Tucked in the tree-tops on a west facing slope of Little Bastard Mountain, The Cabin in Riley Hollow overlooks the bucolic plains of Riley Hollow and the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon. With lovely natural landscaping, a large wrap-around deck and a private setting the cabin is the ideal quaint country retreat.
It is a delightfully rebuilt and gently modernized log cabin featuring hand hewn logs, a wood burning fireplace, wood stove, guest suite with separate outside entrance, three bedrooms, two baths and a tremendous amount of charm.
A stone and timber walkway winds through ornamental gardens of native plantings and ornamentals to the wide entry deck that frames dramatic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is a widow’s walk across the front of the house providing access from the deck to the living room.
The main level includes a cheerful and eat-in kitchen and a hand-hewn chestnut log living room. The kitchen is awash in natural light from a west-facing bay window and windows to the north. There is a clever pantry/storage area behind the kitchen with extensive built-in shelving.
The living room has an authentic historic ambience with log walls, exposed beams and rich pine flooring. It is well lit with western and southern facing windows and a wooden door with screens which permit lovely breezes through the room in the warm months, as well as a lot of light. For additional warmth and ambience there is a floor to ceiling wood-burning fireplace.
The upper level includes the primary bedroom, a second bedroom and a full bathroom. Located above the living room, the primary bedroom also has hand-hewn log walls and warm natural light. The second bedroom has a cozy reading nook with a window overlooking the lovely mountain views.
The lower level has a living room, bedroom and second bath. The living room is perfect for cozy movie nights with the wood stove.
The home has a two-level deck on the eastern and southern sides allowing for cool shade on summer evenings and sunny early morning light.
The grounds are delightful throughout the year with fieldstone terraces holding ornamental gardens. In the spring there are bountiful flowering shrubs and trees including rhododendrons, azaleas and dogwoods. The towering poplars and oaks provide cooling shade in the summer. Fall is simply glorious and the plantings have a stark sculptural beauty in the winter. In the winter, the azaleas and boxwoods keep the landscaping around the house green. The leafless trees in winter permit mountain views in all directions.
The Cabin in Riley Hollow is about three miles from the village of Flint Hill with the Blue Door Restaurant, Griffin Tavern and Skyward Café and a new Latin market and grocery.
Rappahannock and surrounding counties offer endless recreational possibilities. Shenandoah National Park is home to scenic Skyline Drive with its overlooks as well as many miles of trails. There are wineries and breweries, great restaurants and cafés, 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.
Near Sperryville and “little” Washington, and convenient to Warrenton and Front Royal, this property is ideally situated for full-time residents or weekenders alike. Located less than two hours from Washington, DC, and about an hour and a half from Charlottesville, the property is within an easy driving distance for weekend getaways.
