A Star’s Search for a Sanctuary
There was a household name in Hollywood’s A circuit, who were known for their award-winning performances and elegance on the red carpet, who had spent years on an interstate life. Between film sets internationally, tours for the press, and glitzy parties, relaxation was hardly ever an option for them. Somewhere along, down there, they wanted something else: a place where they could retreat from all the clamor of Los Angeles, a home in which nature, history, and design could exist together.
Love at first sight developed when they first set eyes on an estate in Federal design from the 18th century, tucked away in the rolling hills of Virginia. There was no denying the charm of this grandeur house with a classical brick facade, white columns stretched high, and lovely gardens. Sadly, decades of neglect had already caused much havoc to this once-majestic home. There were peeling paint, sagging floors, and retrofitting from previous owners that threw the renovation ahead into turmoil.
Enter a renowned interior designer from New York, who has left their signature on projects around the globe by working with sophisticated taste. Such began their ambitious quest to not only succeed in preserving the estate but also to redesign it, merging the historic with the contemporary in elegance and comfort.
Honoring the Past, Crafting the Future
Restoration projects of that scale need patience, painstaking attention to detail, and a very deep respect for the past. The designer quite early on recognized the historical significance of this home. “When you walk into a space like this, you’re stepping into a time capsule,” they explained. “It’s not about imposing a new identity on it but rather enhancing the one it already has.”
Structural stabilization was the first step, as the original wooden beams inside had been weakened by the weather for many years and some rooms were exhibiting signs of water damage. With the fine craftsman-working team and collaboration, they strengthened the foundations, healed plasterwork in the walls, and acquired original 18th-century bricks for a chimney restoration.
Reviving the grand staircase was one of the more incredibly detailed tasks. The original mahogany banister had been replaced with a dowdy, modern design decades ago. To resurrect its former glory, the designer collaborated with a handful of master woodworkers, using archival photography to copy the hand-carving of that handrail while creating something that is truly breathtaking, a statement of architecture in its own right, which subsequently set the tenor of the rest of the home.
A Living Gallery of Stories
For the interiors, a celebrity homeowner wanted to combine an old world charm with modern-day luxury. The designer has put together a collection of antiques, rich-hearted textiles, and art pieces that all reflect the estate’s heritage but have personal touches inspired by their client’s global travels.
In the grand library, a massive oak bookcase sourced from a centuries-old European estate now houses an amazing collection of rare-first-in-print books and film scripts. And an inviting pair of vintage leather armchairs, softened by the years, were selected for that reason. “I wanted this to be a space where they could really escape,” the designer continued, “somewhere to get lost in a good book, sip whiskey by the fire, and forget the outside world.”
A hand-painted mural based on antique chinoiserie designs was commissioned to crown the dining room with a ceiling. Delicate trees, birds, and flower motifs in blue gloom was all that could be found on all the walls. It sat alongside an 18th-century French dining table and gilded candelabras, lending the room a wonderful regal intimacy for most-of-the-time dinners with friends and fellow industry artist-makers.
And the best transformation is in the master bedroom. He spent years living with minimalism modern interiors and would have to turn away from his expectation of warmth for this space. Soft linen-draped canopy bed, Persian rugs that are antiques, and very textured walls in deep earthy colors bring calmness. “This is the heart of the house for me,” said the homeowner. “When I’m here, I wake up to the sound of birds, not traffic. It’s a complete reset.”
Heritage Meets Modern Luxury
There was the seamless integration between being historically correct and incorporating modern updates to the house. The kitchen was redesigned entirely with modern appliances hidden behind custom cabinetry made to look like traditional farmhouse cupboards. A huge marble island became the cooking and chats gathering point because of the love for entertainment.
The bathrooms were very closely associated with old and new. In the main suite, an original clawfoot tub had been restored and was given sleek Italian marble countertops, custom brass fixtures from a small Parisian maker. “Luxury isn’t just about aesthetics,” the designer explained. “It’s about how a space makes you feel-comfortable, inspired, and at ease.”
One of the most unique additions included a private wellness retreat designed to lift the mood and encourage self-care. It was located in redeveloped and refurbished barn, this area included a meditation room, infrared sauna, and an outdoor plunge pool looking out onto the rolling countryside. Here, a celebrity found the ultimate escape-from grueling filming schedules-back into nature.
A Home for Soul This monumental estate fell into disrepair long before someone resurrected it with salt-inflected drapery so graceful that it looked like someone had waved a wand over an entire generation. Most, however, knew this one as a reward bylh, the select number of giving.
That for such a celebrity, it was never just going to be a home but a sanctuary: “This house always gave me something I didn’t know I needed, and that was silence,” they reflected. “It’s a reminder that beauty isn’t only in grand things, but also in those tender, quiet moments, the patina of time, and the stories hidden within these walls.”
A timeless estate of design, this edifice thus proves that restoration does not belong in the past. It refers to the love that one has had the creativity and skill to preserve history into the present.