For Immediate Release
July 23, 2009
Media Contact:
Melissa Wood (703) 799-5203
mwood@mountvernon.org
MOUNT VERNON, Va. – Historic Mount Vernon announces its partnership with Fine Paints of Europe as the paint company launches its new collection, “THE MOUNT VERNON ESTATE OF COLOURS®.” Consumers now have the opportunity to paint their houses with authentic 18th-century colors from George Washington’s iconic home or choose from historic hues that were inspired by Washington-related artifacts. The assortment of rich and vibrant tones includes 120 shades, 30 of which were duplicated directly from colors found after a scientific paint analysis of Washington’s Mansion. A fan deck with accurate representations of the entire collection is available at the Shops at Mount Vernon in person or online at MountVernon.org. Retailers can be found at FinePaintsOfEurope.com or by calling 800-332-1556.
“We are thrilled that Mount Vernon’s stunning colors have been reproduced by Fine Paints of Europe,” said Beverly Addington, Mount Vernon’s Director of Licensing. “The superior quality of their paint, their exceptional tinting system, and their attention to every detail would please George Washington, who was passionate about high quality in the design and decoration of his home.”
An American company with ties to the Netherlands – the largest paint manufacturer in the world for over two centuries – Fine Paints of Europe has formally collaborated with such luminaries as Martha Stewart and is the official paint of Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color and provider of professional color systems. Mount Vernon is the first historic home to partner with the company and will receive a significant portion of the proceeds, which will go towards the continuing restoration and maintenance of the estate.
George Washington once wrote a friend that he found green “pleasing to the eye.” His diaries, which were consulted during the development of this special collection, reveal further detail about his approach to decorating. The colors of nature may have inspired the Father of Our Country to bring the green grass and trees and bright blue sky into his living spaces. After three decades of scientific analysis, experts determined the surprisingly bright shades of color Washington selected.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to share George Washington’s colors with the world,” said John V. Lahey, founder of Fine Paints of Europe. “Not only have we reproduced the colors that would have been known to Washington himself, we have developed paint with premium-quality ingredients that will keep the color from shifting over time.”
Mount Vernon’s Preservation Department began using paint from Fine Paints of Europe earlier this year and found that it retained its color and integrity better than any other paint. “With over one million visitors each year touching doorways in the house, we previously had to repaint high-traffic areas after just a couple of months,” said Steven Mallory, Manager of Restoration. “We applied Fine Paints of Europe paint several months ago, and even through the height of tourist season the paint has held up beautifully.”
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Events, programs, and activities are subject to change.
Public Information: 703-780-2000; 703-799-8697 (TDD);
http://Visit.MountVernon.org
About Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens
Since 1860, over 80 million visitors have made George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens the most popular historic home in America. Through thought-provoking tours, entertaining events, and stimulating educational programs on the Estate and in classrooms across the nation, Mount Vernon strives to preserve George Washington’s place in history as “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.” Mount Vernon is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, America’s oldest national preservation organization, founded in 1853. A picturesque drive to the southern end of the scenic George Washington Memorial Parkway, Mount Vernon is located just 16 miles from the nation’s capital.
Hours of operation: April-August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; March, September, October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; November – February, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regular admission rates: adults, $15.00; senior citizens, $14.00; children age 6-11, when accompanied by an adult, $7.00; and children under age 5, FREE. Admission fees, restaurant and retail proceeds, along with private donations, support the operation and restoration of Mount Vernon.
About Fine Paints of Europe
FINE PAINTS OF EUROPE® is an American company that evolved out of founder John Lahey’s search for a high quality paint to use on his family’s eighteenth-century home. FINE PAINTS of EUROPE® is a privately owned firm dedicated to providing the finest paints and personalized service to discriminating homeowners, paint professionals and the architectural and design communities. FINE PAINTS OF EUROPE® invites you to the difference paint from the Netherlands can make. As they observe in Holland, “There is nothing more expensive than cheap paint™”. Phone: 1-800-332-1556. Website: Finepaintsofeurope.com.
