George Washington's Fredericksburg Foundation

Painting and Papering

Painting the Passage at Historic Kenmore After a long period of careful study, the original 1775 paint colors in the house have been determined. Painting got under way in February, 2004 starting with the Chamber and the Passage. Both rooms were completed in April, 2004.

The primary pigment in the paint is Prussian blue, with the addition of yellow ochre creating a blue-green color. The paint was mixed from the same materials that would have been used in the 18th century, when the house was originally painted, and was applied by hand using natural-bristle brushes.

Cutting the wallpaper border in the passage Above the chair rail is a bright, yellow ochre, hand-laid wallpaper with a border around all the edges. The historically correct paper was supplied by Adelphi Paper Hangings of The Plains, VA.

The wallpaper was hung by Master Paperhanger, Jim Yates of Historic Wallpaper Specialties.

Painting the stairs at Kenmore Each coat of paint can take up to a week to dry, depending on weather conditions. A primer is applied first, then the final blue-green paint is applied. Also seen in the photos is the Spanish Brown color used for the handrail on the stairs, the doors, and mop boards (what are called baseboards or skirting boards today).

The painting contractor was Jack R. Fisher, Jr. of The Plains, Virginia.

Candles on a small table in the Passage The passage has been decorated as it would have been in 1775 when the area was used to receive visitors. There are nine windsor chairs around the walls. Guests were greeted in this area and could sit in the chairs while waiting for the Master or Mistress of the household.

The 4-candle lantern hanging in the Passage In addition to new paint and wallpaper, new lighting fixtures were installed. The lantern hanging in the Passage is an antique that has been electrified. The realistic-looking candles are actually wax, with small electric wires run through the middle and simulated flame lamps on the top. As seen in other pictures, these same electrified candles are used in antique candleholders elsewhere and will eventually be used throughout the house to provide lighting much like it would have been in the Lewises' time.

Lighting was designed by Sandra Liotus Lighting Design, LLC of Newport, Rhode Island.

The Chamber is resplendent in its new coat of blue-green paint. Unlike the passage, there is no wallpaper in the Chamber, so the walls and woodwork are entirely covered with the new blue-green paint. As in the Passage, the window seats, mop boards, and doors are Spanish Brown.

The Chamber ceiling

The new paint scheme beautifully contrasts the bright white ceilings, making them look almost luminous. The decorative plasterwork stands out like never before and gives us a glimpse of how magnificent the house must have been in 1775 when the Lewises first moved in.

Painting is now complete throughout the house. Wallpaper was applied in the Dining Room in August, 2005. Check the News page for the latest restoration information.