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The use of mosaic tile in the master shower adds a distinctive look and luxurious feel.
The home's front porch has room to sit and take in an expansive view
Decorative columns supporting an architectural bridge lend definition to the dining area.
The sun room, one of the loveliest rooms in the house, has plenty of windows that provide lake views and abundant natural light.
The spacious kitchen offers plenty of counter space, and keeps the cook close to the main living area.
The inviting main living area features a fireplace The kitchen cabinets and range hood are finished in medium cherry, with this design on the hood. |
BY RICHARD AMRHINE
This year's Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association, pays a visit to a Lake Anna model built in Louisa County, just across the Spotsylvania County line, by Battlefield Homes of Fredericksburg.
Building a spec model these days requires a leap of faith by even the most seasoned builder. But Michael Tierney, president of Battlefield Homes, considers it the right time; the Cedar Creek to be the right model;, and Georgetown subdivision to be the right place. Then there's the price, which at $499,000 Tierney also thinks is just right.
"A lot of thought went into the house we wanted to build here," he said. "This is not a family home. It is for empty-nesters, a retired couple with family and friends coming to visit."
Adds Tierney's wife, Maxine: "This is where you'll want to have your family and friends come visit. They'll want to come here."
Given the setting, they may not want to leave.
And why should they? The Craftsman-style house has 2,600 square feet of finished living space, most of which is on the main level.
SINGLE-STORY LIVING
Tierney said the house was designed to be lived in on the main level, which covers 2,000 square feet. The open floor plan includes the kitchen and main living area, an adjoining sunroom or breakfast room, and a dining area defined by columns that support an architectural bridge.
There's also a roomy master suite with a box ceiling, and a secondary main-level bedroom next to a full bath that also serves as the powder room.
A key feature--perhaps Maxine Tierney's favorite feature--is the soaring vaulted ceiling that enhances the overall feeling of spaciousness.
Ending in a tie for overall favorite feature is that every room on the main level provides a lake view.
"Even standing at the [kitchen] sink you have a lake view," said Michael Tierney.
A lake view, after all, is what entices many people to build or buy a home at Lake Anna. This location, however, has the added visual benefit of rolling hills and mountains in the distance--beyond the lake in the foreground.
Additional living space is found downstairs, where there's a recreation room with a wet bar. Also downstairs are a third bedroom and a full bathroom.
Much of the space downstairs is left for future finishing. While there are storage and utility areas that would likely stay that way, other spaces could become hobby, workshop or office space, plus a home theater. A double door off one unfinished area would allow a garden tractor to be brought inside.
Tierney said he chose a lake-view lot for the model rather than a lakefront lot largely because of the cost. Thanks to the subdivision's perfectly suited terrain, the lakeside homes will be backed by a hillside that hides them from view from the lake-view houses behind and above them.
GOAL OF FRUGAL LUXURY
It was the Tierneys' goal with this model to provide luxury features in a manageably priced package.
A good example of meeting that objective is the kitchen. There are upgraded cherry cabinets, a professional-style range with a large exhaust hood, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances and a gorgeous tile backsplash.
There are both a peninsula counter extension for casual eating, and an island that incorporates the sink and a raised bar. The wall oven combines the microwave above and the conventional oven below.
A joint effort by Maxine Tierney and Reico Kitchen & Bath, the kitchen is a handsome and well-designed space that doesn't segregate the cook from the fun.
Touches of luxury are found in the bathrooms as well. All have granite-topped vanities, and the master shower has custom tile work in the sit-down shower as well. The master bath sacrifices the tub to gain space. The guest bath gets an extra 10 inches of width--more than the usual 5 feet dictated by the bathtub.
Lighting and plumbing fixtures are of rich-looking oiled bronze.
The home's windows are large and plentiful, and those in the main living areas are a classic tall, near-to-the-floor design with transoms.
Included with the home is a highly efficient conventional HVAC system with dampering to close off lower-level ducts when the area is naturally cool, warm or not in use.
The Tierneys applauded the dedication of the subcontractors involved in the project.
"We've never designed a model with the support of so many people," Maxine Tierney said. "It was like we were feeling like a normal industry again."
Michael Tierney added that the subs know that if their efforts can create a standout home, it could mean more work for them in the future, something many of them sorely need.
Richard Amrhine: 540/374-5406
Email: ramrhine@freelancestar.com
The Parade of Homes runs two weekends, Oct. 1 and 2 and Oct. 8 and 9. The models will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Numbers are keyed to map on Page 2 of the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association pull-out inside.
STAFFORD COUNTY1. Childress Homes, the Franklin at Estates of Hartwood, 21 Estates Drive, Fredericksburg, 22406
2. Atlantic Builders, the Bridgewater at Richland Estates, 265 Renegade Drive, Fredericksburg, 22406
3. Del Webb, the Burlington
4. Centex, the Pinewood at Stafford Lakes, 1 Manorwood Drive, Fredericksburg, 22406
5. NVR Ryan Homes, the Mozart at Rappahannock Landing, 100 Bancroft Drive, Fredericksburg, 22405
FREDERICKSBURG6. Bryton Homes, the Cannon Ridge at The Preserves of Smith Run, 1400 Preserve Lane, Fredericksburg, 22401
7. NVR Ryan, the Yates at Idlewild, 2140 Idlewild Blvd., Fredericksburg, 22401
8. Westbrooke Homes, the Monticello at The Estates of Idlewild, 1002 Idlewild Boulevard, Fredericksburg, 22401
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY9. Thompson Building Corp., the Franklin at Stonewall Village, 6005 Michael Court, Fredericksburg, 22407
10. Augustine Homes, the Potomac at Oaks at Chancellor, 11914 Ziyad Court, Fredericksburg, 22407
11. American Heritage Homes, the Glenmore IV at Estates of Chancellorsville, 8700 Formation Drive, Fredericksburg, 22407
12. Basheer & Edgemoore, Whitehall Subdivision, 9615 Whitehall Blvd., Spotsylvania, 22553
14. Charleston Co., the Everette II at Everette Estates, 9502 Everette Drive, Spotsylvania, 22553
15. Spartan Homes, the Chapman, 5749 Fenton Road, Spotsylvania, 22551
18. NVR Ryan Homes, the Ravenna at Lee's Parke, 5723 Woodbine Court, Fredericksburg, 22407
19. Spear Builders, the Westfield at Candlewood, 9007 McAlister Court, Fredericksburg, 22408
ORANGE COUNTY13. Tricord Homes, the Rappahannock at Wilderness Shores, 35522 Coyote Trail, Locust Grove, 22508
17. Republic Home Builders, the Elkridge at Lands End at Lake Anna, 20306 Bennetts Way, Orange, 22960
LOUISA COUNTY16. Battlefield Homes, the Cedar Creek at Georgetown,
20. Tricord Homes, the Betsy Ross at Pendleton, 18364 Congressional Circle, Ruther Glen, 22546
21. Childress Homes, the Lee
22. Westbrooke Homes, the Morgan at Willow Hill, Lot 22 Mackensie Drive, King George, 22485
A grocery-store shopping center handles many day-to-day needs, while a growing number of restaurants and other commercial outlets provide an added sense of community while saving time and gasoline.
But don't be deceived, that middle-of-nowhere feeling can still be found throughout the area.
--Richard Amrhine
