THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 2, 1994 TAG: 9409300074
SECTION: HOME PAGE: G1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARCIA MANGUM
LENGTH: Long : 155 lines
It's where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic.
The Old World style, materials and craftsmanship of internationally renowned Italian architect and designer Giorgio Vafiadis can be viewed this week on the shores of the Croatan section of Virginia Beach.
The approximately 8,000-square-foot Italian contemporary home of Ascher and Delores Chase at 548 S. Atlantic Ave. will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday for the House for All Seasons tour and fund-raiser, sponsored by the Virginia Beach City Union of the King's Daughters.
From its three-story marble entrance foyer to its rooftop patio tiles, the house resonates Italian styling. About 20 tons of Italian marble went into the home during its two-year construction period. It took six workers nearly three days to unload the container of marble when it arrived at the house, the home's original owner recalls.
Completed in 1989 by Dr. Alfred A. Flynn Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, the house was sold two years ago to the Chase family. ``The house sold itself,'' said Delores
Chase, noting that her family wasn't looking for a new house until they saw the Flynn home.
The oldest of the Chases' three daughters, Andrea, had recently graduated from college and asked her parents to help her find a place to live. The family had decided to look for a condo at the Beach, which they could all enjoy. ``That's how it started,'' Delores Chase recalls.
But the family's love for the ocean eventually led them to the elegant Flynn home and a new lifestyle by the sea, where the sunrise can be viewed from any of four porches or the rooftop garden, as well as from the master bedroom, sitting room, living room and other interior spaces.
The house combines the best of both worlds - Old and New - with its solid, authentic materials and its modern conveniences, such as an interior glass-walled residential elevator and a phone system that can accommodate up to 60 phones and serve as an intercom and paging system.
The marble, for example, was hand-selected in Italy by Vafiadis and was cut there using the architect's computer system to get precise sizing for use throughout the house on floors, walls, countertops and even shower-stall ceilings.
Likewise, the black and wine lacquer cabinetry, the gold-plated, recessed halogen lighting and the rich drapery fabrics were shipped from Italy.
As in Italian houses, there is no wallpaper in the home. Vafiadis instead used a Roman concept for marbelizing and texturing layers of paint to give a feel of permanence and solidity.
``The architect's attitude was `You've got to be authentic,' '' Flynn said. ``That's their concept of building - solid, less artificial and lasting.'' Vafiadis, who has a doctorate degree in Roman restorations, maintains offices in Houston and Italy and has designed other structures in Texas, California and Florida, but the Chases' home was his first Virginia construction.
According to Ultra magazine, Vafiadis' designs reflect a ``need for contemporary interiors that impart some sense of monumentality in today's fragmented world.''
Indeed, the monumentality of the Chases' home is apparent, from the three-story circular oak stairway with solid brass rails to the inlaid marble floor that looks like a dining room rug.
But comfort and convenience aren't overlooked, either. Each of the five bedrooms has its own bathroom, all done in marble with a built-in phone, TV hookup and hair dryer. The master bath, naturally, is even more elegant. It has a whirlpool tub with an ocean view, a two-headed shower stall, a sauna and a frieze on the wall.
The luxurious dark green leather sofas in the living room invite family and guests to relax, and a black lacquer bar area with built-in wine storage cooler is suited to entertaining.
Two central stereo systems fill the house, porches and rooftop with sound. Even the garages are on a grand scale, with two two-car garages, one air conditioned to house antique cars.
Every gilded mirror and frame and gold-leaf bathroom sink can be seen this week for a $3 donation. Proceeds will benefit the Seton House for troubled teenage girls and the Lend-A-Hand/Betty Anne Smolka Fund at Virginia Beach General Hospital, the hospital's discretionary fund for indigent patients and their families.
Those touring the home will have the opportunity to buy decorative pieces, baked goods and plants provided by the King's Daughters organization. Refreshments and raffle tickets also will be available. ILLUSTRATION: JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI/
Staff
In the dining room, an inlaid marble floor and lacquer furniture
carry out the Italian design.
JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI/Staff color photos
Delores Chase descends the three-story oak and brass stairway to the
marble-floated entry foyer in her Croatan home.
Delores Chase was drawn by the views, including the rooftop
panorama.
Color photo courtesy of Delores Chase
ABOVE: The Chase home, center, like its neighbors, fronts the
ocean.
BELOW: The architecture and furnishings reflect Italian design.
Photo
JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI/Staff
In the dining room, an inlaid marble floor and laquer furniture
carry out the Italian design.
Graphics
The ``House for All Seasons'' tour
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: 548 S. Atlantic Ave., Croatan section of Virginia Beach;
trolley service available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the South
Vanderbilt Street public parking lot. Parking at the house is very
limited.
HOW MUCH: $3; tickets available at the door
MORE INFORMATION: 481-6526 or 496-0420.HOME & GARDEN EDITOR
WHAT IS KING'S DAUGHTERS
The King's Daughters is an international charitable organization.
The Virginia Beach City Union of the King's Daughters consists of 11
clubs, or circles, with a combined membership of about 200 women.
Each circle raises money for the community, and several times a year
they join together to raise money, as with the fall home tour. The
Virginia Beach City Union aids about 50 to 100 charities annually,
according to Pat Johnson, publicity co-chairman. Last year the group
contributed between $60,000 and $70,000 to the community, with
approximately $7,000 of that coming from the home tour.
LOOKING AHEAD TO HOLLY HOMES
The annual Holly Homes Tour and Holly Ball, sponsored by the
Norfolk City Union of The King's Daughters, will be held Dec. 2-3,
and the Holly Festival of Trees will be Nov. 16-27.
The homes tour, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 and 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. Dec. 3, will be held in Lafayette Shores, one of Norfolk's
newest neighborhoods. The Holly Ball, at the Norfolk Waterside
Marriott, begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
The Holly Festival of Trees features reindeer, decorated trees, a
gingerbread village and visits with Santa. Trees will be on display
at Norfolk's Waterside marketplace. The festival also includes:
Gala and auction, 7-10:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Waterside; $30 per
person.
Breakfast with Santa, 10-11 a.m. Nov. 25, 26 and 27 at Waterside;
children $6, adults $7. Reindeer will be on display Nov. 25.
Breakfast reservations are required.
Proceeds benefit Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
For information or reservations, call 668-7098.
by CNB