Llanmeath – An Exquisite 1934 Virginia Country House

During the 1920s and 30s, to escape the summer heat, Washingtonians built        cottages on Raven Rock Road in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. These include Llanmeath, built in 1934 with attention to detail and a quiet appreciation for this special site. 

The original owners, having honeymooned in Wales, asked their architect to design a Welsh hunting lodge. And so it is. The house is constructed using stone from the mountain, a distinctive feature, and invites visitors in through a charming iron gate. A flagstone patio leads to a stable-influenced courtyard with an outdoor fireplace. Crossing the threshold, one is greeted by a dramatic great room with vaulted ceilings, stone walls, pine floors, a stone fireplace, and a view of the Shenandoah Valley. Mature gardens surround the house. It is a magical property. 

Over the years, owners have added, renovated, reconfigured and made this unique property their own while keeping true to its original spirit. Additions include a primary bedroom suite, an unattached carriage house with an apartment, a separate two-car garage, and a large equipment shed. Next to the kitchen, which was renovated in 2021, there is an exquisite conservatory, crafted by artisans from England. This room can be used as a morning room for coffee and breakfast. Later in the day, the room can be a setting for tea or cocktails and conversation. Custom floor tiles grace the conservatory and kitchen. 

The great room, an original feature, is one of the most striking aspects of the house, highlighting two-story cathedral ceilings and a stone fireplace. Chandeliers and ceiling fans reminiscent of a sophisticated, more refined era, complement the warmth of gleaming hardwood floors. The space is defined by two sitting areas plus a dining area embraced by charming built-in corner cabinets. With a wood-burning fireplace, cathedral ceilings, and unique chandeliers, the great room hosts family gatherings with ample seating and accommodation for fourteen at table. With the benefit of adaptable spaces, everyone has a place to sleep. 

Off the great room, there is a private study which can also serve as a guest bedroom or home office. There is an adjacent powder room. Also off the great room is a generous library with three walls of bookcases and broad views of the Valley. This room can function as a study as well as a family TV-viewing room.  

Down a hallway, the primary suite with propane fireplace and large windows facing the Valley is perfect for viewing wildlife during the day and stargazing at night. Two small sitting rooms and a full, recently renovated bath with curb-less shower are convenient to this bedroom. This area leads to a wisteria-draped porch as well as access to an elevator connecting the main floor with a lower-level bunk room, hallway, and half bath. 

The guest suite, also on the lower level, opens out to the back garden on one side and out to the St. Francis Garden on another. A full bathroom with tub and separate shower make this a private, comfortable, and cozy space. 

Mature gardens surround the house along with wrought-iron fencing atop stone walls. A graceful yew hedge in the back frames a sublime view of the Shenandoah Valley and the Allegheny mountains in the distance. The lawn rolls down beyond the hedge to the forest and a stream where deer gather in the evening. The back porch and lawn provide the perfect setting for parties of all sizes. 

This delightful country house, with its flexible layout, perfectly accommodates a range of lifestyles, from casual country living to a setting for more refined tastes. With gentle mountain breezes mingling with the scent of old boxwood, Llanmeath is an easy house, one which conveys a spirit of hospitality and comfort. It is truly magical.

Details

Property ID
697277

4
Bedrooms

3
Bathrooms

Square Footage
4554

Lot Size
6.81

Year Built
1934

Style
English Manor

Property Website