The winding lane to our Idea House takes its time revealing all its charms. The rambling path unfolds first between stretches of sky-high pine trees and then meanders past tiny, spring-fed streams before finally opening up to the home itself, a welcoming two-story dwelling that’s carefully positioned on 5 woodsy acres along a lake in Keswick Estate, a pastoral neighborhood just outside Charlottesville. “I think the long approach gives everyone a great sense of anticipation,” says designer Charlotte Moss of Charlotte Moss, LLC.
To deliver on its promises, we rounded out our crew with other Virginia-rooted visionaries: architects Julie Kline Dixon and Keith Scott of Rosney Co. Architects, landscape architect Eugene Ryang of Waterstreet Studio, builder Allan Pettit of Alexander Nicholson, and developer Molly Hardie. “Lots of times at the end of construction, there’s either zero or very little that looks like it’s been there for a while,” says Allan. But that isn’t the case here. “This was done intentionally and in such a way that it doesn’t seem like the landscape that surrounds it is all brand spanking new. The house feels grounded, attached, and part of the land,” he explains.
This is due in part to Eugene’s slow and steady approach to establishing a true homestead. From the front yard orchard plantings to a meadow sown to invite birds and pollinators, time is an essential element of the design. “It’s about what it will become,” he says. “It’s a bit different than instant gratification.” With a reverence for historic precedents and a patient regard for the future, our talented team cultivated a character-filled haven that feels at ease in the foothills.
Keep A Low Profile
“Up and down the East Coast, you see these graciously designed but unimposing architectural types that have this calming overtone to their compositions,” says Julie about the goal here. “We tried to squeeze as much square footage as possible into as low a volume as possible. The second-story bedrooms are tucked up under the attic eaves…so the home appears to integrate with the landscape more seamlessly.” The clapboard-inspired James Hardie siding and bay windows from Marvin (the center ones’ height mimics those nearby at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello) acknowledge local architecture.
Extend A Friendly Hello
The deep front porch is another nod to builds throughout the region. “When you walk up, the scale of those columns and the porch feels very Southern,” says Keith. Planters made from Appalachian hardwoods by North Carolina artist Raleigh Adams punctuate the pleasant impression, while benches by Richmond-based McKinnon and Harris encourage easygoing relaxation. “The goal is to look out toward the planted landscape, toward the orchard and pine woodland,” says Eugene. Steph Green of Contained Creations framed the front steps with pots of pretty ‘October Magic Ivory’ camellias from the Southern Living Plant Collection.
Match The Setting
“I think that’s a very Virginia thing to come into the entry hall and see all the way through to the lake beyond,” notes Julie of the octagonal foyer. “It gives the sense that the home is sitting lightly on the land.” For her part, Charlotte doubled down on its geometry, papering the walls and ceiling in Thibaut’s Norfolk Stripe for a tentlike environment and hanging Visual Comfort & Co.’s Carrington Lantern to cast an attractive glow. “This is a house nestled in the woods,” she says. “It needs to be cozy and warm and colorful.” The inviting introduction is underscored with antique reclaimed Spanish marble tiles from Versailles Surfaces, LLC, installed in a classic checkerboard pattern.
Bring In A Bit Of The Past And Present …