Month: November 2023

Florence Jones is a co-founder of America’s Color Consultants and has been in the paint color consultation business for over 16 years.  With a degree in fine arts and a background in graphic design and advertising, she was particularly well prepared to start a business helping others with the selection of paint colors for their homes and businesses.  And because everything has color – from tile to flooring to appliances – she also assists clients with renovation product selection.

One recent  project was particularly interesting and gratifying:  the renovation of Happinest.

In the mecca of McMansions – north Arlington – the owner of a 1920’s property decided to renovate and refurbish rather than raze and replace. The owner contacted Florence to help with exterior color choices, but quickly recognized the talent and experience she brought to the project, and hired her to help oversee and participate in the overall renovation of the property.  Mindful of his European sensibility to honor the history of the house, Florence proposed the renovation/modernization of the kitchen, bathrooms, and  lighting while retaining the beautiful original woodwork and architecture, and honoring its colorful history.  Both recognized they were on the same page.

The brick and wood Tudor home was built in 1921 (with a second section built in the 1930s) and was the summer home of Judge David K. Ballard of Washington, DC and his wife, Fanny Foy.. They called it Happinest.  The home featured walls and banisters made of pecan wood that was shipped in from Georgia where Fanny Foy grew up. It had a large room that was used as a ballroom with a balcony from which Fanny sang.  During the age of Spiritualism, Fanny hosted regular seances that included the likes of Edgar Cayce (the “Sleeping Prophet”), Rev. Arthur Ford and medium Ruth Montgomery.  It was thought then that the house was a portal to the spirit dimension:  there have also been numerous spirit “encounters” over the years by different people.

Throughout the renovation process Florence made many interesting discoveries:  a hidden compartment in the floorboards in the second floor (no money, just a few newspapers from the ‘20s); steps in a wine cellar that lead to a door to nowhere; and a dumbwaiter/window between the basement and garage (a possible Prohibition distribution site).

With the talents of a contractor with a wide variety of skills and experience with the challenges of very old construction, the wood paneling, railings and flooring throughout were refreshed. Recessed lighting was added and modern light fixtures that were an homage to the history of the home were installed.  The bathrooms were enlarged without totally tearing out the solid plaster and brick work, and were updated with modern vanities and marble appointments. The bedrooms were painted in more reflective shades and the exterior paint was more contemporary.  Everything worked to meet the brief of bringing new life to the 100 year old home while keeping those appointments that made it beautifully unique.

Renovation contractors will ask their clients to “pick your floor”, “pick your cabinets”, “pick your tile”. Florence is often called in after the installation of tile, flooring, and cabinetry, with the thought that paint color can “tie it all together.” She has found that It is much more efficient (and less stressful) for clients to collect numerous samples of all the products they like before installation and work with her to make sure everything will work together in the space. She will shop with a client to gather samples, or make pre-selections with direction from the client, mindful of the overall color palette.

Happinest was the first in a collection of unique homes listed as vacation rentals on AirBnB www.happinestrentals.com. Florence also guided the renovation of Manior Normand in The Plains, VA. Since The Plains is a historical town, care was taken to not alter the exterior appearance, yet to enhance and modernize the interior living areas.