The Ludlow Homestead, c.1786, Claverack, New York. Owners Peter Spears and Brian Swardstrom purchased this beauty in 2009 and began a long restoration of this once grand home. While the two have a keen eye for period details, Spears was a Colonial American History major in college, they wanted to make the home comfortable and accessible. In an effort to remain true to the house and its origins, the couple tried to purchase antiques that had been made in the area, and would have been accessible to the original owners. 
I am most impressed by the duo’s use of color throughout the house, and their effort to use an historical color palate. As you can see in the photo above, the baseboard is painted black, a traditional 17th and 18th century paint technique which hid the scuff marks and dirt that would have been visible closer to the floor. The trim and cabinetry here is Farrow & Ball’s Buff.
The shutters at the Ludlow Homestead are Farrow & Ball’s Calke Green. For more photos and the whole story on the Ludlow Homestead, visit Elle Decor.
Photos via Elle Decor
You have heard about my love of Schumacher’s Hollyhock Chintz, and I’m pretty sure I have mentioned my appreciation for Colefax & Fowler’s Bowood Chintz, but today I want to share a little more about the origin of this ever-so-chic chintz, which as you can tell from the photos above can look good in both casual and formal settings. 
This is Bowood House as it looks today. Parts of the house and the gardens are open to the public during certain times of year. For more information on visiting Bowood’s House and gardens visit their