Abode | Spring 2023

A custom Hinge-build playhouse with style BRIGHT BOX

Letting the light in at this city garage project

New Offering

GLENWOOD

$2,625,000 | MLS 638885

Glenwood, circa 1850 located in the Somerset area of Madison county. The 291 acres are mostly open with exceptional soils ideal for horses, cattle, or crops. Pastures have good fencing and automatic waters. The farm has long frontage on the Rapidan River and has a significant stream running through the property. Wonderful views of the Blue Ridge, and South West Mtns at numerous locations on the property. The historic frame house has a brick foundation with two floors above an English basement. The house has four bedrooms, and two full baths, and is in need of renovation. Additional structures include an 1850 summer kitchen, two bedroom tenant house, numerous cattle barns, cattle feedlot and equipment sheds. Farm is an ideal candidate for a conservation easement. Located within two hours of DC, and thirty minutes to Charlottesville. Property is being sold in as-is condition.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

MONTFORD

$1,099,000 | MLS 586205

133 acres of gently rolling, rich farmland in historic Somerset. An estate caliber property currently in 4 tax map parcels. Great views of the Blue Ridge and excellent soils. Across from the back entrance of Montpelier. Excellent candidate for a conservation easement. Please do not drive on fields.

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

HEADQUARTERS

$ 2,390,000 | MLS 633952

Headquarters, circa 1837, is located west of Charlottesville in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, one of White Hall's/Browns Cove's most historically significant and best preserved properties married with a tastefully designed 2005 addition. The 5 bedroom, 4 bath home sits on 50 acres of pasture and mature hardwoods with stunning views of the pond and surrounding mountains. The estate includes a manager's house, stable, utility barn, and numerous other dependencies. Incredibly private surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Doyles River frontage. Property can also be purchased with 428 acres for $5,250,000.

FOSTERS BRANCH

$575,000 | MLS 623681

First time ever on the open market, two exceptional parcels with incredible views over Charlottesville and layered Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. These private parcels, perched on the western slope of the Southwest Mountains, offer complete seclusion yet are only 15 minutes from downtown Charlottesville, its restaurants and amenities and UVA. Perfect as a family compound or build on one and sell the other. Please do not drive on property without an appointment.

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

VERULAM FARM

$1 0,500,000 | MLS 622844

One of Virginia’s preeminent estates, Verulam is nestled on 503 acres in the breathtaking foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, conveniently located just 4 miles from the University of Virginia and modern amenities of Charlottesville. The Classical Revival manor offers an easy elegance with both formal and informal spaces that flow seamlessly to bucolic grounds, formal Charles Gillette designed gardens and handsome pool complex. Additional amenities include a charming guest house and restored dairy barn turned grand event venue. The farm abuts 1,000+ additional acres of protected land including the Ragged Mountain Reservoir Natural Area.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

New Offering

DEVONHURST

$4,500,000

A breathtakingly beautiful 248-acre Albemarle County farm nestled up against the Southwest Mountains. This meticulously maintained property is well suited for horses or livestock with its board fencing, ample water sources, and large, Morton equipment buildings. The main residence and outbuildings take advantage of views in every direction. In the sought after Keswick-Gordonsville corridor. Excellent candidate for a conservation easement. 25 minutes from Charlottesville.

JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528

PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090

Annie Gould Gallery

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

C-VILLE ABODE

IN THIS ISSUE

Here and there 26

After traveling the world—East Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia—Jeanne Ward settled in Batesville at the suggestion of a friend. She hired a Chicago-based architect, aided by local homebuilder Sun Structures, and set about creating a spot that felt like the best of all worlds.

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. ABODE Editor Caite Hamilton. Copy Editor Susan Sorensen. Art Director Max March. Graphic Designer Tracy Federico. Account Executives Lisa C. Hurdle, Brittany Keller, Gabby Kirk, Stephanie Vogtman, Theresa McClanahan. Production Coordinator Faith Gibson. Publisher Anna Harrison. Chief Financial Officer Debbie Miller. A/R Specialist Nanci Winter. Circulation Manager Billy Dempsey. ©2023 C-VILLE Weekly

VIRGINIA HAMRICK

Virginia’s Construction & Renovation Partners

"At Commonwealth, we believe that building is not just about constructing a physical space, but about fostering a collaborative relationship with our clients. As a building firm, we are driven by the art of creation and the satisfaction of seeing our clients' visions brought to life."

-Luke Roark, President

Design in all its many forms

rugs

Floor-art broker sets up shop in C’ville

By Shea Gibbs

Jordan Heres has visited more than 50 countries, many in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. There, he learned to love rugs. While offering humanitarian aid and disaster relief around the world, Heres gained perspective on floor covering artisanship and quality. He decided to share his rug love by starting Weft & Wool, an online brokerage he runs with help from his wife, Ingrid, out of his Charlottesville home. Heres recently talked to Abode about floorborne art.

Abode: Was there a specific place that made you love rugs?

Jordan Heres: Living in Croatia, we would travel to Bosnia, and they have a rich weaving tradition. I fell in love with this artform. I grew up in Hawaii and had an appreciation for Hawaiian art, but I think because of the education system, I didn’t think of myself as an artist or understand how to connect with art.

What changed that?

There’s something about rugs. They are accessible and tactile, and you can literally use them. Something about that connected with me. Every rug is a grid—they have this mathematical nature—but they are also imperfect. It’s a good

comparative for life. I fell in love with the artform eight or nine years ago and have since become obsessed with the variety of techniques you find in every world region. Every weaver has their own signature.

What about the history of rugs interests you?

Textiles are as old as humanity, and the specific art of hand-knotted rug-making grew out of a hub in Turkey and Greece. The region grew a deep tradition and wealth of knowledge, and widespread production moved to Iran [née Persia] and into India for a bit—although that died out—to the Kurdish people in the Caucasus, into Azerbaijan, and beyond. Most of the rugs I collect originate from Persia or Turkey.

What’s the Weft & Wool business model?

All of my rugs are in stock. I’m an art dealer in a way, an antiques collector and dealer. It’s about identifying great rugs—those diamonds in the rough—and having the knowledge to know what makes them special. I occasionally work with interior designers to find specific rugs for clients’ spaces, but I have more than 200 rugs in stock.

What makes a rug special?

The value of every rug, not just monetary but artistic value, is a function of a few different things. I deal only in handmade rugs, but the technique used to weave the rug, whether it has a cotton or wool foundation, the pile—which is usually wool but sometimes silk—what dyes are used. I try to source natural dye, so that’s typically rugs made in the 1930s and before. Then, what sort of appeal does the rug have in its design? How much artistic expression is there, and how unique is it? Finally, condition. I try to offer a range of conditions, some wear makes them a bit more affordable. I want rugs to be accessible to everyone.

Do rugs hold their value like art?

They do. I would say the caveat is that in the 1970s, there was a real heyday and valuations went way up. They’ve come down a bit from their peak. But as industrialization has spread, there’s been a gap in generational knowledge and less skilled artisanship, so there’s a limited supply of handmade rugs. If you take care of your rug and know what it’s worth, it can be a good investment. At the same time, you’re gaining from the investment because rugs are useful.

Why do so many antique rugs look similar?

The main distinction is geometric versus curvilinear design. Curvilinear rugs often feature medallion or floral patterns. They are often city-woven. Nomadic weavers were limited in their loom size and time. They wove with a lower knot count, which limited their capacity to create curved lines.

Any tips for folks looking to take better care of their rugs?

I do quite a bit of rug-washing, and you wouldn’t believe what I’ve washed out of rugs. The most effective thing you can do is act quickly. If a dog pees on a rug, immediately take the rug outside or run water through it. A rug pad is the second most important thing. Thirdly, flip the rug over and vacuum the back. You want to release the grit that falls between the rug knots. Ingrid and I have a dog, a cat, and kids all around, and we have no issues.

“There’s something about rugs. They are accessible and tactile, and you can literally use them. Something about that connected with me.” JORDAN HERES

ANNA KARIEL

Dealing only in handmade rugs, Jordan Heres of Weft & Wool says the pieces are basically art.

Go with the flow

While there’s something to be said for in-your-face, beachy décor—you know, seashell artwork, knotted rope, anchors galore—sometimes less is more. In Crozet, a garage loft renovation showcases how subtle, water-oriented design details can make waves.

The homeowners and their two sons are lovers of all things active and outdoorsy. With a growing collection of gear, including about a dozen surfboards, and growing boys, things were getting a little tight in the house.

A detached three-car garage with an unfinished interior solved the storage problem, and recently, the homeowners, who’d been in their house for 14 years, decided to go ahead and finish part of the garage. The finished loft would serve as overflow lodging for guests, and it would give the boys a pretty epic hangout spot.

“You know, out-of-town guests only come a few times a year,” says the homeowner. “We wanted to make sure that we had a functional space for the other 90 percent of the time when it was just our family, and very specifically the boys and their buddies.”

“Even though we live in the country, we’re very beachy people,” she says. “So that was the

kind of vibe that we were going for. We wanted to make it open and airy and natural and light and refreshing.”

Peter Johnson Builders was brought in as general contractor, and Tommy Tigert as project manager. In addition to finishing the upstairs, PJB also enclosed and finished the third bay of the garage, and connected the homeowners with local businesses and makers to source material and work on the reno.

Walk into the finished loft, and the beachy vibes are immediately present without being overwhelming. Shades of white and pops of color contrast with natural wood, and the angular roof lines are at play with round, portholelike windows and arched doorways.

The functional living area includes a kitchenette and a small dining room table. Rich blue cabinets, in the color New York State of Mind, with polished chrome hardware complement a locally sourced marble countertop slab called Manhattan Calcutta. The names are a happy nod to the homeowner’s aunt who lives in New York and collaborated with her almost daily on design details like fixtures, color, cabinets, and tile.

“The blue is a nice beachy vibe, and then the countertops are a really light and flowy marble with a lot of earthy colors in there,” says the homeowner. “It kind of reminded me of an ocean flow.”

A cloud-like, wrap-around white couch with a custom-built console table completes the space, and reclaimed beams from The HeartPine Company draw the eye upward, where large windows let in plenty of natural light. The round windows presented an interesting carpentry challenge for the crew, which had to do some precise radius work to fit the wood panels flush against the window.

The ocean wave theme also breezes into the full bathroom, where blue-veined slabs line the walls of the walk-in shower and a nautical-inspired light fixture illuminates the luxurious space and the cozy bedroom, which has just enough space for a queen-sized bed.

The renovation wasn’t complete until the floating stairs were added, a big upgrade that sets the tone for the entire loft. More wood from HeartPine was used for the treads and support, and local metalworker Lauren Danley of Metal Inc. created and fit the handrail. “It’s pretty awesome,” says the owner.

From the round windows to the beachy backsplash, surf meets family turf at this loft renovation.

A loft renovation to accommodate guests points toward the ocean (metaphorically) By Maeve Hayden

Cracked the code

Downtown building wins AIA award

The Center of Developing Entrepreneurs (CODE) Building earned a 2023 Architecture Award from the American Institute of Architects in March, for its “potent combination of desirability and practicality,” the organization notes in its writeup.

A mixed-use development at the west end of the Downtown Mall, the CODE Building opened at the end of 2021 and has made a name for itself as a stylish space for innovators, entrepreneurs, and creatives alike.

The building is a collaboration between Charlottesville-based firm Wolf Ackerman and New Orleans-based firm EskewDumezRipple, and also counts an AIA Louisiana 2022 Design Honor Award among its list of accolades,

“The center represents a new vision for work spaces,” says the AIA. “Since opening, it has been a center of activity, with tenants regularly trading ideas over coffee in the open-concept coworking space.”—CH

Stop and smell the flowers

Spring Wildflower Walk at Monticello (April 27 and 29)

Start off at the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center for this three-hour, five-mile hike through Monticello’s remote woodlands. Peep early spring botanicals and the plant communities along the Rivanna River. Just be sure you’re properly outfitted: Sturdy waterproof shoes are a must! $35, monticello.org

MARK

STEPHEN BARLING

MONTICELLO

ROOM TO BOARD

Get on the list

Southwood pre-sales now open

Regional homebuilder Atlantic Builders announced in January that its two new townhome collections, the Kenridge and the Ashton, are open for pre-sales. Part of a larger project in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville to build out the Southwood Mobile Home Park

community, the townhomes were designed in collaboration with current residents.

The Kenridge model is a three-bed, two-and-a-half bath home with a large great room, rear kitchen, and owner’s suite on the upper level, while the Ashton is a three-story home with three bedrooms, two and a half baths, a deluxe owner’s suite with walk-in closet and master bath, as well as an office space or possible fourth bedroom on the lower level. The to-be-built homes start at $399,900, and move-in ready homes start at $423,000.

“[Atlantic Builders is] thrilled to be entering into the Charlottesville market with our partnership with Habitat for Humanity at their new community, Southwood,” said Tom Schoedel, president of the regional homebuilder, in a press release. “Atlantic has been building homes in Waynesboro and Augusta County for the past few years and we are so excited to expand our footprint in the region and invest in the Albemarle community.”

For more information, visit liveatsouthwood.com.—CH

Forever fun

A playhouse that grows with the family

By Maeve Hayden

SARAH CRAMER SHIELDS

In the early months of the pandemic, Matt and Julie Thomas began working on perhaps the most important job of their careers for their most important clients yet—a playhouse for their three kids.

School was out for the summer and indoor playdates were still a no-no, so the Thomas kids spent most of their time playing outside with neighbors. A playhouse was the perfect way to take the kids’ outdoor time to new lev els of fun.

The husband-and-wife duo are used to tackling much larger projects—kitchen flips, garage con versions, additions—through Hinge Remodeling and Construction, their residential remodeling company in Charlottesville. Matt and Julie fre quently work for clients with growing families or young children, so thoughtfully designed spaces that can adapt and grow alongside a changing fam ily has become somewhat of a specialty for them.

“I was really resistant to building them a play house that was gonna just collect dust and rot somewhere in the yard,” says Matt. “The big aha moment was brainstorming with Julie and saying, ‘Oh, we can build them a shed.’ It’s full height, and once they grow up we can repurpose it.”

The kids also helped with the design, advising their parents on what fun elements they needed to incorporate. High on the wish list was a working elevator, a loft, trap doors, and tunnels.

It was a family affair when Matt and Julie Thomas decided to build their kids, Maeve, Ree, and Jude, a playhouse.

Despite Mom and Dad’s best efforts, not all of the kids’ ideas made it in, but the finished playhouse is modern, practical, and promises endless amounts of fun.

“Our house was a 1950s Cape Cod. It was more traditional, so we thought it’d be fun to go a bit more modern with the playhouse, but still keep it feeling integrated,” says Julie.

A black, penetrating stain on the exterior pine board cladding gives the playhouse a contemporary look, and makes it cohesive with the house and other backyard structures. The 8'x8' dimension ensures the inside isn’t cramped, and a high ceiling fits a ladder and loft. The pine board and galvanized metal roof were purchased new, but most of the other materials were bought secondhand or repurposed from other projects. The skylight came from Habitat for Humanity, and the countertops are repurposed IKEA bookshelves.

And when the kids eventually outgrow the playhouse, the loft can easily be torn down and the structure can be converted into a sauna, garden or potting shed, man cave, or she shed.

favorite spot for antiques, vintage décor, and one-of-a-kind treasures.

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American shoji

An ancient Japanese influence bridges traditional and modern in C’ville By Shea Gibbs

Joanne McNergney’s garage wasn’t doing her much good. It was built decades ago and too small for her car. She had turned it into a storage unit, parking her car in an adjacent carport, but as a shed, the space was neither functional nor fashionable.

An avid gardener, McNergney wanted a well-organized, properly situated place to store her tools and supplies. Two Street Design, an architecture firm where McNergney’s son is a partner, had the answer: Turn the existing garage and carport into a Japanese shoji-style shed that could double as a greenhouse, work aesthetically with the traditional colonial style of the McNergney home, and be beautiful on its own terms.

“It wasn’t so much a stylistic choice but tectonic,” says Andrew Herbert, architect and Two Street co-owner. “Based on the project budget, we knew we were going to be using wood framing. We wanted to create a playful foil to the heavier, traditional masonry house in front. Translucent polycarbonate siding creates a quiet, naturally lit space for gardening during the day. At night, the volume transforms into a glowing light box that provides a glimpse of the underlying structure.”

The full project was initiated in the McNergney’s primary residence, Herbert says. The client wanted improved accessibility throughout the home. Herbert and his business partner, Forrest Frazier, worked with the McNergneys to redesign their bathroom around a zero entry shower, and install an elevator between the first and second floor.

The rustic colonial thus updated, McNergney turned to the outdoors. She maintains a vegetable garden in her front yard and wanted to access it easily from her storage unit. A new segmented garden in the backyard, designed by Kennon Williams Landscape Studio, would allow McNergney to practice her hobby there, as well.

For the shed, Two Street’s vision would eventually emulate Japanese shoji, typically used for interior doors, where a translucent material fits between wooden framing to seal off spaces while hinting at what’s behind.

The translucent material used on the McNergney shed was a polycarbonate commonly used for greenhouses. McNergney didn’t want to use the shed for a greenhouse per se, but in addition to housing her many gardening implements, she wanted to winter certain plants in the structure.

“It’s slab on grade, so there’s a thermal mass to regulate the temperature,” Herbert says. “It is super simple construction.” Herbert and his team kept two of the garage’s walls and masonry structure, framed two new walls, and clad the exterior in 5mm Solexx Greenhouse Siding. The cost-effective and durable material, often used for commercial-scale barrel-shaped greenhouses, lets light in and out. Herbert and his team selected a

flat roof for the structure, which has proven to require minimal maintenance.

“They gave us carte blanche,” Herbert says. “We don’t really do traditional architecture—and of course there are times when that’s appropriate—but there was nothing historic or unique about the garage, so making something that was a little bit more attractive and creative was the main goal.”

Two Street contracted with Abrahamse & Company Builders for construction, in addition to Kennon Williams for landscaping. The backyard garden design snakes from the modern shojished to the traditional colonial home. Williams selected arborvitae and framed the yard while also blocking the view of the neighbors without using fencing. The landscape architect’s crew also replaced a small, relatively uneven patio McNergney had installed herself.

Over the past several months, McNergney moved a citrus plant into her new shed, where it could winter while still blooming. She said the plant “loved it in there.” She feels the same way.

“It’s just a pleasant environment where I can go and do my potting, even in the dead of winter,” she says. “My backyard itself is more usable. We back up to [...] other properties, and Kennon had ideas for plantings that would help break the line of vision. I had no idea it would make such a difference.”

“There was nothing historic or unique about the garage, so making something that was a little bit more attractive and creative was the main goal.”

ANDREW HERBERT

ON 5 ACRES OVERLOOKING ROLLING VISTAS OF FOXFIELD

1480

Magnificent custom residence on 5+ acres with breathtaking landscape gardens and hardscaping, four-falls water feature with goldfish pond and lush garden. Borders the 175-acre Foxfield property, in conservation easement, within viewing range of the Foxfield races. The home features exquisite crown molding and heart pine floors, copper roof and gutters, high ceilings, and creative blend of formal and informal spaces. Spacious 1st-floor master suite with 2 baths and walk-in closets, 4 fireplaces, updated kitchen, generator, and 800sf unfin. 2nd-floor bonus space. Marcela Foshay (540) 314-6550.

Comprised of 216 acres in the heart of Keswick Estate Country, Arabelle Farm offers a opportunity: A turn-key equestrian property & farm w/ recently refurbished farm improvements & renovation of the impressive, c. 1910 5 bed/5 full/2 half bath residence. Lovely pastoral views in all directions & shaded by massive oak trees. Add’l improvements incl’ 23 stall, center aisle barn w/ 2 apts, 5-bay car garage as well as a 2-bay, oversized machinery garage w/ renovated, 2 bed apt above, 10 paddocks w/ run-ins, & 2 beautiful ponds. The 125’ x 250’ outdoor arena has new footing & there is a 5 acre jumping field. Rebecca White (434) 531-5097 or Loring Woodriff (434) 466-2992.

836 BELMONT AVENUE • $1,650,000

Circa 1856, Oakleigh is a beautifully renovated, turn-key country estate incl’ 149 manicured acres with 2 ponds. The home enjoys total tranquility and has been carefully modernized and renovated to incl’ 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and endless charm. Other structures incl’ a smokehouse, barn, chicken coop & large shed. All dependencies have water and electricity. Wonderful boxwood ringed vegetable garden. Under conservation easement with 1 division right. An excellent building site with mountain views is tucked well away from the main residence. 25 minutes to Charlottesville & 40 to Richmond. Fiber optic! MLS# 627792

Extraordinary attention to detail went into transforming this early 1900’s brick home into a warm, character-rich yet luxurious city retreat. The 4 bedroom now incl’ main level primary suite + second floor primary suite & new living room w/ windows on 3 sides open to kitchen & dining room. Spectacular outdoor living spaces incl’ garage & workshop w/ door & EV charger, fenced rear yard w/ bluestone, cedar raised beds, pergola, & flat yard. Two floors of wraparound porches. Less than 1 quiet block to shops & restaurants and a short stroll Downtown. Shannon Thomas (434) 882-1761 or Loring Woodriff (434) 466-2992. MLS#

OAKLEIGH • $3,975,000

GARTH GATE LANE • $2,475,000

MLS# 633816

c . 1856 TREASURE IN THE GREEN SPRINGS HISTORICAL DISTRICT

ARABELLE FARM at 464 CLARKS TRACT • $5,945,000

PRISTINE, TURN-KEY KESWICK ESTATE JUST 10 MINS FROM CHARLOTTESVILLE

A Selection of our Early 2023 Sales

REPRESENTING DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES

1500 London Road Inglecress • Sold for $1,825,000

3250 Trellis Lane Rosemont • Sold for $2,475,000

25 E dnam V illagE S trEEt Ednam Village • Sold for $1,600,000

1120 C ambridgE H ill l anE Glenmore • Sold for $1,175,000

1127 d rydEn l anE Ednam • Sold for $1,510,000

1726 d owning C ourt Glenmore • Sold for $1,250,000

Small wonder

A postage stamp rental makes a big impression

By Caite Hamilton

Once a forlorn little building—roughly 400-square-feet little—on Valley Street, Scottsville’s switching station recently got a second life thanks to the vision of interior designer Carmel Greer. A D.C. transplant, Greer and her husband took an interest in transforming a few of Scottsville’s abandoned buildings into short-term rentals (they’re renovating another nearby to include three additional units, which they’re crossing their fingers will be open by the end of April). The Switching Station—so named for its history as the town’s telephone exchange office—was a dream come true for Greer, an interior designer by trade.

“I’ve always wanted to do a tiny, tiny, tiny little project,” she says. “When you’re working with a much larger project, there’s a tendency to be safer in terms of your design choices. Because this place is so little, I thought, I might as well just be bold.”

She took inspiration from the property’s 1930 Art Deco vibes, and hung a giant (“The crate for it was the size of a small European car,” she says) Murano glass chandelier as the focal point. A rich terracotta color coats the ceiling (“Again, not something we get to do every day”), while a

granite countertop mimics the look of soapstone in the kitchen (but won’t worry guests over proper maintenance).

“It’s a humble building, but I wanted it to feel a little bit glamorous,” Greer says. “There are so many rich details.”

See something you like during your overnight stay? Greer says that’s okay! A lot of the art and furnishings are for sale. It’s a way of satisfying her itch to have a retail store without the pressure of having to stock a high volume of goods, though she admits that, in the event that a guest does want to snatch up her vintage silver tray collection, she has plenty of décor items in storage from past jobs to slot in a replacement.

“[The rentals are] just a cool way of making use of interesting objects that would otherwise not see the light of day,” she says.

Get the look

Want to take inspiration from The Switching Station’s bold design?

Start with these similar options.

“It’s a humble building, but I wanted it to feel a little bit glamorous.”

CARMEL GREER

Farrow and Ball Red Earth No. 64

SUPPLIED PHOTOS

C-VILLE ABODE

Sherwin Williams Aristocrat Peach SW 0027

Murano glass chandelier, $1,300 mcmlights.etsy.com

Ramon Menocal abstract painting, $1,950 thescottsvillehouse.com

Safavieh Couture drum coffee table, $820 bloomingdales.com

Galactic 42" desk, $320 jossandmain.com Napa 72" apartment sofa, $1,699 polyandbark.com

Home BASE

A Kenya transplant incorporates African inspiration in Batesville

By Carol Diggs

Photography by Virginia Hamrick

eanne Ward has traveled the world. As a child, she grew up “all over the United States,” and as an international consultant, she lived for 15 years in Kenya and went wherever the job took her: East Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia. But a friend’s suggestion, serendipity, and the pandemic brought her to a quiet hillside outside Batesville—and a new home.

Ward had dreamed for years of building her own home, and had started looking at pieces of land in Kenya. In the meantime, one of her best friends from her college years, who had settled in the Batesville area, told Ward about a 10-acre lot for sale just down the hill. Ward thought Albemarle County land might make a good investment, and in summer 2015 bought the lot sight unseen. “At first, I wasn’t going to build there,” she recalls. “But when I came [to sign the sale documents], I thought, ‘Wow, this is pretty’—and after living in Kenya, my standards are pretty high.”

In the meantime, Ward had been talking about her design ideas to an architect acquaintance who said, “I have the perfect person for you”—a Chicago-based architect named Trish VanderBeke. Ward and VanderBeke talked on Zoom and connected; VanderBeke (whose bucket list had always included Kenya) came to Africa and spent a week looking around with Ward and learning about her tastes.

When Ward decided to go ahead and build in Batesville, VanderBeke developed a design and put it out to bid—and her new client faced the reality of U.S. construction costs. Ward reluctantly gave up the full basement with guest suite; VanderBeke made the house more compact (a little more than 2,000 square feet) and designed for natural climate control when Tesla solar roof tiles were still too pricey. Charlottesville contractor Sun Structures became a real partner in creating the house, says Ward—who throughout the construction process was still in Kenya. She saw her new home for the first time in 2019, when she arrived from Africa to move in.

Great timing—because once the pandemic hit in March 2020, there was no more traveling to work sites internationally. “I was so lucky— this house became my bolt-hole,” says Ward.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 31

VanderBeke had homed in on two qualities important to Ward: a connection to the land, and a sense of both openness and privacy. (“We used the rural prototypes,” the architect says. “We didn’t want the house to stand out as an oddity.”) Its massing, the monitor roofline, the hayloft window, and the white vertical siding all fit right into the Virginia farm vernacular. Because soil conditions meant the house would be sited close to the road, VanderBeke minimized openings on that side and faced the living spaces out toward the meadows and hillsides. A felicitous result: The house is more closed to the north and west, keeping out winter winds and minimizing late-afternoon summer sun; Ward says the house barely needs to be heated—although the radiant flooring helps there—and requires minimal air conditioning.

The home’s airy white-walled interior harkens back to Ward’s lifestyle in the mild Kenyan climate; the kitchen, dining, and living areas flow together, and each space has its own access to outdoor seating and the meadow beyond. The living area’s two-and-a halfstory window wall takes full advantage of the Blue Ridge landscape. As a result, the house feels more spacious than its square footage, and serenely private—the only intrusion on the view are the birds and an occasional contrail in the distance.

Past the main living space is a small den/ guest room and the master suite, set off by a pocket door. The master bedroom has its own patio, and even an outdoor shower (“not hooked up yet, that’s on my list,” says Ward). On each corner of the deep-overhang roof are silver rain chains—a charming and visually attractive way to channel water off the steep roof (VanderBeke says, “I searched all over for that particular design.”). A second-story space overlooking the living area functions for now as Ward’s office, but may become a small guest suite.

Throughout the home are furniture and furnishings from Ward’s years in Kenya and her travels. Woods and fabrics dominate, along with fresh flowers. There are a few decorator touches: The main wall in the master bedroom is papered in an almost-lilac neutral Philip Jeffries pattern called Dandelion Seeds, and two powder room walls are Kelly Wearstler’s black-and-gold Graffito. Ward likes the idea of dark walls in small spaces “to make them appear larger.” In the den, for example, painting the walls a soft black makes the space feel like a little hideaway after the wide-open white living space.

Now that she’s in her dream home, Ward has found—as most homeowners do—that the work is never done. Her first-year project was opening her meadow view and revealing the orchard beyond by clearing out an acre of scrub trees and undergrowth (including the remains of a former Christmas tree farm—her new neighbors appreciated the free Christmas trees). Last year’s project was renovating the property’s original farmhouse to serve as an Airbnb; Ward filled it with some of her own furniture, supplemented by Charlottesville’s Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and she’s already hosting.

Still to come is finishing the landscaping around the new house, including a possible retaining wall and larger gravel drive/parking area. And then perhaps the guest quarters Ward had to give up in the original design will be reincarnated in a silo-type structure at the top of the driveway. One of Ward’s Kenyan rentals was a small one-bedroom place with two little guest houses; she liked that approach—“I got to have my guests and my own private space,” she says with a smile.

In the meantime, Ward is living in a space she had always dreamed of. “I adore this house,” she says, and from the look on her face it’s clear she has come home.

Each corner of the deep-overhang roof includes a silver rain chain. “I searched all over for that particular design,” says architect Trish VanderBeke.

503 Faulconer Drive

Charlottesville · VA · 22903

p: 434.295.1131 f: 434.293.7377

e: homes@mcleanfaulconer.com

MCLEAN FAULCONER INC.

Farm, Estate and Residential Brokers

MILL HOUSE

Former house of noted local architect Floyd E. Johnson. Today, the beautifully and thoughtfully renovated and expanded home is a delightful 5-BR, 3 full and 2 half bath home graced by tall ceilings, numerous FPs and modern-day kitchen and baths. Guest house, 2-bay garage, pool, equipment shed on 130 acres. Located on the banks of Totier Creek, which runs through the property. MLS#639196 $2,745,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

GIBSON’S HOLLOW

249+ acres in Ivy offering complete privacy with several ridge top building sites. Multiple parcels, a good conservation easement candidate.

MLS#634183 $3,250,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124 or Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

GREENFIELDS FARM

753-acre equestrian estate with impressive circa 1904 manor home and additional improvements. 25 miles from Charlottesville and the University of Virginia. MLS#638899 $6,295,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863 greenfieldsfarmva.com

ARWOOD ROAD

Well constructed home just four miles north of the City. Many dramatic architectural features, including vaulted ceilings & large windows. On 1.45 acres - great outdoor space for gardens. MLS#638788 $545,000 Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

RAGGED MOUNTAIN FARM

Two wonderful estate parcels comprised of 185.01± acres in coveted Ragged Mountain Farm. Excellent elevated building site, complete privacy, and beautiful views. Western school district. MLS#621083 $1,895,000 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

EDNAM FOREST

1.5+ acre building lot in Ednam Forest. Build your dream home on this elevated, wooded lot located in a single family community, minutes from UVA and Boar’s Head Resort. MLS#598537

$289,500 Steve McLean, 434.981.1863

BELMONT LOFTS

In the heart of Belmont, 5 minute walk to Downtown Mall, 3-BR, 3.5-BA condo. Beautiful open floor plan, large rooftop terrace with urban and pastoral views! MLS#634149 $1,890,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

CANTERBURY HILLS

820 CONDO

Well-designed corner condo consisting of a bright great room with high ceilings, 1-BR, 1-BA, and an inviting private balcony. Views of the Downtown skyline and mountains. MLS#634496

$285,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

HIDDEN FOX FARM

10 miles from town, near Free Union, 100+ acres, division rights, no conservation easement! Spectacular Blue Ridge views from many homesites, several barns, stable, 2 ponds & creeks. MLS#638858

$4,975,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

ABODE

Light-filled 4-BR brick residence convenient to all Charlottesville and UVA have to offer. The spacious home has LR, DR or home office, eat-in kitchen and adjacent FR w/FP and half BA on the first floor. Upstairs is a primary BR with full BA, 3-BR with hall BA. Well sited on a large lot that is completely fenced. No HOA fees! MLS#639504

$579,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

Jefferson Country

Oak Lawn c.1822 Charlottesville,

Va

Notably one of the most historic homes in Charlottesville, designed and built by James Dinsmore for Col. Nimrod Bramham. This fine residence is a classic example of Jeffersonian Palladianism and is prominently situated on one of the largest city parcels at 5.20 acres. The property was purchased in 1847 by Rev. James Fife and is still owned by his descendants. This is a Virginia Landmark and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Brookhill c.1803

Albemarle County, Va

Built by William Dunkum as his personal residence, who along with his elder brother John, worked on many of Jefferson’s projects. The house, guest house and stables rest on a bluff below the Southwest mountain range near Monticello. The property of 27 acres consists of two parcels with streams, pond and views in every direction. Located only four miles south of Charlottesville, this property is in need of restoration.

"As a Real Estate attorney, I worked with literally hundreds of Realtors. In terms of prompt service, invaluable assistance, consummate professionalism, and sincere concern for the clients, Trey ranks among the very best I have seen." -Home Buyer 2022"

Deal or no deal?

Weighing the pros and cons of condos and townhouses for homebuyers By Laura

Drummond

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer wanting to settle down or a seasoned homeowner with an eye on downsizing, you’ll likely view both condominiums and townhomes on your quest to find a new nest. We talked to Inessa Telefus, a Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates licensed realtor with more than 20 years of experience, about the differences between condos and townhomes. While Telefus said that the right fit really comes down to your lifestyle preferences, she helped us identify key factors to consider when making the choice.

Price Range, Financing, & Ownership

Condo

$249,000 to $2.8 million*

Financing can be challenging and may require a larger down payment, as it is dependent on the financial standing of the development and investors.

Owning a condo means you own your private unit as well as a shared interest in the community’s common areas.

Amenities & Restrictions

Condo

Townhouse

Townhouse $300,000 to $1 million*

Financing is easier to obtain, making it a more attractive option to first-time homebuyers.

Owning a townhouse means you own your private unit as well as the land under/around it.

HOA Fees & Mortgage Financing Condo

More amenities typically mean higher HOA costs.

Some utilities and services are covered in the HOA fees (e.g, trash, snow removal, exterior maintenance, water and sewer), so you can expect to have more predictable monthly expenses than when paying out-of-pocket.

Mortgage financing factors both the price of the home and the HOA fees into the final loan amount. Higher HOA fees can mean you may get less square footage for your money.

Townhouse

Fewer amenities typically mean lower HOA costs.

Fewer, if any, utilities and services are covered in the HOA fees, resulting in a lower HOA fee but the potential for less predictability of monthly expenses.

Less expensive HOA fees mean you could have the opportunity to purchase a townhome with more square footage for the same mortgage loan amount.

Overall, more amenities included (e.g., gym, pool, tennis or basketball courts, clubhouse)

Little to no maintenance/repair responsibilities

More restrictions (e.g., some prohibit pets, short-term rentals, and certain types of interior modifications)

Amenities vary (i.e., some neighborhoods have pool, etc. but not all)

Some or all maintenance/repair responsibilities

Few, if any, restrictions

Location & Layout

Condo

Typically located in high-density areas, within walking distance to downtown, UVA, or another high-interest area

Less square footage on average

More one-level options (no stairs) available

Apartment-style living (potential for other residents above and below)

Uniformity, predictability in how the community looks on the outside (e.g., designated grill area if permitted; can have a potted plant but not a garden)

Townhouse

Typically located in less densely populated areas, often including a yard or small parcel of land with more privacy

More square footage on average

More multi-level options (stairs) available

Attached living (no other residents above or below)

Some uniformity and predictability, but less so (e.g., homeowners are permitted to have grills, handle gardening on their lots)

On behalf of our staff, designers, and tradesmen, we thank you for continually voting Charlottesville Area Builders as one of your favorite local home builders. These talented individuals share our vision, attention to detail, and desire to be a cut above.

-Mike and Isobel Sadler

We call fives

Not every house needs a formal dining area. But what to put in its place? While refreshing a North Downtown home last year, Betsy Kraft made a bold suggestion.

“It is very important to me that a home feels authentic to the family. In this case, the homeowners are laid-back, unfussy people. They told me they love to have friends over for a casual cocktail and listen to music,” says the owner of Betsy Kraft Design. “So when I suggested having an intentional gathering space for that instead of a formal dining room, they jumped at the idea.”

To visually separate it from the adjacent living space, she went moody: A bold blue hue coats the trim around a fun bird-print wallpaper. Four Arhaus chairs turn toward each other for intimate conversation, while a cheeky crane statue from Chairish spies from the corner. Overhead, an Anthropologie light fixture brings in a midcentury detail.

“The other really cool thing about this space is how we integrated contemporary elements into the traditional bones of the home,” Kraft says. “The homeowners love a midcentury aesthetic but the house, built in the 1940s, has very traditional craftsman bones. It was fun to blend the two styles to make it feel true to the homeowners’ taste while respecting the home’s architecture.”

GORDON BEALL

LINCOLN BARBOUR

NELSON COUNTY

Absolutely private and pristine deep water lake of 50+/- acres, with (2) miles of shoreline, in Nelson County, surrounded by nearly 800 acres of commercial pine forest, designed for staggered harvests into perpetuity. An incredibly rare recreational paradise. A new lake home, with quality appointments at waters edge, a boat house with (2) lifts and a large steel storage building to house toys and equipment. Internet and generator are in place. Nearly 7 miles of interior roads and trails with mountain views. Includes access to nearby James River!

MLS # 623894 $4,400,000

WESTERN ALBEMARLE

A RARE find in a spectacular Western Albemarle location! This 120.75 parcel offers magnificent mountain and valley views in all directions. The rolling pastures and beautiful, mature hardwoods combined with privacy and convenience (minutes from downtown Crozet) create a one-of-a-kind opportunity.

MLS# 636241 $3,400,000

FRAYS MILL RD

Gorgeous 6.22 acre building parcel located in beautiful Northern Albemarle County. This parcel offers an open elevated building site with gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding mountainside. Located on a quiet country lane yet close to both Charlottesville and Ruckersville. One of 6 parcels available in this small country subdivision; parcels range from 4 to 8 acres. It is advised to use 4WD to access parcels until driveways are completed.

MLS# 636003 $344,500

FRAY’S GRANT

Just outside Charlottesville, Fray’s Grant offers luxury living in Earlysville, VA. With breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge, gently rolling land, meadows, wildlife, nature trails, and lot sizes ranging from 2 to 74 acres, Fray’s Grant is a beautiful setting to build your forever home. This 21+ acre parcel sits on a cul-de-sac offering privacy, towering hardwoods, (2) year-round running streams, and natural sloping for building plans with a basement. Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport is 6 miles away with shopping and eateries within 10 miles.

MLS# 637061 $359,000

LANGDON WOODS LOT 3

Beautiful Langdon Woods - a tranquil, large-lot subdivision featuring public roads, HOA, plus pastoral and seasonal mountain views. This 8.42 acre lot features an elevated building site overlooking the shared stocked lake most of which is located on this parcel, and backs up to a 57 acre preservation tract. This is the only parcel in the subdivision which allows for a dock. Parcel has a drilled well in place. Ten minutes to CHO airport, shopping, NGIC, etc. Bring your builder! Plans subject to HOA approval.

MLS # 638242 $279,000

HATTON FERRY RD

Situated in Southern Albemarle County, and within 2 miles of the James River at Hatton Ferry, this 21+ acre parcel backs up to the Totier Creek Reservoir. Parcel offers a private, elevated building site with open pasture and mature hardwoods. Parcel is within 5 miles of the historic town of Scottsville. MLS# 637310 $245,000

LANGDON WOODS LOT 12

Gorgeous park-like wooded parcel located in NW Albemarle County with state maintained roads, underground power, high speed internet through Centurylink, and community stocked lake. Parcel is unique in the fact that there is a 57 acre preservation tract that adjoins this parcel that will preserve the privacy and natural beauty of this parcel. Elevated building site with streams on each side plus rock outcroppings create a very special parcel. HOA review of plans and minimum 2800 sq. ft. home. 4 bedroom perc test on file and 20 GPM well in place.

MLS # 638296 $259,900

PLANK ROAD

Beautiful 4.93-acre parcel located just outside the quaint town of Batesville. Parcel is divided into two separate parcels and offers an open elevated front parcel with a small shed and shared stream at the rear. The rear parcel offers an elevated wooded building site.

MLS # 634345 $343,000