“It expands and contracts, adding a great sense of anticipation,” explains Eugene Ryang, co-founding principal and design director at Waterstreet Studio, perfectly capturing the magic of arriving at the Southern Living Idea House in Keswick—a journey that’s as captivating as the destination itself. Ryang leads the landscape architecture team behind this remarkable property’s outdoor vision.
The winding approach is relaxing, taking visitors on a carefully choreographed reveal. First, there is the embrace of towering pine trees, their canopy creating an intimate tunnel of green. Then the path meanders past babbling, spring-fed streams that date back millennia. Finally, the route opens to unveil the home itself, like a symphony’s dramatic crescendo—a welcoming two-story sanctuary thoughtfully positioned on 5 pristine wooded acres along a serene lake in Keswick Estate, just minutes from Charlottesville.
The Dream Team
This ambitious project brought together an extraordinary collection of Virginia’s finest creative minds, each contributing their expertise to craft something truly special. In addition to Ryang and his Waterstreet Studio colleagues, Julie Kline Dixon and Keith Scott of Rosney Co. Architects shaped the home’s architectural soul; Allan Pettit of Alexander Nicholson brought masterful building craftsmanship; Developer Mollie Hardie orchestrated the entire vision; and the incomparable Charlotte Moss of Charlotte Moss, LLC curated the home’s sophisticated interior design, adding her signature touch to every room.
A Commonwealth Homecoming
Keswick Hall owner Molly Hardie led this remarkable development project, with the home opening to public tours through Dec. 21. For more than 35 years, Southern Living has collaborated with the most talented builders, architects, and designers to create custom homes in iconic locations, celebrating both Southern lifestyle and cutting-edge home design innovations. The magazine’s return to the Charlottesville area—nestled in the heart of Virginia’s breathtaking countryside—marks a particularly special moment.
Modern Luxury Meets Natural Splendor
Sprawling across 4,500 square feet on 5 lush acres, this year’s Idea House serves as a love letter to Virginia’s natural beauty. The home features four bedrooms and four and a half baths, each room framing tranquil lake views that shift with the light throughout the day…