When you’re caught up in looking for your dream home,
it can be easy to forget to factor in your dream home’s location. For homeowner Chrystal Urdiales and her husband, Juan, the historical charm of Fredericksburg, Virginia, lured them into the decision to build their own home rather than buy. “We looked at older homes, including old farmhouses, but in the end, we weren’t comfortable with a full gut job so close to my husband’s retiring from the Marine Corps,” she says. “As much as I craved that character older homes have, we decided to build and infuse character on our own. It’s a slow process, but so much fun.”
Their home took five months to finish, but challenges arose when they weren’t able to use a custom builder. “We picked the model, but the builder was very limited,” Chrystal says. With determination, a budget and a plan, they made this new home work for them with the vision of adding character once the home was finished in 2017.
HISTORICAL DETAILS
The property sits on a little over three acres and still had the rubble remains of the original house and barn. “The land we chose was connected to one family for many generations, nestled among many of the area’s gold mines,” Chrystal says. They found old pottery, farm and garden items and even old vintage car parts in what remained of the two properties.
“My favorite find is old horseshoes,” she says. “I have been told the original owner helped train horses.”
The historical artifacts are what make the area so special; even a family cemetery sits on their land, along with the fading old road that led to the original farmhouse. But a simple farmhouse is not the only style Chrystal wanted to recreate in her new home.
COMPLEMENTARY STYLES
It’s rare nowadays for a homeowner to stick to one design style, and that’s where the beauty of a unique home lies. With an avid love for design since she was 16 years old, Chrystal had the natural talent to bring together the complementary design styles of cottage and farmhouse. “My home style balances modern, farmhouse and cottage with a traditional flair,” she says. “It is truly a mesh of many styles that my husband and I love.”The contemporary features balance the historical cottage details she emulates, creating a home that represents what Chrystal loves and that pays homage to its location.
Though the right look is certainly important, Chrystal’s biggest design priorities are comfort and functionality. “When someone walks into my home, I want them to feel welcome and relaxed,” she says. The mix of plush furniture with warm wood tones certainly accomplishes that goal, but it’s her color palette that helps create a peaceful vibe.
To create a calming and welcoming environment, Chrystal favors a neutral palette foundation with hints of color. The soft greens and blues throughout the home speak to her coastal upbringing while the neutral background allows plenty of creative freedom. “For us, a neutral color palette is very soothing,” she says. “It almost gives your brain and eyes a break. Plus, it’s versatile. It creates a great backdrop so you can add pops of color for the holidays without changing the space.”
CHARMING UPDATES
Because their home was builder-grade, they decided to make updates that would help the home suit their style. The most effective update so far has been the addition of shiplap. “That was the number one thing I knew I wanted to add,” says Chrystal. “I would shiplap my entire house if I could. It’s currently in the living room, sunroom and upstairs hallway.”
Now it’s all about switching out the details such as lighting, trim and accents. “We’re incorporating features we like that minimize the cookie-cutter look,” Chrystal says. “When you walk in, I want our home to feel unique.” She especially loves the idea of adding historically accurate trim for a classic look that won’t take over the walls.