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Yes, Virginia, you can have gorgeous interiors that stand up to family living. The sturdy heart-pine floors support all kinds of activity.
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Gentle Breezes
The breezeway connects the main part of the house to the master suite, creating the look of a seperate building from the outside. Jocey, 23, and her sister Caity, 19, grew up bringing friends to the Cat Rock Mountain house for sleepover fun.
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My Favorite Things
"The living room is my favorite room," Rick says of this grown-up space at the front of the house. Because of its cozy proportions, the room is great for quiet time. "We only have time to use it when Belinda and I are here alone," he adds.
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Always Ready to Cook
Belinda frequently bakes using your four-oven Aga. The energy-efficient cooker with its radiant-heat ovens, hot plates, and a warming plate is always ready to cook. No need for dials or knobs. Learn more about this luxury range at www.aga-ranges.com .
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Party Over Here!
The back patio is the perfect place for friends and family to gather for celebrations. Rick and Belinda hosted nearly 100 people on the patio for their daughter Caity's Bat Mitzvah. "It was an amazing experience," Rick says.
Looking for Inspiration Rick and Belinda found architect Robert A. Steele of BOB Architecture in a past issue of Southern Living and called him to create their dream house. This getaway isn’t just about doors and floors and windows though. Rick longed for a lifestyle unavailable in the city. “When I was growing up, my brothers and I would go out in the woods all day. That builds your independence. My boys didn’t know that life,” he says.
At the Cat Rock Mountain property, the first time Rick encouraged Will and Ben to “go explore,” they looked at him skeptically. Now they and their sisters run the woods like expert trackers. “We have pictures of the girls and their friends just covered in mud,” Belinda adds. “The boys are always a mess.
Designed for Living
The Scherrs challenged Richmond designer Susan Jamieson to work with, rather than around, muddy shoes and rambunctious boys
and girls. “We didn’t want the inside to feel as if we were living in a museum,” Belinda says. “Susan captured that very well.
The house looks well done, but you can sit back and get comfortable.” Warm colors throughout the main level create a cozy
vibe. Antique furnishings aren’t untouchable. Beautiful rugs and heart-pine floors hold up under kids (and remote control
cars).
Backyard Retreat
Outdoor fun isn’t always dirty. The back patio is great for elegant gatherings. Angled at the end of the patio, the outdoor
stone fireplace affords views of the front and back of the property.
The house is ideal for guests, but often it’s just family. There is always a project afoot. They once hauled piles of wood to the top of the mountain to build a quaint cabin. Belinda spends hours walking the winding trails. In their wanderings, the members of the Scherr family keep their eyes open for wildlife. They spot turkeys and have seen a couple of bobcats. A few skunks have wandered into the yard. And occasionally, in the early-morning mist, a deer will step out onto the pristine front lawn, making its way across the open expanse before disappearing again under the cover of lush forest.
"New Homeplace" is from the October 2008 issue of Southern Living.
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