C-VILLE Abode: December 2016

Brighten up Ornamentals for the winter garden

A natural fit

Montpelier’s new addition blends in

Here and there Do public spaces affect private lives?

Inside.

Outside.

Home.

’Tis then

DECEMBER 2016

seaso

es for Six local shaol liday a happy

Making heated floors work in our temperate climate PAGE 19

State of the art Once an artist’s canvas, a downtown condo gains new life

2 ABODE

Introducing

Peter A. Wiley

Justin H. Wiley

434.422.2090 peter@wileyproperty.com

434.981.5528 Justin@wileyproperty.com

503 Faulconer Drive, Suite 6 • Charlottesville, VA 22903

132A East Main Street • Orange, VA 22960

MLS#541456 • $2,320,000

MLS#554383 • $469,900

AERIE c. 1850 – 170 acre estate located in the Somerset area of Orange Co. The 1850 manor home (6400+/- SF) has had numerous recent additions including a new 20x34 paneled living room. The 4-bedroom home has all the modern conveniences while keeping the old world charm. Dependencies include a 4 bed 3 bath guesthouse, 3 bed tenant house, 3-stall stable, pool and gardens.

Justin H. Wiley – 434.981.5528

GREENWOOD – Contemporary home perfectly placed on 23 open acres with tremendous Blue Ridge views. House boasts a modern floor plan with a fabulous Great Room, modern kitchen and master - all with large windows to take full advantage of the views.

MLS# 552286 • $895,000

BECKLEY HOUSE – An elegantly proportioned, custom-built home that melds new quality construction with grand spaces and the architectural detail of a historic residence. Reclaimed materials, exceptional millwork, mahogany doors and an airy, light-filled floor plan set this property apart. The house sits on a private knoll overlooking some of the most beautiful land in Orange County.

Peter A. Wiley – 434.422.2090

Justin H. Wiley – 434.981.5528

MLS# 530239 • $1,750,000 MAYHURST – An impressive Victorian Italianate manor house built by President James Madison’s great nephew in 1859. The 9,000 square foot home has been beautifully restored and offers gracious rooms with high ceilings, hardwood floors, and original woodwork. The house is privately situated on 36 acres just outside the town of Orange.

Justin H. Wiley – 434.981.5528

MLS# 551892 • $622,000

MLS# 544780 • $1,100,000

BUCK MOUNTAIN FORD TRACT – 48 acres with long frontage on Buck Mountain Ford Lane. This rolling parcel has beautiful views of the Blue Ridge and Buck Mountain with complete privacy. This rare offering has 5 development rights, additional acreage available.

LOWER BUNDORAN – A well-proportioned Federal period farmhouse with panoramic pastoral and mountain views. The residence sits on a 30 acre equestrian lot in the heart of Bundoran farm with miles of hiking and riding trails and fiber internet. A shed row barn with 4 stalls is connected to a handsome carriage house. 15 min. to Charlottesville. Additional acreage available.

Peter A. Wiley – 434.422.2090

Peter A. Wiley – 434.422.2090

W W W . W I L E Y P RO P E RT Y. C O M

ABODE 3

STEPHEN BARLING

As far as the eye can see

One obvious perk of a Lewis and Clark Building condo? The views. This month’s featured home looks west over bustling Main Street. Read more on page 25.

Blueprint 11 Architect Bob Anderson’s etched inspiration, Montpelier’s Claude Moore Hall makes a modern statement, the upsides of heated flooring and more.

Garden Green 32

Camellias, hellebores, magnolias and more— ways to brighten up your winter garden.

Real Estate 35 A Charlottesville home that’s more than meets the eye.

Finishing touch 37

At Monticello, a 30-year tradition continues.

308 E. Main St. Charlottesville, VA 22902 (434) 817-2749 n c-ville.com c-ville.com/abode

4 ABODE

Feature HOME 25

A laboratory, remade When homeowner Bonnie Bond moved from Florida to Charlottesville and bought a condo in downtown’s Lewis and Clark Building, she had an extensive renovation project ahead of her. The condo showed signs of normal wear and tear, of course, but the previous owner—an expressive local artist—had used the entire home as her canvas.

Cover photo by Stephen Barling. Comments? E-mail us at abode@c-ville.com.

ABODE, a supplement to C-VILLE Weekly, is distributed in Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the Shenandoah Valley. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Editor Jessica Luck. Abode Editor Caitlin White. Copy Editor Susan Sorensen. Creative Director Bill LeSueur. Graphic Designers Tracy Federico, Henry Jones, Max March, Lorena Perez.

Advertising Director Erica Gentile. Retail Advertising Manager Jim Kelly. Account Executives Bianca Catta-Preta, Hannah Collier, Theressa Leak. Classified Account Executives Chaney Hambrick, Justin McClung.

Production Coordinator Faith Gibson. Publisher Aimee Atteberry. Chief Financial Officer Debbie Miller. Marketing Manager Anna Harrison. Circulation Manager Billy Dempsey. ©2016 C-VILLE Weekly.

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6 ABODE

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ABODE 7

ABODE IN THE NEWS

A cut above

EVENTS THIS MONTH

Holiday Evening Tours Daily through December, 5:15pm, 5:30pm, 5:45pm, 6pm Get a unique look at Monticello—after dark and decorated for the holidays. This tour provides a glimpse into how everyone at the little mountain—enslaved and free—celebrated the holidays in Jefferson’s era. Explore public and private rooms including the iconic Dome Room, and enjoy live musical performances in the Parlor. $55. Monticello Main House, 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy. monticello.org

THOMAS JEFFERSON FOUNDATION AT MONTICELLO

Monticello

Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and W. E. B. Du Bois. Seen through the lens of photographer John Hall, juxtaposed with artifacts, manuscripts and books, this exhibit brings Spencer’s work and environment back to life. Free. Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, 160 McCormick Rd. small.library.virginia.edu

Sale away Another reason—besides the gift-giving and the family-gathering—to look forward to the holidays? Deep discounts. Here are six sales that give locals something to sing about.

Through December

After Hours at Highland

Leftover Luxuries (Pantops Shopping Center): 20 to 40 percent off certain items.

December 10, 14, 17, 4:30-6:30pm Open-hearth cook Pat Willis leads participants in cooking two different Monroe-era desserts, which guests will nosh by candlelight. While the desserts are cooking, enjoy a guided visit of the presidential guest house and museum spaces decorated for the holidays. $28. James Monroe’s Highland, 2050 James Monroe Pkwy. highland.org

Through December 25 Joseph Joseph & Joseph Antiques

8 ABODE

Zack Worrell

TOP: COURTESY MONOLITH STUDIO KNIVES; BOTTOM: BRIANNA LAROCCO

Sacred Spaces: The Home and Poetry of Anne Spencer Through January 27 Get a peek at the Lynchburg, Virginia, home of poet, civil rights activist and gardener Anne Spencer, which played a small part in the Harlem Renaissance. A sacred space free from Jim Crow for the African-American community on the East Coast, Spencer’s house also became a sort of salon for luminaries such as Langston Hughes, Marian Anderson, George Washington Carver, Thurgood

Garden & Gun magazine’s seventh Made in the South awards—an annual round-up of the South’s best artisans and makers in categories from home and food to style and outdoors—includes at least one familiar face this year. Zack Worrell’s Monolith Studio Knives took a runner-up spot in the competition’s home category. The magazine praised the knives’ aesthetics and function—“the sleek pieces take their visual cues from Japan, meaning they’re ergonomic, lightweight and extra sharp”—as well as Worrell’s penchant for utilizing unusual materials, like a World War II parachute or a car airbag.

The award comes as no surprise to C-VILLE, which highlighted Worrell’s wares in its Design Issue this past April. “It is the harnessing of steel, forming it into a beautiful piece of art that can be used as an everyday tool to live or even survive. It is so raw and base level to me,” Worrell said then.

“I think people relate to this.”

(134 10th St. NW): 10-20 percent off antiques and 15 percent off the tiny log cabin if purchased before Christmas.

December 9-10 Folly (Barracks Road Shopping Center):

Spend over $100, be entered to win a $100 gift certificate to the store.

December 17 Roxie Daisy (101 E. Water St.): 20

percent off merchandise from 4-6pm (plus food and cocktails!)

December 26 Caspari (100 W. Main St., Downtown Mall):

Half off all holiday items, plus Caspari paper (plates, napkins, gift wrap, etc.).

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20-30 percent off in-store merchandise

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ABODE

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10 ABODE

Blueprint A former office building of Anderson’s, drawn in his signature style with, naturally, a little rhino.

A LINE TO DESIGN

Complex forms Architect Bob Anderson on art and the built environment ABODE 11

BLUEPRINT

P

ARCHITECTURE

ractice makes perfect. It’s an adage for a reason—the more you do something, the more comfortable with it and adept at it you become. That was architect Bob Anderson’s thinking, anyway, when, as an 8-yearold, he saw an illustration of Albrecht Dürer’s wood carving of a rhinoceros from 1515.

“I fell in love with it and decided that I wanted to draw like that,” Anderson says, “so I copied it several times, using a No. 2 pencil.”

The artist continued drawing that way until he developed his own style, which in many ways still mimics the forms found in traditional etchings.

Anderson started Little Rhino for both his drawings and his architectural projects, in homage to Dürer’s carving and in appreciation of the endangered rhinoceros, a cause that became important to Anderson during his childhood in Hawaii. “Since I consider myself today a wildlife conservationist as well as an architect, artist and

“Architects are artists, after all, and architecture is the most complex of the art forms.”

to do. Looking back, I realize that I had always been fascinated by another family friend’s house that had been carefully built by unemployed ship cabinetmakers during the Depression and, to this day, I still carry the memories of beautifully detailed houses we visited in Hawaii and, what was quite modern at the time, a spectacular country club in a lush garden-like setting in the mountains overlooking Honolulu. I guess the lure of architecture (as well as art) was always in me.

ist—drawing, painting, in fact, all art is part of being what I call a truly complete architect. Architects are artists, after all, and architecture is the most complex of the art forms.

Why did you choose to practice in Virginia?

Tell us about your college experience.

Was there a standout teacher who had a lasting impact on you?

Chance. My wife and I were married in France and were planning on living and working in New York but came to Charlottesville to visit my mother, who lived here. The head of the French department at UVA met my wife at a party my mother had hosted and offered her a job. The next day, I answered a want ad for an architect

College was a wild up-and-down ride for me. I was very unsettled emotionally when I started college and had a lot of trouble with any and all figures of authority. There was one associate professor who was just out of grad school. He was a sculptor on the architectural faculty and from day one I felt like he treated me as an equal, or at least with respect. I was able to relate really well to him and to this day consider him the one who got me over all those agonizing, self-created hurdles that seemed to always get in my way. Interestingly, all the teachers whom I remember most were either artists or architectural historians. Some of the architecture profs were okay, but most never really got through to me.

On process: How does it begin?

AMY JACKSON

Bob Anderson author, the rhino seemed like a good logo and I felt like the name was fitting.”

We asked Anderson to tell us more about how art affects his architecture, what has the biggest influence on his work and what’s on the board now.—Caite White

Why architecture?

My father was a retired army colonel and the family had always assumed I would go to West Point. One day an old friend of the family, who had always seemed interested in my drawing ability, told me that he couldn’t imagine me in the army and suggested that I look into architecture. At 17, I visited two architecture schools and as soon as I stuck my head in the door of the first one, I knew that this was what I wanted 12 ABODE

It’s different with every job. I always like to walk the site with a new client while the client talks about what they are looking for. I never do my initial designs on the computer. I start with freehand sketches and will often do one or two while on that initial walk around the site.

What inspires you? in the paper and was hired that afternoon. We never went back to New York.

What was your childhood like, and how did it lead you to design?

I grew up in Hawaii from the age of 4 until I was 9 1/2 and started drawing at 4. My parents drank and argued a lot and drawing was my way of escaping into my own world. I never stopped drawing and am both an artist and an architect today. The drawing was always a key component to architecture for me. Today, with computeraided drafting (CAD), it has become less of a necessity but, for me—I think of Frank Lloyd Wright, whose drawings were just wonderful; Le Corbusier, who could paint and sculpt; Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a most talented water color-

Great architecture, art, music and writing. Then there’s nature, of course. The first time I ever visited Wright’s Fallingwater was way back when they had just opened it to the public. At that time, the entire site where it sits was filled with sculptures by some of the early 20th century’s best sculptors. You had architecture, art and nature all beautifully blended together, and when I first stood there and looked at it, a big chill went quivering down my spine.

What are you working on now?

Osa Verde, a tropical organic agricultural research and educational center for Osa Conservation on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, and Piedmont Place, a three-story, mixed-use building in Crozet.

Two totally different kinds of projects.

DAVID SAGRIN

STEPHEN BARLING

Among Bob Anderson’s projects are (clockwise from top) a residential complex overlooking the James River, a residence on the slope of Buck’s Elbow Mountain, a research center on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, a cottage in Charlottesville that utilized the work of many local artisans and Piedmont Place, a mixed-use building in Crozet.

ABODE 13

Love and marriage

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Immortal words

At Montpelier, a place for ‘We, the people’ to learn—and record

By Erika Howsare

STEPHEN BARLING

I

Montpelier’s new Claude Moore Hall visually connects to its environment, but some contemporary details help it stand out for a modern era.

KENTON ROWE

t’s a special opportunity to hear a luminary speak in person, but for Kat Imhoff, president of James Madison’s Montpelier, it’s a shame to hear those words evaporate without being captured in a recording. Like, say, when Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice, spoke to a group of young female leaders at Montpelier’s Center for the Constitution.

“To not be able to sit her down in a recording studio and capture her comments for a podcast or our website was such a tragedy,” says Imhoff.

Moments like those were a driving force behind the creation of a new building to house the center, which exists to educate citizens about the Constitution.

Richmond-based architecture firm Bartzen + Ball has completed a number of projects at Montpelier, including the renovation of the carriage barn where the center had been housed until now. Imhoff and her colleagues asked for a new facility where they could “record and distribute video and audio materials,” explains architect Maynard Ball.

What they got is a smart, modern structure that answers that need while also connecting functionally and visually with the carriage barn, known as Lewis Hall. The new Claude Moore Hall sits right next door to the former barn, and the two structures form a courtyard overlooking a pond that once supplied Madison and his family with drinking water and ice.

“One of the things I think is so graceful about this building is how it sits in the natural environment,” says Imhoff. “Maynard was able to slide it in next to the existing building.”

Board-and-batten siding and a barnlike main volume allow Claude Moore Hall to echo its surroundings. “When you look across the pond, you see a series of agricultural buildings, and this building is in that vocabulary,” says Imhoff.

Yet it’s clearly a brand-new structure, with contemporary detailing and lots of glass facing the pond. Painting the hall dark gray, says Ball, makes it “recede into the woodland environment” and

differentiates it from the signature green applied to many Montpelier buildings by the duPont family, who owned the property for decades.

At 7,000 square feet, Claude Moore Hall provides classroom space, a reception area, offices and a kitchenette, plus the “cherry on the sundae,” says Imhoff: a recording booth. Reclaimed barn wood from the site is used for wainscoting in the upstairs offices, while the public spaces downstairs use beech paneling to strike a modern note.

One special challenge was the fact that at Montpelier, a construction crew can’t just dig into the ground willy-nilly—that could result in the loss of artifacts that might someday be valuable to archaeologists looking for information about the Madison era. Ball was able to site Claude Moore Hall on the footprint of a former power plant built by the duPonts, on ground that had already been disturbed a century ago.

The new facility will host a variety of events for professionals and the public. It opened in late November.

“One of the things I think is so graceful about this building is how it sits in the natural environment,” says Kat Imhoff, president of James Madison’s Montpelier.

ABODE 15

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FROM THE A-SCHOOL

Where the sidewalk ends How public spaces affect private lives

By Lindsey Luria

ROBERT LLEWELLYN

I

n urban design, decisions about road lanes, sidewalk widths and shade trees affect the rhythm of use in outdoor spaces—transportation and commerce, social activity, traffic, safety, recreation and even public health are determined by these choices. Urban planners have long been using the catchphrase “live, work, play” to describe an idyllic mixture of programming, but perhaps we need to take a more careful look at what living, working and playing mean to different people.

In some cities, like Venice, Italy, vehicular traffic is nonexistent, while pedestrian traffic traverses all manner of spaces: from public squares to private alleys, bustling streets to tiny walkways.

The pedestrian experience is diverse but continuous, making the whole city feel accessible and fluid. And what’s more, beyond the integration of public spaces within the pedestrian street network, public areas in Venice also feel accessible to a diverse population of users because of the myriad ways in which they can be used: Restaurants set up tables, vendors set up street carts, children play soccer and friends share drinks, all within the same streetscape.

Here in Charlottesville, the downtown pedestrian mall is theoretically similar to this type of urban fabric—a mix of public and private space with vehicular traffic almost entirely removed. However, it functions more like other American town centers, serving a clientele that mostly arrives by car. While the side alleys of the Downtown Mall have begun to densify with more businesses, the mall itself is still somewhat disconnected from the neighborhoods on its perimeter, with the backs of its boutique shops remaining unadorned, unused and, in many cases, unwelcoming. Even on the mall, fences cordon private-use areas, which beckon to a particular so-

Even around Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, fences cordon private-use areas, signalling a disconnect between social groups.

How can the streetscape play a larger role in welcoming people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds?

cial group and impart an exclusive atmosphere on public areas.

Commercial hubs like Reston Town Center in Northern Virginia are designated as mixed-use areas and often include outdoor play spaces or concert venues, in addition to offices and shops, but the apartments are expensive and the location within business parks and housing developments makes it a destination for shoppers and diners—more of an outdoor shopping mall than a public space. On a typical New York City block, too, the sidewalk is technically public but the streetscape is more of a commodified stage for those who patronize the shops lining it. Public parks are nestled into blocks, like islands within their surrounding landscape, with bars and playgrounds being kept decidedly separate.

In retrofitting our cities to incorporate truly public space that is both diverse and accessible, what lessons can be learned from places like Venice, small-town main streets and cozy villages? How can the public realm be made into a network, rather than patchwork? How can the streetscape play a larger role in welcoming people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds? Perhaps town centers and pedestrian malls are good models for the activation of public space within commercial centers, but they must be better integrated into the larger pedestrian realm in order to unite diverse communities, rather than divide them.

Lindsey Luria is pursuing a master of landscape architecture degree and certificate of historic preservation at UVA’s School of Architecture.

ABODE 17

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FINISHES

Hot to trot

What’s the best way to utilize in-floor heating in a temperate climate?

By Shea Gibbs

H

eated floors are less popular than they used to be, according to local builders, but that doesn’t mean they don’t still have their place.

“In this climate it’s not economically real feasible as a primary heat source,” says Wayne Stinnette, vice president of Abrahamse & Company Builders. But “you see a lot of in-floor heating in higher-end custom homes. It may be argued that no heating system provides a greater sense of comfort than radiant heat. In-floor radiant is invisible and clean.”

So if you absolutely must keep your tootsies toasty, remember the following tips to stay budget-friendly.

Don’t turn it on yet Radiant heat, be it from an old-school radiator or the under-floor systems that first became popular about 15 years ago, takes a while to get going. Where forced air through ductwork can warm you up tout de suite, heat from liquids running through pipes in your subfloor must first warm the surrounding base.

“With a radiant floor, there is a time lag. It’s not instantaneous,” says Jeff Sties, owner of green building firm Sunbiosis. “If you have a system that has already been installed, check your owner’s manual for maintenance [direction], keep it in good working order and wait till you get to that point that you want to have it on all the time. That might be December or January.”

Pick your spots Different types of flooring are better suited to playing nicely with in-floor radiant heat. Sties says wood floors are dicey—but not out of the question—and masonry-type floors with some thermal mass are best. That means floors like those you’ll find in bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms and foyers.

Heated floors are basically a luxury in a moderate climate like Charlottesville’s, and are found mainly in higher-end custom homes.

“If you have slate or tile, that material will retain heat and radiate it into the space,” Sties says. “Wood is a natural product and while wellsealed, it has moisture, so when you heat that wooden floor, it can shrink and crack.”

Sties says hard wood like oak and engineered wood are best suited to in-floor heating. But make sure you consult manufacturers’ guidelines before going forward, and find a contractor who’s worked with heated wood floors in the past.

Consider the source Since heated floors are basically a luxury in a moderate climate like Charlottesville’s, there are a couple ways to go about obtaining them. An antifreeze-like liquid running through pipes is most common (and most effective in colder climates), but electric sources like those you’ll find in baseboard radiators are also available.

“Electric resistance heaters are expensive to run and operate,” Sties says, so they’re rarely used to heat homes anymore. But according to Stinnette, electric floor heating is sometimes used in bathrooms or other places where it can be turned on and off for one-time use.

“It’s an inefficient way to heat, but it can augment your comfort when you get out of the tub wet,” he says.

Accept redundancy If you’re heating a home in a climate like that of central Virginia, you pretty much have to have forced heat. Not only do ducted systems work on call, but they also provide the dehumidification necessary in these parts, according to Sties.

That means if you’re using radiant in-floor heat, you’re going to have to install it as a redundant system—not exactly a cost-effective strategy, most builders agree.

“The systems were very popular 10 to 15 years ago when they first came out,” Sties says. “But redundant systems...get expensive. I don’t have many clients asking for them.”

On top of providing an expensive route to toe-comfort town, there’s one other reason homeowners might opt for radiant heat. The systems can act as an emergency backup in case your main heater goes down. So there you go.

Fun and functional.

Wood floors are dicey—but not out of the question—and masonry-type floors with some thermal mass are best.

ABODE 19

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20 ABODE

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ABODE 21

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22 ABODE

BLUEPRINT

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Got it covered

Antique or modern?

Neither one. I’m more known for an eclectic style.

City or country?

In my early years, being from New York, I would say city. Since I have relocated to Charlottesville it would be more country.

Which colors do you gravitate toward?

I tend to be very fickle about color. Black and gold are always a go-to. Purple is one of my favorite colors, though I’m not always able to incorporate that in homes.

Which materials or textures do you frequently use in your own home?

I like working within the same color palette and using many textures, like velvet, chenille, tweed or linen.

What is your favorite interior designrelated word?

AMY JACKSON

W

hen it comes to designing a room, often the advice is to start with something you love (a rug, a piece of art—anything) and work from there, layering pattern and texture to achieve a dynamic space.

But every project is different, says Nina Crawford, and no two clients are the same.

“My favorite customer is one that trusts in my judgment and isn’t afraid to take some chances,” Crawford says.

The designer took over local firm MSS Designs in 1998 after graduating from Arcadia Academy and working in the industry for many years in New York. In addition to full design services, the business specializes in window coverings­—blinds, shades, shutters and draperies. We asked Crawford to tell us her dream movie set, her most treasured possession and what she’ll never DIY.—Caite White

Nina Crawford says her favorite room in her own home is the sunroom. “It’s a large room for seating and dining with views of the mountains,” she says.

decorator, she, like myself, didn’t spend too much time decorating at home.

What’s one thing that can really transform a room?

Without sounding trite, an interior decorator.

They can be really beneficial to the homeowner to help navigate through all the choices and decisions.

Favorite designer?

I can’t say that I have one favorite designer but right now I’m favoring Matthew Williamson (a British fashion designer and bespoke furniture purveyor).

Which design blog, website, TV show or magazine do you peruse religiously?

set for her birthday at the age of 55. That’s when she started painting. She continued well into her 80s and had sold several pieces.

What do you wish you could do without?

The computer.

What are you afraid to DIY? Tilework!

Have you ever had a change of heart about an object or a style?

Not so much a change of heart, but I often have a desire to update.

If you could live in one historical figure’s house, whose would it be?

Versailles.

Architectural Digest.

On what movie set would you like to live?

Function.

Design rule you like to break?

The Great Gatsby.

Does your home look like the one you grew up in?

Most of them.

If you were reborn as a piece of furniture or an object, what would it be?

There are some elements that are similar, but for the most part it’s much different. Each room took on its own feeling based upon artwork from my grandmother. Since my grandmother was a

My grandmother’s artwork. She was a very competent woman and was not afraid to tackle any challenge. Birthday presents were always a little bit of a challenge, so my parents gave her a paint

What is your most treasured possession?

A chaise lounge.

What is your first design memory?

Having a continual need to move furniture to create a new space in my room as a child.

“My favorite customer is one that trusts in my judgment and isn’t afraid to take some chances.”

ABODE 23

MITCHELL

юБо

AR CHITECTS

M AT T H E W S &

PL ANNERS

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B E F O R E

A N D

A F T E R

A laboratory, remade Downtown condo includes an homage to art-world star who called it home

BY ERIKA HOWSARE PHOTOGRAPHY: STEPHEN BARLING

BEFORE

By removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, once used as one of artist Lydia Gasman’s canvases, designer Kathy Turner was able to further elongate the great room and open up the space.

When Bonnie Bond bought her condo in the Lewis and Clark Building downtown in 2012, she faced an unusual situation. Not only was the twobedroom unit due for routine updates—the building was built in 1989, and the flooring and cabinetry reflected their age—the condo bore the marks of its previous, and very notable, owner. Artist, UVA professor and renowned Picasso scholar Lydia Gasman had used its walls as her canvas.

ABODE 25

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Formerly fettered with built-ins, the living room’s far wall now features open walnut shelving, which serves as an artful spot for the homeowner’s own favorite pieces and keeps the space from feeling cluttered.

Gasman, who died in 2010, enjoyed a towering reputation in the art history world. She’d begun her career as a celebrated painter in her native Romania before becoming an internationally respected expert on Picasso. At UVA, where she taught for two decades, her lectures were routinely filled to overcapacity.

In the condo where she lived and sometimes held court with admiring students and friends, she’d made art part of the architecture—applying assemblage materials, like copper piping that formed mock candelabras, right to the walls.

Jagged chunks of mirror glass, affixed to a column, reflected the sky near the big west-facing windows in the living area. And she’d drawn and painted on the drywall, in some places from floor to ceiling.

“The whole place was like her laboratory,” says Lyn Bolen Warren, owner of Les Yeux du Monde gallery, which still represents Gasman’s work.

“She was constantly creating.”

New plans There was normal wear and tear on the condo, too, of course. “It was never painted, and there

BEFORE

The Lewis and Clark Building, built in 1989, overlooks West Main Street.

was original carpeting,” says Bill Norton of Rockpile Construction, Bond’s contractor. But Bond, who was relocating from Florida to live near her son (Abode photographer Stephen Barling), knew she couldn’t find a better location in Charlottesville.

She had a vision for the look and feel of her new home, but first there were layout problems to solve. “I wanted this wall down,” she says, indicating a wall that used to separate the kitchen from the living space. “The kitchen was completely closed in,” says Norton.

The team—which also included kitchen designer Karen Turner—reconfigured short hallways to make the bedrooms more private. They also deemed two and a half bathrooms to be too many for the condo, converting one into a laundry room.

In a few places, they changed ceiling heights, aiming for unity throughout the not-too-large unit.

As for looks, Bond had in mind a Tuscan sensibility, a reaction to her years in Florida. “I was sick of white,” she says. “I wanted to do earth tones.”

With a consistent look being a priority, she chose one paint color, Sherwin Williams’ Bagel, for the entire place—including walls, trim and even shutters. “It feels very peaceful in here,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

ABODE 27

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At the condoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entrance is a framed homage to Gasman: Contractor Bill Norton and his team carefully removed a portion of the drywall where the artist had sketched her motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portrait and preserved it for Bond to display.

The kitchen redesign was a puzzle, says Turner, necessitating navigation around the existing ceiling height and unmovable sprinklers. The solution?

Hiding the sink and appliances from the front door vantage point.

BEFORE

ABODE 29

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27

Turner says. “There’s nothing distracting.” Walnut flooring completes the warm, earthy palette, and it’s echoed by the walnut stain on the floating shelves that line the living area’s far wall.

For the many windows in the living and dining area, Bond decided on interior plantation shutters. “I’m not fond of draperies because they collect dust,” she says. “I love what the shutters do to the light; it’s nice at night looking down Main Street with the city lights.”

Kitchen illusion Redesigning the kitchen was a challenge, given existing ceiling heights and sprinklers that could not be moved. “It was a real puzzle,” says Turner.

Her goal was for the kitchen not to “jump out at you when you walked in the front door.” In other words, though the kitchen is visible from the entrance, it needed to appear…not exactly kitchen-like.

The key was to hide the sink and appliances from the front door vantage point, instead putting cabinetry, crystalware and the wine collection on view. “It looks friendly,” says Turner.

The maple cabinets “feel more like furniture,” she says.

She also protected the view from the living area, not only tucking away the larger appliances but even specifying that a counter meant to hold the blender and toaster be hidden by a 12" wall. The granite countertops, Shaker-style cabinetry and travertine tile backsplash all contribute to a sense of quietude, with an accent provided by a walnut bartop.

The master suite got a thorough update, including a few custom touches. New built-in cabinetry with a live-edge walnut countertop provides space for books and grandkids’ toys, and near one end, with a view toward Carter Mountain, is a built-in desk.

A hallway to the bathroom doubles as a walkthrough closet, with mirrored doors that replaced the old bifold-style ones. The outdated 30" bathroom vanity gained six inches in height, making it more comfortable to use, and, as in the kitchen, a built-in cabinet “looks like a piece of furniture,” says Turner. A tub was replaced by a glass-walled shower, lined with tumbled-edge porcelain tile that mimics the look of stone.

Portrait preserved In its serenity and simplicity, the palette of Bond’s condo—which she’s occupied now for four years—has something in common with Gasman’s original vision for the place. “She started out only intending to have a white couch and the white walls,” says Warren, “and three

A hallway to the bathroom doubles as a walk-through closet, with mirrored doors that replaced the old bifold-style ones.

pillows, à la Mondrian, on the white couch—a yellow, a red and a blue.” But Gasman’s restless creativity got the better of her minimalist ideals.

“As time went on, she embellished each and every surface,” Warren says.

In one hallway, she pasted up numerous enlargements of her beloved mother’s photograph, then sketched her own version of the portrait right on the drywall. When Bill Norton and his team undertook the renovation for Bond, they carefully removed that section of the wall, and Bond had it framed. It now hangs very close to its original spot.

The breakdown 1,500 square feet Structural system: Steel-reinforced concrete high-rise Exterior material: Brick and stucco Interior finishes: Drywall, walnut floors, tiled bathrooms, custom cabinetry Window system: Marvin Mechanical systems: Heat pump (water source)

ABODE 31

ABODE

GARDEN GREEN

Camellia

Merry and bright Creating a colorful garden in winter’s darker days

By Cathy Clary

D

eck the garden with half a dozen stars to ornament the darkest days of winter. In the pared-down landscape between first and last freezes, when contrasts are sharp, displays of flower, form and color take on a significance lost in the lushness of summer. If you don’t already have these beauties in your lineup, add them to your New Year’s list for spring and fall planting.

Camellia Immigrants from China and doyens of old Virginia gardens, these long-lived evergreen shrubs thrive in shady spots near buildings and beneath pine or mixed wood canopies as long as they have shelter from wind and protection from deer. Flowering in late winter, spring and fall, camellias have glossy evergreen leaves that shine in winter sun.

Give them the same acidic soil, good drainage and moist conditions azaleas prefer and they will pro32 ABODE

duce amazing silky blossoms ranging from bloodred and golden-white to candy-striped pink. Fallblooming camellia sasanqua takes more sun and can be clipped as a hedge, but C. japonica, which blooms in late winter, should be given ample room to express itself (10-15'x6-10').

Christmas fern

(Polystichum acrostichoides) A native evergreen fern, deer-resistant and hardy on lean slopes, this ironclad perennial can hold a bank in a mass planting or serve as an elegant accent along paths and at entries. Good for deep shade and beautiful with stonework, it’s also ideal for woodland habitats with acid soil rich in rotted leaves and humus. Combine the Christmas fern with snowdrops and Hellebores.

Hellebore A varied group of dependable, deer-proof evergreen perennials from Asia with strong foliar

texture and very early showy flowers, they tolerate deep shade as well as dappled but will burn in hot sun. Lenten roses (H. niger and hybrids like Pine Knot) have large bell-shaped flowers in shades of cream, purple and pale green, often mottled on nodding stalks although some hybrids feature upward-facing blooms. They make long-lived clumps 1 1/2' all around. Bear’s foot (H. foetidus) are the most arresting, reaching over 2 1/2' tall with vivid chartreuse Dr. Seuss-like flowers. Because of their heavy presence and distinctive textures and colors, do not mix varieties; use in masses under trees like crapemyrtles and along pathways with stonework and brick.

Magnolia Unless you are Scarlett O’Hara, you probably don’t have room for a southern magnolia (M. grandiflora), which can max out at over 60'x40', but hybrid Little Gem gives the same scented flowers and patent-leather leaves on a smaller

scale (20'). Use as a hedge or specimen by a walk or entry where scent and flowers can be closely experienced. Deciduous Asian forms like M. stellata have smaller cultivars like Waterlily and Royal Star that stay at 10-15' and show fuzzy gray buds on silvery twigs through winter. Place them like a sculpture. Their papery pink-white blooms flutter in the cold air like a haiku.

Christmas fern

Snowdrop and other minor bulbs Nothing spangles late winter like the little bulbs.

Plant them every fall, scavenging the old bins at garden centers. Most all are deer-proof and increase over the years with little attention. Scatter Hellebore on the edges of lawns, borders and pathways: white snowdrops (Galanthus), purple “Tommies” (Crocus tommasinianus), electric blue Scillas or wood squills, creamy Chionodoxa (glory of the snow), pale blue Ipheon (spring starflower) and pastel Spanish hyacinths (Hyacinthoides).

Witchhazel

Magnolia

Like camellias, this large shrub comes in spring and fall flowering forms. Hamamelis x intermedia produces hybrids of Chinese and Japanese species: Arnold Promise, with bright golden fragrant February flowers, ruby-red Diane and rose-gold Jelena air their astringent ribbons in February and March, with buttery apricot fall color to boot. Our native H. virginiana blooms Snowdrop November through December. Wide-spreading, around 12'x12', witchhazels sparkle as specimens or dotted along woodland edges in shade to full sun, preferring moist sheltered spots.

Whether you need a dependable groundcover or a spectacular focal point, plan to add one or more of these winter gems to the garden in the coming seasons.

Witchhazel

Winter checklist n Clean and organize tools. n Drain and turn off outdoor faucets susceptible to freezing. n Rake existing mulch away from trunks of trees and crowns of perennials and shrubs; replace as needed to maintain no more than 2" for perennials, 3" for trees and shrubs. n Start Amyrillis and paper white bulbs for indoor blooms. n Shred and compost leaves to use as soil amendment and mulch. n Use wire cages to protect young trees from deer rubbing. n Water fall-planted trees and shrubs regularly in absence of rain as long as ground is not frozen.

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ABODE 33

COME HOME TO

Newtown Historic District

$569,000 | MLS 547235

STAUNTON, VA

$599,000 | MLS 549652 Fully Renovated

Stunning custom renovated city residence and gardens. The home boasts an unparalleled attention to detail. Light-filled w/ gleaming wood floors, high ceilings, elegant mouldings, custom built-ins, white Carerrra marble. Kithchen w/48in Wolf stove, Subzero & Viking. Landscaped gardens, mature boxwoods.

Adjacent lot w/vegetable garden.

540.448.3145 Cell 540.886.3447 Office www.allenpersinger.com

34 ABODE

This e xceptional o ne-of-a-kind h ome w ith a o ne b edroom apartment has been completely restored and renovated. Custom cabinetry, soapstone counter tops, stainless appliances.

New 4 zone HVAC, electric, plumbing. Open and bright floor plan, 2 firesplaces, beautiful staircase. City and mountain views.

Allen Persinger, Jr., REALTOR RE/MAX Advantage 413 N. Coalter Street Staunton, Virginia 24401

R E A L E S TAT E

ON THE MARKET

Cottage character Lots to love at an Ivy country place

By Erika Howsare

“T

PHOTOS: JOHN WADE

he most interesting faces generally oscillate between charm and crookedness,” writes Alain de Botton in his Essays in Love. Replace “crookedness” with “quirkiness,” and you’ll have a fair description of why we’re drawn to this listing in Ivy: It it isn’t intimidatingly perfect. It’s lovely but not bland, and it feels real.

Sited at the end of a narrow gravel drive, the house sits midway up a gentle slope. It has space and trees buffering it on three sides; a privacy fence screens the view of a neighbor on the fourth. This isn’t total isolation, but there are five acres here on which to cavort, with most of that space comprised of parklike lawn.

We can see the property and its environs appealing to a few different kinds of buyers. Those who want space to garden, tinker or otherwise create will appreciate the acreage and the large two-story garage. Those who want convenience, but not a cookie-cutter home, might be attracted to the mixed housing stock in the neighborhood.

(It’s not hard to imagine the recent history of the Ivy area: an old, settled country place that has become home to more and more Charlottesville commuters. Murray Elementary School, right down the road, serves kids from humble cottages as well as from large new homes, and the growth of nearby Crozet provides a lot more of the suburban-style amenities than Ivy has ever seen in the past.)

Those who just want pretty views from the windows will be happy too, as long as they’re up for the maintenance involved in a house and yard this spacious. This is a bigger place than it seems from that modest entrance.

The first-floor master suite isn’t enormous, but it feels pleasantly open because of its many win-

The area immediately around the house has obviously received lots of attention from a happy gardener, but carries no whiff of capital-D design. There’s a homegrown feel to the perennial beds, stone walls and pea-gravel walks that lead to the main entrance.

workplaces than hangout spots. dows, high ceiling and a door that opens onto the deck. But if you turn Most buyers are going to be eyeing right from the tile-floored foyer, up ways to make this kitchen more you’ll find yourself in a space that is a part of the social action, and stealmore than generous. What to call it? Address: 3482 Layton ing space from the huge living room “Living room” doesn’t seem to cover Dr., Charlottesville might be a solution. Adding square it, since it includes two separate seat- MLS#: 548333 footage in the corner between the ing areas and a built-in desk. What- Year built: 1975 kitchen and the dining room— ever its name, this is the quirky room Bedrooms: 5 which is also rather removed—could that lends the house its character. also do the trick.

Baths: 3.5 The main oddity is simply the fact Square footage: 2,695 If it takes a while to plan the attack, that a small seating area cozies up to Extras: Garage the kitchen will be functional in the the brick fireplace, but occupies a List price: $595,000 meantime, with plenty of storage, incorner within the much more exoffensive cabinets and a gas stove. At pansive room. A half-wall and some ceiling deits far end, it opens onto a useful laundry room.

In the basement are two more bedrooms and tails suggest that it’s separate, but really it isn’t, a bath; upstairs are a small bedroom and a larger and the remainder of the space would be chalone that’s reached via a storage-rich “between lenging to furnish in a comfortable way. That’s room” lit by skylights. In-laws, recent college grads not to say the job is impossible, just that a simand little kids might all find use for this zone. ple couch-and-coffee table arrangement probThe house’s underlying sense of homey comably won’t suffice.

Perhaps a solution lies in the adjoining kitchfort means that most of the details manage to en, which is the room that most belies this house’s appeal, despite being sometimes odd or dated. age. Nowadays nobody builds galley kitchens Nothing’s perfect, but outside and inside, this with one measly window that feel more like house offers a lot to love.

The breakdown

ABODE 35

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ABODE 1

ORGANIZATION

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ABODE

FINISHING TOUCH

Round and round

EZE AMOS

The only constant is change. Though, it’s often nice to know that a few things—like seasonal wreaths such as this one, created at Monticello’s annual workshop—stay the same.

It’s also nice to know that making the perfect wreath is something you can do on your own with the right supplies (hello, Michaels!), natural materials from outdoors and a healthy dose of holiday spirit. We can’t think of a better way to close the door on 2016.

ABODE 37

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3917 sqft home on 1.4 Acres on elevated lot in Bellair. Comprehensively updated home includes 3917 sqft main home boasting open, flowing floor plan for easy entertaining with built in cabinetry and bookshelves, sound system, natural stone retaining walls and patios along with a recently remodeled marble master bath.

Duffy Birckhead 434.531.6070

SNOW MOUNTAIN RD. 120 ACRES - Breathtaking views looking across the hills of Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Piedmont. Build your own retreat on any of the numerous sites that take advantage of the beauty and privacy of this mostly wooded property. Easy drive or hike to a National Park trailhead. Excellent hunting property. Well, platted drain field in place. MLS 526953. $349,000.

WESTERN ALBEMARLE PARCEL - 19 acres with division potential in the Murray School district! The land has frontage on the cul-de-sac at the end of Taylors Gate Drive. First potential building site on level land close to the cul-desac, other two sites are elevated and have good views. Bold stream allows for a potential pond on one of the future lots. MLS 542224. $398,000.

NAGS HEAD FARM - Albemarle Co. horse farm in excellent condition.

The 24-ac. lends itself to the rolling fields and pastoral setting with a renovated home and stables. A rare offering at this price, ideal for equestrian enthusiast. MLS 546338. $749,900. Murdoch Matheson 434.981.7439.

THE BARRINGER - This 5th floor condo is ideally situated with close proximity to the UVA campus, directly behind the UVA Medical Center. The over 1200sf unit covers two floors with outdoor balcony, wood floors, two bedrooms and two full baths. Kitchen has granite counter tops and all stainless steel appliances. MLS 534838 $445,000. Mary Kachnowski 434.422.2011

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Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce the recent sale of Quail Ridge, a spectacular custom brick manor with the finest of materials throughout, including custom millwork and beautiful reclaimed pine floors. The 98 acres enjoys panoramic views of the Blue Ridge, Mechums River frontage and complete equestrian facilities (indoor and outdoor arenas, newly built barn, and numerous paddocks).

MERRIMAN WAY - Smith Mountain Lake - 3080’ of shore on private 11 ac. peninsula; beautiful grounds and 5 BR Mediterranean style manor with exquisite finishes throughout. Inviting windows and french doors beckon you outside to enjoy the decking, pool, lakeside pavilion, pool house, and 3 covered boat slips. MLS 548615. $5,950,000. Rob Nelson 434.409.7443.

STONELEDGE - The beauty and drama of nature permeates the living space with floor to ceiling windows facing the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fieldstone fireplace with soapstone hearth, Gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry and exposed beams, two master suites. Covered breezeway to 2 Car Garage with Art Studio above and wonderful flagstone terrace. Privacy in beautiful setting on 8 acres. MLS 537024. $895,000. Beth Powell 434.960.9433.

DEER RIDGE FARM - 218-ac retreat South West Mountain Range 15 min. south of Charlottesville, VA. 3 substantial ponds, two of which are larger than 3.5 -acres in size. The elegant country road to the farm passes the former homes of two Presidents, Monticello (Jefferson) and Ashlawn (Monroe). Conservation easements apply. MLS 547863. $1,495,000. Murdoch Matheson 434.981.7439.

SECLUSION MANOR - c. 1844 historic country home with access to Lake Anna in Louisa County clapboard siding and standing seam roof, 6 Bedrooms, 4 ½ baths, fenced pasture with fresh water for livestock. There are 9 working fireplaces, all with lined chimneys and rebuilt fireboxes. This home is a gem!

MLS 537469. $725,000. Murdoch Matheson 434.981.7439.

© MMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Village at Maurecourt used with permission. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity . Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

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434.977.4005 lwoodriff@loringwoodriff.com

401 Park Street Charlottesville, VA 22902 SOUTHERN CHARM IN CROZET

EXCELLENT VALUE IN GLENMORE

1760 Old Trail drive $644,000 Reminiscent of homes in Charleston with two porches and gated Courtyard, this pristine former Craig Builders’ Model Home is move-in ready. Dramatic, sun-drenched Family Room with soaring ceiling, 1st floor Master suite plus Home Office, formal Dining Room & inviting Kitchen. Expansive 2nd floor w/ Guest Suite (or 2nd master), Sun Room, & Rec Room. Private Courtyard with patio & stone fireplace. Tommy Brannock (434) 981-1486. MLS# 554122

3389 CESFORD GRANGE • $575,000 Gourmet eat-in kitchen w/ granite counters, stainless steel appliances, & dual-fuel oven. Sunroom, 1st flr master suite, formal dining, living room w/ built-in bookshelves. 2nd floor has optional master plus 2 other bedrooms. Finished basement & nearly level backyard. Mollie Krebs (434) 284-2951. MLS# 554209

IMMACULATE TOWNHOME ON PANTOPS

BETTER THAN NEW IN SPRING CREEK

IDYLLIC LOCATION IN CROZET

2157 SARANAC COURT • $344,900 Originally a model home w/ many upgrades, this home is now movein ready. Fresh paint, new carpets, knockout kitchen, dazzling living room, large dining area, & deck w/ mountain views. Walk-out lower level w/ home theater & family room. Fenced-in yard. Minutes to MJ Hospital. Dennis Woodriff (434) 531-0140. MLS# 553643

65 LILAC TERRACE • $525,000 Don’t wait for new construction! This LIKE NEW home is loaded with upgrades: special hardwood floors, designer tile, stainless steel appliances, fixtures & more! Walk-out basement includes full bath, study, and huge family/entertainment room. Quiet street & Spring Creek amenities. Jay Reeves (434) 466-8348. MLS #553482

3263 SANDRIDGE DRIVE • $575,000 Opportunity abounds with this Crozet home on almost 3 acres close to Sugar Hollow, Shenandoah National Park, & downtown Crozet, or 13 miles to Charlottesville. In-law suite could also be utilized as a guest house, rental, or master wing. No HOA. Great spot for a mini-farm. Helen Ascoli (434) 996-2225. MLS# 553694

PRIME LOCATION AT LAKE MONTICELLO

BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED

NEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY

17 HATCHECHUBEE ROAD • $187,000 Updated top to bottom, this is a rare deal. Kitchen w/ new stainless steel appliances, granite counter, subway tile. Freshly painted, new flooring & light fixtures throughout. Huge, open living room w/ loads of light. All bathrooms updated & master boasts a new walk-in shower. Helen Ascoli (434) 996-2225. MLS# 553058

326 SQUIRREL PATH • $430,000 JUST COMPLETED: Beautifully remodeled home with new kitchen & baths, redone hardwoods & fresh paint throughout just mins to Stonefield & Rte 29. Large open yard in a quiet, wooded neighborhood. Vaulted great room & basement w/ bright, spacious rec room. Kristin Cummings Streed (434) 409-5619. MLS# 554424

1 NAYLOR STREET • $445,000 Can’t beat this location: close to Downtown, UVA Hospital, I-64, the new Wegman’s Shopping Center, etc. Quality finishes include stainless appliances, granite counters, glass & tile surround showers, hardwood floors, shiplap features & much more. Fully customizable from start to finish. Lisa Lyons (434) 987-1767. MLS# 553384

NEW HOME BY EVERGREEN IN WESTLAKE

3272 Buck island rOad $699,000

5961 WESTHALL DRIVE • $765,000 5 BR, 5 bath beautiful home offers light-filled open plan including a gourmet kitchen w/ huge quartz center island, Wolfe commercial range & Sub-Zero refrigerator, great room w/ fireplace, luxurious master suite & covered rear porch overlooking the gently rolling corner lot & lake. Lindsay Milby (434) 962-9148. MLS# 547451

Very private 34 acres in eastern Albemarle with miles of walking trails, beautiful old-growth forest, & an enchanting moss garden. Cedar bungalow w/ deep porches, detached storage shed/carport, & spacious fenced vegetable garden. Inside you’ll find open concept living, loads of natural light, & wonderful details such as cork/hardwood/ slate floors, built-in kitchen banquette, wood beams, casement windows & vaulted ceilings.

Sally Neill (434) 531-9941. MLS# 553947

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TRULY UNIQUE 34 ACRE OASIS