A Look Inside Southern Living’s 2025 Idea House
This year's Southern Living Idea House is located just outside Charlottesville, VA, in Keswick Estate. The home combines traditional silhouettes with vibrant colors to create a lived-in, welcoming feel. Image: Heather Bien
Each year, Southern Living partners with builders, architects, and designers to create a custom Idea House. This year’s 4,500-square-foot home in Keswick Estate was spearheaded by Molly Hardie, who partnered with builder Alexander Nicholson, Rosney Co. Architects, Waterstreet Studio, and interior designer Charlotte Moss. Inspired by a family who loves travel and music, Charlotte blended traditional elements with fresh, unexpected touches. Nestled on five wooded acres in the Virginia countryside, the home and its interiors embrace its serene landscape while celebrating Southern hospitality.
The Foyer
Walking into the home from the large front porch, you’re greeted by an octagonal foyer that looks straight through to the lush wooded scenery beyond the living room. Charlotte accentuated the shape of the foyer by using Norfolk Stripe in Chocolate by Thibaut and wallpapering both the walls and the ceiling. Each angle is emphasized, and the room’s geometry is further defined by the marble checkerboard tiles set diagonally.
The Powder Room
Just off the foyer, a small powder room is hidden perfectly behind a jib door. Thibaut Chatelain wallpaper above the chair rail introduces a classic floral element, while Thibaut Bennett Stripe below the chair rail adds a moment of movement and pattern mixing. Brass fixtures add warmth to the space.
The Living Room
Charlotte took her cues from the large windows in the living room to create a palette of vibrant greens. A bright and unexpected chartreuse — Sherwin-Williams Chartreuse — is on the walls, perfectly contrasting the timeless furniture and window treatments throughout the room. Schumacher Daydream in Citron sets the stage for the light yet dramatic drapery, and a custom Century Furniture tête a tête ottoman is upholstered in Schumacher Shivalik Hills Tiger Gold.
The Library
The library’s monochromatic palette of browns ranges from rich chocolate to lighter taupe. It was designed as a space where friends and family could gather together for a cocktail or kick back with a good book. The warm hues throughout the space create a welcoming look, and Charlotte intentionally made the room feel casual rather than stuffy. The books aren’t overly curated, and the decor feels collected and lived-in. Just outside the library is the library bar, with an antique mirror backsplash and art hanging intentionally above it.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is large yet cozy. The walls are a creamy shade — Paperwhite by Sherwin-Williams, while the cabinets are Sherwin-Williams Borscht. On the far wall, a rack displays dozens of plates, designed to look like they were inherited from grandma. In the middle of the room, a square kitchen island designed by Scotsman Co. (Erin and Ben Napier’s company) gives the kitchen a come-sit-a-spell look.
The Screen Porch
Looking out at the lake, the screen porch functions as an extension of the home’s living areas rather than a separate outdoor space. There are three seating options here — comfy chairs by an outdoor fireplace, the dining table, or a chaise lounge with some of the best views in the house.
The Boot Room
Sherwin-Williams Studio Blue Green is the backdrop for the equestrian-inspired boot room, a very Charlottesville take on the mudroom. Far from an afterthought, it has just as much detail as the rest of the home, with clever touches including Wedgewood pottery and Hunt Country decor and art.
The Primary Suite
On the first floor, the primary suite is tucked away from the rest of the house, creating a serene retreat draped in light blues, greens, and violets. While much of the furniture is brown wood with classic silhouettes, the entire space feels light, airy, and feminine thanks to the fabric choices and the Thibaut Holly Trellis wallpaper.
The Girl’s Room
Layers of pattern, from the Lisa Fine Textiles Calico Floral Stripe in Lipstick on the bed to the Lisa Fine Textiles in Augusta Ivory on the windows, give the girl’s room a charming, vintage-inspired look. But as you glance around the room, there are nods to 2025, including more than a few items of Taylor Swift paraphernalia.
The Guest Suite
Charlotte imagined the home’s residents as a family passionate about travel; that spirit comes alive in the guest suite. Globally inspired treasures mingle with bohemian patterns and eclectic antiques. Just outside, a gallery of photographs from around the world — many captured by Charlotte herself — extends the story of wanderlust throughout the space.
Want to make a trip of it?
You can visit the 2025 Southern Living Idea House through December 21. The home is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
If you plan to stay awhile, Keswick Hall, the elegant resort adjacent to the Keswick Estate neighborhood, offers a Southern Living Experience stay with two nights, preferred tour access, a Charlotte Moss design book, and breakfast at the beautifully designed Marigold by Jean-Georges restaurant each morning. If you’ve never visited Charlottesville in the fall, you’re in for a stunning leaf-peeping treat!
Tour tickets are available at keswick.com, and a portion of the proceeds will support three organizations based in the Charlottesville area: the Yellow Door Foundation, Hospice of the Piedmont, and the Building Goodness Foundation.
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Heather Bien
A Virginia native and professional writer of over 10 years, Heather is passionate about home decor, cooking and entertaining, travel, ballet, and coffee. You can find more of Heather's work in Southern Living, Martha Stewart, The Knot, Apartment Therapy, and Virginia Living.