A Weekend at Albemarle
We recently spent a weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia at Albemarle House. Albemarle House was completed in 1985 by Patricia and John Kluge. Designed from the ground up by the late David Easton, it is an important American house, as it is one of the last great Georgian homes built in the twentieth century. Once a pristine example of the famous 1980’s interpretation of English Country House design, the modern updates by Trump Hotels have left Albemarle House feeling stately, warm, inviting, and colorful — all good things. Come along as Chateau Lumiere guides you on whimsical tour of Albemarle House!
The long drive up to the home from Carters Mountain Road is a treat on its own. As you drive past the sprawling vineyards of Trump Winery, you catch short glimpses of the home through the rolling hills. After passing through the last gate, you are immediately confronted with the home’s Georgian grandeur.
Looking east over the property in front of the estate. The view is complemented by the many ponds, Magnolia trees, and scenic hills.
View from the rooftop garden overlooking the northernmost courtyard
Once inside, you are greeted by the home’s entrance hall. The fireplace should be noted, as its inclusion was insisted upon by David Easton. Easton felt that fireplaces in entrance halls were elegant additions, a detail often overlooked in design.
The complementary umbrellas proved useful as we arrived in a downpour.
While the entrance hall is somewhat subdued, the home’s elegance shines in the main hallway. Easton created this hallway as the ‘spine’ of the home, and it runs the full length of the house from north to south.
Albemarle House features two identical staircases. The northern example is shown above.
Continuing north from the main hallway, you are led to one of the home’s most stunning features — the gallery. Once housing antique statues owned by Kluge, the gallery now features portraits of former Presidents who were born in Virginia (not shown).
At the center of the gallery stands a Syrian fountain. Ms. Kluge was born in Baghdad, and the fountain is certainly a feature influenced by her youth.
One of two original statues to the Kluge Estate towers over the end of the gallery. This statue is in the likeness of Artemis — goddess of the hunt.
The dining room at Albemarle House is spectacular. It features hand-painted wallpaper from Paris, an eighteenth century chandelier, and candle holders throughout the room that were part of Easton’s original design.
Another dining room view is shown above. The mantle and accompanying mirror were also original features to the house.
Let me tell you, I love nothing more than a big, bright yellow room. The drawing room at Albemarle checks so many boxes for me, personally. The soft banana cream yellow over the crisp white dado is splendid — and a color palette I have used in my own home!
While the room’s design has changed a bit since Easton swathed it in 1980’s English Country, the bones are still there. The colors are similar and the curtains are styled after the originals (I don’t think they’re original…but close enough to make me second guess?). The drawing room also features another eighteenth century chandelier like the dining room.
One last view of the drawing room. Oh my goodness, I could go on about this room for days. A nice addition from Trump Hotels, the room features a 1950’s Steinway & Sons piano waiting to be enjoyed by estate guests.
The last major landmark on the main floor is the home’s library. This room has been styled very similarly to the original Easton design. The library also has an alcove that serves as a bar — I recommend an Aperol Spritz.
Shown above is one of the library’s many game tables. This particular game table enjoys scenic views over the courtyard.
Another corner game table — this one featuring a unique chess set.
Estate views from the library — I recommend enjoying the views with a glass of Trump Winery’s Blanc de Noir (or another Aperol Spritz…).
For our accommodations, we chose the Jefferson Suite. All you need to know about the Jefferson Suite is shown above. A large soaking tub in the middle of the room, hand painted designs on the walls, antique mirror aplenty, and a gas fireplace — if you aren’t sold yet, there’s nothing else I can offer.
As if the interiors of Albemarle House aren’t enough, the gardens are a landmark of their own. A short, hedge-lined walk takes you from Charlottesville to Europe in a few steps. Ok, maybe not, but you get the idea.
I hope you enjoy pictures of random statues, because I LOVE them!
One last statue picture before we move on. Hey, I’m the guide here anyway.
Another prominent exterior feature to the estate is the chapel. In the estate’s prime, Ms. Kluge would host hunt parties on the property. The chapel served as a place to have Mass after a hunt.
Friends, I think we’ve reached the end of our tour. Our stay at Albemarle House was the perfect weekend getaway. We can’t wait to go back in warmer weather and truly enjoy everything the estate has to offer. For now, it’s time to relax with a glass of Blanc de Blanc, or maybe…an Aperol Spritz. (are you detecting a theme?)