Nestled in Keswick’s rolling hills, the 2025 Southern Living Idea House blends gracious Southern charm with sophisticated design. From the wide porches that invite gentle breezes to the elegant yet understated interior finishes, every detail reflects the region’s rich heritage. This home marries tradition with modern living, creating a space perfect for both relaxation and inspiration. Surrounded by Keswick’s legendary natural beauty, it stands as a testament to thoughtful design in harmony with place.
At the heart of this masterpiece is celebrated designer Charlotte Moss (seen above), whose fresh vision infuses this year’s Southern Living Idea House with timeless refinement and warmth. Moss’s signature layering of textures, harmonious color palettes and intentional mix of patterns create an inviting, elevated ambiance throughout. Designers sourced locally whenever possible—whether exploring Charlottesville’s antique shops or uncovering treasures in the Les Yeux du Monde archives. Moss’s approach brings Southern hospitality to life, crafting spaces that feel personal, cherished and effortlessly elegant.
Highlights of the Southern Living Idea House Decorated by Charlotte Moss
Framed by stately oaks and the gentle rise of the Keswick Estate, the home’s exterior welcomes with classic soft neutral hues that blend gracefully into the surroundings. Wide porches stretch along the front and back, offering shaded retreats that open onto gardens thoughtfully planted with native species, boxwood borders, and seasonal bursts of color. Stone pathways wind through herb beds and perennial blooms, guiding visitors toward views of a beautiful lake—a landscape designed as a peaceful sanctuary for everyday living.
Inside, Moss creates interiors that feel both warm and timeless, blending heritage elegance with contemporary comfort. The main entry makes a striking first impression: chocolate-striped wallpaper envelops the walls and ceiling, complemented by brown-and-white checked curtains and antique reclaimed Spanish marble floors arranged in a Versailles pattern. This bold mix adds depth and sophistication, setting a welcoming tone.
In the living room, sunlight streams through expansive windows onto Sherwin-Williams Chartreuse walls adorned with inspirational quote prints. Subtle floral Schumacher draperies soften the space, while cushioned chairs upholstered in matching fabric create a seamless, comforting place to relax and connect with loved ones.
The kitchen balances creamy cabinetry, quartz countertops and integrated Monogram appliances with a custom butcher-block island by Scotsman Company. Warmth is echoed in the checked Amalfi Carreaux fabric covering Century stools, matching the café curtains and inviting casual conversation.
Charlotte Moss’s Vision for Entertaining in the 2025 Southern Living Idea House
Stepping into the formal dining room, visitors find a grand yet lively setting. An extendable oval table from Williams-Sonoma anchors the space, dressed with a curated tablescape that blends antique silver, warm gold accents, crisp white linens, and Moss’s signature seasonal florals. A china cabinet from local antiques dealer Kenny Ball completes the scene, creating a classic yet effortlessly inviting atmosphere.
Moss’s design extends outdoors, with spaces crafted for both intimate gatherings and grand entertaining. The expansive screened porch (seen below) serves as a year-round retreat, furnished with comfortable rattan seating and surrounded by nature—a perfect spot for relaxed conversations or evening meals.
Of course, a Charlotte Moss design would not be complete without her signature floral arrangements. Vibrant potted geraniums add elegant pops of color to the bluestone-tiled patio’s glass-top woven table.
Elegant Mudroom and Entryway Ideas from Charlotte Moss for Elegant Country Living
In the 2025 Southern Living Idea House, even the traditionally utilitarian mudroom and entry areas receive a refined touch. The laundry room features limestone tile floors and sage-striped Schumacher curtains paired with cheerful, minimalist tree-patterned wallpaper.
Nearby, the boot room (seen above, bottom right) offers practical style, equipped with storage for outdoor gear and its own powder room adorned with elegant botanical wallpaper in shades of gold. This room is thoughtfully designed to accommodate the needs of a busy household while maintaining the home’s aesthetic integrity.
Fabulous Bath and Powder Rooms in the 2025 Southern Living Idea House
In the primary suite and guest bathrooms, Moss uses rich colors and textures to create serene, inviting retreats. Vintage-inspired fixtures and custom cabinetry add sophistication, ensuring beauty meets function.
The powder room at the base of the stairs (seen above) showcases two complementary Thibaut wallpapers in green, vintage mirrors, brass lighting, and silk lampshades—proof that every space in this home enjoys thoughtful luxury.
The master bath (seen above) invokes a spa-like calm with a palette of whites and pale greens. Silvery limestone, translucent accents, nickel hardware and a magnificent freestanding volcanic limestone soaking tub contribute to the serene atmosphere. Elegant antiques, including a vintage French screen (seen above at right) from Charlottesville’s Helen Storey Antiques, bring warmth and personality to the space.
Charlotte Moss’s 2025 Southern Living Idea House Design Book
Moss has also published a gorgeous photobook of the 2025 Southern Living Idea House titled “Charlotte Moss: Home A Story.” In this elegant linen-bound volume with dust jacket, Moss invites readers into a fictional home inhabited by an imagined family—set in the Virginia countryside and brought to life through real design, rich detail, and timeless Southern charm. With 80 pages of all-color photography showcasing room schemes and sponsor contributions, the book presents inspiration and possibilities. Out in September and available for preorder now, the book includes 80 glossy photographs of the Idea House and its grounds. As Moss puts it, “This is not a book of rules. It’s a book of possibilities.”
Living at Keswick Estates, Home to the 2025 Southern Living Idea House
The 2025 Southern Living Idea House sits on the picturesque Keswick Estate, where owner Molly Hardie played key roles in the project’s development. This gated community outside Charlottesville is known for its lush landscapes, historic charm and the esteemed Keswick Hall resort (seen above.) Rolling hills, serene lakes and expansive woodlands offer a peaceful retreat close to cultural amenities.
Keswick Hall itself has a rich history: built in 1912, converted to a country club in 1948, restored in the 1990s by Sir Bernard Ashley and renovated again in 2017 by the Hardies to blend architectural integrity with modern comfort.
This expansive property offers a range of amenities, including the Full Cry Golf Club designed by Pete Dye (above at top right) and the Horizon Pool (above at left), which boasts panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Guests can indulge in culinary delights at Marigold by Jean-Georges (above at bottom right), a farm-to-table restaurant emphasizing seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Luxurious accommodations, a spa and recreational facilities complete this premier destination.
Meet the Virginia Team Behind the 2025 Southern Living Idea House
Front row, left to right: Charlotte Moss-Huey (Artist), Charlotte Moss (Interior Designer), Sid Evans (Southern Living), Megan Taylor (Landscape Architect) | Second row, left to right: Laura Rogers (Interior Design Team), Julie Kline Dixon (Architect), Molly Russell (Keswick Estate), Spencer Hux (Keswick Estate) | Third row, left to right: Keith Scott (Architect), Molly Hardie (Developer), Eugene Ryang (Landscape Architect), Kristen Martin (Keswick Estate) | Back row, left to right: Allan Pettit (Builder), Ashley Burt (Executive Project Manager)
The 2025 Southern Living Idea House stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and vision of Virginia’s design and construction community, showcasing the state’s rich heritage and commitment to excellence in home design. Southern Living Magazine will publish the Keswick Idea House as its cover feature in their upcoming September issue (seen below).
The 2025 Southern Living Idea House perfectly embodies the core themes of the Idea House concept. It blends timeless Southern charm with thoughtful modern living and captures the essence of gracious hospitality—welcoming guests with warm, inviting spaces designed for gathering and connection. The emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, sustainable materials and a landscape that celebrates native flora reflects Southern Living’s commitment to authenticity, nature, and community.
Seen above, front row and center, surrounded by the talented Southern Living Idea House Team, Sid Evans, Editor in Chief of Southern Living said, “We’re thrilled to return to Charlottesville after a decade and showcase a home that celebrates the natural beauty of this region. Nestled within the hills of Keswick, Virginia, this home offers the perfect backdrop to the rich history, renowned wineries and vibrant culture that make this area so special.”
Bringing this vision to life was a team of local experts. Together, this dedicated Virginia-based team created a residence that honors place and community, blending timeless elegance with modern comfort and indoor-outdoor living. The 2025 Southern Living Idea House invites visitors to experience the very best of Southern hospitality and gracious living in a setting that respects tradition while embracing the future.
Architects Keith Scott and Julie Kline Dixon of Rosney Co.
Architects Julie Kline Dixon and Keith Scott of Rosney Co. Architects brought the 2025 Southern Living Idea House to life. They designed the home’s traditional layout, influenced by historic local structures like the Keswick Hunt Club, ensuring a harmonious integration with the natural environment.
Dixon and Scott crafted a home that honors the architectural heritage of the Keswick region while responding to contemporary living needs. Their design draws inspiration from historic local landmarks, ensuring a seamless dialogue between the home and its environment. Their work balances traditional proportions and modern functionality, delivering a residence that feels timeless but perfectly suited to today’s lifestyle.
Landscape Designers Eugene Ryang & Megan Taylor of Waterstreet Studio
Landscape architects Eugene Ryang and Megan Taylor of Waterstreet Studio shaped the 2025 Southern Living Idea House Grounds, crafting an ecologically sensitive environment that reflects the diversity of the surrounding region and enhancing the home’s connection to its setting. Ryang and Taylor designed the outdoor spaces to complement and enhance the home’s relationship with the surrounding natural environment.
Their ecologically-minded approach celebrates the diversity of Virginia’s native flora, creating layered gardens and landscapes that feel organic and purposeful. They seamlessly connect interior and exterior spaces, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience the tranquility and beauty of the estate.
Molly Hardie: Visionary Owner and Developer of Keswick Hall & Estates
Developer Molly Hardie guided the project with a clear vision rooted in sustainability and authenticity. With a deep commitment to using natural, local materials, Hardie ensured the house harmonizes with its setting while embracing modern comforts.
Her stewardship brought together a talented team of local experts and craftspeople, helping create a home that is both a serene retreat and a vibrant gathering place, embodying the best of Virginia’s design and lifestyle traditions. Hardie emphasized the use of natural, local materials to harmonize with the environment, overseeing the project’s development with a commitment to sustainability and authenticity.
Charlotte Moss, Interior Designer of the 2025 Southern Living Idea House
Charlotte Moss (center) brings her signature warmth and refined style to the 2025 Southern Living Idea House, drawing deeply from the natural beauty surrounding Keswick. Known for her elegant layering of textures and colors, Moss incorporates a palette inspired by the region’s landscapes—shades of chartreuse, muted greens, rich browns, and soft blues—to create interiors that feel both grounded and inviting. Her thoughtful blend of antique and modern pieces lends a timeless quality, making every room a curated yet comfortable space that celebrates Southern hospitality.
With an eye for timeless elegance and a deep appreciation for the stories that objects and spaces can tell, Charlotte Moss has built an internationally recognized career as an interior designer, author and tastemaker. Since launching her New York–based design firm in 1985, she has become known for creating layered, inviting interiors that draw inspiration from her travels, art, architecture and the natural world. Moss’s work—often infused with a refined Southern sensibility—has graced private residences, hospitality spaces and the pages of top design publications.
Beyond her interiors, Moss is celebrated for her books on living beautifully, her charitable endeavors and her collaborations with luxury brands, each reflecting her belief that a well-lived life is as much about the details as the grand gestures. Seen here with members of her design team, Laura Rogers (left) and Charlotte Moss-Huey (right) the artist who provided artwork for the home’s studio, Moss sets the tone for the project with both grace and warmth.
Builder Allan Pettit of Alexander Nicholson Crafts the 2025 Southern Living Idea House with Timeless Quality
Builder Allan Pettit of Alexander Nicholson focused on scaling the home to foster connection rather than isolation, creating spaces that encourage gathering and interaction.
Pettit played a pivotal role in bringing the Southern Living Idea House vision to life with a focus on craftsmanship and thoughtful scale. Pettit emphasized creating spaces that foster connection and conviviality, ensuring that the home feels welcoming and lived-in. His expertise in working with natural materials and attention to detail help anchor the project firmly in its Virginia setting, delivering a house that is as durable as it is beautiful.
The 2025 Southern Living Idea House in Keswick stands as a remarkable celebration of Virginia’s rich heritage, natural beauty, and design excellence. From Moss’s thoughtfully curated interiors to the architects’ respectful nods to regional history, every detail reflects a deep connection to place and community. The dedicated Virginia-based team crafted a home that balances timeless elegance with modern comfort, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor living. Nestled within the serene Keswick Estate this Idea House invites visitors to experience the very best of Southern hospitality and gracious living in a setting that honors tradition while embracing the future. ~
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R. L. JOHNSON is our co-publisher and creative director, Robin Johnson Bethke, who began her career as a professional photographer in Los Angeles before moving into graphic design and art direction when she relocated to Charlottesville in 1994. As our company’s co-founder and visionary, she enjoys all aspects of the publishing process from story conception to graphic design to photography. Her work is often seen in many of our publications.
