A family of bluebirds sing to each other, well-fed koi swim serpentine in the pond and water cascades down stone at a steady pace, creating a tranquil landscape.
Brad Dorris and Greg Lilly don’t have to travel to a park for this experience. They simply step out their back door.
When they first looked at the sleek contemporary in the Kingsmill subdivision of Williamsburg back in 2007, the backyard drew them in.
“When you walk in the front door, the first thing you notice is the windows, and then when you look through them you see this gorgeous backyard,” said Dorris. “I just felt like to do right by the house, we needed to focus on the backyard.”
Over the next decade, Dorris and Lilly improved upon the already lush outdoor space by taking down some larger poplars and replanting smaller trees such as maples.
“This way you still have that wooded feel, but without the threat of them damaging the house during a hurricane,” said Lilly.
The diverse landscape also includes footpaths, a stone walkway, a cedar pergola and a plentiful mixture of hollies, maples, azaleas and Japanese maples, just to name a few.
“What makes this landscape so dynamic is that there’s a seasonal interest as well,” said Dorris. “We have what are called coral bark maples, and they turn a beautiful blood red in winter.”
An outdoor oasis
Both outdoor lovers, Dorris and Lilly find spend a lot of time out on the deck or inside the enclosed, detached sunroom enjoying the chimes and wildlife.
It is a bird sanctuary back there, and they even have a couple well-mannered rabbits whom they’ve named over the years.
“It really is a great escape from the hustle and bustle,” said Dorris.
For Lilly, the backyard also serves as an inspiration. An accomplished writer and author, Lilly will study the different plants and trees in the yard and really learn what kind they are — this helps with his creativity.
“For writers, a holly isn’t just a ‘holly,’ it’s a Foster holly,” he explained.
Another bonus is their lot backs up to Carter’s Grove Country Road — an 8-mile stretch of road that connects the Carter’s Grove Plantation to the Historic Area. Dorris and Lilly can walk out their backyard, hop on their bikes and ride into town.
When they aren’t outside enjoying nature, they have beautiful home with plenty of space to entertain, office space to work in, and a kitchen that features a Dacor wall oven, granite wine bar and double-sided gas fireplace that serves as the centerpiece of the main floor. An art enthusiast, Lilly has decorated the home with brilliant pieces of local artwork.
While they have worked hard to design their retreat, the pair will be moving to the southwest area of the state soon to take care of family. They hope to find a buyer who appreciates the home and the yard as much as they do.
“We just love it here,” said Dorris. “If we could pick the lot up and house and take it with us, we would.”
Visit the Realtor.com home listing to view additional details of the home.
