Guess whose Press Release showed up on Google News and Bing today!!
Yup – page one or page two!
Go to Google News and Google
1. James Madison
2. Historic Site
3. Bed and Breakfast
and see where we come up at!!
Let me know if you find it!!
To learn more about Belle Grove Plantation Bed and Breakfast
Please visit our Official Website at
https://www.bellegroveplantation.com/
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 – details
Marble Top End Table – details
Marble Top End Table
Marble Top End Table – detail
Marble Top End Table – detail
Sideboard
Sideboard – detail
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?
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
To see more of the items we have purchased for Belle Grove Plantation
Please visit our Facebook Fan Page
Please “Like and Share” Us
Today, while Brett and Hurley hung out at the house doing chores, I took off for Richmond to do a little antique shopping with my good friend, Terri. You may remember Terri from my antique auction trip. She is a great person to have along for a good second opinion.
We went to Gate’s Antiques. I have been here before, but this time, we did a little more looking in detail. Well, to say we did “a little more” may be underestimating what we did. We spent four hours there! We talked to the owner, Jay Gates, a second generation family member to owns Gate’s Antiques.
Gate’s Antiques is located in Midlothian, Virginia, just outside Richmond. Gate’s Antique was opened in 1961 by Jay’s father and mother. Jay starting working with his family in the store around age six. After attending college and working part time in the store, Jay started working full time in 1997. In 2001, he took over management of the store and has led the business ever since. Jay specializes in American and English furniture from 1650-1925. He also specializes in Chinese and Japanese exports. Jay is an appraiser and is an active member of the New England Appraisers Association. Gate’s Antiques has been recognized as a leader in the antique industry in central Virginia. Recently they were voted Favorite Furniture Repair and Refinishing Shop in 2011 by the Richmond Magazine.
http://gatesantiques.com/
We started off chatting with Jay and his mother about Belle Grove and what our vision was for the plantation. We talked about each room and what I saw in those rooms. We talked about furniture, art, rugs and curtains. We talked about colors, fabrics and wall coverings. We talked about what “statement” we wanted to make when someone walked into the Mansion.
Then we were off to see the furniture he had in stock!
All four warehouses!
It was glorious!
So much to see…
So much to pick from…
Jay asked me:
“What do you think about this one?”
“What do you like about this one?”
“What do you not like about this one?”
“Do you like the legs on this?”
“Do you like the finish on this?”
The best part was that when I said, “No, I don’t like that.” He was okay with it. We just moved on to the next piece. And as time went on, he seemed to zero in on what my style was, even though I still don’t know what it is. It was like I explained to Jay. I can take food and place it on a plate and make it look and taste good. But I can’t take furniture and place in a room and make it look right. I need someone that is going to listen to me and help me take those pieces I like and make sense of them in a room.
By the end of our walk through, I was ready to buy most of his items. But I can’t just yet. First we need to get a proposal and see what we have to work with. Then we can make sure that we have the right person doing the job.
So today was mostly window shopping…
But next time…
It will be for real!
Below are some of the items we saw today. If you have Twitter or Integram, you got to “live” it in real time! We will be doing that as we go along. So you too can get the thrill of filling Belle Grove.
Grandfather Clock
Grandfather Clock – Eagle on top
Grandfather Clock
One of two mirrors – I’m thinking for one of the Master Suite Baths.
Could this be our Formal Dining Room Table? Sits 14
Dining Room Table
This Dining Room Table has a main pastel center with legs at either end of the table
One of the Chairs for the Dining Room Table. This Table and Chairs came from an estate in Richmond.
Could this be the Full Tester Bed for our Madison Master Suite?
Could this be the Highboy to go into the Madison Master Suite?
These two tables have a surprise!
They are wash tables!
This is one of their four warehouse. It was a Candy Factory in Richmond. They took it down and rebuilt here!
Isn’t this beautiful! It is a rare Mahogany Wood that is endangered now. We won’t be getting it. Too costly.
But boy it is so pretty!
This is a Linen Press that we are thinking for the Madison Master Suite.
Inside the Linen Press
Could this be one of our beds? No.. I don’t think so!
I fell in love with this one! Its early 1800s Dutch China Hutch. I love the how the glass is on all sides of the shelves.
Inlay on the Dutch China Hutch… a least its too costly.. darn!
This is early 1800s Highboy with all the original hardware! Could it be for our Conway Junior Suite?
1800s Highboy Original Hardware
1800s Highboy Original Hardware
1800s Highboy Base
Rosewood Love Seats – they have been used in several movies. Not Lincoln
Could this dramatic couch be for our Grand Hallway?
Check out the feet! It’s a Lion’s claw with a cornucopia for the leg.
This is a primitive Plantation Desk.
Inside
An English Plantation Desk
Inside
The English Plantation Desk Hardware
The English Plantation Desk Hardware
The English Plantation Desk Hardware
An American Plantation Desk made in New England.
Inside
This an engraving called “Last Meeting” of Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson. I would love to see it in the Library.
This is one of two couches that were also in the movies. And Lincoln was one of them!
Tomorrow, it’s off to the plantation to get some measurements.
Hurley will be coming along.
We might just have to get some video of him enjoying the plantation!
Please don’t forget to get your Cookie Recipe Entered!
Click James Madison to Learn How to Enter!
Deadline is March 29th!
No Entry Fee is Required!
We are accepting donations that will go towards our Restoration Fund!
We really do appreciate any small donation you can make!
Inside the Summer Kitchen – The Walls are starting to deteriorate. This is also one of the last original Slave Quarters in Virginia that dates back to the 1700s!
Our little Smokehouse has already lost one wall and is starting to lean. We are going to have to get it stabilized.
It will help us restore our Summer Kitchen, Ice House and Smoke House.
These buildings date to the 1700s and 1800s.
Please help us preserve our “living history” so other generations will understand by seeing the real thing.
Thank you!
Belle Grove in the Morning
Can you believe it??
Our first Zoning Permit Public Hearing is tomorrow!!
It seems like forever to get here!
We are so excited to be here.
As of tomorrow, we have been working on this project for
580 days!!
But what this means for us is the start of the race to the finish line called “Opening Day“.
Once we finish with this meeting (and if we are approved) we will have one more Zoning Permit Meeting on March 19th.
If we are approved on March 19th, we are a “go” to start filling the house and doing the landscaping.
If we get all of that done in time
Opening Day will be
May 1, 2013!
We are excited to have gotten on Twitter and Instagram too!
Now if you are following, you too can see the purchases we are making and the work we are doing in “real time”!
What a cool way to share the fun!
We want to thank all of you who went to our Facebook Fan Page over the last few days, “Liked” Us and “Shared” Us with your Facebook Friends! This will help us show the Planning Commission and the locals that will be come to our public hearing that we are well on the way to opening a successful Bed and Breakfast in their county!
We are almost to 1000 Likes!
Just 114 more!
Hurley and Brett at the Plantation
I think Hurley deserves that Monster Chew Bone!
We will share the pictures of him getting it once we give it to him!
Yes, we are getting well connected!
We are now on Instagram!
If you follow our blog and Facebook Fan Page, you know how much I love taking pictures! And what a great time to get started! We are traveling to the plantation on Friday!
Have you ever wondered what we see as we drive to and from the plantation? Tomorrow, I will be posting pictures along the way to the plantation! What a wonderful Virginia country side you will see!
Please follow us at “bellegroveva” on Instagram and enjoy!
Don’t forget to help Hurley!
When we hit 1000 on our Facebook Fan Page…
Hurley gets a Monster Chew Bone!
We are getting close!
Thank you to everyone that have “Liked” us and “Shared” us on your Facebook Page!
Also find us on:
Twitter @BelleGroveVA
Pinterest @bellegroveva
They are giving away the Key to the Courthouse!
No, it’s not a building or even a new job…
Flowers by Chikpea
It’s a Bridal Expo!
What better way for a future bride and her family to spend a cold Sunday afternoon than to come to the Old Manassas Courthouse in Manassas, Virginia and enjoy the warmth of hospitality this event has to offer!
While Belle Grove Plantation won’t be there to exhibit this time
we will be there to enjoy meeting new vendors!
In fact one of our own selected vendors will be there!
Chikpea Graphics and Weddings
You may remember Chikpea with its team of Raygan and Brigitte! As the graphic design side of Chikpea, Raygan will be showing off her newest designs in invitation and stationary needs. Florist, Brigitte will be there to show off her artist designs in bouquets and flowers for every occasion!
Raygan Ketterer
Brigitte Morrow
This event is called
“Key to the Courthouse Local Wedding Showcase”
It is being hosted by Davis and Talley Events and Designs and the Prince William County Division of Historic Preservation.
www.davistalley.com
You will have an opportunity to chat with knowledgeable exhibitors while sipping on a mimosa and getting ideas for your special day.
Flowers by Chikpea
There will be local vendors, consultations, entertainment, tasting tables and more!
Admission is Free!
They will also be giving away prizes every hour.
Door Prizes include
Date Night Giveaway, Girls-Night-In Basket, Pretty Paper Kits,
In-Shape Inspiration and Wedding Mini-Library!
Old Manassas Court House
This event will be held in
the Historic Old Manassas Courthouse
located at 9246 Lee Avenue, Manassas, Virginia.
The event is from 1pm to 5pm.
For more information, check out their website at:
http://keyweddingshowcase.vpweb.com/?prefix=www
Come out and join us!
We would love to meet you in person!
Flowers by Chikpea
We hope to see you there!
Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!
@BelleGroveVA
Belle Grove Carriage Side Balcony
Since we are playing a waiting game with the Zoning Process, Brett and I are trying to get things done that we can do now. Besides finding vendors that we want to work with, we also need to start thinking about a website for the Bed and Breakfast.
I don’t know about you, but this is all new to me. I thought I was doing really well just managing a blog! So I knew that I was going to need to find someone that I could work with and that would have the patience to explain that different parts to me. I also wanted to find someone that I could trust. Someone that could see our vision for this Historic Plantation and would be able to help me convey it our visitors.
Thankfully I didn’t have to go far. We have someone that we have known for years. His name is Adam. We have known him since he was just a teenager. So when I went to him and asked for help, he was onboard with us.
Bull and Company
www.bandcmediaworks.com
Adam works with a company called “Bull & Company MediaWorks”.
From Bull & Company Media Works:
“The Internet has forever changed the world of media. Recognizing this fact, Bull & Company MediaWorks is positioned to maximize your company’s potential with our expertise in Internet marketing. We true full-service Internet marketing under one roof, designing and executing Internet marketing plans that leverage all forms of media.”
Adam started his career in the flooring business as a Project Manager / Sales Associate / “Do whatever needs to be done” Person. He gained a lot of experience mostly as a Project Manager. Knowing nothing about web design, he started working for a company called Bullaka Productions (a full service web marketing company) as a part time project manager. Through the years, he gained the knowledge on how to build websites (imagine that) using the most up to date technologies. He has worked for companies such as Bull and Crowley MediaWorks, Regent University and Dominion Enterprises doing Web Design and Development. One of the things he really loves about this field is it combines his love for technology and his heart to serve others. Learning how he can serve others is a true joy! On a more personal side of things, Adam’s family is one of the most important things to him. For Adam, there’s nothing better than to be a father and a husband! For us, family is very important and having it be a big part of his life speaks volumes to us.
Adam Woods and Family
To contact Adam please email him at adam@bandcmediaworks.com
or call him at 757-621-9194.
Please let him know that Michelle and Brett sent you!
So we have a web designer, now we need to put together the information they will need to build our website. Have you ever thought about all the information you need to put together a website? It’s almost mind blowing! So as I am sure you have figured out from my past postings, the first thing I did was research.
I started by looking at lots and lots and lots and lots of website. I didn’t just look at website that had to do with bed and breakfasts, though they were the most that I looked at. I wanted to get a good idea of what I liked and what I thought would work well for us. So I wrote down the web addresses of those that I want Adam to look at and what about them I liked.
Then I had to figure out how someone would navigate our website and what information I want our visitor to see. Talk about endless possibilities! I have seen all kinds of tabs and links in other websites. One thing I don’t want is for it to be too much information. I have seen websites that try to give you too many choices and you end up lost. I don’t want that.
The last thing we talked about is pictures. Adam tells me that it is generally this that holds up a website from being launched. He has suggested that we get someone professional to take them. While I have tons of pictures of the plantation and Mansion, they aren’t what I would want on the website. So now we have to find a professional photographer. Any Suggestions?
One of the things I have been thinking about doing to help me “see” our website is to make a mockup of the website using sheets of paper. This way I can see and adjust that I want. I am a simple person sometimes and need to use simple processes.
Now here is your chance to help us!
Tell me what you like or don’t like about websites for bed and breakfasts.
What do you feel is most important to you when you look at the website?
What could you do without?
Your opinion and advice will help us build an awesome website
that will serve this Historic Plantation for years to come!
See more pictures of this Historic Plantation
on our Facebook Page!
