room by room: Bring your favorite trip back to your home decor

Now doesn't that sound like a good idea? Just think about it. You know you've wanted to create a tropical paradise in your master bedroom for years. Well, how are you going to do that right unless you experience the tropics for yourself? We want to be authentic don't we?

I used this logic on my decorating partner, Matt Fox, and he fell for it ... I mean, he thought it was an idea that had merit. So, we took off for warmer climates. It wasn't tropical, but it was warmer than Cleveland. We took a quick trip to Colonial Williamsburg, and I've been in love ever since ... with Williamsburg that is.

Matt and I spent about three or four days visiting the homes and businesses in Colonial Williamsburg, taking in the sites, the smells and the tastes. We purchased a couple of colorful books on the topic, and actually purchased several items right there in the gift shops to bring home with us to decorate a master bedroom. I also had taken rolls of pictures, and took copious notes of all the details I could from the rooms we had seen.

For instance, all bedrooms had a fireplace, which our room didn't have. The wealthier families had layers at the windows and very decorative valances using nice fringe and trim. Candles were a must, and area rugs were plentiful. These were the decorative ideas I thought we could somehow incorporate into our room back home.

When we did arrive at the room to be decorated, we started with our inspiration piece, the Williamsburg comforter. From this we pulled two soft yellows to create a gentle stripe technique above a chair rail that is oh so Wiliamsburg. Our four-poster bed was perfect in the room, and instead of splashing it with color from the comforter, we chose to fold it at the end of the bed and stay more muted with a matlesse coverlet from the Williamsburg collection. For the windows, I sewed pairs of a coordinating floral print draperies, and made valances that were shaped and trimmed out in a soft green ribboning.

To accomplish the fireplace idea, Matt built a faux fireplace with a hearth that sat right on the floor, and a mantle that attached to the hearth and the wall. We covered the firebox opening with a decorative fireplace screen, and no one was the wiser. I must admit that even with all my sewing and selection of materials and accessories, I believe that the faux fireplace actually made the room.

It added an architectural element that is normally very expensive for a fraction of the cost. It also gave us a new area to accessorize. This became the best place for a mantle clock and candles. We were also able to hang a print we bought on our vacation right above the mantle. It brought the whole room together and was a wonderful reminder of a fun trip.

So, I'm not really trying to be tricky and squeak out an additional unplanned vacation. I really did use this trip as research. And, the best part about the whole thing is that Matt saw the benefit right in front of his eyes, when the Williamsburg master bedroom was complete. It was perfect in every detail. Certainly one of the best rooms we've accomplished so far, and it came together through a process of much joy for us.

We made memories that we'll treasure forever. Instead of remembering how, while carrying the fireplace into the room, Matt bumped the one of a kind ceramic lamp and broke it, causing me to run around like a mad woman looking for a suitable replacement before the shoot day ... (deep breath) ... I remember the fun we had in Williamsburg.

And you will too!

Shari Hiller writes this column with Matt Fox. They also co-host the Home & Garden Television show 'room by room.' For more information, visit www.hgtv.com.