Designed for the Test of Time: Architect Julie Dixon shares why Hardie® products became an essential part of the 2025 Southern Living Idea House near Charlottesville, VA. Julie Dixen wanted the home to feel timeless and rooted in its Virginia setting. She drew inspiration from historic farmhouses and the natural landscape: “We wanted the architecture to nod to the history of this place and to embody a casual elegance that defines the Keswick community.” Dixen selected Hardie® fiber cement for its durability, low maintenance, and ability to withstand Virginia’s varied climate. It also offered the aesthetic flexibility needed to achieve the traditional look she envisioned. It also most closely resembles historic wood siding, says Dixon. “The options it adds from a design perspective are real,” she says. “I’ve never used any other fiber cement siding products, and I wouldn’t. Hardie® Artisan® is the only lap siding material that has the depth I’m after.” Check out more Q&A in the ...