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Boxwood Hill is a gem of a country retreat that deftly marries a historic home with a contemporary addition in a spectacular home. The original historic ambience is preserved and enhanced by a thoughtful modern design that provides livability and comfort. The result is a spectacular and sophisticated one-of-a-kind country retreat.
The winsome Federal/farmhouse style two story brick home was built in 1833 and was virtually unchanged for almost 200 years excepting a rudimentary kitchen and basic plumbing and electricity. The entire structure remained intact with its original flooring, millwork, windows, mantels and hardware. In 2004 it was added to the Historic Register of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
The current owner marveled at the historic quality of the home but needed more updated systems, living spaces and comforts. A rickety rear porch was removed and a modern addition was tucked in behind the graceful old house. The gentle contemporary glass and stucco expansion of the old English basement provides a light filled kitchen/dining/living area, a delightful primary suite, laundry and storage areas. The flat roof of the addition became a wide second floor deck and roof top garden. The owner started renovation in 2014 on the addition working with Richard Williams Architects out of Washington, DC and continued renovation work into 2019 including the landscaping all around the property.
Now rather than using the twin front doors on the original front porch, the convenient entrance is around to the side door of the new addition. It opens to a light filled living/dining room with glass walls, Mexican tile floors and high ceilings. The old English basement kitchen has been reimagined with the original fieldstone walls, rugged beams and cooking fireplace juxtaposed by contemporary counters, premium appliances and soft lighting.
The primary suite is similarly open, airy and well-lit with south facing glass walls. There is ample closet space and plenty of built-in storage space. The primary bathroom features a tiled shower, big soaking tub, separate toilet room and dual vanities.
The original basement steps now lead from the lower addition to what was the original first floor of the home. There are two front doors with original woodwork and impressive old hardware. These two sitting rooms each have working fireplaces, tall ceilings and remarkable historic ambience. There is a door to the rooftop deck and gardens from this level.
On the upper level, via a staircase with a gnarled grapevine as a handrail, there are two antique bedrooms and a full bath.
The grounds around the home are spectacularly charming. There are two log guest houses, a creative studio/office, wood hot tub, sauna, garden shed, old barn, fruit trees, extensive gardens, stone walkways, old stone walls and majestic walnut trees. Everything is artistically arranged just so across a lush hillside lawn. The grounds include a small but beautiful creek on the property which allows a nice water feature.
On the north side of the main house, the larger log guest house is a finely restored old hand-hewn log cabin with exposed logs and a cedar shake roof. The first floor living area is centered around a rustic fieldstone fireplace. This level also includes a kitchenette and a full bath. Upstairs is a cozy and comfortable bedroom.
Further from the main house a smaller and more rustic cabin which provides a play room or guest quarters that are ideal for children who want a taste of old-time country living.
On the south side, an old garage has been re-purposed as a large, light and airy studio brimming with creative energy. It has high ceilings, good north light and a convenient kitchenette.
Just below the house with easy access to the primary suite there is a real wood hot tub on a stone terrace and adjacent to it is a wood deck with a 2-person sauna.
Further from the home is a new garden shed and a rustic old post and beam barn in need of restoration.
The compact 4 acre property feels much larger than it is because of the diversity of buildings and landscapes.
Boxwood Hill is only 15 miles from Culpeper for shopping, entertainment and restaurants. The eclectic village of Sperryville, about 10 miles away, has two breweries, a distillery, yoga studio, restaurants, including 3 Blacksmiths and interesting shopping opportunities. Little Washington, home to the renowned Inn at Little Washington, is about 8 miles from the cabin.
Rappahannock, Madison and Culpeper counties offer endless recreational possibilities. The Shenandoah National Park with miles of hiking trails and the Skyline Drive, one of the country’s most scenic roadways, is only minutes away.
Located about an hour and a half from Washington, DC, and just over an hour from Charlottesville, the property is the perfect weekend getaway or full time home.
