Your escape from DC is closer than you think. A private country retreat about an hour from Washington, DC—19233 Blue Ridge Mountain Road is where literary history meets Architectural Digest-worthy design.
Few homes manage to honor their past while feeling so completely of the present. An original 1880 cabin anchors a residence that has evolved over time and now has been completely reimagined through a three-year renovation, resulting in a distinctly elevated design, layering history, architecture and modern luxury.
The transformation encompassed virtually every aspect of the property, inside and out. Interior walls were structurally reworked to reshape the way the home lives, optimizing room scale, natural light and panoramic views. Custom millwork, paneling, structural arches and cabinetry bring an elevated level of architectural detail throughout, while the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, windows and other major systems were extensively replaced. The exterior was structurally rebuilt and refinished with new cedar siding and custom stonework, and the outdoor living spaces were dramatically expanded.
For all that was transformed, equal consideration was given to what should remain. The original 1880 cabin is now woven into the residence, where historic beams, stone and antique walnut woodwork preserve a tangible connection to the property's past.
Originally part of the Elizabeth Fox Moore estate, the property carries a remarkable literary history: the irreplaceable cabin served as a writing sanctuary for the legendary American author John Fox Jr. It was within this structure that Fox wrote his landmark, best-selling novel The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, published in 1908. The popularity of the novel was so great that it was reportedly only outsold by the Bible and Gone With the Wind.
From this historic core, the house unfolds into spaces decidedly of the present. The kitchen was taken to the studs and expanded to more than twice its original footprint. A 10+ foot statement island is surrounded by artisan-crafted inset cabinetry, dolomite natural-stone countertops, a handcrafted Shaws apron-front sink, Perrin & Rowe brassware, hand-forged deVOL hardware and lighting, and professional-grade Wolf, Sub-Zero and Cove appliances.
The primary suite was reconfigured and expanded to create a private retreat, including a spa bath with marble checkerboard flooring, custom vanities and an expansive Brizo steam shower finished in Ann Sacks earthenware and marble mosaic tile.
An attached guest suite offers the ability to live independently while remaining connected to the home, with its own private entrance, custom kitchen, living area, bedroom and luxury bath.
Even the home's most functional spaces were approached with the same attention to detail, from the relocated main-level laundry and lower-level wet bar to the custom mudroom with built-in storage and oversized dog and boot wash. Three fireplaces—including a newly added family-room fireplace surrounded in native fieldstone—bring another layer of warmth and character.
The transformation continues beyond the interiors. The original deck was completely removed and reconstructed on new structural footings, more than doubling its footprint. Stone harvested from the property was precision-cut and returned to the site for use in the new exterior work, preserving the natural coloration and connection to the land.
The 12.15 acres hosts an exceptional collection of outbuildings includes a restored goat barn, workshop, garden shed, additional storage building and custom-built, predator-resistant chicken coop. A historic stone spring box tucked into the wooded landscape feeds a small spring-fed pool. Located in Clarke Co, just over the Loudoun Co. line, with the benefit of lower real estate taxes, the property is surrounded by vineyards, historic villages and miles of hiking on the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Trail. Washington D.C. is approximately an hour away. Inquire for list of renovations.
