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Inside Out: Upholstered Furniture is Right at Home in this Historic Richmond Garden

February 24, 2023 by Cristin Morgan Leave a Comment

Two upholstered chairs photographed outdoors. One is atop a round outdoor table. Foliage surrounds the chairs.
Upholstered chairs in the Taylor Estate Garden in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by Nick Davis for u-fab interiors.

When we initially toured the Taylor Estate, the site of the Richmond Symphony League’s 2023 Designer House, we were immediately awestruck by the gardens surrounding the property.

And it’s no wonder! The Taylor Estate gardens were designed by renowned landscape architect Charles Freeman Gillette.

Gillette lived and designed in Richmond from 1912-1969. During his 56-year career, he designed approximately 2,500 projects. The majority of his commissions were for residential landscapes, including the Taylor Estate. According to the Cultural Landscape Foundation, “his remaining projects consisted of site plans for residential communities, hospitals, churches, country clubs, private colleges, secondary schools, historic garden restorations, commercial and industrial properties” throughout Virginia and North Carolina, along with a few in the midwest and northeast. Gillette’s other notable Richmond projects include Virginia House and Agecroft Hall.

Gillette was best known for his stylistic eclecticism, and his work often contained strong regional overtones. French, English, and Italian Renaissance traditions were notably present in his work, supplemented with themes from 18th century Virginia gardens such as: an axial organization of multilevel terraces; highly crafted masonry construction; elegant, finely detailed garden structures; and planting design that emphasized fragrance, seasonal color, shade, and strong volumetric expression through the use of massed evergreens. 

Though overgrown, the gardens at the Taylor Estate are stunning. We knew they’d be the perfect setting for a photoshoot, so we packed up our most fitting pieces and headed outside.

A gray jacquard sofa sits in an overgrown garden, surrounded by foliage.
Sofa, photographed for u-fab interiors in the Taylor Estate Garden by Nick Davis.

We love how the upholstered pieces stand out against the moody dark green foliage and natural elements. As if channeling Gillette’s sense of stylistic eclecticism, photographer Nick Davis managed to capture the furniture in a way that makes us think still life + nature photography.

Two chairs photographed outdoors, surrounded by an ivy-covered wall. One armchair is upholstered in pink velvet and features wood accents. The other is upholstered in a floral stripe.
A pink velvet armchair and 2 wood accent tables are sitting outdoors, in front of an ivy covered wall.
A close up photo of a pink velvet chair with wood accents.
Photo by Nick Davis for u-fab interiors.
Home decor accessories are arranged on an outdoor patio. Items include various ceramic and glass vessels, books, pillows, baskets, and greenery.
Home decor accessories are arranged on an outdoor patio. Items include various ceramic and glass vessels, books, pillows, baskets, and greenery.
Two upholstered chairs are pictured outdoors in a garden. One sits on top of a concrete table.
Floral and stripe upholstered armchair is pictured in front of an outdoor gate. The gate features intricate ironwork and is partially covered by Greenery.
Home decor accessories are arranged on an outdoor patio. Items include various ceramic and glass vessels, books, pillows, baskets, and greenery.
Photography by Nick Davis for u-fab interiors.

We loved the photos so much that we decided to feature them in this year’s Richmond Scout Guide. They’re a beautiful homage to our beloved hometown, don’t you think? (And for more iconic Richmond + u-fab content, be sure to read our post about our Main Street Station collaboration with Nick Davis. If you haven’t already visit this historical landmark and architectural wonder, you must!)

Read more about the Taylor Estate and this year’s upcoming RSL Designer House on our blog. We can’t wait to invite you inside (and outside, of course!) this fall!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at our design process, and subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when tickets are available!

Featured furniture:

  • Vance Chair by Wesley Hall in Katie Canyon pink velvet, $2715.99
  • Sofa by Lee Industries in Verona Gunmetal, $8127.99
  • Primrose Slipper Chair by Chaddock Home in Mist, $2643.99

    Call or visit to purchase or to learn more about customization options.

Filed Under: New Blog Posts Tagged With: 2023, designer house, garden

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