Hounded by cares? Dalmally Farm can provide relief

Address: Dalmally Farm, 1015 Poplar Spring Road, Scottsville
Neighborhood: Poplar Springs
Asking: $ 369,900
Assessment: $ 220,927
Year Built: 1898  
Size: 2,016 fin. sq. ft  0 unfin.
Land: 9.47 acres
Agent: Jim Schroeder, Century 21 Ray Caddell & Associates 434-975-2121
Curb Appeal: 8 out of 10

Motoring along Route 20 to Scottsville, one gets a glimpse of life in small-town America. The appeal of that simple existence has caused some folks to fantasize about owning a little farm in the country. Hamlets like Scottsville offer just the right balance of commerce and charm only a 20-mile drive from the amenities of Charlottesville.

In 2006, the current owners of the Dalmally Farm chose to create their own refuge from the city on nine wooded acres near the James River in Fluvanna County. While undertaking a major restoration of the property, they inadvertently ended up establishing a haven for rescued hounds and burros.

The original 4-over-4 house is set behind a tree-lined wooden rail fence, just visible from the main road. The owners painstakingly added a metal roof and covered porch across the front of the house, which not only provides architectural interest but also supplies views of a wide array of birds alighting on special feeders throughout the yard. Two burros playfully romp in a portion of the fenced four acres around the house.

The owners hadn’t originally intended to establish a place for abandoned creatures, but once they started renovating the 100+ year-old house, they decided to put the auxiliary structures to use. One of several restored barns behind the house has been outfitted with stalls and is approved to shelter up to four rescued ruminants. Another barn was furnished with cast-off materials, creating a fully decorated “doghouse” for a pack of beagles, bassets, and hounds.

Inside the front door, the parlor and dining room flank the central stairs. The owners removed the ceilings in both rooms, exposing aged joists and floorboards, creating a rustic feel. The original wood floors differ in width and species throughout the house because the builder a century ago used a variety of available stock from his sawmill. An ornate marble mantel in the living room can accommodate a ventless gas log fireplace, and several chimneys will allow for the addition of a wood-burning stove or two.

The kitchen adjoining the dining room has been modestly remodeled with oak cabinets, laminate counters, and a slate island created from the original countertops. Adjacent to the kitchen a large laundry facility has plenty of storage. A fully renovated bathroom on this floor has a tiled shower.

At the top of the stairs, bookcases and leather armchairs transform the landing into a cozy study. Each of the three bedrooms is well proportioned, with several large double-hung windows. The fourth room on this level has been repurposed into a sizable Victorian bath with tin ceiling, white wainscot walls, and refinished heartwood floors. There is ample room for double pedestal sinks, a refinished claw-foot tub and a glass block-enclosed tiled shower. The interior of the house is in fine condition and ready for a new owner’s personal touches.

Outside, fruit trees and blueberry and raspberry bushes surround a pergola, a perfect spot for the occasional picnic. A screened-in patio with cinderblock foundation could become an outdoor kitchen or small greenhouse. A trail circling the property leads to a small stream.

CIty folks trying to get back to nature will find there’s more at Dalmally Farm than a haven for a horse and hound: there's respite for a lifetime.
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