This private residence is modeled after the working Palladian villas of the 16th century. This new home is carefully tucked into an agrarian vineyard setting at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Specific technical and aesthetic details were the result of careful research–both in the library and on the ground in Italy. Walls are plastered in marmorino (a centuries-old technique that adds marble dust to the plaster mixture) and the floors are covered in terra cotta tiles imported from Italy. Ceilings are vaulted plaster or wood timbers. The exterior is a traditional plaster that incorporates crushed brick and stone that compliments the Vicenza stone detailing at the porches and around the doors and windows. Skilled craftsman from Venice and Salerno were employed for the terra cotta, architectural stone, carved stone, roman brick, interior marmorino plaster and exterior stucco work. Photo: Philip Beaurline