Dec 21, 2011

WILLIAMSBURG Grows Trend Meets Tradition Platform in Atlanta

The WILLIAMSBURG brand continues to expand with introductions from more than 10 licensees at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, Jan 11-18. Each new product fuses contemporary décor trends with entertaining and decorating traditions of the past, using Colonial Williamsburg’s rich archive as inspiration. From home accessories and tabletop, to bedding, giftware and rugs, new WILLIAMSBURG products emphasize the versatility and appeal of timeless aesthetics for any occasion and any room of the house.

“The breadth of introductions in Atlanta showcases the strength of the WILLIAMSBURG licensing program in creating a variety of year-round and seasonal products,” said John Hallowell, president of hospitality and products for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “The expansion of the trend meets traditionconcept further propels WILLIAMSBURG into a distinctive design niche.”

Warm autumnal tones enliven three gift and home accent collections from Creative Co-Op, updating classic designs for 21st-century tastes. “Le Cheval et Le Rose” features equestrian images with dynamic plaid and floral collage effects. Woodland creatures and evergreens are set against richly patterned backgrounds in “Still of Winter.” Renderings of vintage toy birdcages inspired the “Aviary” line. All collections include wall art, serving trays, coasters, boxes, and buckets and canisters.

New rugs from Capel offer understated color tones and trend-right geometric patterns that work in any room of the house. “Chesterfield” is an interpretation of a rug made in England about 1800. “Florentine,” inspired by Florentine (or Irish) stitch textiles, has a flame-like pattern. Both rugs are available in gray, blue, green and brown, in four sizes each.

C&F Enterprises will show the “Providence Damask” and “Dandridge Botanical.” The damask design offers a trend-forward grey and white combination for top of the bed, table linens and accessories. “Dandridge Botanical” boasts hand-drawn botanicals in black and white for a pattern that suits a range of tastes and decors. C&F will also introduce holiday product using Kate McRostie’s “Royal Orchard Holiday” artwork for WILLIAMSBURG. McRostie’s paintings feature Colonial Williamsburg’s rich tradition of decking the halls with fruit and natural materials at the holidays.

Kate McRostie broadens the WILLIAMSBURG “Embroidered Garden” collection launched last year, adding a selection of paper products by Legacy, including note cards, greeting cards, journals, and note pads. “Vine Trellis” from Caspari found inspiration in a vivid garden-themed antique wallpaper. This pattern of bright, on-trend pink and orange geraniums on a turquoise trellis is available in paper napkins and plates. Jason will add “Shell Walk,” a new coastal-themed pattern, to their collection of cork-backed placemats and coasters. The design was inspired by a series of antique German shell prints, emphasizing the perennial fashion for shell motifs in home furnishings and decoration.

Andrea by Sadek builds upon the long-term popularity of blue and white and the pineapple as favorite WILLIAMSBURG themes with the introduction of “Blue Pineapple,” a new ceramic giftware pattern decorated in a toile-like effect. The collection includes a planter, covered mug with strainer, and flower brick; it pairs beautifully with other blue and white WILLIAMSBURG products by Sadek.

In the spirit of the holidays, Reed & Barton will introduce the 2012 annual WILLIAMSBURG sterling ornament – the angel Gabriel encircled by a laurel wreath, a design based on an 18th-century print. Winward’s WILLIAMSBURG holiday offerings will grow as well, with new wreaths, garlands, swags, painted glass ornaments and ribbons based on the elegant natural decorations found today throughout Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, as well as ornate needlework textiles in the archive.

The latest WILLIAMSBURG buildings from Department 56 are the George Wythe House, the Printing Office and Post Office, and the Alexander Purdie Stable, each with a corresponding accessory. The full collection now boasts replicas of nine buildings in the Historic Area. Jim Shore is introducing three new figures with details inspired by quilts in Colonial Williamsburg’s collection. A Santa, snowman and angel extend the line of WILLIAMSBURG collectible figurines. At Byers’ Choice, a spring couple with a gardening theme, as well as a holiday couple carrying accessories inspired by the holiday decorations in the Historic Area, add to an ever-popular WILLIAMSBURG collection.

The purchase of WILLIAMSBURG products supports The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s award-winning educational programs and mission, helping Americans interact with history in a way that is engaging and entertaining.