BEHIND THE DESIGN
The Lighting Story of the Southern Living Idea House 2025
Interior designer Charlotte Moss creates a wonderland near Charlottesville, Virginia
Interior Design by Charlotte Moss
Landscape Design by Megan Taylor of Waterstreet Studio
Drawing upon the rich architectural history of nearby Charlottesville and the classic decorative traditions of hunt country, the 2025 Southern Living Idea House was designed to reconnect its occupants to the land – and to each other. From inviting porches to perfectly scaled and appointed rooms layered with Visual Comfort decorative and landscape lighting, this showhouse is the ultimate respite. Read on for our interviews with the project’s design team.
Carrington Small Lantern by Ralph Lauren; Mykonos Medium Sconce by Chapman & Myers.
Goodman Hanging Shades with custom shades by Thomas O’Brien. Photo by Read McKendree.
Q: What was your vision for the interiors of this home?
Charlotte Moss: We felt that the decoration of the rooms should tell a story but not prevent you from embracing nature, as every room has a great view to the outside.
Windsor Large Hanging Shade by Ralph Lauren; Channing Small Chandelier by Thomas O’Brien.
Gramercy Large Chandelier, Georgian Small Hurricane Wall Sconces by Chapman & Myers.
Q: What was your vision for the interiors of this home?
Charlotte Moss: We felt that the decoration of the rooms should tell a story but not prevent you from embracing nature, as every room has a great view to the outside.
Alberto Large Single Tier Chandelier by Julie Neill.
Deauville Table Lamp by Chapman & Myers.
Q: What is your philosophy on what lighting brings to a space?
Charlotte Moss: Lighting is the romance. Getting the light right in a room, not just the style but the scope and scale, is what really alters the mood.
Alberto 17" Cordless Accent Lamp by Julie Neill; Ancram Small Single Sconce by Ralph Lauren.
Frankfort Articulating Wall Light by AERIN.
Terri 12" Cordless Accent Lamp by Thomas O’Brien.
Q: What made Visual Comfort an ideal partner for this project?
Charlotte Moss: The breadth of Visual Comfort’s line gave us the range to blend tradition with youthful energy and provide each room its own personality, which is the goal of decoration today.
Etoile Round Chandelier by Ian K. Fowler. Photo by Read McKendree.
Melanie 12" Cordless Accent Lamp by Barbara Barry.
Darlana Small Fancy Lantern, Fluted Spire Large Table Lamp by Chapman & Myers.
Georgian Small Hurricane Wall Sconces by Chapman & Myers.
Q: What was your vision for the landscape design of this home?
Megan Taylor: In recent years, many of our clients have expressed wanting to be reconnected with the land, and we’ve answered that in this project with a modern homestead concept. This property is large, remote and private – it feels like you’re in the country, not in a development. Before beginning work, we walked the site and took inventory of native plants and tried to preserve as many as we could, particularly the edible and medicinal plants. While our landscape design includes an orchard planting, an arrival court and a kitchen garden, the “modern” part of the modern homestead concept means that everything is scaled for a family residence.
Nevis Accent Rechargeable Table Lamp by Sean Lavin.
Q: What aesthetic or site plan priorities shaped your selections from Visual Comfort?
Megan Taylor: This neighborhood doesn’t have streetlights, and the house sits at the end of a long drive, so the lighting at the entrance and circulation paths had to feel subtle but directional. With landscape lighting at a new construction project, it’s important to leave room to grow, and we kept this in mind with the orchard and in moonlighting the trees leading down to Broadmoor Lake. This is a starting point, and nothing should steal the show.
Plateau Path & Area Lights by Sean Lavin.
Plateau Path & Area Lights by Sean Lavin.
Q: What’s your philosophy on what landscape lighting brings to a space?
Megan Taylor: Once clients see it, landscape lighting speaks for itself. It makes outdoor spaces more welcoming, highlights architecture, creates ambiance, boosts safety and circulation and makes a space more layered and livable. It can also draw your eye out and help to give your property dimension, showcasing the story of the home itself.
Cora Directional Spotlight by Sean Lavin.
Kaidan Hex Step Light by Sean Lavin.
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