Ashland is quintessential small-town America, what with its historic downtown, cozy local businesses, bike routes, and friendly neighbors. So what better place to call home for someone whose life in Virginia has been somewhat charmed, like decorator Valerie Darden?
Since moving to Virginia from New Jersey in 2007, Darden’s life has been full. She married Jonathan, an intelligence officer and former army brat; had two boys, Brexton, 7, and Cole, 11; established Brexton Cole, her decorating business affectionately named for her sons; and penned a “cheat-sheet” interior design book, the recently published
Beautiful Living. Her various addresses in Virginia included homes in Arlington, Woodbridge, and Stafford, among other spots around the state.
But then came Ashland.
Smalltown America
“We fell for the area because it’s in a very quiet neighborhood with lots of young families. We wanted our boys to be able to ride their bikes to their friends’ houses and be close to good schools,” Darden says, “We also didn’t want to be on top of another home or areas with lots of cars and traffic.”
The couple started building their home in 2021 and moved in a year later. Four bedrooms and 4,000 square feet on an acre-size lot meant there was ample room for their family inside and out. With Darden’s experience helping her clients create unique and curated living environments, she knew exactly how to upgrade and elevate her own builder-grade house.
“Often, newly built homes come with blank white walls and not much character,” Darden says. The challenge she faced, however, was that she and her husband simply love historic homes— which sometimes doesn’t jive with new builds. Her solution? “I’ve always made sure to add lots of character to every house we’ve lived in,” she says.
A sophisticated reading nook features a plush black bouclé chair with a white spherical pillow. The space is illuminated by both a wall-mounted sconce and an adjustable black task lamp. A vintage gold-framed convex mirror with an eagle detail adds classical charm.
Powder room papered in Schumacher’s “Versailles” complements the blue in the Vermeer reproduction of “Girl with the Pearl Earring.” Modern sconces repeat the gold fabric in her dress, headwrap, and the picture’s frame, as well as the vanity faucet and drawer pulls.
Making It Better
Darden started with making basic changes. She switched out all the builder-grade windows for larger custom ones, bringing in more natural light, adding architectural interest and energy efficiency. Replacing hardware and light fixtures was another easy upgrading trick. And she’s big on paint and wallpaper. “They transform,” she says.
Selecting wallpaper became an adventure, and she used it in places where it added dimension and drama. In the open entry hall, where her home office is on one side and the dining room is on the other, Darden chose a reproduction wall covering from Schumacher that was featured in Gone with the Wind—the actual movie from 1939. “You can’t get more timeless than that,” she says. Pink “Hydrangea Drape” papers the sweeping stairwell at Tara, where Scarlett O’Hara is often seen pining for Ashley Wilkes. The reissued pattern—Darden used the “fawn” colorway—adds a botanical, earthy flair, pulling the outside in.
The foyer sets the stage for the entirety of Darden’s house. It’s an abundantly welcoming and interesting space, light-filled with a mix of old and new. The wallpaper pairs beautifully with the stately Federal-style serpentine mahogany sideboard, stacked with books and assorted objet d’art. It’s clearly an ode to the past, while the twin, X-frame stools have a more modern vibe. Upholstered in a sleek black and white cheetah fabric, they surround a contemporary marble table. An oversized modern painting boldly slices through the chair rail, a treatment that ratchets up the room’s interest-factor.
A luxurious tufted headboard, crisp ivory walls, and a modern crystal chandelier in the primary bedroom create a serene retreat.
A bold botanical print—“Artemis” from House of Hackney in ecru—papers the walls of a casual eating space where vintage meets modern. A brass ginkgo leaf chandelier creates a sculptural focal point and echoes the botanical vibe. Black spindle chairs offer a modern take on a classic design that pair well with the warm wood table with industrial-style legs.
Room to Room
To enhance the dining room aesthetic, Darden added a chair rail and base moldings she sourced from Home Depot, details that impart character without the hefty price tag custom millwork would command. She also hung an overscale light fixture to provide contrast to more delicate wall sconces. Walls are papered with a landscape mural in dark gray, but the wainscotting, in blue, adds an unexpected element. The furniture is a mix of new and old, with layers of art and accessories. “Being in Virginia, and in Ashland specifically, our home is in a traditional style, but I love the mix. I might pair something new and modern with a great older piece that I found at a local antique shop or on Facebook Marketplace,” she says.
Darden’s eclectic, sophisticated style is no more evident than in her living room. Featured on her book’s cover, the space is anchored by a pair of traditional sofas, upholstered in rich, moss-green velvet and studded with bold brass tacks. They’re positioned on either side of a white resin coffee table, its ribbed perimeter adding depth and detail. The rug’s simple geometric pattern is echoed in the sofas’ linear design as well as in the black-and-white fireplace. Meanwhile, twin gilt mirrors that flank the fireplace complement the wall sconces. Black elements are subtly repeated—in the firebox and fireplace surround, the round laquered table, and the generous French doors that bring the outside in. An enormous chandelier hangs in the center of the room. A predictable choice might have been gold or brass, but here Darden chose a multi-tiered beaded fixture that is unexpected—and just right.
The costliest redo was the primary bathroom, where Darden replaced the dull beige builder tile with luxe French marble. “I love the look of marble. It’s been used in hotels and homes for hundreds of years, and is a true classic,” she says, and admits to being inspired by the interiors of the Netflix shows Bridgerton and Versailles in equal measure.
She replaced the vanity countertop with black soapstone, added dentil ceiling molding, replaced the hardware with gold-brass fittings, and wallpapered the space in a toile pattern.
Tips for Success
“Every space I create focuses not only on the large items, but also on the details and accessories,” says Darden, adding that above all, comfort is key.
When she takes on a project, Darden’s goal is to thoroughly understand how her clients like to live. “I ask, ‘How do you feel about home? How does it feel when you’re there? Are you happy?’”—the same questions she considered when she and her husband embarked on their Ashland project.
And the outcome? “We love our home,” she says. “It’s a wonderfully cozy place, and we feel totally relaxed when we’re there.”
A sophisticated home office features celadon built-ins and a modern curved wood desk paired with a classic Windsor chair. A dramatic starburst light fixture crowns the space.
Valerie Darden’s new book, Beautiful Living, (Rock Point, 2024) answers every question you’ve ever had about how to make your home look professionally designed. It’s packed with visual guides, photographs, charts, and text that help any homeowner achieve high-end style through a seasoned pro’s tips and tricks of the trade.
This article originally appeared in the February 2025 issue.
