Whether he's wearing a tailored Canali suit at work as chief leadership officer and president of Charles Luck Stone Centers or relaxing on his Chris-Craft boat, authenticity and craftsmanship are of utmost importance in Mark Fernandes' life. So when Fernandes bought property on Lake Anna 11 years ago, he wanted a finely crafted home that fit the pastoral landscape. He and wife Lynn settled on a New England-style farmhouse and had it built by Derek Dequaine of Lake Country Homes.
About two years ago, growing tired of always wishing they were at the Lake Anna house, Mark and Lynn decided to make it their full-time residence. Simplifying their home life has extended to their décor, which is streamlined like the architecture: "It's about restraint," Mark says. "There's always a tendency to want to hang one more picture. … When you have [just] a few things, people will appreciate them more. It has a calming effect." The landscaping reflects that simplified aesthetic as well, with only grass, no flowers or foundation plantings. "In a place like this, the lake is the landscape," Mark says. "It's not about a lot of extra things."
Chris-Craft Boats
"It's the oldest boat brand in the country," Mark says, adding that even though new Chris-Craft boats like his are often made of fiberglass, they still recall the shapes, fittings and finishes of the company's original designs.
Photos
Fernandes opts for extra-thick, white museum mats with beveled edging for his Chris-Craft photos.
Upstairs Patio
Mark and wife Lynn often start the day with coffee on their upstairs patio: "It's just a different feeling when you're up high on the water."
Church Pew
Strategically placed antiques, including a few church pews, add to the farmhouse atmo- sphere in the Fernandes home. "There's nothing really fancy here. We keep it really simple."
Turkish Scabos Travertine
Mark found this stone at a trade show in Venice and used it throughout their guesthouse. "Most travertines are light and pale. I like this one because of its darker orientation."
Arroyo Craftsman Lamps
Mark chose these handcrafted lamps, which appear throughout the house and carriage house, because the botanicals on the shades have a hint of Asian influence, common in Mission décor. He selected custom colors for the metal and glass.
Farm Table With Philippe Starck Bar Stools
The table, also made from reclaimed wood by Mountain Lumber, was created by Hank Bilek, a sixth-generation cabinetmaker with Renaissance Cabinet Shop in Louisa. Mark paired it with brushed-aluminum stools, among the few pieces that highlight his love for modern design.
Boathouse
Before the main house was built, the Fernandeses built their boathouse so they'd have somewhere to hang out until the house was finished. It serves as a place to relax in the summer, a home for Dobermans Dixie and Max, and a place to keep Mark's boats.
Loryn Brazier Art
Mark loves the "barn look" these paintings portray in warm, calming tones.
Mountain Lumber Floors
The wood for the floors in the Fernandes home came from a barn in West Virginia. "You can see the nail holes. It's as authentic as it can be."
Mission Furniture From Warren Hile Studio
Mark had collected so many pieces from the California furnituremakers that he had to knock down a wall and add a dining room to fit everything. "It's all mortise-and-tenon joinery."
