Made: In America Reinterpretation of Woodlawn Plantation
UNCG Design Team’s Narrative
Looking to tradition and establishing continuity with Neoclassical architecture, the design
concept for Made: In America honors the heritage at Woodlawn Plantation by echoing
the design elements through the furnishings in the exhibition. Woodlawn’s long history
provides an opportunity to incorporate themes from each owner into our design. The
Woodlawn community consisted of residents from various backgrounds who believed in
education and equality for all. The second owners of Woodlawn Plantation, The Troths
and Gillinghams, practiced Quaker principles characterized by the support of a free labor
colony and an emphasis on family, community relations, and simplicity of style. The
furnishings and accessories chosen for this exhibition feature Neoclassical forms
balanced with simple lines inspired by the Quaker style. Custom made pillows sewn by
the students help tie the overall concept to the material furnishings. New decorative wall
borders, incorporating laser cutting technology, are based on architectural detailing at
Woodlawn Plantation at a new scale. Photographs displayed throughout the house
celebrate the extraordinary artistry of Thomas Day (1801-1861), Master Craftsman and
Free Man of Color. His work as seen in the mantels, newel posts, and other interior
woodwork represents the finest of nineteenth-century craftsmanship and aesthetics.
Honoring the diverse sensibilities in Woodlawn’s heritage makes it relevant by
embracing the diverse face of America today. The positioning of the house near
Washington, D.C. in the political arena further highlights the spirit of diversity in the
region and a sense of patriotism in the design. A vintage map of the District of Columbia
adorns an interior wall that reflects the past in a modern day sensibility. References to
historical Mount Vernon are present in the home to honor the relationship to the site.
Our challenge was to reinterpret the Woodlawn Plantation as a home for a 21st century
family. In our concept, Woodlawn Plantation is the home to an educated, married couple
named Alexander and Virginia, and their teenage daughter Eleanor (Ellie). The husband
is a lawyer for environmental causes and the wife is actively involved in charities that
educate the community on issues of sustainability. Through her involvement the house
supports education and diversity through the sustainable garden on the property and a
partnership with The Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. Motifs of
botanicals and agricultural history in the interior design highlight the role of the garden in
bridging community involvement and education. As a vehicle for sustainable agriculture
and education on childhood obesity, the garden reaches local, under-privileged students,
residents and tables. Honoring diversity in Woodlawn’s heritage through education
makes it relevant for Made: In America while establishing a connection to diversity in the
community. A thoughtful collection of books in the home reflects the educational and
cultural values of the family.
While the historical architecture at the site of Woodlawn Plantation provided inspiration
While the historical architecture at the site of Woodlawn Plantation provided inspiration
for our design, there were parameters that came with the installation at a house
museum. The furniture placement needed to respect the circulation path defined by the
carpet runners. Although the carpet runners limited the arrangement of our design, a
new stair runner was installed to accentuate the spiral staircase and to direct the path for
visitors. Considering the historical plaster and limited wiring, the use of chandeliers was
restricted in the assigned spaces. A muted color palette was incorporated that would be
appropriate to remain long-term after the installation. Richer colors for the decorative
borders were chosen to work within the color palettes approved by the staff. To respect
the integrity of the original plaster walls, a temporary installation of the borders was
required. The designation of existing furniture pieces at Woodlawn Plantation influenced
the overall furniture selections. The original beds, including the aged mattresses,
presented a design challenge to contemporize the bedroom aesthetic. Additional layers
of linens were needed to build up the height of the existing mattresses at the installation.
Special linens were ordered during the installation process to enhance the visual
aesthetic of the bedroom. (The delivery of custom linens including duvets and coverlets
will arrive to Woodlawn by the end of this week.) Throughout this process all design
considerations within defined parameters needed approval by the National Trust, historic
architect, and site manager.
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