6843 Dick Woods Road , Afton, VA 22920(Albemarle County)

A complete renovation & expansion by builder Shelter & Associates was undertaken in 2009 with design and supervision by Shank & Gray Architects of Charlottesville. With a persistent and appreciative awareness of the exceptional natural light, Shank & Grays design brought the natural realm into the abode with curved walls and glass. The living room ceiling was raised to 14. The new kitchen design brought substantial storage and workspace with custom-cabinets and 30 Vermont marble-topped countertops. The kitchen fireplace is original to Mr. Panepintos design but the breakfast area is an addition that fuses into the patios beyond. The flow from kitchen through dining to living room offers an exceptional venue for entertaining. Just off the kitchen there is an artists studio with custom glass wall and skylight. The entry-level master suite was renovated to include his and her closets and a large, beautiful bath with skylight. There is an office off the kitchen with large picture window overlooking the farm. In all there are four bedrooms & three baths.

Further renovation included more than just the finishes of bamboo floor in the principal areas with ceramic tile in the laundry and bathrooms, skylights throughout and a new LED lighting system to include a 7-zone geo-thermal HVAC. The entire residence was then capped with a 50 year composition shingle roof except that area over the living room which is copper.

The curtilage is defined by the open and trellised patios overlooking the half-acre spring-fed pond. Stone walls 6 wide at the base surround the entry which is further enhanced by thoughtful landscaping including tall crepe myrtle, decorative grasses, azalea and rhododendrum. Here, too, are fruit bearing cherry, peach and apple trees. There is also a blueberry grove and raised-bed vegetable gardens. Pathways are defined by river-stone pea gravel.

Other buildings on the farm include the 10 stall stable. The stable is concrete construction with concrete walls and center aisle. 9 stalls are 12 X 12 while the 10th is a double foaling stall. Sliding stall doors are custom built and coated with black-powder coated. There is also a wash-rack with hot water, tack stall and feed room. Across from the foaling stall is a grooms apartment complete with full bath that could serve guests. The apartment is panelled in sustainably harvested pine that has been hand-oiled. There is a cathedral ceiling and a wall HVAC.

Beside the stable is a 90 X 210 sand-covered and fenced riding ring. Also here is a 32 X 80 concrete building with concrete floor that serves as a three car garage on one level and hay or equipent storage on the lower level. The latter has a commercial height entry sliding door.

Ringdahl Farm is 23 acres that includes about 8 acres in four-board fenced paddocks with the balance in native species forest including black walnut, poplar, oak and pine. The spring-fed pond serves a multitude of wildlife including wood ducks. Fed by a drilled well is an extensive water line system including multiple and well-located frost-free hydrants. Commercial drainage was provided for in the original design of the farm road network.