A River Retreat Renovation
Nestled along the peaceful waterfront in Queenstown, Virginia, this renovation reimagined a dated 1960s rambler as a bright, open-concept haven. The homeowners—vineyard owners with an eye for design—envisioned a space that honored the home’s original character while embracing a modern, transparent connection to its natural surroundings.
The primary focus of the renovation was the kitchen and living area. Previously enclosed and compartmentalized, these spaces were opened up to create a gracious great room.
By removing interior walls and vaulting the living area ceiling, Kipp Architecture introduced expansive volume and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
A dramatic gesture of light and form, the new glass entry tower—topped with an artful roofline—redefines the home’s first impression. The original modest entry was replaced with a soaring, story-and-a-half glass façade that now welcomes guests into a double-height vestibule. As you approach the home, floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows offer a clear view straight through the home to the river beyond.
One of the project’s defining features is a three-sided fireplace—clad in stone with coordinating wood paneling and strategic reveals—that serves as both a functional and sculptural centerpiece between zones. Floating glass shelves surround the fireplace, adding lightness and display space without obstructing the view.
Natural light now pours into the space through floor-to-ceiling windows and a kitchen bypass window, which doubles as a backsplash and opens up to the screened porch. It’s now the perfect pass-through for libations and hors d’oeuvres. The kitchen includes a live edge bar top and a statement-making La Cornue range—both merging beauty with function.
Three-sided fireplace serves as both a functional and sculptural centerpiece between zones.
A custom suspension wine wall, hanging near the entryway, reflects the homeowners’ love of viticulture, displaying their collection with both style and sophistication.
A kitchen bypass window doubles as a backsplash and opens up to the screened porch.
Screened porch with bar seating and bypass window to kitchen.
Natural light now pours into the space through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Throughout the great room, locally sourced white ash beams tie the design together, bringing warmth and authenticity. Every detail—from the floating hearth to the glassy transparency of the entry sequence—was designed to make the home feel cohesive, contemporary, and comfortably refined.
The renovation’s challenges, including merging three separate zones into a single, livable space and accommodating the structural requirements of the glass tower entry, were overcome through thoughtful spatial planning and strategic design interventions. The result is a stunning modern transformation that maintains the intimacy of a family home while offering spaciousness, light, and extraordinary livability.
Design by Kipp Architecture
Photography by Kirsten Beatley