Mr Williamsburg, Revolutionary ideas on real estate!Hampton Roads Virginia

While I don’t normally blog about home listings. ( You can usually find them thru my MLS/ Home Search) This home’s story needs to be told.

The P.D. Gwaltney Jr. House, built by one of  Smithfield’s most esteemed residents, has been lovingly restored to its original grandeur. This enchanting Queen Anne Victorian is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

The house has a special history that’s captured the imagination and hearts of all who visit. It was originally built in 1901 as a wedding gift from P.D. Gwaltney Jr. to his future bride, Estelle. To commemorate this romantic gesture, a whimsical ceiling mural was painted depicting a cheerful cherub with love letter in hand, on his way to deliver it to the home’s delighted new bride. The painting remains to this day, and has inspired two subsequent generations of weddings that have taken place in this gracious home and its adjoining gardens.

The captivating charm of this property lends itself to future celebrations, both joyous ones and moments of quiet contentment. Views from one of many porches surrounding the house are trans-formative and peaceful, overlooking Little Creek and the estate of  87-acre Windsor Castle Farm. The sweeping grounds bloom with century old Magnolia trees, Crepe Myrtles, the shade of Red Maples and a formal garden with paved pathways and Victorian statuary.

The exterior of the house underwent a museum-quality restoration in recent years and includes decorative copper work and copper gutters on the roof. The home also features a spacious, finished attic and the convenience of an interior elevator and outdoor carport.

Inside, thoughtful details woo its delighted visitors. Many rooms feature large bay windows allowing for gentle light to bathe the extensive wood moldings, wainscoting, paneling and ornate trim work. The vestibule boasts a gilded Greek frieze, original gas lighting fixture and intricately designed tile floor with a wreath of olive branches at its center. The stunning entrance-way is further adorned by an artisan’s hand sculptured relief, a pastoral landscape of the local marshland.

Halfway up the main staircase, sunlight streams in through the colorful prisms of an original stained glass window. There are 6 fireplaces in total, including one in each of the large bedrooms and a spectacular mother of pearl inlaid mantelpiece in the music room.

Special decorative details can be found in each room throughout the house. The front bedroom has a generous window seat from which to enjoy the pageantry of colorful Gingko leaves in the Fall, as well as a hand-stenciled, gilded ceiling. The Master bedroom reveals a portrait gallery, large romantic shutters and an ornate gilded frieze with a garland motif. Also upstairs, an Asian-themed sitting room beckons with a decorative, trompe l’oeil border of delicately painted birds.

Spacious, inviting bathrooms have been updated and outfitted with luxurious details including authentic nickel-plated spa jets and sunflower shower heads imported from London . The marble master bath includes an inviting, over-sized claw-footed soaking tub.

While it’s many splendid original details make this a historic show place, it’s a home that will easily adapt to the vision and lifestyle of its future owners. Grand living and entertaining rooms await joyful celebrations and gracious living, and perhaps even a new kind of love story.

This special property is offered for sale at  $1,090,000.

For further details or a personal tour contact John@MrWilliamsburg.com or call him at 757 254 8136.

You can read the report for submission to the Historic Register here : pd-gwaltney-jr-house

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