Over the years, I have been a BIG fan of Southern Living Magazine. Call me “old school” for being Gen Z, but I have an annual monthly subscription to Southern Living Magazine and have for the past few years (maybe – it’s the grand millennial in me as a preppy + grand millennial blogger?!?!). SO, when I heard that the Southern Living Idea House was a thing and that the Idea House 2025 was about 2 hours driving distance from my house and near many Northern Virginia wineries, I KNEW I had to make a visit! Right before Thanksgiving 2025, I made the trek down to Keswick Hall near Charlottesville, Virginia to visit the Southern Living Idea House 2025.

In this blog post, I will share a bit about my experience at the Southern Living Idea House 2025 as well as a bit about visiting future Idea Houses.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting The Pink Chickadee.*

Find Accommodations in Charlottesville, Virginia

 

A Visit To The Southern Living Idea House 2025

Table of Contents

About the Southern Living Idea House

The Southern Living Idea House 2025

Photo Diary

About the Southern Living Idea House:

According to Southern Living‘s website, the Idea House is a “pinnacle of Southern home inspiration.” A custom home designed and put on to show off the latest interior design trends by Southern Living Magazine annually to reflect the current interior and home design trends, the Idea House changes location and interior design as well as designer each year. 2025’s Idea House was at Keswick Hall near Charlottesville, Virginia, and 2024’s Idea House was in the Kiawah River Community on Johns Island, South Carolina. Previous Idea Houses were in Tennessee (2023), North Carolina (2022), and Kentucky (2021).

The best part about the Idea Houses?!?! They are open to the general public via ticketed admission! Hence, how I was able to visit the Southern Living Idea House 2025!

It is also worth noting that all ticket sales go to a selection of local charities chosen by the magazine. At the same time, the Idea House has volunteer docents within each Idea House, where the number of hours they volunteer within the Idea House are matched in charitable donations. All in all, the Idea House is an incredible way to gain inspiration, feel inspired, and give back to some great causes.

The Southern Living Idea House 2025:

It is worth noting that the Southern Living Idea House 2025 is not currently open to the public via ticketed admission. It closed its doors to public viewing in December 2025.

The Southern Living Idea House 2025 is a custom home located on the property of Keswick Hall – well-known luxury resort and community of homes – was designed by Charlottesville-based interior designer Charlotte Moss of Charlotte Moss & Co. What I found very fascinating about Moss is that she worked for a couple of years in finance on Wall Street and lived in New York City where she became an interior designer and has since relocated to Charlottesville. Moss beautifully designed the Southern Living Idea House 2025, incorporating at least one unique DIY project/room including paper chains, a pine cone-lined Christmas tree (since Christmas was up when I went!), and flannel bed sheets-turned curtains, styling several colorful and vibrant prints in the same space, several beautifully sourced antique pieces from across the globe, and a polished plate rack to display china. Truly, the Idea House 2025 showcased not only Moss’s personality as a designer but also the epitome of color, personality, authenticity, and hospitality that I believe homes should bring to all who step foot.

Photo Diary: 

I will also note that when in the Idea House, I found that the docents onsite were extremely friendly! Usually, I get pretty nervous to bring my camera into spots such as the Southern Living Idea House, despite it being part of my job and passion as a blogger. However, the docents were super friendly, embraced the camera, answered all of my questions, and were just super kind and fun to talk to. So, thank you! 

Wrap-Up:

Getting to visit the Southern Living Idea House 2025 was truly a dream come true! As an interior design enthusiast who LOVES the grand millennial style, I found the Idea House to be a great destination to gather some inspiration, curate ideas for my own space, and brainstorm some new at-home DIY projects. Truly, Moss’s work inside the Idea House reminds us all that we can find innovation in every aspect and industry – including within our own homes. At the same time, I LOVE that I got to support local Charlottesville and Virginia nonprofits through the purchase of my ticket and visit. Truly, a great spot to spend an afternoon that benefits and brings joy to many!!

XOXO – Katie <3