3 Ponds Residence
3 PONDS RESIDENCE
Set atop a quiet hill in The Plains, Virginia, this new farmhouse was designed as a long-awaited dream home for a client who had envisioned building on this land for years. The site is rich with character—rolling views, private ponds, a guest house, and a historic stone barn. The new residence was tasked with embracing the picturesque views while nuzzling snugly into the inherited collection of existing structures and topography. Respecting this pastoral setting and the quiet drama of the landscape, the home’s architecture embraces both tradition and restraint.
The final result is a warm, airy 4,000 square-foot residence that balances vernacular forms with contemporary spatial clarity. The exterior blends traditional farmhouse elements such as a stone chimney, clapboard siding, and expansive porches, all while respecting the existing material palette of the neighboring structures. A swooping stone arch at the side entryway is a respectful nod to a similar form on the refurbished guest house.
Inside, a welcoming foyer frames the view through the house to the ponds beyond. Its open concept remains intimate, layered with long timber ceiling beams, a massive kitchen island, and a stone fireplace anchoring the living room. The interiors are brought to life with the owner's personal equestrian themed art collection, books, and thoughtful furnishings that echo the home's simple elegance. A functional mudroom with a brick herringbone floor and a Dutch door welcome pets and owners alike. A light filled traditional paneled staircase with abundant windows provides a moment of surprise and charm.
This is not a house that shouts. It’s a quiet, confident home rooted in memory, landscape, and sunlight. Its success lies not in grand gestures but in the authenticity of the details, its proportions and orientation, and in creating a place that feels inevitable within the collective history of the property.
