Tucked away on a winding back road in the horse country of Virginia, this grand and beautifully restored farmhouse is home to longtime equestrian champions and horse enthusiasts. A rambling network of stables, training rings, paddocks and meadows make up this well-laid-out equestrian paradise, all of which is centered around a late 19th-Century Federal Revival farmhouse.

A rambling network of stables, training rings, paddocks and meadows make up this well-laid-out equestrian paradise, all of which is centered around the compound's primary building, the restored 19th-Century farmhouse.

In the foyer, visitors are greeted by a tastefully curated palette of clean white and subtle gray — an effective preview of the visual motif seen throughout the renovation — pleasingly offset by the contrasting dark-stained wood of the wood floors, stair treads and banister. Decorative accessories pay homage to the equestrian themes seen throughout this Virginia horse-country farmhouse, including a horse-head sculpture and authentic leather bridle and snaffle bit. The tasteful, understated look of the space also sets the tone for the design and color motif seen throughout the home.

The home's entry and foyer set the stage for the home's purposefully unified interiors with a bright, neutral palette and crisp, clean aesthetic. The traditional front door with arched window and brass hardware, painted matte black, offers contrast to the white and gray vertically striped wallpaper and pale blue accessories — all tied together nicely with a light, subtly patterned hallway runner. And a distinguished looking Weimaraner offers canine greetings, reinforcing the home's friendly, welcoming vibe.

Other highlights of the living room's design and decor include corbels and column style surround for the fireplace mantel, all painted in uniform white, a pair of pouf ottomans in color-coordinated pale blue and a large fiddle leaf fig to add a splash of green.

The living room exudes a distinctly bright and fresh ambiance, with white wall paint, trim and fireplace accented with upholstered chairs and sofa in the palest of powder blue — all combining to create an ambiance that's somewhat formal but also inviting, cheerful and uplifting.

For the dining room, designer Sara Hillery fashioned a space that feels bright, open and cheerful with a dash of whimsy. Upholstered dining chairs pair pale blue and lavender shades — pastel tones that tie in nicely with the patterned wallpaper and framed art. A statement chandelier illuminates the space and provides a visual focal point, and the room opens onto the adjacent living space through French doors. A goal of the design was to respect the formal layout of an old house built in the 1800s — something Sara values in all of her historic projectz — but yet to give it a sophisticated revival that's meant for 21st Century living.

The well-appointed home office maintains the overarching color palette seen throughout the home's design, marked by elements of pale blue and gray against a backdrop of bright white. Accents in this space include a plain and streamlined solid-white work desk, a trio of armchairs upholstered in white and a hexagonal ottoman in light blue-gray. The framed art above the fireplace is framed using a matte in soft blue, tying in visually with the ottoman and other accessories. Custom lighting includes twin sconces above the mantel and an overhead fixture with a stylized parasol-shaped shade, and a pair of large windows, with full-length white window treatments, ensure plenty of natural light.

The brilliant white of the home office's mantel and wall paint are counterbalanced by a touch of warmth from the exposed brick of the fireplace surround and a beautiful vintage rug in soft, neutral tones. Rather than leaning into bold colors and busy pattern-play that's so often seen in traditional style homes, designer Sara Hillery pulled her palette from the outdoors, letting the colors of the home's surrounding fields and orchard provide balance with the neutral hues of blues and soothing greens selected for the interior.

The selection of the right piece of art can help define the character of a living space. Though art should be valued appreciated on its own, not simply as another decorative furnishing to match the color of the wall paint, finding just the right piece for a space -- in terms of size, color, subject matter and vibe -- can sometimes make a room . Here, designer Sara Hillery features a large-format landscape painting, and presents it in a manner that makes for a true aesthetic focal point. The painting seen here in the living room is highlighted by pastel blues and subtle greens, and the artist's depiction is suggestive of natural light and open space. The painting is displayed against a white backdrop, illuminated by a gallery light and paired effectively with the room's decorative pieces -- like the powder blue upholstered sofa and matching pale-blue table lamps.

In the primary bedroom, the soft and subdued palette of white and shades of pale blue helps retain the tranquil motif seen throughout the interior renovation. An upholstered headboard in dusty blue, color-coordinated throw pillows and dust ruffles along with twin dresser-style side tables create visual unity that helps ground the space.

After working closely with the home's owners, designer Sara Hillery created a design plan for a truly modern farmhouse interior that retains nods to tradition and the home's history. Soft, layered textures and a color palette favoring white, pale blues, soft grays and neutrals, create a fresh and comfortable vibe in the newly updated living spaces.