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Stars Above, Earth Below: Astronomy and the Natural Landscape

Posted on: Saturday, 25 August 2007, 09:05 CDT

By Lindsey Nair, The Roanoke Times, Va.

HOT SPRINGS -- When interior designer Barry Dixon sought a theme for the 2007 Southern Accents showhouse in Bath County, he found inspiration in the present and the past.

First, he found himself drinking in the soft blues and greens of the living landscape visible through the home's expansive windows. Then he wondered what Thomas Jefferson, who frequented the pools at Warm Springs, would have done.

"We were imagining if Jefferson were up here in the 21st century and wanted to retreat up in this area," Dixon said. "What would he be interested in?"

Nature, he decided. Astronomy. Scientific specimens, maps, circles and rings.

All of those elements and more unfold throughout the 8,300-square-foot house in the Sheep Meadow neighborhood of the Homestead Preserve development. And beginning Aug. 30, when the house opens for tours, the public will be able to see for themselves the birds that take flight or the leaves that unfurl around every corner.

"Every time you go into one of Barry's rooms, you notice something new," said Karen Carroll, editor-in-chief of Southern Accents magazine. "There is another layer or detail or something you might have missed."

Southern Accents, a sister magazine to Southern Living, chose Homestead Preserve in part because developer Celebration Associates of North Carolina has tried to be respectful of the environment. Before development began, the company placed more than 900 acres in permanent conservation easements and set strict building requirements for the property's 450 lots.

"Progress often means change," Carroll said, "but in this case, I think it is a real chance for the community to grow, to become a world-class place and yet tread very gently on the landscape."

That Earth-friendly spirit contributed to Dixon's decision to rely, in part, on a natural theme for the home's interior. But the decorator, who is based in Warrenton and routinely designs interiors for such magazines as House Beautiful and Decor, was careful not to resort to cliches of "mountain getaway" decorating.

Bearskin rugs, mallard duck prints and twisted twig chairs have their places, but they are married with more romantic effects like the gold leaf flowers and vines on the rice paper living room ceiling and the floral nailhead touches on an ottoman.

Wildlife makes another appearance in the entry foyer, where hand-painted murals depict deer, bears and other indigenous animals. The same creatures also dash across the walls in the master suite.

Dixon's astronomy theme is most evident in the sitting room off the kitchen, where concentric circles in the green straw carpet echo the shape of the cocktail table, fashioned from a 19th-century cheese crate. A big, ringed chandelier finishes the sense of planets in orbit.

In the kitchen, Dixon cantilevered a walnut disk at bar height adjacent to the rectangular granite counter. It serves as an observation point for watching kitchen preparations and, with a stainless steel lazy Susan in the center, makes mingling and serving easier.

During warm months, the homeowner will be able to take advantage of about 1,200 square feet of outdoor living space, including dining areas in the front and back.

But one of the home's most charming features is the number of hideaways, where drapes can be drawn around hallway niches or entire rooms for reading, napping or studying.

"I have lots of things pulled up and around so generations can go to their own place and have their quiet time," Dixon said, "and then come back together and commune together in community spaces."

If visitors like what they see when they tour the showhouse, they can take home more than ideas. Almost everything inside, including several pieces from Dixon's Tomlinson/Erwith Lambeth furniture line, is for sale at discounted prices. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to the Nature Conservancy.

Of course, an interested buyer also can swoop in and purchase the house and all of its contents -- for several million dollars.

Penny Peery, an agent with Virginia Hot Springs Realty, said an asking price hasn't been settled on yet for the house. But Jenny Hartzog, who manages Southern Accents' showhouse program, estimated the decor alone at more than $1 million. Dixon suggested the house, which was designed by John Reagan Architects of Columbus, Ohio, could bring "in the nature of $5 million."

Regardless of whether the house and contents are sold, the tours will run through Dec. 30. And Southern Accents will feature a big spread on the home's interior in its November-December issue.

"It is a great way for us to bring the pages of our magazine to life for our readers," Carroll said. "They can experience it in person and be able to take in all the wonderful detail."

Source: The Roanoke Times

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