The dining room, part of an addition built by Mr. Madison in 1797 for his new bride, has been restored to its original size by a translucent scrim wall. The dining room walls glow from the sunflower yellow paint that many will recognize as a close match to VDOT-sign color. One lively Mrs. Madison's favorite colors, the vibrant yellow-orange could easily jumpstart conversation at the dullest of dinner parties. The furniture, china and silver collected for this party let one step back in time and experience what it might have been like to dine with the hospitable Madisons. The curator attended to the smallest details.
Individual salt cellars, each with a tiny spoon, stand at the head of each dinner plate.
Wine rinses flanked each place setting as diners were expected to rinse their glasses between wines. The Smithsonian Institution loaned samples of Mr. Madison's presidential china, buff-bordered plates decorated with a wheel design. Sideboards, original and custom-made chairs, an 1800 mantle clock and 36 prints hanging on the walls were all painstakingly researched and acquired. The Madisons' close friends, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, shared their tastes for American and French furnishings. Finding some period pieces was easy, said Ms. Langston-Harrison, because Monticello and Ashlawn, historic Virginia homes of Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Monroe, generously lent numerous items.