Batesville solitude: Miran Forest home complements surroundings

Address: 2864 Heartwood Road
Neighborhood: Miran Forest
Asking: $339,000
Assessment: $289,700
Year Built: 1989
Size:  1,957 finished sq. ft., 279 unfinished
Land: 7.93 acres
Curb Appeal: 7 out of 10
Listing Agent: Dan O’Neill of Brownfield, Coffey & O’Neill - 434-981-0655

Miran Forest is an enclave of about 20 homes tucked away off Plank Road near Batesville. According to the residents, the land comprising this subdivision was purchased by investors from California who had hopes of creating a community. As money grew tight, the investors subdivided and the result is Miran Forest, with its miles of hiking trails, community pond, and beach area. 

Just past that sylvan pond on Heartwood Road sits a lovely board-and-batten home that fits perfectly within the wooded setting.

The emphasis here is on comfort and enjoyment of the natural environment, not over-the-top glitz and glamour, a truism made evident by the mature trees and plantings that enhance the house. A bluestone walkway leads between towering hedges to a small covered porch that opens onto a tidy mudroom separated from the living room by a glass door. 

The main living area is essentially one large, long room with wood floors and furniture groupings that delineate the purpose of each space. The living room with its vaulted ceiling, multiple windows and woodstove is open to the dining area, which enjoys a row of windows looking out over the gardens. Separated from these two spaces by a breakfast bar, the kitchen is compact and efficient with tile countertops, a built-in desk, and a double sink with a window above.

A glassed-in porch with wood floors, skylights, and a sliding door currently serves as a gardening area, but with the addition of a glider or a loveseat, it could also function as a most enjoyable sunroom. A hexagonal screened porch, also with wood floors and a ceiling fan, overlooks Stillhouse Creek and offers a prime vantage for enjoyment of the natural scenery in the backyard.

Situated at the opposite end of the house, privacy doors to a short hallway serve a powder room and the master suite beyond. The master bedroom is comfortable and bright with a sliding door that leads onto a private balcony. Tall windows frame the bed on either side, and additional light comes from a skylight situated directly overhead. The attached bath features a custom shower and double vanities with tile floors. 

Downstairs are two additional bedrooms (one currently serving as a study), a full bath, a laundry room, and a den/family room with sliding doors that access a deck and a hot tub. These lower-level rooms are cool and comfortable, even in the heat of summer, and rarely require air conditioning. An impressive garden is in place behind the home, and there’s a matching board-and-batten shed with room for wood storage off to one side.

One of the most striking features of this property is the stillness, which is nearly absolute, the silence broken only by birdsong and the distant sounds of the creek. While Miran Forest is a solid twenty-five minute drive from Charlottesville, purchasers seeking the peace and quiet of a rural setting may find the commute a small price to pay. Others, particularly those concerned about the aftermath of the recent derecho, may understandably be more wary. Perhaps there is some comfort, however, in the fact that the homeowner’s association covers road maintenance and upkeep of the common areas. And at just $450 per year, the fees are relatively modest.
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