!

To see more pictures of our Suites or to Book a Suite with us

Please visit our Official Website at

Home Page

https://www.bellegroveplantation.com/

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Belle Grove History, Darnell History | 14 Comments »

More New Arrivals!

Aug. 20th 2013

480200_423890114314114_1485897822_n

http://gatesantiques.com/

Today Gates Antiques arrived with more wonderful furnishing for the Plantation!

20130820_121257

Our “Lincoln Movie” Couches are now in their place in the Junior Suite Sitting Rooms

20130820_120945

They were replaced by our two Rosewood Couches!

20130820_120958

These Couches have also been in lots of Movies!

Jay Gates, one of the owners of Gates Antiques will be email me a list shortly.

But to name just a few:

Lincoln (unconfirmed – he thinks so but is checking)

Iron Angels

GI Jane

20130820_121005

The backs are just beautiful! 

But we need to get more in the room now. It looks so empty!

Joining the Rosewood Couches is a new “Instant Relative”!

20130820_121038

Jay had bought her for her frame and placed her in his warehouse.

I saw her sitting in a corner one day and was drawn to her. I have placed her in the Parlor and you can almost see a smile on her lips.

I guess we might need to pull some names from our large list for the first “Instant Relative” to name her too!

20130820_121225

My new Mahogany Mirror has been hung over our 1776 Chest in the Hipkins-Bernard Room.

But best of all….

We have Rugs!

20130820_121201

I had bought this rug to go in the Parlor, but the reds were just a little to off. So I moved it over to the Library and it really “sings” in there!

20130820_121211

This rug is a little hard to see because of the shadow and light in the room right now. But there is blue in the rug that really matches the walls. The curtains won’t be staying in there, they are on loan. The curtains and bedding curtains will be a darker blue and gold.

20130820_121402

This rug was our “Pink” find for the Turner Room. The curtains will be a little darker this this. But it looks just beautiful in our Bridal Suite!

Facebook Link

Check us out on Facebook and Our Official Website!

Home Page

https://www.bellegroveplantation.com/

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Belle Grove History, Darnell History | 4 Comments »

More Furniture Has Arrived

Jun. 28th 2013

Bright and early yesterday, 7am to be exact, we took delivery of more furniture! 

Truck

This time, it arrived from Farmville, Virginia!

Look what we have added to Belle Grove Plantation!

DSC_0008

We have chairs and a table for the Riverside Balcony!

Now you can have your breakfast with a view from the river!

DSC_0009

DSC_0010

A New Mirror!

DSC_0011

Another New Mirror

DSC_0014

We have two of these new mirrors!

DSC_0012

A new sideboard for the Grand Hall 

DSC_0013

I love this inlay detail on the sideboard!

DSC_0015

Two new card tables to go under the mirrors in the Formal Dining Room!

DSC_0016

A Leather Chair for the Library!

Can you see yourself curling up with a good book?

DSC_0017

And a Leather Sofa for the Library!

How about a quick book and nap!

DSC_0018

A Desk and Chair for the Common Area!

DSC_0001kk

The legs are just beautiful!

DSC_0020

And the inlay is just amazing!

DSC_0021

To see more purchases for Belle Grove Plantation

Facebook Link

Visit our Facebook Fan Page!

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 18 Comments »

New Arrivals!

Jun. 18th 2013

After an exciting day of getting books, we got some more new arrivals! 

996172_422371127799346_1414205665_n

Furniture!

Check out the new additions!

DSC_0010

I am sure you remember this piece! I have been talking about it for weeks.

It is a Victorian Serving Table with Egyptian Black Marble with Gold and White Veining! It is final home!

It will be in the Parlor.

DSC_0012

This is the Corner Cupboard we purchased. We may not be able to use this one because the cold air intake is there. We may have to exchange it for something else.

DSC_0014

This is our 1830 Grandfather Clock. It has now taken its position next to our elevator in the Parlor.

Yes, I said elevator.

DSC_0016

The Face is just beautiful! It has a sailing Tall Ship on the dial.

The Eagle is just fitting for us here at Belle Grove!

DSC_0009

The guys moving our furniture set up our dining room table this time!

All 26 feet of it!

It seats 14!

DSC_0005

These are two lamps we purchased for the Turner Room.

The Turner Room will be Victorian.

DSC_0007

We purchased these two lamps for the Madison Room.

DSC_0008

Don’t you just love the details in the globes?

DSC_0004

Now do these look familiar?

If you have seen the movie “Lincoln” you have seen these sattees!

Lincoln Screen Shot

Note just to the left!!

They will be gracing our parlor until our Rosewood Sattees come to Belle Grove.

Afterwards, they may be added to the seating rooms of our Junior Suites!

To see more purchases at Belle Grove

Facebook Link

Please check out our Facebook Fan Page!

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 21 Comments »

More Furnishings Arrived!

Jun. 10th 2013

Gates Antiques

Today we took another deliver of furniture!

Look what we have now!

Sideboard from Richmond Family

The Sideboard that was owned by an Old Richmond Family has come home to Belle Grove!

English Slant Top

So has the English Slant Top Desk!

English Slant Top Open

Isn’t it just beautiful?

Framed Mirror

Today was a big mirror delivery!

We got this Gold Framed Mirror…

Two Gilded Mirrors

These two Gold Gilded Mirrors….

Mirror

And this beautiful floor mirror!

Can you image all the brides that will be looking into this looking glass before their wedding at Belle Grove?

Mirror details 3

What Details!

Mirror details 1

Mirror details 2

Want to see more of the things we purchased?

Facebook Link

Visit our Facebook Fan Page!

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in General History | 10 Comments »

We Never Do Anything Halfway at Belle Grove Plantation

Jun. 9th 2013

Yesterday was a great adventure! I was back in Chesapeake Friday night so we could head to Richmond on Saturday to meet with our design team. We decided to make a day of it and headed up Surry, Virginia to eat lunch at the Surrey House Restaurant and Inn. We have been following them on Facebook for awhile and have seen some of the awesome dishes they make.

Surrey House Restaurant and Inn

https://www.facebook.com/SurreyHouseRestaurant?fref=ts

As soon as we sat down, Jennifer (one of the owners) pops out of the kitchen to say hello and asked about my finger. The restaurant is wonderful. They have such a “homey” feel when you come in. They have some sayings framed around the place and I loved the one that said:

“Unattended Children will be given Expresso with an Energy Drink and a Puppy.”

Lunch was great too! I started with something I have never had before but wanted to try – Virginia Peanut Soup. This area around Suffolk, Smithfield and Surry is a large producer of peanuts. And I have to tell you, I LOVE Peanut Butter. But the soup must be an acquired taste. The waitress asked me if I had ever had it before and I said no. So she suggested that I take a sample first. It was awesome! So I asked for a cup.

Surrey House Restaurant and Inn Virginia Peanut Soup

Surrey House Restaurant and Inn Virginia Peanut Soup

It was like drinking warm, liquid peanut butter! It is even had bits of peanuts in it. They served it with crackers which was just perfect! When I was young, my grandmother, Nannie, would always make me an afternoon snack of peanut butter on crackers. What a great memory it brought back! I tried very hard to get the recipe, but it is a closely guarded secret. (Time to start experimenting!)

Brett ordered a Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich and I got a Cheeseburger. Instead of fries, we both got an Apple Fritter. He had his without sugar, I had mine with sugar. They were heavenly! I could have made a meal of just them!

Chicken Cordon Bleu and Apple Fritters

Chicken Cordon Bleu and Apple Fritters

Cheese Burger and Apple Fritters

Cheese Burger and Apple Fritters

After we finished, we headed out to go to Richmond. Just as we started to pull out, Sam, Jennifer’s husband flagged us down to say good-bye. What a great couple! You must stop here and grab a bite! Make sure you say Belle Grove said “Hello!”

We arrived in Richmond at Gates Antiques for a day of reviewing and approving new purchases. It is such a “hard” thing to do… not! Here are some wonderful things we saw yesterday.

Federal Linen Press

Federal Linen Press

You  may remember this Federal Linen Press from a recent post. It was in pieces as they were working on making some repairs for us. Well, it’s done and will be making it’s way to Belle Grove on Monday!

English Slant Top Desk

English Slant Top Desk

They also have the English Slant Top Desk ready to head to Belle Grove!

Curving for Satee

They have started work on a Settee that we are planning on placing in the Grand Hallway upstairs. Look at this carving repair they have completed! It is hard to believe that it wasn’t part of the Settee to start with!

Early 1800s Sideboard

Early 1800s Sideboard

I finally got to see in person the Sideboard we picked for the Formal Dining Room!

It is very more beautiful in person than in the photographs!

Early 1800s Sideboard - details

Early 1800s Sideboard – details

Early 1800s Sideboard - The doors are curved!

Early 1800s Sideboard – The doors are curved!

Early 1800s Sideboard - Even the Key is cool!

Early 1800s Sideboard – Even the Key is cool!

Victorian Chairs

Victorian Chairs

We selected these two Victorian Chairs for the Parlor!

One has a Fruit Detail at the head and the other has a Rosewood Detail!

Satee

Settee

We also selected a matching Settee to go in the Grand Hallway downstairs! It looks allot like the one they just started working on, but has just a very differences. We won’t be using this leather covering. We are going to do both in a gold fabric with a diamond pattern and light blue accents in the fabric to match the wall color in the Grand Hallway.

Satee Details

Settee Details

You can see here that similarities with some of the carvings.

Satee Details

Settee Details

But this inlay is different on this one. It is in the head rail at the top.

Satee Details

Settee Details

And this carving in the foot rail.

Corner Cupboard

Corner Cupboard

We selected this Corner Cupboard for the Parlor too. Can you see the tea cup collection in this?

Egyptian Black Marble Serving Table

Egyptian Black Marble Serving Table

And of course the best for last!

This is the Egyptian Black Marble Serving Table that will go in the Parlor beside the Corner Cupboard.

Marble Table Detail

Marble Table Detail

The marble has white and gold veining in it! It is amazing!

We returned to Chesapeake last night completely happy with all the selecting and repairs being made!

Our design team is doing an awesome job and working very hard to get us ready to open soon!

This morning, I head back to Patients First here in Chesapeake to see my long time primary doctor, Dr. Mansfield. I have been seeing her for years now and its almost like seeing a friend when I come in. I wanted her to follow up on  my broken finger to make sure it was looking good. I had gotten a call just two days after my accident (three weeks ago) from Patient First telling me that it was in fact broken. They had advised me to go to an Orthopedic Surgeon to have it looked it. Thinking that it was just a hairline fracture, I declined the referral and said I would just splint it and watch it.

Thursday this week, I got a second follow-up call from Patient First. They again asked if I had gone to the Orthopedic Surgeon. I reminded them that I had declined, but then it got me to wondering why a second call. So I asked the nurse for a little more detail about the break. Come to find out, I didn’t have a hairline fracture. I had a compression fracture and she told me that I broke part of the finger tip off!

So today, I thought it wise to follow up with Dr. Mansfield to make sure I really don’t need to go. When she came into the room, she sat down and said that after reading the notes from the two follow-up calls, all she could say was, “That’s Michelle.” I guess you can say I get pretty involved in my own medical care. She had them take a second set of X-rays to review the finger.

Tip of my left ring finger X-ray

Tip of my left ring finger X-ray

After the X-rays came back, she said, “I have to say, you don’t do anything half way do you?” I kind of laughed and asked what the results were. She told me that I did have a compression fracture and that I did break the tip off. But that the break was in eight pieces!

Tip of my left ring finger X-ray - Detailed

Tip of my left ring finger X-ray – Detailed

Good news – I don’t have to go to an Orthopedic Surgeon! There is really nothing they can do but splint it and let it heal. She said it should heal nicely. The two cuts (one on top and one of the side) are healing good with no infections.

Bad news is that it is going to take longer to heal. But I have been using my hand and there really isn’t any pain unless I hit it or touch it. The splint is pretty much keeping it from that.

She did tell me that the reason they followed up twice was more because of the cuts. That it could have had some of the bone coming out! Yikes! But thankfully that didn’t happen either.

So splint, clean dressing and no dirt or water and I should be good. Typing has taken some getting use to, but its not really slowing me down.

I do want to thank everyone for the kind words and the gifts that I have gotten since it happened!

It means allot to me!

We have such great supporters!

Don’t forget our Virtual Housewarming Party

housewarming_img

Help Us Stock Our Library!

Click below and read how you can help us and

become part of the history of James Madison’s Birthplace – Belle Grove Plantation!

https://virginiaplantation.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/housewarming-party/

Help Us Spread the Word!

Facebook Link

Like and Share Us on Facebook!

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 34 Comments »

The Furniture Is Arriving!

May. 31st 2013

This morning we received our first load of furniture from Richmond.

We will have many more to come, but there is just something about the first one in the door!

Look and see what we have at the plantation now!

Marble Top End Table

Marble Top End Table

Marble Top End Table - details

Marble Top End Table – details

Marble Top End Table - details

Marble Top End Table – details

Marble Top End Table

Marble Top End Table

Marble Top End Table - detail

Marble Top End Table – detail

Marble Top End Table - detail

Marble Top End Table – detail

Sideboard

Sideboard

Sideboard - detail

Sideboard – detail

Formal Dining Room Chairs

Formal Dining Room Chairs

Formal Dining Room Chairs

Formal Dining Room Chairs

Formal Dining Room - Seats 14 and is 26 ft long and 5 ft wide with seven leaves. Do you think its big enough?

Formal Dining Room – Seats 14 and is 26 ft long and 5 ft wide with seven leaves. Do you think its big enough?

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. It looks just like the one Thomas Jefferson owned at Poplar Forest! If you want to stay in the same room this is going to be in, you will need to reserve the Conway Room.

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. It looks just like the one Thomas Jefferson owned at Poplar Forest! If you want to stay in the same room this is going to be in, you will need to reserve the Conway Room.

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. - detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. – detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. - detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. – detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. - detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. – detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. - detail

American Slant Top Desk or Plantation Desk. – detail

To see more of the items we have purchased for Belle Grove Plantation

Facebook Link

Please visit our Facebook Fan Page

Please “Like and Share” Us

Posted by Michelle Darnell | in Darnell History | 38 Comments »