CityView Magazine

32 | April 2015 pointed, it showcases a uniquely functional quality, rarely found in a home of the 1950s: ample closet space. A priority of Mrs. Lilly in the building process, the home features spacious closets in each of the bedrooms, even walk-in closets in some. While Clyde and Martha never had to "carve out" addi- tional space in many places, the breakfast nook was original- ly part of their spacious back porch. "When we have family and friends for gatherings, everyone enjoys the porch. Cold weather or warm, that's where I put my bar," said Martha. Both the porch and the breakfast nook offer a completely un- obstructed view of the perfectly manicured back lawn. In the winter months, a focal point of the back yard is a beautifully constructed brick wall, which the Woods added for privacy. Clyde was able to track down the maker of the home's original brick in Virginia and had the wall built to match. "On our side of the wall, there isn't a single specialty brick, but it appears to be very ornate and is very beautiful on the neighbor's side, too. We felt good about the beauty on the other side for them," said Martha. In the warmer months, the wall becomes a backdrop for an impressively landscaped lawn, which comes alive with Cherokee roses, a favorite of the original owner, Mrs. Lilly, along with azaleas, ferns and crepe myrtles. e front yard is home to an impressively large tea lily. "It's one of the largest in the area, and it has a wonderful fragrance when it blooms," said Martha. At 5,500 square feet, the home sits on an acre of land. Luckily, Clyde likes to work in the yard and do a lit- tle gardening. "Grant Parker helps keep our yard intact, too," said Martha. e fully bricked exterior of the home is laid in Flemish bond, which is decorative, rather than simply functional and requires skill to execute. e bond is characterized by alter- nating stretchers (sides of brick) and headers (ends of brick) to form a regular pattern that was exceedingly popular in Eu- rope in the 17th century and can still be seen in many well- preserved buildings in colonial Virginia. e bond requires two layers of brick and consequently, the windows of the home are luxuriously deep-set from the interior. e roof is the original slate roof from the late 1950s, and has the capacity to last more than 100 years, as it is impervi- ous to water, heat, sunlight and cold. Classic glossy white cor- nices and dentil molding accentuate the traditional choices of brick pattern and roof. e Woods, of course, have no plans to mess with perfec- tion. Regarding their future in the home, Martha surveyed the upstairs playroom fit for her four, soon-to-be five grand- children, featuring brightly colored toys and an array of prin- cess dresses and smiled, "We briefly considered downsizing, since our children are out of the house, but we're staying. My daughter and son-in-law are building a home next door." CV Beautiful Virginia brickwork The patio entertains guests during spring and summer months Blossoms bloom in the backyard

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