Big and Beautiful in Stonehouse
When E and M decided to build their dream home, they knew it had to be large enough to accommodate their elderly parents and have a layout that offered privacy, luxury, and all the amenities for entertaining. They also knew it had to be in Stonehouse, a Toano VA neighborhood located about 15 miles from Colonial Williamsburg.
“We love this neighborhood. The people are friendly, it’s quiet, and there’s 50% green space here,” said E , noting he and M had lived in Stonehouse for years before building their home on Mill Pond Run. “When we decided to build a larger home so that our parents could live with us, I walked every lot available in Stonehouse to find the perfect property.” They finally found just the right lot: .88 acres with 3 acres of green space behind it, and a sloping yard to accommodate a walk-out basement.
Luxury and Practicality. The 7 bedroom, 7.5-bath brick Cape Cod home that E and M built in 2006 is a combination of practical design and luxurious features. It is three-levels, with master bedroom suites on each floor to allow plenty of privacy for the couple and their parents. The house, which is handicap accessible, has separate heat/AC zones on each level. It also includes amenities for a healthy lifestyle, such as a full exercise room with multiple types of equipment, and an indoor lap pool with fit jets that allow swimming against the current.
For recreation, the lower level of the 7,795-square-foot home includes a 6-seat media room, a den and full kitchenette, and a game room with slot machines, a billiards table, and table shuffleboard. Outside, there is a screened porch as well as several patio areas for relaxing around a stone fireplace, doing a little outdoor cooking, and dining al fresco at a table for 10 under a covered patio. The lushly landscaped yard—which includes a waterfall with colored lights — provides plenty of privacy.
Touches of whimsy. The home’s style is largely traditional, with 9- and 10-foot ceilings, crown molding, wainscoting and ceiling medallions, pocket doors, and traditional window treatments. But E and M also included some whimsical, personal touches. For example, a trip to Venice inspired the design of the upper level master bathroom, which includes columns, tiled arches, and a striking chandelier with colored glass. “I wanted a lot of colors in the house, but my mother didn’t,” E explained. “Instead, I decided to do mainly textures and patterns—such as pebble tiles in the shower—and get my colors though other items such as the chandelier.”
E took a hands-on approach when he painted the ceiling in the media room to look like the sky. “We have side lights in the room for when you aren’t watching the movie, and up lights that shine on the sky painting when the movie is on,” E noted.
Bring on the cooks. The gourmet kitchen was designed for a cook, and both E and M have skills. “We both like to cook and do grilling and traditional dinner cooking,” E noted. Not so traditional are the dog treats that they make for their twin Schnauzers, Maggie and McDuff, as well as the local humane society. The kitchen includes an island with seating as well as a big table with upholstered chairs. “It’s easy to entertain there, and it’s as comfortable as the dining room,” said E.
Living Smart. The house is wired so the couple can control lights, TVs, outdoor cameras and other features with a swipe on the iPhones. “I personally don’t know all the technology, but I just love the convenience,” E said.
A beautiful day in the neighborhood. It’s easy to see why E and M were set on staying in the Stonehouse neighborhood. The community’s amenities include an award-winning golf course with its own clubhouse that offers Friday night dinners and Sunday brunches. There is a separate Residents Center that includes a pool, playground, exercise room, and full kitchen. There are tennis courts, soccer fields, picnic areas, and a 47-acre lake. “We like to take our kayak out on the lake,” E noted. “And, someone stocked the lake with fish, so we often see people fishing there.”
The neighborhood has a community garden that E once used, but he now gardens on his own property. The community, which is socially active with various clubs, a swim team, and arts and fitness programs, is “a neighborhood where everyone walks” E said. “We often see our neighbors on the bike paths.”
Now that their parents are no longer with them, E and M don’t need such a large home, and have decided to downsize. “I chose John Womeldorf to help sell the house after I found his name all over the Internet.” E said, laughing. “So far, he has been terrific. He’s brought a lot of ideas to the table for selling our home.”
Why the stories? Because these aren’t just houses, they’re homes.
Mr. Williamsburg knows that when you’re looking for a new place, you’re searching for more than just four walls plus amenities, you’re looking for that welcoming refuge we call home. That’s why we go beyond the standard “4 bedrooms, 3 baths on large lot” statistics, to share how others have lived in this house, to reveal the home’s unique personality, to help you decide whether this is a place where your family could thrive.
Likewise, we realize that you’re seeking not simply a development within a particular zip code, but also an opportunity to become part of a community. That’s why we share our sellers’ experiences as members of that neighborhood.
We trust these stories will assist you in finding your way home.
Want to tell your home’s story? Contact John “Mr. Williamsburg” Womeldorf at (757) 254-8136 or John@MrWilliamsburg.com and we’ll get you started.
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