We often talk about the heritage properties of our solid bronze windows and doors – their design is inspired by timeless shapes and profiles of the past, updated and refined for aesthetic and practical performance that is future-proofed.
Therefore, it gives us immense satisfaction to see how our systems evolve throughout the life of a property, especially after it changes hands. We were recently afforded a glimpse into one such project in the Virginia mountains, when the new owners of a home we collaborated on a number of years ago embarked on a captivating renovation project.
A window on the past
With an idyllic hilltop setting in a conservation zone affording views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this charming home on a 96-acre horse farm in Virginia was built back in 2004, although its characterful stone and brick exterior with cottage-style dormer windows creates an authentic sense of history that belies the property’s true age.
Central to the design of the property was a bronze window wall flanked by two sets of custom bronze French doors, affording access from the main living space onto the rear terrace with its panoramic views of the lush countryside beyond.
Fast forward to 2023, and this installation has become the centrepiece of the property’s all-new look, perfectly demonstrating the quality, timelessness and adaptability of bronze fenestration systems.
Heritage-style windows
Creating an ‘old-world’ feel for this gorgeous home was a priority when it was originally designed; set in a conservation easement it was vital that it felt authentic in terms of the local vernacular and settled unobtrusively into its elevated site. Equally important was making the most of those impressive views – and that’s where Renaissance bronze windows came in.
With their incredibly narrow sightlines and custom charcoal patina, the windows and doors sit softly in the property’s stone exterior, while true divided lites offer captivating reflections of the garden and huge open skies. With use, the patina has burnished to a soft, golden tone that chimes perfectly with the statement copper flashing and custom copper downspouts that lend further character to this part of the house, rooting it in the stunning landscape.
A modern English look
Inside, the windows flood the property’s principal living space with light and form the perfect backdrop for what has become an elegant, English-style drawing room designed by Texas-based Melinda James Design Group. “In all of the rooms I played with color,” she told Country Homes Magazine, commenting on the moody, British feel of the property.
In the living area, this is achieved with dark-painted walls and pale, clean-lined furnishings that are offset by the ample natural light streaming in through the window wall, creating a feeling of cosiness but also connectedness to the outdoors – horses graze in the paddocks just beyond. A statement wagon wheel chandelier makes a grand statement and gives a nod to the property’s bucolic character.
This elegant, traditional-with-a-twist feel extends throughout the property where bold use of color and carefully chosen antiques and art are complemented by rustic wood floors, plush upholstery and bold patterns.
Design that adapts
The architecture and interior design of this property combine to create a heritage feel that is perfectly adapted for modern living – there’s ample space for family to come and stay, soaking in the beauty of this unique location that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, yet is within easy reach of Washington DC.
We’re thrilled to see how well our bronze windows and doors have integrated into this home, both from an exterior perspective where their living finish has continued to age and evolve, building up layers of authentic character, and on the inside, where the beauty and integrity of bronze supported the original architect’s objectives, and has now adapted to the vision of a new occupant and a new interior design vision.
Discover the timeless qualities of bronze
With a lifespan in excess of 150 years, these windows have the potential to accompany this property intergenerationally, delivering on timeless beauty, low maintenance and elite thermal performance for many years to come.
If you’d like to find out more about our fenestration windows and how they could benefit your upcoming projects, get in touch!
