1936
When Doctor Flinn built this home in 1936, Rivermont Terrace did not exist, only Langhorne Road was in place. This is why Rivermont Terrace is only one short block in length and is also one reason why the house is in line with all other houses on the block.
Another reason this home stands out among others on the one-block stretch is that it is situated to face North, just like Virginia Baptist Hospital, which was built just 12 years before this house. As you drive around the block you will notice how both buildings face Rivermont Avenue, true North. If not for today's mature trees you can envision how it might have looked from the Avenue.
Doctor Flinn modeled parts of this homes floor plan to mirror his childhood home. For example, the library/office is sunken by two steps, adding unique character to this room and providing more than a foot of additional height to the already 10 foot ceilings throughout the main level of the home.
1953
In 1953, 1079 Rivermont Terrace changed hands from Dr. Flinn to the Stones, who loved and lived in it for nearly 50 years. Mrs. Stone was known for keeping pre-cooked homemade cookies in the freezer, ready to thaw and serve to guests and visitors at a moments notice.
2004
Converted a closet beneath the stairs on the main level to a half bath to prevent having to climb stairs to use the restroom while on the primary level of the home.
2008
The original terracotta waste water line collapsed and the full length was replaced with modern PVC from the basement to the street.
2009
The entire house had mint green trim and various shades of green throughout. The start of the multi-year effort to phase out all the dark and dated green began in the large foyer entrance. Changed the foyer and landing trim color to a more classic off-white; removed the dated and yellowed wallpaper, painted the walls a much brighter but soft and warm butter color; removed the emerald green carpet throughout.
2010
Gave the brick a fresh coat of paint in a softer creamy color from its former stark white color; painted the bright green tin roof black; changed the green shingles to a dark gray; painted and shingled the shed and covered parking to match the house.
2011
Removed the wall separating the kitchen from the butler/servant area, significantly expanding the size and enabling it to include an open bar seating area as well as allowing the kitchen to better flow to the dining room; updated the thermostat for the baseboard heater beneath the in-kitchen bar; created a beverage station with coffee maker, wine fridge, and beverage fridge; replaced the dated countertop with natural stone and the small double sink with a much larger stainless steel sink; replaced all appliances with stainless steel. Later (2021) changed the kitchen cabinet color from very dark brown to a much lighter color that matches the rest of the house trim.
Removed the dated wallpaper in both the dining room and living room and changed the trim color from mint green to that of the brighter off-white trim of the foyer; added moulding to the dining room walls; added french doors to the library/office; removed the old undersized mantle in the living room and replaced with a custom, floor to ceiling built-in with lighting and hidden electrical for TV/electronics; refinished the hardwood floors.
Removed the old musty wall-to-wall carpet in the basement and replaced with waterproof luxury vinyl planks; installed a sum-pump, dehumidifier, and replaced the in-wall exhaust fan with an air conditioner; removed the dated built-in red-top dry bar, increasing the square footage; removed the dated, stained drop ceiling and applied black-out paint to the exposed ceiling; more than doubled the amount of lighting and painted the dark walls a rustic distressed white to significantly brighten the overall space.
2012
Installed custom plantation shutters on the kitchen and bathroom windows, and matching 2" blinds on all other windows throughout the house.
Restored some of the original tile in the master bathroom; updated the vanity and sink; completely gutted the small exiting shower and nearly doubled the size, tiling it with a classic black and white to match the existing tile but modernized with a rain shower head, updated plumbing fixtures, and painted a spa blue.
2013
Refreshed and brightened the sunken office with new paint and the same trim color used in the rest of the house to transition out more of the old mint green.
2014/2015
Removed dated wallpaper and painted the master bedroom with a rich color and the same trim color used in the rest of the house; repurposed a large solid wood church door from downtown Lynchburg as a custom floor-to-ceiling king sized headboard.
Removed old wallpaper and painted remaining bedrooms with brighter and fresher colors.
2016
Completely gutted the guest bathroom down to the studs, including removing a large closet and large vanity cabinet, giving the once crammed overall footprint over a quarter more square footage; installed a large freestanding tub on the window side of the room overlooking Rivermont Terrace, a small sink, and a wall cabinet for storage. Style and materials selected to remain in keeping with the original home and the same spa wall color as the master bathroom.
2018
Added Superior brand Mossy Oak ventless, remote controlled gas logs to the fully functional wood-burning fireplace in the living room, added a gas stove to the screened porch as well as a black Hepplewhite gas stove in the basement, and installed a gas line to the grill just outside the kitchen door, eliminating the need for propane tanks.
Installed a custom pergola above the kitchen door and gas grill and established a chocolate vine for natural shade. The non-invasive vine was carefully chosen so as not compromise the integrity of the brick by climbing the way ivy does; it requires a structure to wrap around so it can be trained to go where you want and not where you don't want it. In late March/early April it produces fragrant white blooms.
2019/2020
Removed all radiators, sandblasted, and powder coated the same color as the trim throughout.
Installed solar panels on the roof as well as a Tesla Power Wall battery back up.
2022-Present
Professionally rehabilitated the lawn to remove weeds, thicken the grass, and planted a mixture of over 30 shrubs and trees ranging from small ornamental, such as the dwarf Japanese Maple beside the screened porch, to large hardwoods for future canopy shade.