Set within the Blue Ridge Mountains, this residential landscape grew from the character of an existing rustic cabin and the rugged landscape surrounding it. Waterstreet’s work focused on strengthening that relationship while creating a more deliberate sequence of arrival, gathering, and outdoor living.

The arrival was reimagined around a new parking court and a more intuitive approach to the house. Stone walls, steps, and carefully placed boulders draw from the cabin’s original craftsmanship, incorporating traditional dry-laid construction and replicating existing stonework so that new interventions feel rooted in the property rather than added to it.

Closer to the house, a series of intimate courtyards and terraces creates places for gathering, dining, and retreat. An outdoor fireplace anchors these spaces, while owner-built furnishings with restrained detailing reinforce the informal character of the cabin and the owners’ approach to mountain living.

Throughout the property, stone, landform, and planting are used with restraint, allowing the landscape to retain its rugged character while quietly accommodating contemporary life. The result feels less like a renovation than an evolution of the place—comfortable, enduring, and inseparable from its Blue Ridge setting.

LOCATION:
Albemarle County, VA

CLIENT:
Private Owner

PHOTOGRAPHY:
Bill Mauzy