Commanding the center of the sunlit living room is a Wright Chandelier by Ian K. Fowler, which floats above a Wyeth Split Bamboo Coffee Table by John Birch. Asher Leather Chairs flank the gas fireplace. The timeless Lancaster sofas are layered with hand-embossed Velvet Oushak Pillows by Rusty Arena. (Photo by Renee Sklarew)
Once the private home of the billionaire Busch family (former owners of Budweiser and nearby Busch Gardens), The Estate at Kingsmill was recently reintroduced as a high-end vacation villa. Located on a bluff overlooking the James River, the 7,000-square-foot mansion recently underwent a $3 million renovation to convert the colonial home into a grand gathering space.
Much of the house includes Restoration Hardware designs, including the four master bedrooms, which contain upholstered king-sized beds dressed in RH’s Italian 1,000-thread-count Luxe sateen linens by Florentine artisan Carlo Bertelli. The window blinds and gas fireplace may be controlled from the bedside table. (Photo courtesy of The Estate at Kingsmill)
“It’s a nod to the past, while looking forward,” says architect Stephanie Kalantarians of Williamsburg-based GuernseyTingle, who designed the property’s updated look. “We wanted to make it as open as possible, by creating an impressive foyer with full-glass views of the river. We opened up the kitchen and increased the size of the second-floor bedrooms.”
The white stone terraces overlook the infinity pool, and the luxury patio furniture is part of RH’s Nantucket and Costa furniture collections, built to withstand the coastal climate. (Photo courtesy of The Estate at Kingsmill)
The four-bedroom house sleeps eight guests, who are treated to a European-trained butler and a private chef during their stay, as well as use of the golf course and other amenities at the adjacent Kingsmill Resort. But, despite the luxury service and updated elegance, what do guests say they love the most about the updated estate? Says Kalantarians: “That incredible view of the river.” // Rates from $4,000 per night
The four en suite spa-like bathrooms have soaking tubs, herringbone vanities with polished nickel fittings, minimalist floating mirrors and plush Turkish-cotton towels. (Photo courtesy of The Estate at Kingsmill)
A contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine since 2007, Renee Sklarew writes about travel, restaurants, and Mid-Atlantic landmarks. She is the co-author of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Washington DC, and her writing and photography has appeared in The Washington Post, Boston Globe, AAA The Extra Mile, Washingtonian, Arlington Magazine, and more.
