Today we are touring a classic Georgian-style home in Richmond, Virginia, decorated by Bunny Williams. A native Virginian herself, Bunny gave the interiors of this newly constructed home an old-world ambience with traditional details. The home belongs to Helga and Floyd D. Gottwald Jr. “She likes French and Italian furniture, and he likes English and American things,” said Bunny, who mixed Colonial and Continental styles so their new household would have a sense of shared history. Photography by Pieter Estersohn for the January 2012 issue of Architectural Digest.
Hand-painted trellis wallpaper by Gracie lines the sunroom. The burled-walnut dining table is 19th century, the painted shell-back chairs are from John Rosselli Antiques, and the topiary at left is planted in an antique urn from Treillage.
A view of the dining room.
In the living room, new pieces with a traditional air complement fine European antiques.
An American console from Karl Kemp Antiques.
The dining room’s chandelier is 18th-century Italian, the mirrored panels of handblown glass are by John Rosselli & Assoc. The circa-1800 English mahogany dining table is from Florian Papp, and the antique Italian chairs are from Guy Regal.
The kitchen backsplash is covered in antique Italian tiles from Michael Trapp. The range is by La Cornue.
An intricately carved four-poster custom made by Christopher Hodsoll after a 1750 design graces the master bedroom. The canopy is made from silks by Old World Weavers and Claremont, with trim by Scalamandré, and the headboard features embroidery by Penn & Fletcher. The wallpaper is by Gracie, the 19th-century bench is from Newel. The wool carpet is by Beauvais.
Also in the master bedroom, a vintage French mirror from the Chinese Porcelain Co. is displayed above a 19th-century chest from Newel. The chair, designed by Bunny, is covered in a Schumacher velvet.
A bed by Oly, upholstered in a Larsen silk, is the centerpiece of a guest room. The bench is by Amy Howard Collection, and the dhurrie is from Todd Alexander Romano.
The master bath’s barrel ceiling was painted by Bob Christian Decorative Art. The custom-made borne by A. Schneller Sons is covered in a Summer Hill fabric, and the mosaic floor tile is by Studium.
A bath features wallpaper by Peter Fasano and a 19th-century French iron-and-marble sink from Treillage.
The expansive great room.
Trompe l’oeil–damask wall panels painted by Bob Christian Decorative Art.
To see more of this home, please visit Architectural Digest, and click here to learn more about Bunny Williams Interior Design. I am also a huge fan of all of Bunny’s books.
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That treillage sun room! That barrel vaulted bathroom! Wonderful.
A true tour de force for Bunny! This classical décor is so suitable for the architecture and location of the house. Kudos to AD for such a superb job of publishing and photography! The bedrooms are just beyond elegant and beautiful. That Hodsoll bed is AMAZING!
Did you happen to see the recent NYSD post on John Rosselli, and his NY apartment, which he's kept even though he and Bunny live together? It was very interesting, and to think, he's a young 86! Thanks for this reminder of a decorative masterpiece in Virginia! I imagine Bunny loved working on this since she is a native of the Old Dominion. True brilliance! Forever classic and timeless. Masterful. Congrats to Bunny!
Dean Farris
Beautiful.