Every Home Has a Story- 114 Worksop
When Barbara and David Harman were moving to Williamsburg from Annapolis, Maryland, they knew they wanted a home on a golf course with no golf cart paths in the front or back yards. In 1995, they decided to build at 114 Worksop in the sought-after community of Ford’s Colony. Nestled on a quiet street with only eight other homes, the Harman home overlooks the golf course and is situated on a Par 5 Fairway that ends at the clubhouse. The Harmans say it is an easy walk across the fairway to the cart path that takes you to the clubhouse.
While the Harman’s say their home has been an absolute joy through the years, they are both in their 80s and have decided to start the next chapter of their lives by moving to the retirement community of Patriot’s Colony. Though the couple is looking forward to everything their new home will have to offer, there’s a lot that they will miss when they leave 114 Worksop. While the home was built by the Harmans more than 25 years ago in accordance with their requirements, it looks brand new due to the couple’s constant maintenance and updates.
When the Harmans designed the home in the 1990s, they were thinking ahead of the curve when they decided to go with an open floorplan. Traditionally, homes in Williamsburg have a lot of walls and separated rooms, but they wanted everything to flow.
The downstairs also features a dining room, large living room, master bedroom with master bathroom and a second large bedroom with its own bathroom. All of the bedrooms in the home feature large, custom closets. The master bathroom boasts granite countertops, a remodeled shower and new tile flooring.
A tucked away staircase off of the kitchen takes you upstairs to a large bedroom with its own bathroom, offering ample privacy. The bedroom also features two storage spaces with updated lighting. The living room opens up to a brick deck overlooking the golf course, and a retractable awning with wind sensors provides an easy, remote controlled way to get instant shade during the hotter months.
While the Harmans love the natural light that fills the home, they installed transparent blinds on all of the windows in the kitchen, den, living room and upstairs bedroom, offering the light to still shine through but providing the same privacy of blinds. The blinds are unique in that you can see out of
them, but you can’t see inside. The master bedroom features plantation blinds that can shut out the light when needed.
The outside of the Harman home resembles something out of a magazine. All of the outdoor wood has been replaced with hardy plank and painted, and the front and back porches were redone with fiberglass railings. The front door was also updated to have a more colonial appearance.
David says landscaping has always been very important to them, as they love trees, shrubs, plants and grass. “We update the landscaping twice a year, replacing all dead trees, shrubs and vegetation, in addition to mulching,” David says. “The sprinkler system has been updated to include a new computer and wireless rain sensor as well.”
A major point of pride for the Harmans is their pristine garage, which features built-in cabinetry, a sink and floor covering and refrigerator. It is spotless and spacious, providing the perfect, clean space to keep their cars out of the elements. The updates made by the Harmans during their time at 114 Worksop have been extensive, and include new windows, new roof and copper flashing, a 20KW backup generator system for the entire house, new HVAC with two-fuel system (gas/electric) and electronic controlled humidifier, and separate thermostats for the upstairs and downstairs.
The Harmans haven’t skipped a beat through the years. In addition to making basic updates when needed, they have also installed new technology when appropriate, including installing a dehumidifier and lighting in the crawl space, as well as a PUR Water Filtration System for the entire house, also located in the crawl space.
One of the aspects of living in Ford’s Colony that the Harmans have appreciated the most through the years has been the sense of security that comes with living in a gated community. In addition to the gates and security, the Harman’s also installed a home security system. Knowing they would be listing the home for sale, the Harmans thought ahead and had the walk way around the house constructed, washed and sealed in 2018, house and fencing painted in 2018, and all cracks repaired and expansion boards replaced in the driveway and walkway in 2019. The front and back porches are low maintenance being that they are both brick with fiberglass railings.
The front porch also features ceiling fans for relaxing in the shade on a sunny day enjoying the quiet street. The Harmans have lived in more than a few homes during their marriage, but they have lived at 114 Worksop longer than any of them. “We love that it is open, but still small enough to be cozy,” says Barbara. “I love how I can follow the light around all day. That is why I don’t have curtains or blinds.” Despite having neighbors close by, Barbara says she has always loved how private the house is. “It
took us years to get the landscaping where it is today, but it provides natural privacy. Our neighbors are great. We all get together during the summer for a block party for just our little street. Everyone kind of does their own thing but we also get together from time to time.”
As a golfer, it was exciting for David when they moved Ford’s Colony. “I love the tournaments and getting together with friends to play a round of golf.” As for Barbara, she just loves watching the golfers play from the comfort of her back deck. Barbara says what she will miss most about living at 114 Worksop is her porches and fireplace. “I love getting up early and having coffee by the fire,” she says.
While Barbara enjoys staying active at Ironbound Gym and the James City County Recreation Center, she and David also enjoy walking the trails in Ford’s Colony. “It’s like meditation,” says Barbara. “It’s so beautiful.” Ford’s Colony has an array of amenities for its residents to enjoy, including the golf course, tennis courts, pools and various clubs. Barbara is a member of the neighborhood Bible study, and they both enjoy being members of the Ford’s Colony Country Club where they gather with friends and neighbors.
Both David and Barbara agree that their favorite thing about the house is the natural light and windows. “It’s like living outside,” says Barbara. “It’s a very happy, cheery house.” Barbara also says that she loves that her kitchen opens into the same room as her den, so she is able to watch TV while cooking. Though the Harmans will soon say goodbye to their home of the last 25 years, they are excited for their new chapter and for a new family or couple to come in and enjoy the home that they have put so much work into.
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