‘Play house’ in your own home
By Hannah Hager
Have you ever heard of a house within a house?Pine Hill Farm in Leesburg was first built in 1820, and the original structure -- a log cabin with chestnut Lincoln logs, stone and chinking – remains fully intact within the current structure that was later built around it. The cabin consisted of only four rooms, but subsequent owners added their unique thumbprint to its perimeter with a consistency that blends the old structure with the new home.
The home has divided loyalties to its history and its modern function -- a paneless window from the log cabin on the right wall is juxtaposed with modern recessed lighting. To the left, take a few steps down to a stamped concrete indoor patio. At one time an outdoor oasis, the room has been enclosed with windows on all sides that provide much-needed light to the plants growing in the encased garden. Large glass French doors swing open to the solarium. The room extends to the back of the house. Windows and built-in window benches line the left side of the room. Burnt orange Mexican tile warms the room. A half bathroom and storage closet are just off the solarium, convenient placement for such a multipurpose room.
A few steps lead up to the family room, which, like the foyer, once was an outdoor haven. From the family room, large Palladian windows allow views of the swimming pool and the pond. Brazilian cherry hardwood floors are consistent with the warmth of the home. A double-sided fireplace in the center of the room is wood-burning on one side and ready for grilling on the other. Yes, you can grill while inside this house. An exit to the back deck is also in this room.
The kitchen connects to the family room. It has a secretary’s desk, plenty of counter space and recessed lighting.
Enter the doll house – the original Lincoln log cabin within the home. The windows are without panes, but the shutters still remain. The exposed beams on low-lying ceilings, stone and chinking and hardwood floors take you back two centuries in time. A smaller, cozier family room is in one of the rooms and a guest bedroom is in another. The large pantry and dining room share the other end of the cabin – the perfect utilization of space for a family looking for “make believe” play in their own home.
Enter again through the front door, but this time walk up a few steps to the newest two-story addition in the home. Up a few steps, you will find the sauna. Keep going up and to the left is the master bedroom. The master bathroom has a jumbo-sized soak tub, a separate stand-up shower, two vanities, a water closet and a large walk-in closet. Down the hall, the laundry room with wet sink is on the left and a full bathroom is on the right. The last two bedrooms face each other at the end of the hall.
Do you imagine yourself “playing house” in your own home? Step inside both front doors and you will believe.
Contact the writer at hhager@timespapers.com