$1.9M Potomac Home On 2 Acres Features Indoor Garden, Wall Of Windows
POTOMAC, MD — This custom-built home, close to Potomac Village, is located on 2 acres in the prestigious neighborhood of Tara, where the custom-designed homes are sited on gently rolling lots with mature landscaping and trees.
This home incorporates a floor plan with high ceilings, including several with skylights, large windows showcasing beautiful views, and a unique indoor garden that provide a dramatic interior while still being perfect for today's more relaxed lifestyle.
The "heart" of the home is the large gourmet kitchen/family room divided by a two-sided, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace with raised hearth and glass screens. The wall of windows and doors spans both the kitchen and family room, providing easy access to the deck.
Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc
For more information, click here. See more photos of the listing below, courtesy of Washington Fine Properties Llc:
For more real estate news, follow Patch on Facebook
Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties Llc Listed by: Marsha Schuman, Washington Fine Properties LlcNeil Sperry: Bermudagrass Best Choice For Water-conscious Landscaping
NEIL SPERRY
DEAR NEIL: We have recently bought a house built in the 1970s on property with very little topsoil. With yet another really hot and dry summer we seem to be heading into times of permanent water shortages. Is there a replacement for turfgrass? I was wondering about a clover lawn, or some type of creeping vegetation.
Dear Reader: Clover specifically would not fare well in those conditions. It needs moist, cool spots with rich soils for its best performance. So will most groundcovers. The general suggestion in xeriscape (water-conscious) landscaping is to cut back on the amount of turf that you use, and to choose the most drought-tolerant type of grass you can find for those parts of your landscape that you do dedicate to grass. Some of us thought that buffalograss would be the answer in the early 1990s when it was being brought into the turf market, but we soon found out that bermudagrass would overtake it. I tried one-half acre of the variety '609' buffalograss in 1991, and within three years it was hard to find any of it still remaining. The area had been overrun by native bermuda, even though I only watered it three times as it was becoming established. For that reason, I would suggest common bermuda for those areas where you really do need a little bit of turfgrass. It will exist on very little topsoil. Bring in landscaping mix to build beds for smaller shrubs and groundcovers to cover as much as 30 to 40 percent of your landscape, and use large shrubs or small native trees that have proven adaptability to the native conditions. Finish with mulch or decorative gravel or small river rock for the rest. Keep the design simple. Look around town at other landscapes, both commercial and private, and take photos of those that you like. Don't be afraid to copy their ideas. Gardeners are always flattered.
People are also reading…
DEAR NEIL: We have English ivy groundcover beneath our trees, and various kinds of weeds are coming up in the ivy. Is there a product we can use to kill the invasive weeds and grasses without hurting the trees?
Dear Reader: I probably worry more about the English ivy than I do about the trees, since the groundcover is right there on the firing line. I would suggest you use a wick-type applicator to apply a glyphosate-only herbicide. (I realize that sentence may require translation from a farm supply store or nursery.) The applicator would be shaped roughly like a hockey stick, and where the head of the stick would be is where the wick would be. The herbicide would be in the handle, and it would be wicked out to the head where you could merely wipe it across the weeds' leaves. You could be very careful not to splatter it onto the ivy, and even if some of it did hit the ground, glyphosates do not go into the soil, so the trees would be safe. Give that a try and see if it doesn't help you get rid of most of the weeds. What few weren't killed by the herbicide could be dug by hand.
DEAR NEIL: You recently recommended that we continue mowing our lawns at the recommended heights during the hot weather. Our local water district wrote: "Taller grass holds moisture better and slows down evaporation. It also encourages your lawn to grow deeper roots. There is a direct link between grass height and root depth. As a rule, the higher the grass is cut, the deeper the roots go. And lawns with deeper roots can better endure the stress that comes with summer heat. If you're cutting your grass short, try raising your blade a notch or two. A mowing height of 3 inches is a good all-around height for most grasses." Do you have any comments on what they have written?
Dear Reader: I am absolutely fine with what I have written (for more than 50 years of my career). Tall grass quickly becomes weak grass, especially with the runner-producing types of grass we grow here in Texas (as opposed to bunching grasses of the North, where this concept might have originated). Tall grass becomes sparse and weeds move in. What they have written sounds logical, but it doesn't work that way in nature. At least not here in Texas.
For the record, I recommend 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches. (shorter for the hybrid bermudas), St. Augustine 2-3 in., zoysias 2-3 in., turf type fescues 3 to 4 in., buffalograss 3-4 in.
DEAR NEIL: When is the last date I can plant St. Augustine at a new house? We're not sure when it will be finished.
Dear Reader: St. Augustine is sub-tropical, so cold winters take a toll on it, especially if it hasn't had enough time to establish good roots before winter. It's best to consider mid-September as the absolute cut-off date for almost all of Texas. I move that date forward to September 1 for the northern half of the state (Waco to Abilene and northward). The problem is twofold. First, we don't know when the first killing freeze will come through. That will absolutely shut down the growth of the new grass. Sure, the roots will continue developing, but not very rapidly. Second, we don't have any clue about how cold it's going to get over this winter. If I had a new home and I wanted St. Augustine, and if my occupancy of that new home was going to make me nervous about oncoming cold weather, in a heartbeat I'd opt for sowing annual ryegrass to give me winter green cover until I could do the job right for planting my St. Augustine next April or May. That's the perfect time for planting St. Augustine, and the rye would be dying out by then as well.
Have a question you'd like Neil to consider? Mail it to him in care of this newspaper or e-mail him at [email protected]. Neil regrets that he cannot reply to questions individually.
Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter.
Off-the-grid Cabin Lists For $1.2M
When the thermometer shows triple digits, the temptation of escaping to a cooler climate grows. Fortunately, you don't have to go far to find relief. High above the Las Vegas Valley is a custom three-level sanctuary offering a serene refreshing mountain getaway.
The home —
Located at 2133 Via Vita St. In Lee Canyon, the premier 0.24-acre double lot is nestled amidst a stunning pine backdrop at more than 8,000 feet in elevation. It boasts panoramic views of Toiyabe National Forest's Mummy Mountain and The Three Sisters.
Found within the gated Camp Lady of the Snows subdivision in Lee Canyon on Mount Charleston, just minutes from Lee Canyon resort, the cabin lists for $1.2 million through Kaitlin Corr, listing agent with Mt. Charleston Realty Inc.
Custom-designed and built by the late Ron and Judy McMenemy, the 2,725-square-foot home features four bedrooms, including an upper-level primary suite, three baths, a lower-level game room, multidecks with spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and a rare one-car attached garage.
"Possessing a garage in a four-season environment such as Mount Charleston is a premium feature," Corr said. "Additionally, with no on-street parking allowed on the mountain, this home can comfortably accommodate multiple vehicles using the garage and the front driveway and back lot as an overflow parking area."
The couple lived in Las Vegas for more than 35 years. Ron founded McMenemy Investment Services, a full-service commercial real estate firm. Judy worked for Southwest Airlines. Her perfect attendance earned her the title of Mrs. Southwest. In addition to their careers, they owned several businesses, including The Tilted Kilt, The Lighthouse Restaurant and The Frog Lodge.
Before their deaths (Judy in July 2021 and Ron in May 2022), the couple began work on the trendy 1970s-themed Square Bar in New Orleans Square. The bar opened last May with their daughter, Chelsey McMenemy Kelly, managing the business.
Kelly also followed in her father's footsteps working in property management. She credits learning the business from her dad, working alongside him as his assistant for many years, starting at age 14.
According to Kelly, her parents chose to build on Mount Charleston because they both loved the snow, having grown up in the Midwest. They met in high school, married and moved to Las Vegas in 1981.
The couple chose Lee Canyon's exclusive gated subdivision because it comprised solely off-the-grid properties. It features 75 parcels with 47 sustainable homes and 28 vacant lots.
"They loved the snow but didn't love living in it, so having a place they could go to part time was better," Kelly said. "And they liked the idea of unplugging and enjoying nature."
Kelly remembers visiting her parents when they were building the cabin in 2009 while she was attending UNR. It was completed in 2010.
"I would come up here and my dad had a trailer on the back lot," Kelly said. "He could work from anywhere, so he lived up here while it was being built. My mom would join him on weekends."
The cabin's uniquely shaped structure mirrors the tree line of the property. The couple designed the property within the open space allocated between the pine trees, apart from one large pine tree, which Ron built the deck around. The exterior elevation showcases curved walls and a mix of wood and stone facade.
The cabin's structure is supported using oversized wood beams. Kelly recalled watching the flatbed truck carrying the sizable beams travel up the narrow dirt road, navigating it very slowly.
"They're monstrous beams," she said. "We had multiple cranes that laid them into the structure. It was fascinating to watch."
The McMenemy's dream home offers the perfect blend of seclusion, nature and spectacular mountain views. Judy designed an inviting interior integrating wood, metal and stone elements. One striking design feature is the exposed wood beams throughout the interior, creating a warm ambiance.
The main level showcases neutral stone flooring, a cozy dual-sided fireplace, rich wood accents and large picture windows to capture views from every room.
Judy blended rich colors — grays, creams, browns and burnt oranges — using comfortable furnishings and décor. The couple incorporated personal touches, such as using stones from the property into the fireplace's stone surround.
"My mom loved picking out the colors and designing the cabin," Kelly said. "She wanted it to be comfortable, warm and welcoming."
A custom curved floating staircase with an iron railing and hardwood steps greets guests upon entering. The staircase is one of Kelly's favorite features in the home.
She recalled spending countless days at the cabin enjoying time with her family and friends. She and her two brothers — Dustin and Ian — would play games in the sunken seating area, right off the kitchen and formal dining space. The big open room offers space for the family to gather.
The stylish kitchen boasts a central island with granite countertops, custom cabinetry and black appliances, including a refrigerator, dishwasher and double ovens — all
"We spent several holidays at the cabin," Kelly said. "Christmas is my favorite. Like the movie "Christmas Story," you wake up and there is snow outside and you get to jump in it."
One of her favorite places is the "bunk room," a guest room where she recounts spending many hours with her best friends giggling through the night.
Another unique place is the primary bathtub — especially during a snowstorm. The picture window above the tub captures the falling snow and stunning views.
The cabin's multiple decks capture panoramic views of the surrounding pine forest backdrop. A deck off the primary bedroom provides a private hideaway to take in the fresh mountain air.
Kelly stated that one of the best spaces was the oversized main deck featuring a firepit and space for entertaining guests. It became a place to relax after a long day of hiking, sledding or skiing.
"I loved sitting out there with my parents," Kelly said. "Catch some sun and at night, have a bonfire and roast some marshmallows and hot dogs. We would hang out and enjoy our time together."
The property's adjacent vacant lot offers space to entertain or use for additional parking. The home is on a community well and sold fully furnished.
"We want to find someone who will love the cabin as much as we did," Kelly said. "And enjoy the memories we had."
Lee Canyon Ski Resort is a year-round destination with hiking, mountain biking, skiing and gondola rides. Mountain Capital Partners, Southwest's largest ski resort management company, purchased the resort earlier this year. MCP owns and operates several properties, including Brian Head Resort in Utah, Hesperus Ski Area in Colorado and Arizona Snowbowl. Lee Canyon will join MCP's Power Pass, allowing access to all MCP properties with one single pass. According to a news release, MCP has invested over $75 million in its resorts with plans to make capital improvements to Lee Canyon that will be announced later.
About the Cabin
Price: $1.2 million
Location: 2133 Via Vita St., within the gated Camp Lady of the Snows subdivision in Lee Canyon, Mount Charleston.
Size: 2,725 square feet, four bedrooms including an upper-level private primary bedroom with private deck, three baths including a primary bath with soaking tub; one-car attached garage. The home is on two adjacent lots totaling 0.24 acres.
Features: A custom three-story off-the-grid cabin featuring unique turret-shaped architecture; views of Mummy Mountain and The Three Sisters through large picture windows, minutes away from Lee Canyon Resort; chef's kitchen with granite counters, central island and custom cabinetry, formal dining, living room with sunken sitting area and floor-to-ceiling stacked stone surround fireplace; game room; custom iron spiral staircase with hardwood step; stone tile flooring throughout; exposed wood beamed ceiling; multiple view exterior decks;
HOA: $116/month
Listing: Kaitlin Corr, Mt. Charleston Realty
