A Collector’s Eye Brings New Life to This 1816 Virginia Estate

Jewelry designer Elizabeth Locke welcomes us into the historic Virginia estate that she and her husband have called home for more than 40 years.

Built in 1816, the stone house retains its original woodwork and hardware, while Locke’s eclectic collections, including antique books, Parian figures and old photographs, add her personal style gathered over a lifetime.

A dark green library, a bedroom with a fresco ceiling painted by Florentine artists, and a formal dining room furnished with family pieces reflect her enduring fascination with history and design.

After finding the house in disrepair, the couple undertook a major renovation while preserving its historic details and adding a new kitchen and modern comforts.

Outside, terraced gardens, a greenhouse and more than 100 dahlias offer another expression of Locke’s interests. As she walks through the rooms and grounds, she shares the stories behind the estate’s treasured objects—and why, after decades of travel, this is the place she can’t imagine leaving.