By Nancy Dunham
Home tours and decorating ideas aren't only available during the spring and summer – honest! One of the best places to gather some decorating ideas and enjoy camaraderie with others that love interior design is right in Prince William County, Virginia.
Rippon Lodge is one of the oldest standing homes in the county and has completely renovated from its grounds to the main home. Now before you write this off as a dusty, dull snooze you should realize the home recently underwent a four-year renovation and has made it onto the National Historic Register. As you can imagine, it's now something of a must-see for those who want to find out more about colonial life. At the holiday open house you'll have a chance to tour the home and gather information about decorating customs from 1747 – the time the home was built – until now. If you've got kids in tow, don't fret. They'll have a chance to enjoy some crafts, snack on cookies and cider and listen to holiday music while you are on tour. The cost is only $5 per person and you don't even have to fight traffic into Washington, D.C. Basically, you just can't go wrong.
What: Holiday Open House
Where: Rippon Lodge Historic Site is located at: 15520 Blackburn Road
Woodbridge, VA 22191
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, December 11
Details: $5 fee; (703) 499-9812 or (703) 792-4754