First I want to share that I finished one star point on Noriko’s Star
On the king size motel bed so you can see the actual size – I might get some thread basting done on the next piece but doubt I will get much done at my sister’s – she doesn’t really have good lighting to do needle work – I might get some done but we will see.
Now on to the house Thomas Jefferson’s house is called Monticello and and he designed it and had it built in the early 1800s in West central Virginia. This is about the 3rd time we have been there and paid for the house tour this time and then wandered freely throughout the gardens afterwards. I’m going to break this up into several post as there is so much garden to see it deserves its own post. This is he house – the grass is much greener of course in the summer and some of the garden plants were beginning to brown a little
One of the parlors
the dining room with the original yellow wall paint – a bit hideous I think but evidentially popular at the time – on each side of the fireplace is a dumb waiter that carried wine bottles from the cellar.
Another parlor area
the kitchens were separated a bit from the main house as kitchens were back in those days – but Jefferson had dumb waiters all over the place to carry food to the main floors – this is a unique for the time kitchen in that each of these grates had charcoal under them to cook food
Here is the description for the above photo
He was a rich man and loved his comforts.
More in the next post
You’ve made good progress on Noriko’s Star! Enjoy the rest of your trip and the visit with your sister.
Wow, I didn’t realize Noriko’s Star would be so big! Lookin’ good. Monticello is one of my favorite places to visit, especially the gardens. My architect husband gets more out of the house, as one would expect.
Dear Karen,
Noriko Star is huge and it is not done yet! That kitchen with all those burners must have been great for cooking in those days, everything could be prepared, put on the heat and be ready all at the same time. It sounds like tea time was a great time to pop in for morning or afternoon tea. Thank you for sharing your wonderful adventures with all of us.
I haven’t been to Monticello, so it’s fun to see your photos! Such an interesting place – that stove is especially interesting to see. Jefferson had some creative ideas! Noriko’s Star is looking good with its star point!
Oooh! I love the pics! Our son and his family went there this past Spring, and I did not see even one picture!! I would love to see this home in person one day. Noriko’s Star is growing and the point looks lovely!!
Your star quilt – I have to show this to my hexie obsessed friend when we meet next week. Love the tour of the old house. I had to show the original paint to my husband. Who ever knew paint would stay true to color over 200 years old.
Count me as another who didn’t realize how big Noriko’s Star is. It’s gorgeous.
I recall reading years ago how surprised researchers were by the true colors of paints in colonial days. Apparently over time the vibrant colors used dulled down quite a bit as the linseed oil used in paints aged, not to mention dirt & soot buildup from those same candles and lamps, and the fireplaces? I bet that yellow is gorgeous under candle light or oil lamps that they would have been using back then.
I’m glad you made it to Virginia during good weather! I assume you are at your sister’s by now. Sending you a virtual wave as you pass by Richmond! Don’t forget that we have a guest house (that used to be on Airbnb) if you ever need it when you are in Virginia.
Norika’s Star is amazing! Your color placement is just perfect!! I have really enjoyed following the progress….
I love visiting Monticello, but have not been for many years now. We are about an hour away, so we could easily make the trip. Whenever I have gone I have always come away amazed at how far ahead of his time Thomas Jefferson was in his creative ideas. Thanks for sharing your visit!
We are in the North Carolina mountains for a few days celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary (those years certainly went by quickly….cannot believe it has been that long!!). The weather is rainy, and will deteriorate a bit more tomorrow, but there are indoor things we can do, so we will be fine, and will have a good time despite the weather.
Hope the weather at your sister’s is not too bad. Hurricane Ian has really wreaked havoc everywhere it has been.
So interesting to have a peek into that lovely home. Wonder if there are any quilts in the bedrooms?
I also didn’t not realise the true size of Noriko’s Star. It looks gorgeous. I always find these houses fascinating, specially that stove. I agree with you. I love yellow, but that wall colour is a bit hideous.
-Soma
Great holiday pictures. You’ve walked some interesting trails, although some of them do look tricky! Your Hexie project is looking amazing.
We visited Monticello several years ago. It’s amazing for its time. We didn’t visit the gardens, though, because a hurricane was predicted and the wind was wild. Thought we ought to find a place to sleep for the night instead. A couple of years ago we went to Jefferson’s summer home (I forget the name) in southwestern VA. It was a mini-Monticello but in need of renovation. Loved that one, too, though.
Looks like you’re having a very interesting trip. have fun with family!
We visited Monticello years ago. I remember the gardens. Lots of variety there! Your hexie project is growing! The star points add a while new dimension.
Noriko’s Star is so pretty! And awesome to see on a bed for context on size.
Hopefully, his more sophisticated kitchen was a help to the slaves who served him as well. He was a brilliant but very imperfect human. That floor in the first parlor is amazing.
We lived in Charlottesville for many years and visited Monticello numerous times, always taking out-of-town guests there. Thanks for the rememberances.
The patience needed to sew all those hexagons… wow!! It’s beautiful!
Noriko’s Star is certainly not lacking attention – it looks great. My family used to love visiting historical places like Monticello, so I would love to see it.