Living the dream

George and Peggy Morrison never paid much attention to Smith Mountain Lake when they were growing up less than three hours down the road in Abingdon. But in 1980, Peggy got her first post-college job in Bedford. The couple moved to Roanoke, purchased a secondhand boat and began to explore – and fall in love with – the lake.
    “We loved the serenity of the water, the beauty of the area, the friendly people and proximity to Roanoke and Virginia Tech,” Peggy said. “It was soon apparent that we planned to come back to the area when we retired.”
    Over the years, the Morrisons rented lakefront homes for one-, two-, then three-week vacations, and it was during one of those excursions that George took a photo of a home the couple admired.
    “It was just beautiful,” he said. “And I kept that photo in my day planner where I could see it often. Owning a house on the lake became one of our goals. It was a dream.”
    George, a district human resources manager with UPS, and Peggy, a city planner and consultant, moved farther away from SML through the years – to Richmond, Philadelphia, Atlanta and Louisville – but continued to vacation here. Ultimately, they invested in a townhouse on the Blackwater at Lakestone, where, George noted, their yearly taxes were less than their monthly townhouse taxes in Pennsylvania.
    In 2000, the Morrisons purchased a waterfront lot and began working with an architect to design their dream home. In 2006, after two years of planning and 18 months of construction, the couple moved into their stunning, three-story Contentment Island home, which will be featured Oct. 5-7 on the SML Charity Home Tour.
    “It was our dream-come-true to live at the lake and to have a home that was the best of several houses we had lived in after five work-related relocations,” George said. “When you are relocated to a place not of your choosing, the house is a house and never feels like your home, because you lack the emotional investment knowing it was not going to be the area where you would settle down after retirement.”
    From the lake side, the Morrison home towers above the water with three stories of windows and stacked stonework columns. On the street side, a distinctive barrel-ceiling entryway welcomes visitors. Water flows down a stacked-stone wall in the two-story foyer, a harbinger of the relaxing water views guests will find in nearly every room of the open and accommodating home. A small glass wall between the great room and the dining room seems to expand both spaces.
    Custom-designed cherry cabinets, an expansive island, high-end appliances, tile backsplash and stone columns all contribute to the eye-popping kitchen. The master suite on the main floor allows one-level living and has a sitting room facing the double-sided fireplace from the great room.
    Upstairs are two guest bedrooms, a bath, sitting area with wet bar and access to the decks, which are constructed of Ipe with railings made by George’s father, who owned an ornamental iron company.
    On the lake level is a second family room with another complete kitchen and second master suite. All doorways are extra wide for handicapped accessibility. The Morrisons designed the space to accommodate their parents should health issues require them to move in. It could also house a caregiver and allow the Morrisons to stay in the home later in life, Peggy said.
    Family is a common theme in the house, and in the second master suite is a collection of family antiques: an antique radio, an old Victrola and family cameras from the past. More antiques, old family photos and a vintage treadle sewing machine adorn one of the upstairs guest bedrooms. Throughout the home, visitors will notice numerous floral arrangements, all created by Peggy’s mother.
    The lower level also includes a media room, which resembles a miniature movie theater complete with projection screen and step-down seating. The recreation room is designed for fun and features a pool table and abundant neon signs. The home’s high-tech features include a Lutron lighting system and whole-home audio system, a feature the couple said they couldn’t live without.
     The Morrisons said they got many ideas for their home while attending the SML Charity Home Tour several times. Now, they look forward to opening their home so others can do the same – and raise money for eight local charities.
    “We were thrilled about being invited to have our home on the Charity Home Tour,” George said. “We know how much the proceeds benefit the many deserving charities.”

BUILDING BASICS
Year Completed: 2006
Square Footage: 7,600
Design Style: Contemporary
Architect: Todd Setliff of TAS Designs
Builder: Charles Lynch Construction
Dock Builder: Wheeler Boat Docks
Interior Design: PAC Interiors
Landscaper: Seven Oaks Landscape & Hardscape


HOME JOURNAL

Our Top Spot
The kitchen, which the homeowners described as an inviting space for guests to gather and socialize during meal preparation.

Most Unexpected Element
The water feature in the foyer. “We saw this in a restaurant and thought it was a good way to hide the view until you entered the room,” Peggy Morrison said.

Couldn’t Live Without
The whole-home audio system. “We enjoy music, and all our CDs are on a server, so we have easy access to a wide variety of music. We can listen on the dock too,” said George Morrison.

Glad We Splurged On
The whole-home generator, which came in handy after a major storm knocked out power for several days at the end of June. “We had electricity, ice, hot water,” Peggy said. “We lived [elsewhere] through two tornadoes and one hurricane. The cost of the food we have thrown out over the years could buy this generator.”