
DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                TAG: 9704180257

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:  188 lines

WELCOME!YOU HAVE SEEN THE EXTERIORS OF THESE EXTRAORDINARY HOMES IN NORTHERN SUFFOLK.NOW THE GARDEN CLUBS OF VIRGINIA OFFER YOU A PEEK INSIDE ON THEIR ANNUAL HOMES TOUR.

When Dwight C. Schaubach took a ``rain check'' at the Cedar Point Club golf course six years ago, he spotted a ``for sale'' sign and decided to check on a piece of property off Crittenden Road.

The washed-out golf game resulted in the discovery and purchase of 76 acres of land that include a panoramic view of the Nansemond River and the Mills E. Godwin Jr. bridge.

``We hadn't been looking for land in the country,'' said Jane Schaubach, ``but four years ago, we built a weekend retreat. The house was never meant to be a rambling, comfortable `forever' house, but a couple of years ago, we stayed all summer.''

``Bridgeview,'' has afforded the family a charming home-away-from-home that Jane Schaubach describes as ``basically contemporary with traditional furnishings.''

The Schaubach home is one of four featured on a tour, ``Homes Along The Nansemond,'' from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Sponsored by the Nansemond River Garden Club, the tour of homes in northern Suffolk will be held in conjunction with Historic Garden Week in Virginia. Proceeds from the tour are used for the restoration and preservation of historic gardens within the State of Virginia.

A path through a beautifully landscaped garden leads to the entrance foyer with its massive sideboard and a prized, wooden Indian pony, which was hand-carved and painted by Bob Barcum, a family friend.

``It's one-of-a-kind and a replica of one on a carousel,'' Schaubach said.

In contrast to the Schaubachs' primary Norfolk residence, which is decorated in pastels, the living room at Bridgeview features rich jewel tones.

A plaid camelback sofa, Queen Anne wing chairs, and an Indian area rug in salmon, navy, cream and tan are accented against the Irish linen-look of the walls, matching drapes with navy piping, and gleaming hardwood floors.

Attesting to the owner's fondness for automobiles and toys, a child's pedal car and tractor, both restored to mint condition, are displayed on either side of the fireplace.

``My husband has always loved anything that has an engine, wheels, and `goes,' '' Schaubach said, with a smile. ``The tractor belonged to our son. The car was a little `rust bucket' when it was found under a house.''

Two walls of an attractive bathroom off the living area features a wrap-around hand-painted golfing scene.

Both the living area and kitchen open onto a multi-level deck that leads down to a pier and boathouse built for the couple's 32-foot Wellcraft, the ``Lady J.''

The spacious French country kitchen decorated in rose, blue and cream, affords the family a water view. Also on the first level are the formal dining room and a peach and white guest room/playroom and bath reserved for visits by the Schaubachs' young grandchildren.

On the second floor, the large master bedroom with aqua walls, mahogany sleigh bed, and flowered drapes, opens onto an upper deck. There is a jacuzzi tub in the large peach and aqua master bathroom.

Two guest rooms and a bath are tastefully appointed in soft pastels and floral prints.

A playroom in the basement includes a collection of Smith-Miller toy trucks, a juke box, and the ``Dream Green,'' which affords an avid golfer an 18-hole game golf on a rainy day. A stained glass door with a grapevine motif leads to a temperature-controlled brick wine cellar and tasting room.

The week-end retreat is also home for the owners' incredible collection of automobiles. During the tour, 10 vintage cars will be on display, including the oldest 1929 Duesenburg convertible and the only 1910 Alliance.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Milton A. Northey, 117 Riverside Drive

The foyer of the cream-colored Georgian-style residence opens into a picture-perfect living room with a magnificent view of Hampton Roads Harbor.

White woodwork and sherbet colors of deep mint, lemon and raspberry on walls and upholstery in the living room, dining room and kitchen/sitting area create an elegant, yet warm and charming ambience.

Of particular interest is a French carousel horse set atop an enormous 1890 pine armoire that blends blond French provincial chairs upholstered in a leopard print. The comfortable sofa is a cheery raspberry while other companion chairs feature a leopard and floral print combination.

A powder room off the foyer is decorated with yellow and white striped wallpaper, a crystal chandelier and an oriental area rug.

``I love flowers and color,'' said Ann Northey, whose dining room is the showcase for a large floral painting by Gladys Huyghe of Newport News. The glazed raspberry-colored walls were faux-finished by Sylvia Ingram of Wall Illusions in Norfolk.

The spacious kitchen and companion sitting area with a water view features deep green walls, crisp white cabinets, painted tiles, and Quimper china. Over the faux marble fireplace in the sitting area is a colorful painting of carousel horses by Anne Hayes of Newport News. A door has been hand-painted to match the pottery of McKenzie-Childs, a popular designer of pottery and home furnishings.

The master bedroom and bath are on the first floor, while three attractively decorated guest bedrooms, two baths, and a playroom occupy the second level. An interesting feature to note is a hand-painted, trompe l'oeil scene on a guest room door.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Pond, 107 Riverside Drive

This traditional brick home with colonial accents began with a floor plan sketched by Katherine Pond.

Two years were required to bring the dream house from sketch to reality, however, due to exquisite details in custom-designed moldings and panelling throughout the spacious interior.

Features to note are the extraordinary entryway of polished mahogany and marble flooring in the 15-foot-high foyer. All window sills are marble, as well as the surrounds and hearths of three fireplaces.

Richard Pond's collections of Bohem roses and Cameo stone plates are displayed in the formal living and dining rooms.

The relaxing, peach-colored solarium with its water view serves as a playroom for Pond and her granddaughter, Mallory.

``I wanted this room to be warm and embracing,'' said Pond of the pink and aqua kitchen. A powder room off the kitchen features a stained glass window with a grape design by Wendy and Fred Byrd of Suffolk. A marble-embossed mirror also boasts a border of grapes.

Dear to Richard Pond's heart is an antique table placed near the staircase.

``It belonged to my grandma and she did her canning on it,'' he said. ``My mother had it refinished and it holds a lot of fond memories for me.''

The highlight of an impressive cobalt blue and white master bath is a stained glass window with a floral design by Wendy Byrd. Of particular interest are matching basins with a decorative cobalt blue and white motif. Several steps lead to an enormous soaking tub.

The home of Dr. and Mrs. William L. Little, 116 Settlers Landing Road

Kathy Little's contemporary-style residence is a testament to her artwork, as well as a comfortable home for her family.

A glass artist for the past 15 years, Little created her custom-design business, ``Distinctive Glass'' after taking a basic glass class and later, a welding course at Tidewater Community College.

Little fashioned the impressive Art Deco, 25-foot glass entry doors in her favorite colors of black, gray and red. Primary colors are dominant throughout the spacious home - from walls to carpet to furnishings.

The foyer's caramel-colored Italian tiles and leaded glass transom over the dining room door are particularly appealing.

Several glass and steel tables, designed and welded by Kathy Little; leather sofas; a cream-colored sofa with a splatter print; modern objets d'art; and abstract paintings by Virginia artists add interest to the spacious, but comfortable setting. There are no window treatments to obstruct a sweeping view of the marshlands.

Black Italian tile and white cabinets with vivid red accents add pizazz to the Art Deco master bath. A spiral staircase leads from the bedroom's outside balcony to a jacuzzi tub on a patio area below. An inside staircase leads from the master bedroom to Kathy Little's third floor design studio.

Little's design studio and lower level workshop will be on view for tour guests. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos including color cover by JOHN H. SHEALLY

Jane Schaubach welcomes members of the Nansemond River Garden Club,

to ``Bridgeview,'' her family's weekend retreat.

Linda Dickens looks over the Schaubach home's large master bath

which includes a Jacuzzi tub.

The Schaubachs' French country kitchen is decorated in rose, blue

and cream and affords the family a water view.

The Schaubach's living area and kitchen open onto a multi-level

deck.

Bridgeview, says Jane Schaubach, is ``basically contemporary with

traditional furnishings.''

Artist Kathy Little's home features her glass creations.