Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes …
The Beatles
Penny Lane is a magical place where the Hazel River conducts a symphony as it rushes through old forest. On a high knoll above the wild Hazel, this handmade architectural masterpiece offers an impressive tableau of mountain views with Hazel Mountain and a large swath of the Shenandoah National Park in the foreground and majestic Old Rag Mountain commanding the horizon.
Penny Lane is a deft marriage of an old mountain cabin (c. 1809) with a rustic yet sophisticated newer country home that settles gently into the landscape. From dramatic light fixtures to handmade wood doors, the home sings with artistic details. With large open rooms, expansive windows, multiple porches, decks and balconies and naturally landscaped grounds, the home takes full advantage of the mountain vistas and soothing music of the river.
The heart of Penny Lane is a soaring timber-framed great room, hand built with pegged mortise and tenon joinery. Brawny timbered trusses support a high wood paneled ceiling over walls of windows and glass doors to create an open airy space filled with natural light. A fieldstone fireplace and warm antique oak floors provide an intimate counterpoint to the dramatic great room.
One wall of the great room is actually the original outside wall of the old log cabin which is cleverly incorporated into the design of the home. The transition from the expansive open great room to the hand-hewn log cabin is a journey back in time to when Rappahannock County was the frontier. Although completely restored, the 200+ year old cabin shows its age well with the original floors, a fieldstone fireplace and rustic chestnut logs. With a loft above, this engaging room is an excellent den, library or rustic dining room. The loft could also be used as an extra sleeping nook for visiting friends or family.
The kitchen is just off the great room and adjacent to the old log cabin and it showcases another unique handmade feature of the home. The backsplash under the cupboards and range hood is a mural of the surrounding mountain scenery crafted with tiles handmade and painted by a neighboring artist. The kitchen includes granite countertops, custom made hickory cabinets and antique oak flooring.
A guest room and a large master suite with porch access and great mountain views completes the main floor. There is also a full bathroom with decorated tiles by the same neighboring artist.
The upper level includes a loft area above the great room, a second master suite that has a delightful balcony above the Hazel River and an office/study.
The lower level has a finished room perfect for a family room, game room or tasting room. With careful planning, this space could be transformed into an amazing In-Law suite.
The garage has room for three cars as well as workshop space and room for essential equipment. There is also a whole house generator that automatically engages when the power goes off.
The two-bedroom guest house at Penny Lane was originally the studio of a noted local watercolorist. It has a full kitchen, large gathering spaces and a dramatic deck with fine mountain views.
The home is tucked in on 13 rugged acres that rise from the Hazel River to the top of Potters Ridge. The property is accessed via a picturesque low water bridge across the Hazel River and a paved driveway that gently climbs to the home. Although the property is mostly wooded, there are lovely landscaped areas for enjoying the outdoors as well as a large fenced garden that includes blackberries, raspberries and asparagus. The rich soil has been organically gardened for years.
With its storybook setting and dramatic country home, Penny Lane is a captivating country property that will please all your senses.
