An intriguing powder room

I recently was in a house with one of the most beautiful powder rooms I had ever seen.  The walls were paneled with a split between mirrors and a beautiful hand painted metallic Japanese tea wallpaper. It felt like being in the ocean!

One didn't know where the wallpaper started and the mirror began. I also loved the fossilized marble sinktop which had subtle shells ingrained into it.  Details count, even in the bathroom!

Maymont, Richmond

Richmond is full of historic house museums as you've seen in my previous posts.  One last museum I'll share with you is Maymont.

Built in Romanesque style by architect Edgerton Stewart Rogers in 1893 high above the banks of the James River, the mansion and 100 acre estate was home to James and Sallie Dooley.

The house and grounds have been a public museum and park since 1925 when Mrs. Dooley passed away.

 The imposing stone facade hides a rather giddy and over the top Victorian interior.

 The grounds are beautiful with stunning views down to the river.

The original outbuildings of the estate survive and are used to this day in the maintenance of the house and park.

 I especially loved this carriage barn with service court. Wouldn't this make a charming house?

 The water tower is located right behind the carriage house.

The Dooleys are buried together on the estate on a bluff overlooking the James river in a beautiful mausoleum designed by William Churchill Noland.