This motivated manor is home to a retired couple who have a severe passion for animals. They wanted to build a house where horses, dogs and cats had room to roam till they found permanent homes.
The home sits on a 1,000-acre slice of land in the Green Springs Historic District, a shielded agricultural landscape sprinkled with historic farmhouses and manors, and the couple wanted to make sure their house would blend in. Joel Barkley, John Ike and Thomas Kligerman of Ike Kilgerman Barkley Architects worked with interior designer Renée O’Leary to create a colorful, cheerful and light-filled house that looks as if it’s been there for centuries.
in a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their nurture horses, dogs and cats
Location: Louisa, Virginia
Size: 5,000 square feet on 1,000 acres
That’s intriguing: The home is an irregular H shape to allow for maximum all-natural light.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
The entire Green Springs Historic District is a protected agricultural arena. It is composed of more than 14,000 acres of exceptionally fertile land (a sharp contrast to this poor soil surrounding it), and historic manors and farmhouses.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
Since this was one of the biggest homes built in the area since the late 19th century, it was critical that the home mix in with its environment. Barkley and his team wanted the home to keep inside the individuality of the historic district but nevertheless reflect the design style of their customers.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
A columned entry portico greets the homeowners in the end of a long drive round the 1,000-acre home. The home is within an irregular H shape, which made in part to allow for the constant flow of light.
Windows: Marvin; columns: Chadsworth; chairs: Weatherend
Ike Kligerman Barkley
The steady was a very important portion of the couple’s wish list. Since part of the reason they constructed this home was to take care of retired horses, they needed enough space to house the animals and their caretakers. Ike Kilgerman Barkley made the layout based on a classic English profile they admired for its timeless and functional look. The stable can accommodate up to 28 horses, and its own center peak has living quarters for its horses’ keepers.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
Indoor-outdoor living proved to be a big priority on this project. A “service” porch with a fireplace and a screened-in dining porch allow the couple to enjoy the grand grounds yearlong.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
Interior designer Renee O’Leary needed the house to feel traditional but have a pleasant, open, colorful and relaxing vibe that would signify its farmhouse roots. Earthy tones, exposed forests and large windows in each room help achieve this look. White and black marble floors give the entry a dab of formality.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
The bunk hallway bridge across the porte cochere (the arched structure over the driveway, also referred to as a carriage porch) is Barkley’s favorite room in the home. Here, daybeds are placed at the end of this space with bookshelves tucked below and in each end. “The manner by which the measures in the hallway isolate this area make it comfy, protected and nap causing,” says Barkley.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
A country-style kitchen feels current but reflects the timeless quality of the house. Granite countertops were installed for ultimate durability, and glass-faced upper cabinets offer more storage without restricting the open quality of the space. A huge window over the sink opens into a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
“The single-room depth of the floor plan lets sunshine all day to the home. The triple-hung windows allow you to push the sash and walk out everywhere you would like,” says Barkley.
Ike Kligerman Barkley
A casual living room area bathed in oranges and yellows sits outside the kitchen. A fireplace keeps it comfy in winter, while open access to the back porch allows for an indoor-outdoor living space during the summertime.
Loveseat cloth: Nobilis; armchair cloth: Bergamo; orange carpet: Odegard; lamp: Holly Hunt
Ike Kligerman Barkley
O’Leary was passionate about her color choices. “She knew the living room and library had to be Clydesdale Brown by Benjamin Moore,” says Barkley. “She loves horses.” The boxed white and bay bookshelves within this room create a bright focus contrary to the earthy brown paint.
Couch: Donghia; carpeting: Stark
Ike Kligerman Barkley
An upstairs gallery alongside the master bedroom hallway allows for clear views into the Blue Ridge Mountains. A gold grass-cloth wall covering maintains the warm inside vibe and overlooks the brilliant greenery outdoors.
Artwork over mantel: Ted Larsen; curtains: Cowtan & Tout; wall covering: Decorators Walk
All pictures by Durston Saylor
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