Sanctuary and Rejuvenation

We turned to William Morris, De Gournay, Fortuny, Stark Carpet, Colefax & Fowler, Sanderson, and Holland & Sherry, among others, to capture the perfect palette of materials for this place of serenity in the Virginia countryside. Organic design motifs, family heirlooms, bespoke fabrications, and antiques gave the new home instant character and patina. Our colours were drawn from nature as well, from Robin’s egg blue to spring grass green and the occasional rustic tones of autumn.

Craftsmen and artisans completed the creative ensemble with glass blowers, blacksmiths, stone masons, artists, and antiquaries, each bringing their expertise to the collaboration. As the authors of this storied design, we had the great pleasure of bringing our vision and the owner’s dreams to life. 

The private spaces in the house aspired to evoke sanctuary and rejuvenation. The two master suites afforded an escape from the stress and turmoil of the outside world.  Here the homeowners can share their most intimate conversations surrounded by heritage heirlooms and treasured family photos. At once sumptuous and cozy, each space is deeply personal in every detail. 

Our art program, always so critical to the story of home, was complex and included several commissions from local and international artists. There were paintings and sculptures made to fit the architectural spaces and to convey the story of the owners. Many of the artists visited the home to capture the spirit of nature that is woven throughout the home and the twenty-five hundred acres surrounding it. We chose origami, antique Japanese silk jackets, vintage photography, oil on canvas, wax paintings, and fascinating objects such as croquet and polo mallets, cigar boxes, dressage hats and derby hats, clocks, pressed botanicals from my garden, gilded canvases. As well as a range of watercolours, restrikes, and reprints from Trowbridge Gallery and other fine art companies we shop on our trips to High Point Market. 

Creating a home that has a sense of place and a feeling of permanence and legacy is always a daunting task for designers, but when the house is new that task is much more difficult. By selecting organic materials and reclaimed woods, antiques, and living finishes that age to a beautiful patina we were able to achieve the character our clients desired. Many visitors to the manor have commented “they don’t build houses like this anymore” assuming incorrectly that the house is one of age. This affords our design team a great sense of satisfaction, but the most rewarding accolades are those of our clients who are still discovering all the extraordinary details and symbolic meanings encoded into this beloved design essay. Nothing can ever surpass the joy of a grateful client and the memories they are forging each day in this wonderful home.