Rediviva Retreat was conceived as a casual yet elegant escape for family and friends. It is an easy living home focused on the magnificent rolling farmland, shimmering ponds and endless views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Mary’s Rock to Old Rag Mountain on the southern horizon.
The 3,000 +/- sq. ft. home was designed by a prominent local architect, built by the premier local contractor and completed in 2019. It features architectural stucco siding, a metal roof, nine foot ceilings, local white oak flooring with white pickled stain and Kolby doors and windows throughout.
The home is carved into a broad terrace created by an impressive retaining wall of truck-sized boulders wrangled from the property. Other stone walls create level lawns, cozy courtyards and lovely ornamental gardens. The home is nestled against a forested hillside to the north while the southern and western exposures open to the dramatic views. As befitting its spectacular site, all rooms have wide windows or doors to drink in the lovely natural setting. There are porches, terraces and lawns on all sides so there is always a comfortable outdoor experience at every time in every season.
The entry porch is accessed by descending several stone steps and a Pennsylvania bluestone walkway across a lowered lawn. A tall glass door opens to the entry hall with an art gallery and powder room to the right. With good north light, the gallery provides an intriguing glimpse into the artistic aesthetic of the home.
Directly ahead is a dramatic sightline across the living room to the majestic mountain views. It features hardwood flooring, a tile surrounded fireplace and a tall glass door to the rear terrace and lawns to further enjoy the expansive natural setting. With a southern exposure, the bright living room is filled with natural light. It begs for company and conversation.
Through a wide opening the living room spills effortlessly into the kitchen and dining nook. The dining area is a bumped-out space with windows on three sides and a built-in bench.
The kitchen is a grand space, designed for entertaining around the oversized marble island. Large windows surround the workspaces, so it feels almost like an outdoor kitchen. Expanses of leathered granite counters, clean-lined cabinetry, and top-of-the-line appliances make preparing meals a pleasure. A separate bar with built-in wine cooler makes entertaining even easier. An adjacent butler’s pantry houses a second refrigerator, dishwasher and plentiful storage space.
The main level also includes a guest suite.
Between the kitchen and living room, a set of stairs leads to the upper level with a second guest suite and the primary suite and an open hallway with a perfect niche for an office/studio space. The primary suite includes a built-in day bed under a south facing window and small balcony on the western side, perfect for a few minutes of star gazing. The luxurious primary bath features a marble and tile walk-in shower and high windows that afford privacy as well as soft northern light. There are expansive closets, a dressing room and a separate laundry room.
The second guest suite features a built-in daybed under south facing windows, a tub for two, and similar to the primary suite, it has high northern windows.
In addition to the lawns, terraces and gardens, the 29-acre property include 4 – 5 acres of forest, mature black walnuts, old stone walls, an intriguing but rustic little cabin and a portion of a large pond. The fully fenced open land features dramatic rock outcroppings and an interesting topography so it seems even larger. It is ideal for livestock or conversion to native grasses and wildflowers for quail, other birds and pollinators.
Rediviva Retreat is located in the central part of Rappahannock County between the eclectic village of Sperryville and the Town of Little Washington. Rappahannock and surrounding counties offer endless recreational possibilities. There are wineries and breweries, great restaurants and cafes, antique stores, farms and orchards, and much more. Looking for cultural activities? Visit one of the many art galleries, attend a play or a concert at one of the theaters, or visit the Rappahannock Historical Society’s museum.
Located about an hour and a half from Washington, DC, and about twenty-five minutes from Warrenton, Rediviva Retreat is about 70 miles and 50 years from Washington.
