REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- Nothing fishy: Scottsville house no lemon either

PHOTOS BY PETER GROSS

ADDRESS: 6502 Scottsville Road

NEIGHBORHOOD: Scottsville

ASKING: $479,000

ASSESSMENT: $324,400

YEAR BUILT: 1965

SIZE: 1,728 fin. sq. ft.

LAND: 12.888 acres

CURB APPEAL: 8 out of 10

LISTED BY: Sally DuBose, Real Estate III, 434-984-7460

Lemons and fish. While it may seem counter-intuitive to pair cold flesh pulled from the dark wet recesses of the salty deep with a tangy citrus fruit plucked from sun-drenched branches, their culinary marriage has graced many a table with delectable results. And just as different concepts can work together on a plate, opposing architectural styles can team up for positive results in a house. This week's subject combines the cozy intimacy of a mountain cabin with the openness of skylights, vaulted ceilings, and a wraparound deck.

Downstairs in the main building, exposed rafters and shade from the overhang of the second floor deck give the rooms an enclosed, secluded feel. Central to the downstairs floor plan is a cozy living room outfitted with built-in bookcases and a desk, along with a wood-burning stove and French doors leading outside. The two downstairs bedrooms have closets with louvered doors, but one closet extends behind the staircase for some extra space. A utility room on the first floor houses the washer and dryer along with built-in cabinets, and a downstairs WC is long if not wide, with an attractive hand-made vanity and a tile shower. The original electric heating system in the house has been replaced by an unobtrusive oil burner.

Going upstairs is like entering an entirely separate house. The ceilings are higher, vaulting with the slope of the roof and broken by skylights that illuminate most of the rooms up there. The kitchen is a little on the small side— although certainly not the smallest we've seen— but with a garden window and space shared with the living room, it feels larger. In turn, the living room's wall of windows works with bright paint colors to make the area feel open and spacious. According to the owner, the window glass has been treated with a film to reduce the summer heat. 

At the back of the house, the master bedroom has a large closet and its own French doors to the wraparound deck. Its master bath features a whirlpool tub and a tile shower, along with an inset sink basin that's noteworthy for its decorative scalloped edges and painted flowers. 

As with any house, some details may not suit everyone. The mirrored sliding doors on the closet in the master bedroom and the brass stair rail and matching brass light fixture may raise a few eyebrows, but they aren't integral design elements. Potential buyers may be alternately wary or enthused over the outdoor spa (in need of a new motor) on the second floor deck. 

The property's circular drive is surrounded by the house, a classy three-car carport, and a deer-proof garden surrounded by a wooden lattice backed with mesh screen. The garden has its own porch swing, with an overarching trellis that's bare in winter but no doubt lush when the temperature rises. A small greenhouse looks more functional than decorative, with a brick floor and its own electric heater and water supply. 

Beyond the house is a large barn where rustic fixtures like a chicken coop and a horse stall have been joined with more modern concrete garage and office space. The barn's footprint rivals the main building's, with a pair of separately accessed rooms that can be used as offices, and a large central bay for vehicles or equipment. It's wired for electricity and has a water supply, along with a fenced-in yard to keep chickens from wandering off. 

The several trees will screen homeowners in the summer months, although cars passing by on Route 20 are visible now through the bare branches. Like so many other aspects of the house, the seclusion of the buildings on the property contrasts with their accessibility to Charlottesville. All that's needed is a buyer who finds the home's many pairings as delightful as a lemon-topped flounder.

PHOTOS BY PETER M. J. GROSS

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