An Equestrian Virginia Estate

The elegant Neo-Georgian red brick home is a memorable sight. Its tasteful symmetry and proportions are impressive, and the slate roof gives the home added character. The herringbone brick pathway is lined with American Boxwood bushes, leading to a beautiful pillar-framed portico.

A Glimpse at Personal Touches Throughout the Home

The homeowners have created an airy oasis with a blend of modern and old-world for their young family. The golden twig chandelier sourced in Los Angeles creates a dramatic focal point. The walls of this room were especially painted to showcase the moody blue painting “After the Storm” by Charlottesville Artist Abby Kasonik. On the far side of the room is the small “Leviathan” on the table-top easel that was painted by Clay Witt, while the mahogany game table near the bay window stands ready for a friendly challenge of backgammon or chess. The pillows, a mix of faded Fortuny fabrics and embroidered tapestry remnants, are the perfect complement to the antique French armchairs covered in a Schumacher velvet strie. The eclectic accessories decorating the room were collected from traveling over the years.

The modern custom kitchen is an efficient cooking and island dining space. The cabinetry color was custom mixed by the homeowner in light gray and is highlighted with contemporary brass hardware. The Calcatta Altissimo marble backsplash and countertops, accented with pops of color, bring this space to life.

The sunroom is a favorite of this couple, with its peaceful creams and whites, symmetry and natural light. A classic armillary sits on the table in front of the mirror highlighting the Jeffersonian influences of this room.

Step out from the sunroom and onto expansive patios with multiple activity and seating areas surrounded by lush blooming borders with spectacular mountain views. A side patio beneath a large portico and white pillars is the perfect place for outdoor entertaining. Multiple fireplaces in the gardens add to the opportunities to enjoy cooler evenings out of doors.

In the family’s formal dining room, the stunning amethyst-colored Venetian plaster walls were inspired by the damask linen curtains. Local artisan Paul King, using centuries-old techniques, hand-burnished the pigment onto the walls adding gold wax as the final layer. At candlelit dinner parties, the walls are especially magical.

The expressive painting of the Moorman River in the snow above the fireplace was created by Dean Dass, a University of Virginia art professor and a family friend, while a lovely pair of antique gilt French mirrors flank the doorway leading to the newly constructed part of the house. Post dinner, the party can head through the doorway into the kitchen and family room, a wide-open space ideal for entertaining.

Making the Most of Outdoor Spaces

A favorite for the children is the pool where they can splash or take a break in the shade beneath the pergola. They love to “pet” the marble sculpture, but there is no way they can pull it down, as it weighs 1,000 pounds. The charming kitchen garden, filled with herbs, vegetables and flower-filled borders, and a playhouse, make this a perfect spot for family time.

Quaker Cottage, shown below, dates back to the 1800s and sits quietly on the property for extra guest quarters—charmingly ensconced in the blooms of a lovely Williamsburg-inspired garden. Nearby is a small cemetery, home to two graves dating back to 1797 and nine unmarked graves. A horse estate at heart, Fox Ridge’s lovely pastoral scenes greet visitors around every corner. The dark bay horse below—the owner’s fox hunter—and the little sorrel pony, also a fox hunter with a child astride her, welcomed guests on the 2017 Garden Week Tour. To learn more about the next Historic Garden Week Tours throughout Virginia, visit vagardenweek.org</em<. ~