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YOU KNOW YOU'VE arrived when the gravel lane turns into a circular asphalt drive with a spur to the three-car garage.
The house is low and wide, its brown brick walls, brown shingled roof, stone chimney and round, turretlike walls blend into the surrounding landscaping and forest. The home sits on 34 acres of rolling western Stafford County terrain. Its residents find themselves in a quiet world of their own.
Sixty Annalisa Lane was built by Charles and Annalisa Williams, who worked with the Northern Virginia company Distinctive Homes to formulate a unique floor plan. The couple served as their own general contractors. They hired subcontractors who were recommended by Distinctive Homes and handled most of the actual construction.
About three acres were cleared for the house and landscaping. It took seven months to complete and was finished in time for the family to move in on Christmas Eve 2000.
Annalisa Williams, an agent with Century 21 Team Real Estate in North Stafford, is the listing agent and will put the house on the market in the next week or two. Though she said it is subject to change, the asking price is set at $975,000.
She said the couple began the project believing they would spend their lives in the house, and to that end Williams said she selected every available upgrade in fixtures, features and appliances. They have since realized the return they could get on their investment.
The main level has about 4,600 square feet of living space with four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half-baths. There is a three-zoned heating and cooling system to maintain uniform comfort throughout the house, and recessed lighting provides a relaxing atmosphere. Several rooms have tray ceilings with medallions and ceiling fans. Flooring is a combination of hardwood, tile and carpeting.
The foyer offers a large area for welcoming guests. To the right is the dining room and to the left is an office.
But straight ahead is the home's focal point, the plush open family room, done in earth tones, with a large, antique chandelier and a cultured-stone hearth that reaches to the ceiling. It lends a feeling of rustic comfort, or casual elegance--whichever way you prefer to look at it.
Off the family room is a spacious kitchen with black granite countertops and top-of-the-line appliances. Rich cherry-finished custom cabinetry is all around, with match panels covering the SubZero refrigerator and other appliances.
On the other side of the kitchen's casual dining area is a sunroom with a round wall of windows that provide a panoramic view of the patio, pool and yard outside.
Nearby is a laundry room and half-bath, and access to the garage.
Back across the family room is a another powder room and the corridor that leads to the bedroom portion of the house. Sharing a wall with the family room is an expansive master bedroom suite with its own fireplace.
The master bathroom is a haven for privacy and relaxation. There are separate his and her granite-topped vanities, and an elevated tub surrounded by windows that afford privacy but also provide a soothing view of the surrounding grounds. The large, ceramic-tiled shower has three shower heads and a seating area.
Across and down the hall are three more bedrooms. First is one done in pink tones perfect for a young girl. It has its own bathroom. Next door is the guest room, which shares a bathroom with the Williamses' sons' bedroom at the end of the hall.
Back in the family room, an oak spiral staircase leads down to the unfinished basement, which doubles the home's available space to nearly 9,500 square feet. The basement has walk-out doors to the back yard.
The home's high level of interior comfort is enhanced by the natural outdoor surroundings. The patio, with a pool now covered for the season, leads to an elevated gazebo. A short distance away is a 1.5-acre pond stocked with fish. An irrigation system taps the pond to keep the lawn and landscaping well watered.
Nearby is a children's play area with a wooden gym, and beyond that is the farm area of the property. The Williamses keep a couple of goats in a fenced-in area. In a pen are some 20 chickens, a few guineas and two peacocks. The pen adjoins a shed that the Williamses built with materials left over from the home's construction.
Horses would be allowed on the property if future owners are equine fanciers.
Charles Williams, a landscaper by trade, has refilled the cleared area with scores of ornamental and fruit trees. They are gathered in clusters with shrubs and Annalisa's choice of perennials, or in rows and along fence lines.
Annalisa Lane is located off Mt. Olive Road, a couple of miles along Poplar Road from U.S. 17.
To reach RICHARD AMRHINE: 540/374-5406 ramrhine@freelancestar.com