Ivy protection: Contemporary fills a rural setting

Address: 555 Spring Hill Lane
Neighborhood: Spring Hill
Asking: $649,000
Assessment: $617,400
Year Built: 1987
Size:  3,427 finished sq. ft., 975 unfinished
Land: 5.22 acres
Curb Appeal: 8 out of 10"
Listing Agent: Alice Nye Fitch, Montague Miller & Co., 434-981-4562

The Spring Hill subdivision located off Dick Woods Road in the Ivy area is an enclave of approximately 30 homes protected by covenants that preserve the rural nature of the community. Spring Hill Farm itself was settled in the 1700s, and care has been taken to restrict the future development of the residual land within the subdivision.

Tucked away on just over 5 acres is a Greer-&-Silverman-designed home of over 3,400 finished square feet. The cedar-sided structure feels right at home amidst the large trees and mature plantings that populate the lot. An expansive backyard stretches all the way to Ivy Creek.

A wide entryway opens onto hardwood floors and walls painted bright white, which gives the house a modern feel. Straight ahead is a spacious living room with vaulted ceiling and wood burning fireplace. Oversized windows and sliding doors along the back wall flood the room with light and allow fantastic views of the outdoors. A deck provides a prime venue for outdoor entertaining or for simply enjoying a relaxing moment appreciating the natural surroundings. 

A formal dining room with chair rail and crown molding is situated off to the left, and double doors lead into the adjacent kitchen.

Large and bright with plenty of cabinet and counter space, the kitchen is equipped with a gas cook-top and a double oven and opens directly onto the attached family room. A built-in desk provides the perfect space for sorting mail, surfing the Internet, or paying bills, and a double sink is situated beneath a large window that looks out onto the side yard.

The first-floor master suite is generously sized and provides access to a private deck, a walk-in closet, and an attached bath with double vanity, jetted tub, and separate shower. A home office with built-in shelves and a powder room complete the living area on the main floor.  

Upstairs, another oversized window allows plenty of sunlight, and a shuttered interior overlook allows a view down into the formal living room. 

There are three bedrooms on the second level, though one currently serves as a study. With its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and generous proportions, this room could easily function as either a library or a rec room. Two full baths and a laundry room finish the upper level.

A detached two-car garage and an unfinished basement provide ample storage space or room for hobbies. 

There are several interesting details found throughout this home. The ceilings in each of the rooms on the second level are asymetrical due to the presence of dormers and skylights and lend character to spaces that might otherwise be rather bland. And several lighted, built-in niches on the main level help provide dimension as well as visual appeal.

There are a couple of potential drawbacks, as well. Today’s purchasers often expect glamorous bathrooms and showcase kitchens, neither of which this home currently offers. Updating these rooms– especially the cabinetry and countertops– would go a long way toward modernizing the overall appearance.

These are easy fixes, though, and may provide just the right opportunity for a buyer to personalize an otherwise attractive and comfortable home in a desirable Western Albemarle location.
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