On occasion, a house is so original, it defies all expectations. This characterizes an estate built by Schulz Homes on the Potomac River in the Virginia countryside. Here Dale Schulz constructed more than an estate; visiting is a fantasy trip to a warm and whimsical country home of very personal style.

Stone pillars mark the entrance. The long, gravel drive winds around rolling hills with outcroppings of boulders. As the house on the knoll comes into view, it feels as though Virginia is thousands of miles away. Not a hunt country home, it looks more like an aging villa in the hills of Italy or a chateau in the south of France, one that wraps around the circular drive embracing family and guests. Stone dots the stucco exterior as though the years have worn it away—an aura of grandness from the past prevails, denying the newness. There is a small cottage on the far side of the circular drive, a guest house.

Islands of deep green dot the rolling hills, putting greens. This is a personal resort for the homeowners, their family and friends. Hospitable double doors open wide in a friendly greeting. Earthly and elegant, slate floors in swirls and patches of rusty brown and charcoal gray cover the entry. Not confined to the exterior, stone defines the foyer with an arch opening into the adjacent dining room on the right, the only room without a river view on this dogleg of the Potomac.

Harmoniously sited on a hill, the house repeats the flow of the river. From the foyer, the rooms connect, one after another—no long hallways. The living room is directly across from the foyer with an expanse of windows overlooking the river, a bar to the left and a massive stone fireplace also opens to a casual family dining room on the other side of this stone wall.

The house bends south and west, just like the river, and opens into the gathering room, an expansive space with a kitchen, another fireplace surrounded by ample seating, a turret extending outward for a panoramic view, and a long nook with built-in desks for attending to household business.

A portion of the countertop overlooking the living areas is lowered by a couple of inches to accommodate the petite stature of the lady of the house. In this high-end General Electric kitchen, the island and cooktop counter have also been dropped below standard height.

Triple sliding doors to the screened porch disappear into a wall pocket. Here the latest in outdoor cooking is built-in and surrounded with tile. There is no doubt, this home was designed so guests will become instantly at ease.

But back to the foyer, this time to the left, past the stairs and elevator, to the formal library featuring another fireplace and an expanse of cherry bookshelves and cabinetry. Adjacent is a more contemporary office of light wood cabinetry and an expanse of desktop/counterspace for all the technical equipment needed to do business from home.

The master bedroom suite with the requisite ample closets and luxurious bath is also on the main floor. Upstairs are another master suite and three additional bedrooms with baths where guests can retire, content in an abundance of creature comforts. In the hallway are a juice bar, a sink, refrigerator and microwave. Guests may help themselves to a late night snack or early morning coffee.

For the grandchildren and visiting younger set, there is the Ponderosa Bunk Room, three sets of bunk beds and getaway space— a camp within a home, just for the kids.

But the fun and games really begin on the lowest level. Heavy beams, walls of rough-hewn logs with chinking and a large stone fireplace turn the space into a fishing lodge. 
     

Then there is the home theater with stadium seating of luxurious leather chairs, a bar, the pool table, and exercise area with multiple machines—and tucked away in another bath, a sauna. Outside is a swimming pool with a waterfall.

All of this on one of the most beautiful parcels of land in the area. And Dale Schulz brought it to fruition.