Inspired by artists and designed by Jay Tucker, a well known local architect, The Ridge is at peace with its surroundings. Sitting on 22.1 acres +/-, this magnificent two bedroom, two bath home is the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. A 2 room artist’s studio (which could easily be converted to an amazing guest house) sits beside the main house. Anyone who lives here is sure to be inspired by the beauty that surrounds them.
You enter The Ridge from Yancey Road, a lightly traveled country road. The paved driveway crosses over a small creek and gently winds its way through the lower field and then through a small stand of trees up to the 2 bedroom home. The home itself is situated on a small ridge with a long southern exposure that looks down FT Valley. A small stand of trees below the home and to the west ensure privacy throughout.
The entrance door is a truly unique piece of art which greets you as you enter the home. Designed by Jeanne Drevas, a beloved local artist, and incorporating a tree selected from her farm, the door announces the beauty (and quirkiness) that is Rappahannock County. As you enter the lower level, the first floor bedroom is located to the left. Like the entire southern portion of the home, the bedroom has a glass wall that looks out to the forest below. A private bath is on the other side of the foyer.
A set of stairs leads from the lower foyer to the main living area. (There is a main entrance that is located on the upper floor, but most guests and the owners prefer to pass through Jeanne’s door.) Even though the home was built in 1983, it has a contemporary feeling with an open floor plan and a large living room that encompasses the entire western portion of the home. The living room is quite bright and airy with a tall ceiling and a wide bank of windows. The southern face of the home gently moves from living room to dining room as it stretches back to the east. The entire face is lined with floor to ceiling windows that provide bright sunlight throughout the day and the view down FT Valley. A door opens to a large patio that is perfect for entertaining. A clean, efficient kitchen with plenty of cabinet space is located off of the dining room. In the center of the home is a custom-designed stucco chimney, with locally sourced stones, that absorbs heat from the fire and gently radiates it throughout the home.
Separated from the main living space, the master bedroom lies to the back of the home. It too has floor to ceiling windows along the southern wall. The master bath is located across the hall from the main bedroom. As an added bonus, the architect cleverly added in a small sleeping loft (accessible by a ladder) above the master bath. This sleeping loft is sure to be the delight of any small guests that happen to visit the Ridge.
The warm-colored tiles throughout the home add style and sustainable energy use to The Ridge. The tiles help keep the home cool in summer and warm in the winter by absorbing sunlight. The home has been built into the hillside, this also aids in the home’s ability to regulate heating and cooling by minimizing the north face of the home and protecting it from winter winds.
One of the highlights of the property is the two room artists studio. Like the main home, the studio features a large bank of southern facing windows with views of Juba Mountain and the scenic fields below. A large deck is perfect for the artist who wants to paint en plein air or is a great place to sit and have a cocktail as you enjoy the countryside. The office / living room area is quite large and features a large fireplace. Similar to the main home, this fireplace was designed with the thick stucco walls that allow heat to radiate through the entire studio. The studio space fills the balance of the first floor. Any artist would be thrilled to work in this space. With a full bath, the studio could easily be converted to a very comfortable guest house.
The property is a nice mixture of open fields and forests. A small creek meanders along the southern portion of the property and is sure to draw a wide variety of wildlife. Several walking trails have been cut through the property. Make sure any walk you take includes time at the restful spot on the northern edge of the property. From here, you have magnificent views looking up FT Valley. Above the home, the owners built a small tea house for reflection and contemplation. The property is completed by a small garage/equipment shed with one enclosed bay and two open bays.
Rappahannock County is a food lovers’ dream, with interesting restaurant options and a vibrant local food scene that includes wineries, vegetable farms, livestock farms and dairies. The village of Sperryville (about 4 miles from the property) is a charming small town (population 350) with a surprising list of features. Restaurants include the Thornton River Grille, Rudy’s Pizza, Creekside Bakery and Burgers n’ Things. There is also the Sperryville Corner Store for wine and gourmet treats; Triple Oak Bakery for gluten-free goodies; Heritage Hollow Farm Store for local meat, eggs, and more; Roy’s Orchard for fruits, berries, produce and a huge selection of other grocery items; and Waterpenny Farm for organically-grown self-serve produce. Sperryville also has a vibrant arts scene with galleries and music venues. Main Street also features Stonewall Abbey Yoga with a wide assortment of classes.
