In Greenwood, a family of six makes a historic home their own
PLUS: A house of compressed earth takes shape in Stanardsville
STONELEDGE
$1,050,000 | MLS 652044
Located in the desirable Lexington subdivision, high on Parker Mountain, this custom architect designed home offers incredible Blue Ridge views. The home sits on 8 private acres with many high end features including, exposed stone chimney with unique soapstone hearth, large windows that take full advantage of the sweeping mountain views, radiant heating in the mahogany floors, custom cabinets in the gourmet kitchen, reclaimed 200 yr old ceiling beams, three bedrooms with their own baths, which includes two primary, one on each level, large two bay garage, with a large finished room above, ideal as an office/studio. Many decks, and a large patio allows for outdoor living, and entertainment. Located 10 min from historic Stanardsville, 25 min to Charlottesville, and 15 min to Charlottesville regional airport makes this property very convenient to shopping and dining, yet completely private.
JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528
12 RIDGES
$2,600,000 | MLS 656405
Situated in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, this newly built 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home epitomizes luxury mountain living. Designed by Bohlin-Cywinski-Jackson and elegantly furnished by Restoration Hardware, it features 270-degree views, a wine room, a private studio apartment, and expansive outdoor decks. Just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and less than an hour from Charlottesville, this home offers the perfect blend of seclusion and convenience.
MATTHIAS JOHN | 434 906 4630
DEER HAVEN
$1,550,000 | MLS 652636
GREENVILLE
$ 6,995,000 | MLS 650903
One of the State’s finest examples of Classical Revival architecture, sited on 716-acres of rolling, highly productive cropland with long frontage on the Rapidan River. The home is instantly recognizable with its 4 massive Doric columns and “M” shaped copper roof. Built in 1854, the residence was meticulously restored by Alexander Nicholson to its present condition. The river and its lowlands offer endless recreation including some of the area’s best duck hunting. Additional improvements include a restored, period summer kitchen, conservatory, pool and pool house, stables, numerous cottages, and farm infrastructure.
JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528
PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090
DEVONHURST
$1,750,000 | MLS 643392
A breathtakingly beautiful 86-acre Keswick area farm nestled up against the Southwest Mountains. The well-proportioned residence and accompanying outbuildings are sited to take in views in every direction. The home was thoughtfully renovated in 2001, retaining its original character including floor-to-ceiling wormy chestnut paneling in the study. There is a guest cottage, small stable, gym on the property as well as impeccably maintained fields, and fencing. 25 minutes from Charlottesville.
JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528
PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090
Custom built home situated on 101 private acres in beautiful Madison County, just minutes from the town of Orange. The four bedroom and 3.5 bath home was built in 2000, and offers a fabulous great room with stone fire place, vaulted ceiling, and custom kitchen. Most of the living space is on the main floor, with elevator access to both the walk out lower level, and bedroom suite upper level. Other features include an attached sunroom/greenhouse, fireplace in the first floor primary bedroom, wrap around screen porch, second kitchen on the lower level, and a whole house generator. Property also has a large heated shop/garage with a half bath, and car lift, great for storing cars. The home sits beautifully on the land, which is professionally landscaped with mature plants and trees. access to the home is a paved driveway. Property is protected by a conservation easement.
JUSTIN H. WILEY | 434 981 5528
TAYLORS GAP
$1,795,000 | MLS 656869
Situated on 21 beautiful acres in the heart of North Garden’s sought after Taylors Gap area. An easy 15-minute drive from Charlottesville and UVa. The 6-bed, custom residence offers an open floor plan and amazing woodwork. Farm improvements include a 14 stall, center aisle stable, large riding ring and good fenced pasture. Additional improvements include a free standing garage, equipment building and fenced pastures with run-in sheds.
PETER A. WILEY | 434 422 2090
(Grout can be added after VELCRO® BRAND mortarless install)
Forward and back 28
An 1840s home in Greenwood was nearly perfect for this family of six—plenty of space, historical touches, and land for a mini-farm— but needed a few upgrades. The Davises hired a team of local experts to make changes to the home (while honoring its past).
C-VILLE ABODE (434) 817-2749 n c-ville.com c-ville.com/abode
Remarkable Farmington residence with panoramic Mountain views is situated on five lovely, landscaped acres. Built in 1930 with tasteful additions, this charming fivebedroom stone house is enhanced by a guesthouse, pool, office, koi pond and garage. Convenient to Charlottesville, UVA and the Club. MLS#650584 $5,795,000 Seller rep. by Tim Michel, 434.960.1124 and Buyer rep. by Court Nexen, 646.660.0700
NEWLISTING
UNDERCONTRACT
TRANQUILITY RIDGE
Discover this stunning architect-designed custom home, on 21 elevated acres with views of the Rivanna Reservoir and the Blue Ridge Mtns. MLS #657130 $2,480,000 Jim Faulconer 434.981.0076 & Will Faulconer 434.987.9455
THE HOLSINGER
Luxurious 2-BR, 2.5-BA condo near Downtown Mall. Spacious floor plan, fully loaded kitchen, hardwood floors, balcony, and secure parking. MLS#656160 $1,200,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455
UNDERCONTRACT
CHERRY HILL TOWNHOME
Exceptional Cherry Hill brick end-unit! Walk to UVA Hospital. 3 levels with fenced garden, elegant entry, open floor plan, owner’s suite, 2 guest beds, bonus room, and garage. MLS#655503 $515,000 Katherine Leddington, 646.593.0333
HIGH FIELDS
42-acre farm 10 miles from Charlottesville. Features pastures, woodlands, a serene creek, antique farmhouse, updated kitchen, and panoramic Blue Ridge Mtn. vistas. MLS#651245 $1,695,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076
HOLLY HILL
Charming Ivy cottage on 3+ acres. Light-filled with living, dining, sunroom, study, 2 main-floor BRs. Updated floors, roof. Bonus room, BR, & BA downstairs. Private deck, pond. MLS#655171 $598,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250
BENTIVAR MANOR
Explore this magnificent brick home, privately situated on 88 lush acres less than 5 miles from the city. Perfectly maintained, this expansive residence features 7-BR and over 11,000 sf of living space. The estate boasts a diverse mix of pastures and wooded areas, significant Rivanna River frontage, and numerous trails for outdoor adventures. MLS#652353 $4,875,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455
FIELDS OF BOAZ
Country estate on 24 acres six miles from UVA. Timeless charm and modern luxury with soaring ceilings,spacious primary suite,home office,wine cellar, guest quarters, and private pond. MLS#652608
$3,995,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700
HISTORIC STAUNTON
Renovated 5-bedroom Historic Register home with modern amenities and charm. Tall ceilings, hardwood floors, stained glass windows, quartz kitchen, fantastic primary suite. MLS#653080
$1,295,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700
BAILEY’S QUARTERS
1-level living with full basement on 2 acres, boasting stunning views of Buck Mountain and the Blue Ridge. 10 miles from Charlottesville, near Free Union. MLS#654595 $525,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455
Blueprint
Design in all its many forms
Stacks on stacks
UVA reopens its main library after a massive 3.5-year construction project By Shea Gibbs
Annie Gould Gallery
A unique art gallery located in the heart of historic Gordonsville.
109 S. Main Street, Gordonsville, VA • (540) 832-6352 anniegouldgallery
“We are a public library and a community space. People think of us as only supporting faculty and students, but anyone can come in and use the library, and we encourage that.”
Elyse Girard
What’s 80 years to a library? The Rotunda itself served as the University of Virginia’s main volumes venue for more than 100 years, after all.
But by 2018, eight decades after a new library took the Rotunda’s place and shepherded in an era of research-driven scholarship, change was necessary. UVA administrators decided they would take on one of the most challenging renovations in school history: expanding, reorganizing, and overhauling Alderman Library.
“From a construction point of view, it had never had a major renovation,” construction project director Kit Meyer says. “There was some discussion of renovating in the ’70s, but the students complained about their main library being closed.”
The $141 million Edgar Shannon Library, as it’s known now, officially opened in January, more than three years after construction began. Led by UVA architect Brian Hogg and Chicagobased HBRA Architects, the project involved gutting the 100,000-square-foot structure, demolishing what were known as the Old and New Stacks, and building a 130,000 square-foot, fivestory addition.
A university statement just before the library’s grand opening said the renovation was intended “to create light-filled, easily accessible study space for users” while maintaining the building’s historic interior features. The result is an aesthetically vintage structure with modern conveniences designed to both allow people and books to coexist and match the way we now use libraries.
According to Elyse Girard, executive director of communications and user experience, librarygoers in the past entered and headed for the service desk. Now, assisted by online search and navigation tools, they browse on their own. All but one card catalog is gone from the new library, with digital kiosks helping guide bibliophiles. The study rooms have digital amenities as well, like monitors and ample connectivity.
The books, some of which are still finding their way to the library, haven’t been replaced by digitization, of course. “The books on the shelves bring life to the building, and you really notice that as we fill floor to floor,” Girard says.
Meyer says physical books were a driving force behind the renovation. Logistically, UVA needed more space for them, both on site and in climatecontrolled, off-site storage. And environmentally, publications and people like different conditions. Modern technology allows the Edgar Shannon Library to balance the dry atmosphere books prefer with the fresh air humans like to breathe.
With an eye for preserving the library’s original design, some of the rooms in Shannon library seem unchanged at first glance. That’s a feature not a bug
Alderman (now Edgar Shannon) Library’s first major renovation took $141 million and three and a half years. The upgraded building incorporates a vintage aesthetic with modern conveniences.
(book?), Girard says. It makes folks who remember the old library feel comfortable. Some design elements, like the prominent iron railings, are even taken from the university’s original Rotunda library. Other parts of the structure are new and surprising, giving the next generation of Hoos a chance to love the library in their own way.
“We are a public library and a community space,” Girard says. “People think of us as only supporting faculty and students, but anyone can come in and use the library, and we encourage that.”
PHOTOS: UVA
Two to watch
As the season ramps up, add these art-centric events to your calendar.
Artisans Studio Tour
November 9 and 10 Now in its 30th year, the Artisans Studio Tour offers a self-guided opportunity to visit 49 artists in 25 host studios around central Virginia. “[The tour] is different than other craft shows, giving a behind-the-scenes look at not only how craft is made, but how artisans live,” says Tour Director Shari Jacobs. Explore the studios, witness live demonstrations, and ask the artisans questions as you view their work. Free, artisansstudiotour.com
Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival
October 12 and 13 More than 125 artists and exhibitors gather to showcase handmade and handcrafted works—from fiber arts and photography to metalwork and jewelry—at the Crozet Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. Hosted at Claudius Crozet Park (also the event’s beneficiary), the festival includes live music, food and beverages, and an area for young art-lovers, with a bounce house, face-painting, and crafts. $6-12, crozetfestival.com
Putting the heart in pine
Local homewood firm branches out, stays true to its roots
The HeartPine Company made its name crafting custom products from stuff a lot of people would throw away. It’s that commitment to finding beauty that has allowed the firm to thrive for 25 years.
“I think there are two or three things that make it different,” says Debra Kirschnick, who directs the company’s sales and marketing efforts. “One is that [the owners] really treat you like family. Two, they give you autonomy. They know their employees want to do what’s best for the company, understand what your strengths are, and let you make decisions.” The third thing, Kirschnick says, is how hands-on ownership remains even after a quarter decade.
Richard Morgan Sr. launched the HeartPine Company in 1999, selling antique heart pine flooring to discerning builders, designers, and homeowners. Operating out of Nelson County, the firm’s one and only product when it launched was heart pine. Richard Morgan Jr. joined his father’s company after graduating from college and dabbling on his own in the wood biz for a few years.
“It just started when I was renovating an old farmhouse,” Morgan Sr. says. “The house was from the early 1800s, and I was trying to find material. I had been farming full-time, and it just mushroomed from there.”
From the beginning, HeartPine was a manufacturing-intensive business, with a focus on milling and kilning products to the high-level specs the Morgans and their customers demanded. The company grew quickly, hiring more people to operate its at-the-time small manufacturing facility. The Morgans hired another sales person and then another, Kirschnick. Today, HeartPine employs 35 people across its 35,000 square-foot manufacturing plant in Amherst and storefront showroom on Market Street in downtown Charlottesville.
By Shea Gibbs
“Heart
pine actually built this country. As soon as Jamestown was settled, the king put a mark on the pine trees and said, ‘These belong to me.’”
Debra Kirschnick
DARREN SETLOW
HeartPine has received multiple local awards and was recently featured on “World’s Greatest Television,” a series highlighting successful family-owned businesses. In addition to serving clients in the local area, HeartPine ships product nationwide.
With natural wood more expensive than vinyl flooring and other competitive products, HeartPine serves primarily high-end builders and designers, but the company also sells some flooring directly to consumers. While Kirschnick says pine remains the firm’s “heart and soul,” HeartPine moved into reclaimed oaks and hickories early on, then into a line of newly sawn wood. Today, the it sells European and domestic oak in the form of not only flooring, but also custom beams, stair treads, and millwork. A line of French oak—distinct from European oak—is coming online next. Everything is bespoke, and two products are rarely, if ever, the same. Sourcing is a constant challenge. Consumer preferences make things even trickier for wood-makers. While buyers for years were hooked on gray tones, they are now moving into more organic colors like browns and sandy tans, according to Kirschnick.
“We’re all still really drawn to the antique woods,” she says—the Morgans have it throughout their own homes. “The antique part of the business is complex. The buying is very difficult because people don’t always tell you the truth about what they have.”
That’s where the Morgans and their team excel, verifying every piece themselves with no regulatory authority providing much support, Kirschnick says. HeartPine’s book of business is still about 50 percent reclaimed wood, 35 percent European oak, and 15 percent newly sawn wood (mostly domestic oak). Kirschnick expects the new French oak line to take over about 10 percent of the sales mix. Reclaimed wood, which remained relatively price-stable through the COVID-19 pandemic and is actually less expensive now than it was five years ago due to sourcing efficiencies, shifts in pricing strategies, and competitive pressures, is about 30 percent pricier than newly sawn wood.
Where in the United States does heart pine fare best? In the areas of the country where it once dominated the forests, an expanse stretching millions of acres from the southern part of Virginia, down to Florida, and across the plains to Texas.
“Heart pine actually built this country,” Kirschnick says. “As soon as Jamestown was settled, the king put a mark on the pine trees and said, ‘These belong to me.’”
We are known for our love of beautiful designs & hand crafted frame choices and feature one-on-one design appointments • Locally owned since 2010
NEW: shop our bonus gallery for our curated selection of art, jewelry & gifts Gallery/Design • Wed - Sat & by appointment
Beate Casati - (540) 832.3701
Now on Historic Main Street - Gordonsville, VA
OCTOBER /NOVEMBER • RECENT TRAVELS • Art by V-Anne Evans Artist Reception Thursday, Oct. 3rd from 5 - 7 p ... join us!
Feat. art by Meg Davies, James Erickson, J.M. Henry, Carlyn Janus & more.
Charlottesville’s favorite spot for antiques, vintage decor and one-of-a-kind treasures.
1700 Allied St I McIntire Plaza 434.295.5760 I www.circainc.com
TUESDAY-SATURDAY 10-5:30
Making room(s)
Charlottesville’s OG downtown hotel gets a lift By
Nicole Milanovic
The Omni Charlottesville Hotel recently underwent a $15 million renovation. Postponed for several years due to COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions, significant work began in the summer of 2023.
The renovated Omni, located on the west end of the Downtown Mall, includes spruced-up guest rooms and meeting spaces, an extended patio with new fireplaces and a “chic” style, and a revamped restaurant and bar.
“The renovation has affected all areas of the hotel,” says the Omni’s General Manager Paul Maher. “We had to create a temporary restaurant that has been relocated several times throughout the process. It has been a challenging endeavor, but at the same time, we’ve found it to be an enjoyable and exciting experience.”
Minimizing inconvenience to guests during the renovation, while ensuring the hotel meets their needs and preferences, was a priority for everyone during construction.
The hotel enlisted the expertise of HITT Contracting, a specialized construction company in hospitality work known for its skill in navigating complex renovations.
Conceptually, the design team was inspired by the cultural scene, history, and hospitality of Charlottesville.
“The design is inspired by Thomas Jefferson, his interests, and his home, Monticello,” says Jillian Tomaro, senior interior designer with Omni Hotels & Resorts, who has been in charge of guest room renovations. “His mark encompasses the City of Charlottesville and it only made sense to include him in the design concept. We wanted the guest rooms to feel unique and part of the city’s history. They are special because it feels like a modern-day extension of Monticello.”
Tomaro adds that guests are able to experience a kind of storytelling within the guest rooms through the furniture and artwork. The bell curve design of the headboards flanked by sphere finials offers a renewed take on Neoclassical design, and each headboard is inset with a custom mural reminiscent of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Tomaro says that it was crucial to honor the beautiful landscape of Charlottesville.
“For repeat guests, they will be pleasantly surprised by the guest bathroom transformation,” she says. “The bathrooms are brighter and much more spacious due to the swing-door-to-barn-door conversion. In terms of finishes, we mixed a clean aesthetic with vintage elements.”
While many parts of the hotel are new and improved, certain elements remain the same, such as its iconic seven-story glass atrium and fountain.
A Jefferson-inspired renovation at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel means refreshed guest rooms and a transformation of the groundlevel atrium space.
The Omni’s restaurant, The Pointe, is located on the Downtown Mall, and connects to the outdoor patio and atrium. Maher explains that the grandeur of the natural-lightfilled atrium is accented by a garden conservatory and a free-standing bar with a mix of modern and transitional furnishings and greenery.
“I truly believe guests will be blown away at the transformation of the atrium space,” says Tomaro. “The new bar with cocktail seating [is] a space that guests and locals alike will visit to gather and socialize.”
401 Park Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
REIMAGINED TO PERFECTION IN COVETED NORTH DOWNTOWN
748 Lexington Avenue
$1,970,000
Newly transformed urban retreat in coveted North Downtown, this impeccably renovated home redefines contemporary living. Recently expanded & upgraded with eco-friendly materials, the residence boasts an open-concept layout connecting living spaces to great room overlooking mature trees. his residence exemplifies eco-conscious living without compromise. High-efficiency mechanical systems ensure optimal comfort & energy savings year-round. Private outdoor areas, incl’ covered front porch, screened porch, & multiple decks, notably a spacious deck off primary suite w/ outdoor shower & hot tub. Professionally designed landscaping w/ native plants. Perfectly situated for effortless access to Downtown. Lisa Lyons (434) 987-1767. MLS# 654685
WALK EVERYWHERE FROM THIS 3 BEDRM
207 E JEFFERSON STREET • $1,425,000
Comprehensively renovated & 100% pristine 3 bedroom condo in the sought-after Queen Charlotte building overlooking historic homes & an idyllic city park. Large, beautifully renovated kitchen w/ adj. wine room, fireplace in living room, Carrera marble bathrooms & 2 reserved, secure garage parking spaces. Walk everywhere from Belmont to the Downtown Mall to burgeoning Midtown & on to UVA from this 100% turn-key stunner.
STATELY HOME IN INDIAN SPRINGS
6385 INDIAN RIDGE DRIVE • $2,495,000
Stately home w/ elevator & 2-car garage offers 1-level living w/ timeless appeal & luxurious amenities. High ceilings, ornate trim, dramatic staircase & built-in cabinetry throughout. Seamless flow from living areas to screened porch. Kitchen is the heart of the home w/ plenty of counter space. Multiple rooms provide flexibility. Home gym, high ceilings, spacious rooms, & high quality construction. Tommy Brannock (434) 981-1486. MLS# 650968
(434) 977-4005
lwoodriff@loringwoodriff.com
1414 WALDEMAR DRIVE • $5,950,000
Sited beautifully amongst massive oak trees, this dazzling home enjoys incredible views of rolling hills & mountains beyond. The great room soars to 31’ w/ walls of glass to take in the views. 1st floor master plus add’l 1st floor suite that doubles as an office. 3 bedrm suites up & guest suite in the basement. Large, covered rear porch & horizon pool. Multi-purpose barn w/ half bath, devoted septic. Horse friendly land w/ creek. Fiber optic internet. 12 minutes to town, Boar’s Head, Farmington et al. MLS# 649482
This architecturally distinguished French provencial style estate is nestled among history & wineries. 133.8 acre private farm consists of 8 adjoining parcels. Stunning home w/ 5 ensuite bedrms, 1st flr primary suite, 4 wood burning fireplaces, stunning kitchen w/ seamless flow btw dining, living, library & the outdoors, plus 3-car det. garage. Located mins from Monticello & only 20 mins to Downtown. Reidar Stiernstrand (434) 284-3005. MLS# 653189
1856 EDGEWOOD LANE • $1,350,000
Nestled on one of Charlottesville’s loveliest sought-after streets & walking distance to UVA, this traditional home boasts multiple living areas, arched doorways, hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces, expansive sunroom, & 3 bedroom suites plus 2nd floor walk-in closet/office hide-away! Inviting front porch, fenced backyard & gardens, raised beds, & plenty of level lawn. 2-car garage offers separate workshop & walk-up attic. Tommy Brannock (434) 981-1486. MLS# 656092
PROPERTY IN COLTHURST FARM
108 tALLy Ho Drive
$4,250,000
Comprehensively renovated & expanded to uncompromising standards. This privately situated 6 bedroom, 7.5 bathroom, incl’ studio, has amazing finishes, mature landscaping, beautiful pool and sports court. All bedrooms are en-suite w/ very expansive separately located primary suite. Floor plan is perfectly suited for both family living & entertainment, flowing effortlessly btw kitchen, family room, living room, theater, & outdoors all connected w/ whole home backup generator, Lutron Lighting, & Savant media systems. Oversized 3-car garage w/ private studio. Located just mins to UVA, Farmington Country Club, St. Anne’s-Belfield School & Barrack’s Rd & Stonefield Shopping Centers. Reidar Stiernstrand (434) 284-3005.
A Selection of Exceptional Properties Sold Summer 2024
REPRESENTED
REPRESENTED
Well grounded
Local couple makes their eco-dream home— literally By Carol Diggs
Daniel and Meghan Edwards dreamed of building their own home. As committed environmentalists, they wanted it to be both livable and sustainable. Their budget was minimal, their commitment unwavering, and after almost 10 years, they have settled outside Stanardsville on their own little patch of land— in a home built of earth.
“It’s is the first compressed earth block house in the state of Virginia,” says Meghan proudly.
“We wanted to build sustainably,” says Daniel, “to make an impact on the world. We looked at Earthship homes and cob houses, but CEB was the best solution.” Its advantages: Earth block is cost-effective and energy-efficient to construct; contains no toxic materials; reduces energy costs for heating and cooling; and resists rain, rot, and natural disasters.
Compressed earth blocks are the size of bricks but made of sifted subsoil with a little binding agent, and they are shaped like LEGOs, only larger (the “interlocking” part removes the need for mortar). The Edwardses made all blocks they used out of the soil they excavated on site—so, no carbon emissions from transportation.
The block walls are reinforced with steel rebar, while the structure’s front and side walls have what Daniel calls “buttresses” (external block columns for additional strength), and the rear of the house is built back into the hillside. The insulation on the exterior is sealed with earth-toned stucco that gives the house a Taos Pueblo look—or, with its grassy living roof and garden of plants and wildflowers, the house could just as easily be in Hobbiton.
Building this home was not only an environmental statement, but also a four-year DIY project. Daniel, who has a background in project management and is also a personal trainer, did almost all the building himself—during which his training background really helped. He’s also quick to credit the support the couple got from family and friends: “Meghan’s father helped, my father did all of the electrical work, and our mothers watched the kids while we were working.”
Virginia’s first compressed earth block house is in Stanardsville, and is a point of pride for a family of five, who wanted to “build sustainably to make an impact on the world.”
Daniel learned how to run an excavator, and how to safely take down the trees that had to be removed. When he couldn’t find a local CEB supplier, he rented a compressing machine and operated it himself. “I absorbed as much from other people as I could,” he recalls, “but doing anything new takes four times longer—all these variables come up, and then of course you make mistakes.” (Early block efforts that didn’t quite make the grade have been used for landscaping.)
Daniel worked with an engineer to make sure the structure was strong enough, and with an architect to make sure the house met permitting requirements. Meanwhile Meghan was running her own eco-friendly swimwear business (she sold it in 2020); helping Daniel on site; and having two children (a great motivator, says Daniel. “It made me want to get the house finished.”) Their third child was born in 2022, two weeks after the family moved into their new home.
Inside, the Edwards’ house is one large central space with exposed earth-block walls, an open structural steel roof, modern appliances, a huge concrete kitchen island (“my command center,” says Meghan); and comfy sitting and dining areas. “Our friends tell us we look like a Starbucks,” she says.
The light tan of the unfinished block walls gives the interior a warm, cozy feeling, and the large windows facing southeast provide lots of light. The hand-rammed earthcrete floor, finished with a cement-based self-leveler, is smooth for bare feet. Decorating was Meghan’s project. Most of their furnishings—soft sofas, colorful rugs and hangings, wooden-slat doors, even the
PHOTOS: STEPHEN BARLING
“We wanted to build sustainably, to make an impact on the world. We looked at Earthship homes and cob houses, but CEB was the best solution.” Daniel Edwards
bathroom vanities—are secondhand or salvaged, as part of the couple’s environmental ethic.
On each side of the main room are doorways to the bedrooms, office, and bathrooms. At 1,350 square feet, the house is not large, but with the open layout and the robust front yard, it has everything the young family needs. While Daniel laid the two patios, Meghan did all the landscaping; the flowers beds are rimmed with tan quartz stones removed in the excavation, and she’s working to fill out the garden with native and salvaged plants. Next year: a rooftop vegetable garden with a chicken coop.
Daniel and Meghan are delighted with their CEB home. One bedroom may eventually be a little small for three children, but “for now, the kids are always in the big room with me—or outside,” says Meghan. They may add another room later, or convert her office space. The couple even talks about what they would do if they were to build another CEB home: “Next time we’d put the HVAC into the walls … next time, we might make the roof a block dome instead of steel beams.” Clearly, they are up for the challenge.
Reuse, recycle, restore
Father and son are reclaiming the craftsmanship of the past
By Carol Diggs
When Peter Hunter was growing up in Cismont, his father would take him out driving along the back roads in the Southwest Mountains, where the young boy felt drawn to the old derelict houses scattered through those woods and fields. Years later, Peter took his son Blake along on his drives through the Blue Ridge and the Shenandoah, searching for the same abandoned treasures. Now Peter and Blake are the go-to team for reclaiming a taste of the past.
Peter’s love of reclaiming old materials began with salvaging run-down or derelict buildings; “I learned to build by unbuilding,” he says. As a young man, he lived in an abandoned house and fixed it up; over the next decade he worked for a cabinet-maker and a stonemason, and on new construction to gain those skills as well. He bought 20 acres in Batesville, using it to store the salvaged materials he was collecting all over central Virginia. After marrying his wife Debbie, Peter built a home on his land out of an old cabin from a friend’s property and materials he’d salvaged, including a homestead chimney and chestnut logs
A generations-old interest in reclaiming past materials manifests as a sought-after restoration business for Peter and Blake Hunter.
from a livestock pen on his property. “I was gathering these great materials—unbelievable craftsmanship, and the skills that were passed down. And I couldn’t afford to buy new materials, so …”
By the late 1980s, Peter was becoming well-known for his cabin restorations—and on the side, playing in a band called Cabin Fever. “Back then, there were no restoration stores,” he recalls. “But people had the money [to pay for restoration], and there was a sense … a love for old things.”
Soon Peter was tapping in to a community of people interested in reclaiming and reusing. “Yes, you need the materials,” he says, “but you also need the craftsmanship, and the environment in which you’re allowed to do it.” He could have built a company just doing restorations, but Peter wanted to keep his hands in the work, and train the next generation. “I want to share what I know,” he says, “and I can spot a young person who has the feel for it.”
“He’s constantly training, to pass the knowledge on,” says Blake—who knows first-hand. At age 11, Blake started helping his father out, going on salvage trips and gathering materials. “I remember we had these big piles of slate [shingles],” he says. “We were taking the slate off a UVA frat house roof, getting in before it was demolished.” Blake worked for his father every summer through high school, and during a gap year before college built his first stonework chimney. (“It’s still standing,” he says with a grin.)
But Blake had also inherited another of his father’s passions: “I was going to be a musician.” He went to music school in Boston, coming back every summer to make money working for his father. After graduation, Blake and his band, Trees on Fire, came to Charlottesville to live in a cabin and work for Peter—and stayed. Blake is still playing gigs around Charlottesville, now with a group called The Gatherers, but he’s also launched his own business, Feather Stoneworks.
Father and son have found that doing what they love, creating something both old and new out of historic materials, requires a special kind of client—someone who loves craftsmanship, and has both the money and the time to have the job done right. One client who shares his passion is local software engineer Matt Lucas; he brought the Hunters in on the restoration of his family’s 19th-century house in Free Union a decade ago, and has had them working since on projects from a Revolutionary-era cabin in Crozet to a barn restoration. “It’s a really good marriage,” says Peter—after all, Lucas is a dedicated salvager, with his own barn full of historic building materials.
These days, Peter is consulting on design and construction, while Blake wants to incorporate what he’s learned about craftsmanship into his stoneworking and design firm. “I hope to continue moving towards building more creative outdoor living space designs with stone, while incorporating reclaimed material and a traditional design aesthetic,” he says.
And there’s no question the old skills are still needed. A dry-laid stone wall Blake recently built along a section of creek in downtown Batesville, with steps up to a backyard patio, withstood the summer flooding after Tropical Storm Debby. Blake’s pretty proud of that work—it’s built to last a long time.
STEPHEN
The Bulova Clock
The Bulova Clock
Filled with history
By Carol Diggs
A Greenwood farmhouse holds the stories of yesterday and today
In the farmhouse’s spacious foyer, original beams draw the eye up, while personal touches like a 10'-long spindle bench, a vintage pedestal table, and a book containing information on the home’s history as a Presbyterian girls’ school make it homey.
Photography by Stephen Barling
“I’d always dreamed about living in an old white farmhouse.”
“We weren’t looking to move,” recalls Britt Davis. It was April 2019, the Davises had recently renovated the kitchen in their house in Ivy, and Davis had been away on a trip. “When my husband picked me up at the airport, he said he had something to show me and drove straight to this house. We came around the corner, I saw this place, and that was it.”
“This place” is a 19th-century farmhouse on 16 acres in Greenwood. “I’d always dreamed about living in an old white farmhouse,” says Davis, so the house—built in the 1840s, added to in several stages, and still full of rural character—was perfect.
Well, almost. It did have five bedrooms, helpful since the Davises have four young children. It did have a pool and pool house, built in the 1990s. It did have a barn—Davis’ husband Jared, a pain management physician, has an avocation for farming (chickens, pigs, goats, and bees). The house and yard were large enough for entertaining (the Davises love to have friends over).
But the layout of the first floor didn’t really work, and the interior “was really stuck in the ’90s,” Davis says. Luckily, she is also a painter and interior designer (her firm is called Art & Adorn), so the Davises began working with architect John Voight and builder Castillo Construction to update the house while keeping its historic character.
In the farmhouse’s spacious foyer, creamy white walls show off the original beams that have been stripped and refinished, and the oak flooring is original. Along one wall is a 10'-long spindle bench that Davis found in a country antique store in Maine. In the center is a vintage round wood pedestal table, holding one of Davis’ own free-form flower arrangements and a
1935 book about local historic houses—including a page about their house having been a Presbyterian girls’ school and the first farm to grow Albemarle Pippin apples.
The dining room next to the foyer mixes old and new, with original beams and oak flooring, but modern lighting (including a lovely new-old Marigot chandelier from Visual Comfort) that still fits the house’s character. The walls and ceiling are papered with a William Morris tapestrylike design called The Brook, a pattern that is 160 years old, almost exactly the age of the farmhouse.
The next room, originally a bedroom that was then used as a living room, has been converted into the heart-of-the-home kitchen. The front wall features a seven-burner Lacanche stove, framed by two window seats. In the center is a large island made with wood from a walnut tree found on the property, topped with Arabescato Carrara marble (this stone, and the soapstone counters and backsplashes, are custom from Albemarle Stoneworks). The vintage-looking Heirloom Gasolier lights over the island are from Devol, as are other lights and fixtures.
Once a bedroom that was then used as a living room, the Davises’ kitchen features a sevenburner Lacanche stove, a large island made with wood from a walnut tree found on the property and topped with Arabescato Carrara marble.
Davis and Voight strove to make sure all this modern convenience and style wouldn’t outweigh the house’s historic character. The kitchen beams, of reclaimed wood, have been milled to match the originals; the reclaimed-wood flooring is from The HeartPine Company. The original coal-burning fireplace (the house has 12 of them) has been fitted with a modern wood stove, and behind the firewood niche some of the house’s original brickwork has been left exposed.
Running along the back side of the original farmhouse was a screened porch that was later enclosed as a kitchen, and renovating this into a working/storage space that Davis calls “the scullery” was her three-year pandemic project. The counters and cabinets are more walnut from their own tree, and the antique terracotta floor tiles are French. While this space is separated from the kitchen with a wall of interior windows, the two areas are unified with the same warm gray-green (Benjamin Moore Sandy Hook).
Built in at one end of the scullery is a floorto-ceiling storage cabinet, built by Jeff Cherry of Creative Construction. At the other end, just off the back entry/mud room where Davis has her flower-arranging space, is a breakfast area; using another William Morris design called Blackthorn for both walls and ceiling helps create that cozy “nook” feeling.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31
On the other side of the house, left of the foyer, is a room a 1970s resident had paneled in a warm dark wood. This room (“the parlor”) shows the eclectic taste that is Davis’ hallmark—a Federal eagle convex mirror over the fireplace, 19th century-style landscape paintings and some of her own abstract oils, a round marble-topped side table from Artful Lodger, and a huge wood-block coffee table from Green Front.
Beyond is the study, a small room Davis has recently painted with walls and ceiling in terracotta. Past that is the 1990s addition, which houses a bedroom and a fieldstone-walled screened porch; upstairs is the primary bedroom suite. The main house’s second floor has the other three bedrooms and the kids’ bath/laundry room.
The result is a home that feels both of the past and of the present. The house still has its authentic touches: the beamed ceilings, the heart pine flooring upstairs, the cubbyhole spaces under the stairs and in the attic. But the home isn’t meant to be a period re-creation. The rugs on the wood floors are one-of-a-kind pieces from Holdingforth, a local supplier of quality imported textiles. Davis’ go-to décor stores are Eternal Attic and Patina in Charlottesville, Greenwood Antiques, and Revival in Richmond. The artwork comes from the family’s travels, as well as from local women artists and Davis herself.
The parlor, as the family calls it, shows off Davis’ signature eclectic style, mixing a Federal eagle mirror with a woodblock coffee table and her own abstract artwork.
And then there are the pieces that tell the Davis family history. The teacups in the larder are from the couple’s respective grandparents; the breakfast table is maple from one of the farm’s trees, mounted on a trestle that has been in Davis’ family for generations; a dainty secretary in the parlor belonged to her great-grandmother. Davis has boxes of large framed blackand-white photos by Amy Nicole Photography documenting their children’s growth—she just needs to find the time to display them in the stairwell, in between painting and decorating and entertaining and school shuttles. But then, that’s part of family history, too.
Pg.
Buying and selling
Local real estate market (mostly) tracks national trends
By Shea Gibbs
Charlottesville area homes are selling at higher prices on average this year than they were in 2023, but they’re sitting on the market longer, and total sales are down. That roughly matches what’s happening nationwide, but there’s a key difference, according to local realtor Paul McArtor.
“Charlottesville is so tied to the university, government, and hospitals, so we have a natural churn of people that have to leave and come,” McArtor says. “Our market is just kind of going to follow that cycle.”
According to McArtor, that means both sellers and buyers should feel confident in making moves these days, even as the season comes to a close and many folks around the country look toward next spring to act on their housing plans.
Homeowners going to market today should expect a roughly 5 percent uptick in their selling price from this time last year, according to Zillow data, with current typical home values sitting at $490,890. The local median sales price, per Redfin numbers, is up quite a bit more, to $550,000, a nearly 20 percent increase from August 2023.
Buyers, meanwhile, can expect to see lower interest rates than they did last year (in September, the Federal Reserve lowered key interest rate by half a percentage point). McArtor notes that those rates won’t be anywhere near as low as they were at the start of COVID-19, but they are inching closer to pre-pandemic levels.
Will sellers see the effects of the slight uptick in time-on-market across the local landscape? Maybe, maybe not, McArtor says.
“That is a little bit of a flaw, especially because many buyers and sellers have only been paying attention since the pandemic,” he says. “If you compare us to a year ago or two years ago, homes are staying on the market longer. But if you compare us to five years ago, this is normal.”
McArtor advises sellers to act like they’ve seen it all before. Sure, some homes will sell on their first weekend, but a couple weeks or even months of waiting is no reason to panic.
Critically, inventory remains low locally, as it is nationally. Housing availability is slowly ticking up, but McArtor says we haven’t yet reached a balanced market. Part of the low supply is driven by limited space to build, but the 3-year-old interest rate nadir is also making some buyers hold onto their property when they might otherwise have sold.
One real estate trend McArtor suggests is not reflected in reality is the notion that housing prices are slumping toward the end of the selling season. Observers might see single-unit price drops, he says, but that actually points to higher-than-comp opening prices, rather than an actual market dip.
In McArtor’s experience, sellers do need to be more proactive now than they were when the market was red hot in 2022. “They need to prep their houses to be sold nowadays,” he says. “For that stretch of time, it really felt like a seller just didn’t have to do anything. It didn’t matter if it needed repairs, someone was going to buy it. Because there is a little bit more inventory, prices are still high, and interest rates are coming down, buyers aren’t necessarily willing to just take anything.”
For prospective homeowners waiting to see if interest rates drop further, McArtor says there’s no need. The market is showing signs of pent-up demand, and prices could continue to climb, so buy now and refinance if rates do decline. “If you go ahead and buy now, you could get today’s price with tomorrow’s interest rates,” he says.
Welcome in Home Sweet Home
WITH A MAIN floor already awash in neutrals, the homeowners of this Blandemar residence asked Folly’s Victoria Pouncey to create an entryway that was “welcoming and not overly fussy.” Pouncey says her usual tips for an eye-catching entry is a great mirror, a great piece of art, fresh flowers, and, if
possible, a “statement” seating piece. She (mostly) followed her own advice, arranging a vase of tulips and adding a botanical print on the wall.
“I wanted to bring in green to reference the landscape because they have incredible views,” Pouncey says. Many happy returns.
Fun fact: Homes are about 30% bigger than in the ‘60s.
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