Glenstone Gardens in autumn offered a particularly rich collection of references: changing foliage, the patina of old metals, richly layered interiors, and 19th- and early 20th-century artwork that felt at home within the history of Virginia Hunt Country.

I looked to Art Nouveau landscape illustration as a way into the invitation, creating an intricate autumnal painting that was translated through six-color letterpress. Turn-of-the-century naturalists’ field guides and sketchbooks became another source of inspiration, informing welcome books that felt almost like something guests might have collected on their travels through the countryside. 

At dinner on the first evening, the patterned plates already brought richness to the table, so the paper became quieter. Menus were wrapped in silk bookcloth in an elusive, almost unnameable mauve shade, paired with etched copper place cards that reflected the flickering candlelight.

For the seven-course dinner the following evening, the artwork came forward again. Small menu booklets layered my autumnal illustrations with copper calligraphy, offering another interpretation of the landscape guests had been experiencing throughout their stay.

Glenstone familiarization

Glenstone Gardents // middlebur, virginia

Glenstone gardens middleburg, virginia

Planning: Mariee Ami
Pr: In Good Company
Photography: Heather Waraksa//
Laura Gordon
Paper: Elsa Madeline Design
Venue: Red Fox Inn and Tavern//
Glenstone Gardens
Florals: Sweet Root Villiage//
Sophie Felts
Rentals: Emerson James//
Reverie Social 
Entertainment: Dart Collective

Creative Partners

Planning: Mariee Ami //Pr: In Good Company // Photography: Heather Waraksa//Laura Gordon // Paper: Elsa Madeline Design
Venue: Red Fox Inn and Tavern // Glenstone Gardens // Florals: Sweet Root Villiage // Sophie Felts // Rentals: Emerson James // Reverie Social 

Glenstone Gardens in autumn offered a particularly rich collection of references: changing foliage, the patina of old metals, richly layered interiors, and 19th- and early 20th-century artwork that felt at home within the history of Virginia Hunt Country.

I looked to Art Nouveau landscape illustration as a way into the invitation, creating an intricate autumnal painting that was translated through six-color letterpress. Turn-of-the-century naturalists’ field guides and sketchbooks became another source of inspiration, informing welcome books that felt almost like something guests might have collected on their travels through the countryside. 

At dinner on the first evening, the patterned plates already brought richness to the table, so the paper became quieter. Menus were wrapped in silk bookcloth in an elusive, almost unnameable mauve shade, paired with etched copper place cards that reflected the flickering candlelight.

For the seven-course dinner the following evening, the artwork came forward again. Small menu booklets layered my autumnal illustrations with copper calligraphy, offering another interpretation of the landscape guests had been experiencing throughout their stay.