The story below is from our March/April 2021 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
A family puts their personal touch on a nearly-new Roanoke County home.
Bob Sowder
Four years ago, Angel and Prospero “Pro” Cortorreal were house hunting in Roanoke, on the cusp of relocating from Tampa. They thought about custom building a home to tailor it to their exact liking, but didn’t want to go through the long and arduous process. Pro had a new job in Salem, and they needed a place to live immediately.
Their search led them to The Ridge at Fairway Forest, a development in southwestern Roanoke County. As the name implies, the community sits at the top of a ridge, with mountain views and quiet privacy. The location appealed, as Pro works a short ten minute drive away at LewisGale Hospital. The neighborhood was still under construction, but a craftsman style home, only a few years old, was up for sale.
“We liked the bones of the house, the outside, and the size of the rooms,” says Angel, who saw the potential to make it suit their needs and wants. “I liked the feel of the neighborhood, and we love our neighbors. We’ve been really happy here.”
With the house under contract, she immediately hired a team to change the interior aesthetic. The result is a house made for gracious, comfortable living and a spot to entertain friends and extended family, which the Cortorreals enjoy.
Bob Sowder
The craftsman-style home was one of the first to be built in The Ridge at Fairway Forest, a neighborhood of custom homes in southwest Roanoke County.
A basement made for recreation
The walk-out basement, previously a blank canvas, was turned into an entertainer’s dream, and is built for a fun night in. A movie theatre is the crown jewel of the space, a collaboration with Sound Decisions. The room has a projector movie screen, sound deadening panels and tiered seating for seven, with bean bags to welcome a crowd. The ceiling has a twinkle light feature, which, along with the framed movie posters and popcorn maker, completes the authentic theatre experience.
In the main area of the basement are a pool table, and card/game table. “We come down here all the time to play board games or dominoes, watch a movie, or play darts,” Angel notes. An exercise room is behind a closed door, as is a guest room and full bath, so visitors have space and privacy. If the weather is pleasant enough, they can walk out to the patio and turn on the gas firepit. “We have a great view, and in the winter we see the twinkling lights of Salem...it’s really pretty,” says Angel.
Bob Sowder
The fully custom basement movie theatre was a collaboration with Sound Decisions, and is where the Cortorreals have spent quality time during the pandemic.
First floor comfort and style
When the Cortorreals purchased the house, a lot of the first floor walls were painted a peachy hue, and the fireplace and built-ins were modeled in a traditional style that didn’t echo the craftsman exterior. EJ Miller Construction was hired to execute the couple’s vision, along with Kristen Kopcial of Decorating Den Interiors, who handled paint, wallpaper, some furniture additions and window treatments.
In the adjoining kitchen and family room, a new floor to ceiling stone fireplace and wood mantel feel inviting, flanked by built-in custom cabinets by Liberty Cabinets. A neutral hue softens the walls, and a spacious sectional from Restoration Hardware can seat a crowd. Some minor updates were made to the kitchen, including the addition of cabinets to hide appliances.
Bob Sowder
The family room was outfitted with new built-ins, stone fireplace, fresh paint and window treatments to suit the family’s style.
Off of the breakfast nook, an existing screen porch got a major upgrade, as the Cortorreals had their contractor extend the space and add in an outdoor kitchen. A fireplace keeps things toasty on the porch in cooler weather, and the space is another favorite for enjoying the outdoors at home.
The dining room has grasscloth wallpaper below the chair rail, and a warm, neutral matching paint color above it. A new built-in buffet, also from Liberty Cabinets, fills a previously carved out nook, and a wall tapestry depicts a scene from Lake Cuomo, Italy, where the couple honeymooned. A new light fixture and custom window treatments complete the room, and rounding out the first floor is a spacious office off of the foyer, across from the dining room.
Bob Sowder
The home boasts multiple outdoor spaces, like a screened porch with full outdoor kitchen and a firepit for cool evenings.
An upstairs for sleeping and studying
The second floor is spacious and accommodating, and got a floor upgrade at move-in. The carpet was torn out in favor of hardwood floors with a hand scraped look. “I love these floors and wish these were the ones throughout the entire house,” remarks Angel.
The upper level includes a master suite with a private sitting room, which Angel jokingly calls the “woman cave.” It’s filled with her personal collectibles and treasures, and is a private spot to have a cup of coffee or read, which she enjoys.
Two bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath house the couple’s older boys when they come to visit, and another bedroom belongs to their middle school aged daughter. In addition, a loft space has a built-in desk, cubby and cabinets, where the Cortorreals’ daughter has spent her days doing virtual school. The loft is outfitted with a TV and a sink-in leather couch, creating another spot for hanging out.
The stately craftsman on a hill is spacious at nearly 5,000 square feet, but feels warm and intimate – echoing the warmth of this gregarious family who love to travel, but are always happy to be at home.
Steal This Style!
Grasscloth wallpaper gives a bit of texture without an overwhelming pattern that you may tire of seeing.
Neutral furnishings allow accessories to shine. The large sectional provides seating for a crowd, but the light color and linen texture don’t scream for attention.
Paint can make a world of difference. The peachy hue throughout the first floor looked dated, but changing the color transformed the space. Always sample paint colors before committing!
The story above is from our March/April 2021 issue. For more stories, subscribe today or view our FREE digital edition. Thank you for supporting local journalism!