Project Spotlight! Branchlands Retirement Community

A true compliment to the beauty and history of Charlottesville, Virginia, Branchlands Retirement Community mirrors the appearance of a historic plantation or a high-end hospitality resort. This beautiful independent-living retirement community is located on 26 landscaped acres that provide walking paths, a lake, flower gardens, and a fishing pond for residents and visitors.



Photo by Heather Croy

 "I felt a sense of history when I first walked through the doors,” said Mary Katherine Crouch, ASID, LEED AP, Project Manager, and Interior Designer for this project. The refurbished “Manor House” was built circa 1860. Over the years, the house has been enlarged, extended, and renovated as it was home to several Virginia families. The Catholic Church of the Incarnation owned the Manor House from the 1930’s to 1980 during which it served as the Holy Comforter School, a residence for nuns, and later as a rectory for housing priests.  In 1980, the Manor House and surrounding acreage was purchased and age-restricted apartments were constructed within the two buildings adjacent to the Manor House. In 2008, the current owner purchased the community and hired KSA Interiors to bring life back to this now stunning community.



Photo by Philip Beaurline

 The Manor House required refurbishing to refresh the existing appearance of the interiors. New finishes and lighting were incorporated throughout. Focus was placed on the dining rooms, movie and exercise room, parlor, and offices located in the Manor House which serves as the community center and provides administrative offices. Two adjacent apartment buildings were also renovated to accommodate resident rooms and additional offices.

The ultimate goal of our client was to maintain the original grandeur and traditional core of the Manor House while providing an environment with accessible options appropriate for the everyday lives of its senior residents.

With finishes and lighting complete, KSA's design team embarked on staging the Manor House for the Grand Re-Opening. To achieve the desired results with a modest budget, KSA Interiors' team reused existing furniture and accessories available from the Manor House. The furniture pieces were refurbished and placed strategically in different settings throughout the Manor House, and the remaining budget was used to repair or replace artwork and purchase complimentary accessories. The intended appearance was as cohesive, classic, and beautiful as the residents and staff had imagined.

Submitted by
KSA Interiors