The Oaks is a Rappahannock County Treasure. This gem of a house is an exceptional example of a quirky rambling country home chock full of personality. It is sited on a gentle knoll under a stand of impressive aged oaks that stand guard like gnarly old sentinels. Surrounding the home are fieldstone lined ornamental gardens, flowering shrubs and several weather beaten barns that are sheathed in silvery old wood. An impressive allee of big boxwoods line the stone front walk on its way to a columned front porch.
The home marries an original four-room log cabin c.1749 with two later additions to form a comfortable country home. It was completely remodeled in the early 1990s and has been beautifully maintained. The old log home houses an open kitchen/living/dining area. Beamed ceilings, wide plank floors and a fieldstone fireplace provide an antique ambience. Unlike many old log homes, this room has the natural light, comfortable ceilings and an openness of a more modern home.There is a formal dining room adjacent to the kitchen, in a later two-story addition c. 1880. This room has large windows, high ceilings, rich pine floors and a fieldstone fireplace surrounded by an impressive mantel. Because of its great natural light, the current owners use this room as a living room and art studio.
The master suite is at the other end of the log great room, through a short hall and down two steps. It has windows to the east and west so it has sparking natural light all day long. Heart of pine flooring is a rich counterpoint to the whitewashed wide plank walls and ceilings. The backside of the fieldstone chimney is exposed to add another element of country charisma.
Upstairs there are three more bedrooms and a full bathroom. The largest bedroom is above the dining room in the most recent addition. It has high ruby hued pine floors, a field stone fireplace and large windows. The other two smaller bedrooms are in the old log portion of the home. In 1989 all new plumbing, electrical and a furnace were installed to allow for central air and heat and the comfort of modern electricity. A new well was drilled and installed in the same time period. The well services both the main house and the guest cottage.
There is a newer guest cottage which was built in 1997 just a discreet distance down the hill. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a great room with open kitchen/living/dining areas. Outside the great room is a wide deck with grand mountain views.
The 28.8 acre property has an interesting topography of rolling hills and shallow ravines. Approximately 20 acres are open land currently being used for hay. There a several fields separated by copses of hardwoods and a small pond that provides excellent habitat for wildlife. The property boundary goes down the hill to the Rush River and that adds another great feature to the land. There is one right of way easement that goes along the length of the stone wall as you enter the property on the right that allows a neighbor access to an undeveloped lot.
The property is located near the end of a private lane in an excellent location about 3 miles from Little Washington. It is very private with no other home visible from most of the property. Century Link provides phone and internet service and the owners report that the download speed is fast enough to stream movies. Cell phone service varies depending on your carrier.
Rappahannock County is home to the world-renowned Inn at Little Washington, along with numerous other restaurants and wineries; and many art galleries and antique stores. The town of Washington is only five minutes away and features Tula’s Restaurant, the Country Cafe, a post office and an interesting assortment of unusual shops.
Other attractions include numerous wineries, craft breweries and one craft distillery, antique shops, and art galleries, such as the River District Arts Center, where art is produced and sold. The Shenandoah National Park where you can hike, ride horses, fish and explore is also just minutes away from this home. The Oaks is about 25 minutes from Warrenton or Front Royal and 1.5 hours from Washington, DC.
