A Hidden Spa and Glass Walls Define This Virginia Dream Home

When envisioning a home tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains, it's easy to picture a rustic retreat that leans into its Appalachian surroundings-and there are plenty of those across the seven states the range traverses. But there's also a quieter evolution underway: striking contemporary residences that remain deeply connected to the landscape while embracing open, modern design.

One such example rises in Clarke County, Virginia, along the border with West Virginia. Low-slung and sculptural, the home makes a bold first impression, approached by a curving gravel drive that leads to a glass-walled structure set seamlessly into its surroundings. The homeowners collaborated with James Ramsey of RAAD Studio, with construction and interiors handled by Gruver Cooley, a fifth-generation firm led by Cathleen Gruver.

Despite its clean lines, sharp edges, and substantial 9,800-square-foot footprint, the house feels warm and inviting-both figuratively and literally, thanks to radiant heating beneath the white oak floors. The voluminous, double-height great room encompasses a relaxed living area and a spacious kitchen, where a chic breakfast nook is tucked into the central island. Dramatic lighting serves as a touchpoint throughout: a glass chandelier by the venerable Seguso of Venice hangs overhead, while elsewhere a sunken lounge is crowned by a 10-foot skylight.

The primary suite was created as a quiet retreat with a bed that juts forth from a dark-wood accent wall and a sleek bathroom that is all travertine and glass, with a soaking tub sitting in a glass-enclosed nook where it's enveloped in the forest. A powder room carved from rock, giving it a cave-like feel, is a pint-sized highlight that references the home's rugged setting.

The home's real showstopper lies below ground. A monastic subterranean spa, finished in hand-applied Texston plaster, unfolds beneath barrel-vaulted arches that frame a chapel-like indoor pool ending at a half-moon window. The space also includes a waterfall, a sauna, and a steam room with a star-filled ceiling, along with a hidden passage from the primary bedroom via a spiral staircase.

There's also an outdoor pool just beyond the living room, lined with pink loungers that catch the sun while enjoying subtle shade from the cantilevered roof plates. The roof itself is planted with lush greenery by River's Edge Landscaping, blending architecture and landscape so seamlessly that from a distance, the residence appears almost to emerge naturally from the rolling mountains behind it.