Dancer’s Domain
Ma Cong choreographs an inviting blend of East and West in his Glen Allen family home
By Stephanie Ganz
Richmond Ballet Artistic Director Ma Cong and his husband, family lawyer Thomas Landrum, moved to Richmond from Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the end of 2021. After a brief experiment in condo living, the couple — who are fathers to 7-year-old twin boys — realized they needed a more traditional family home. In 2023, after touring a handful of properties, they discovered a house that gives them the space to nest as a family and to entertain friends. Drawing inspiration from their twins and by
a towering magnolia in the backyard, Ma and Landrum christened their home “Twins Magnolia.”
Ever the dancer at heart, Ma composes an intentional flow through the main floor of the home, blending his Eastern culture with his adopted Western culture in the choice of furniture and its placement. “It needs to feel right and not bug your eye,” Ma explains. “That’s part of the choreography for me.”
In designing the home, Ma prioritized an inviting atmosphere for the family’s frequent visitors. “I was born in China, so to host a big meal
Photos by Gordon Gregory Styling by Geraldine Duskin
and invite friends over is big,” Ma says. “Thomas, born and raised in Oklahoma, shares a very similar tradition, so we both love to entertain people, and we love to make our friends and family happy and make them feel like part of our story.”
The intuitive layout invites guests to linger at the kitchen island for a cocktail before meandering to the cozy dining room and eventually spilling over into the living room for after-dinner conversation. “Ma, being an artist, is all about how our guests feel when they come to our home,” Landrum says. “Our favorite thing is when people kick o their shoes whenever they come over for dinner. It's like the greatest compliment ever, because they’re just relaxing and having a good time.”
One of Ma’s first moves was to introduce neutral paint colors — a smoky gray in the dining room and sandy beige in the living room — to establish a slightly more masculine energy and provide a calm backdrop for the collection of bold abstract art that the couple amassed during their travels and their time in Tulsa.
Landrum says that he came to appreciate just how much of Ma’s spirit makes the home the way it is.
“He plays peaceful piano in the mornings. Whenever he makes his tea, you can smell it, or he has a candle going. It all surrounds you,” Landrum says. “I guess it’s not special about this house, but that’s what’s special about living with Ma. There’s a special story to tell, like a production, but very genuine. That’s what makes living in an artist’s home special — everything is very intentional.”
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a
of a TulsaPeople
Ma and Landrum purchased the oil paintings while traveling in Shanghai and brought the unstretched canvases back in their backpacks.
LIVING ROOM
In Chinese culture, the color orange conveys warmth, vitality and joy, and is a symbol of good luck. Ma balances the boldness with creamy neutrals.
MA CONG AND FAMILY
Ma and Landrum with their twins, Thomson and Mason. The poster behind them is
blow-up
magazine cover featuring Ma, then the resident choreographer at Tulsa Ballet.
KITCHEN
The cabinet, hand built with salvaged wood by Vangarde Woodworks, anchors a grouping that's fun and functional. The orange Kitchen Aid mixer, vintage Coca-Cola crate and Polish pottery bowls add pops of color and speak to meaningful family history, Lani says.
There's just something about Virginia,”
says Jake Cochran, drummer for the indierock duo Illiterate Light. His wife, Lani, agrees. Growing up in a military family, she moved often. But in Harrisonburg, where she and Jake (a NOVA native) met while studying at James Madison University, she found lasting community.
A decade later, they still loved Harrisonburg, but Nashville was calling. It was midway between their families and a good hub for the band. The move brought upheaval, including pandemic lockdowns and a devastating tornado, that ultimately fortified their creative resolve.
During that time, Jake and bandmate Jeff Gorman leaned into songwriting, recording their second LP, “Sunburned,” which SPIN Magazine named one of the best albums of 2023. Lani found rewarding work in a sprawling consignment store. “My favorite part was hearing the stories behind the pieces,” she recalls. Her background in anthropology gave her unique insight into how objects connect people to places, something intrinsic to her design approach.
While Music City was captivating,
River City charm was on their radar. Having toured and recorded here, Jake observed, “There’s something special about Richmond, and I think it comes down to the people. For some reason, Richmond opened their arms to us like no one else.”
“We finally decided to bring our lives here,” Lani says. Jake’s family was a significant draw; his parents and brothers now call Richmond home. Finding the perfect property in Forest Hill cemented their decision.
Behind the house, a backyard studio is Jake’s creative headquarters. His parents, both artists, instilled in him an appreciation for beautiful, livable spaces full of art, which also happens to be Lani’s forte. Sage green walls anchor the room, while instruments are equal parts equipment and sculpture. Persian rugs add warmth underfoot and provide a comfortable spot for their toddler, Riley, who loves to join in on jam sessions.
Steps away, the main house also strikes a balance between form and function. Rich wood tones are the base, from
LIVING ROOM
The common space is filled with instruments and vinyl records as a way to keep music interactive, Jake says. Naural wood shelving complements the Yamaha Piano and woodgrain Sansui Hi-Fi sound system and their always-growing collection of family art and artifacts.
the upright piano to the bookcases filled with vintage volumes, art supplies and favorite finds. Warm upholstery and textiles add retro-modern coziness, suiting the family’s lifestyle.
Their art collection features work by Richmond artist David Cochran, Jake’s father. Collected curiosities have been discovered while antiquing or handed down through generations. For the painting in the kitchen, Lani patiently stalked it at West End Antique Mall for months before bringing it home and styling it adjacent to a vibrant stand mixer. An artfully arrayed vintage hat collection includes one from Germany that her father won in a drinking game. Like notes in a score, these belongings represent memorable moments in the Cochrans’ shared composition.
MUSIC ROOM
Thibodeau covered sound-absorbing panels in fabric. She says the pink Stratocaster guitar was a custom made gift from Luke Cretzmeyer at Lindy Fralin, and the "Let It Leave" neon sign was a gift from Brian Barker at Barker Designs.
PIANO
The artwork on the walls is by friends and family. The "Long Live the Songwriter" banner was a gift from a dear friend. Thibodeau says she inherited the upright piano when moving out of Lucy Dacus' house.
“The first time I came to this house, I was so emotional because I could see how much love he put into it,” Thibodeau says. “When I moved in, it became a bit more colorful and flowery and filled with instruments. Anthony also has eclectic taste in art from when he was an art handler in New York. Both of our tastes have come together in a way that feels like us.”
No space, however, captures the intersections of their artistry and passions quite like the backyard. Last year, Rose fulfilled a childhood dream and built a mini ramp for skateboarding, which doubles as a stage for their intimate music venue, Flowerama. The couple invites friends and musicians to perform amidst an array of botanicals and twinkling café lights.
Flowerama was also the setting for Rose and Thibideau’s vintage Palm Springsinspired wedding in August, which was followed by a swim party and jam session at their neighborhood pool.
“I was able to create something and then
we were able to create something together by bringing bands in,” Rose says. “Now, it’s a magical space for the both of us. It made sense for us to celebrate our love with everybody and get married on the ramp.”
And that sunroom that first hooked Rose? It’s now Thibodeau’s music studio. She went maximal, leaving Rose’s collection of lush plants and lining the shelves with trinkets and “all the little things that make me happy,” Thibodeau says. There, she writes songs, holds band rehearsals, gives private lessons and records her music.
“When I moved in, Anthony told me to fill it with anything I want,” she says. “It’s where I spend most of my days, just making music.
“I thrive in that mentality where there are no rules, like we’re just going to go against the grain and have things that don’t necessarily belong together. When I have that going on in my space — in a room filled with light and plants and things that are alive and growing and changing — it cultivates that creative energy.”
On the outskirts of Woodland Heights,
musician Gary Kalar’s historic 1925 home sits just south of Forest Hill Park, an asset he doesn’t take for granted.
“I love living so close to such a beautiful park,” Kalar says. “We got really lucky getting in here when we did.”
Kalar and his wife Jasmin Vassileva, a research scientist at VCU, have called Richmond home since relocating from Chicago nearly a decade ago. Since then, the couple has split their time between Richmond and Vassileva’s native Bulgaria.
A talented multi-instrumentalist with a lengthy music career, Kalar has performed with a diverse lineup of musicians from all over the world and is known for his avant-garde, improvisational work on the guitar. Richmonders can currently catch him performing with local ensembles Miramar and Zarove.
While Kalar enjoys experimenting with many di erent sounds, he fell in love with Bulgarian and Turkish music as a teen after checking out a world music record from the local library. “It was like Cupid with
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Vassileva, who found the antique Chinese cabinet on eBay when living in Chicago, says that they were amazed when it was delivered to their third floor walk-up apartment without any problems by a man who had strapped it on his back and carried it up the stairs in hot August weather.
an arrow,” he says.
On the subject of Cupid, Kalar’s familiarity with Bulgarian music and culture also helped him score some first-impression points when first meeting Jasmin. “It was a really convenient icebreaker,” he says with a laugh. Bulgaria has also been a major source of design inspiration for the couple, who have embraced the cultural tradition of using saturated hues and ornately patterned textiles in their home while blending traditional elements with modern aesthetics.
“Bulgarian people generally have a very keen eye for design, and they’re very open to bold, loud, modern designs, especially in the city,” Kalar says. “So, on one hand, you have kind of this ultra-modern sensibility with colors and shapes, but it’s also an ancient country full of ancient things made from natural materials like wool and ceramics. That part of Bulgaria is definitely part of the style of our house.”
Nods to the Old World throughout the couple’s home includes collection of handpainted reproductions of medieval icons and a mobile crafted from a piece of old wood found in Quebec and antique Bulgarian cow and sheep bells. “We also have some ceramic pieces done in this kind of specific Bulgarian style that’s really beautiful and almost psychedelic-looking,” Kalar says.
While most of his acoustic instrument collection — including a drum set, a variety of guitars, and several stringed Bulgarian and Turkish instruments — is displayed on the main floor, Kalar keeps his electronic gear in the upstairs studio he playfully refers to as his “laboratory.”
“I do a lot of electronic stu with synthesizers and e ects and that kind of thing,” he says. “I have a little workbench where I do a lot of audio stu with computer recording, or writing and arranging more classical style stu with software.”
DINING ROOM
The walls are painted Sherwin Williams Dutch Cocoa, the ceiling in Blissful Blue and the trim in White Flour. The window treatment fabric is Kravet-Lee Jofa Leuven in Cielo and Arable Fabrics Sanfor Airo Opt White and the extendable dining table and Belvedere upholstered side chairs are from Williams Sonoma. The china cabinet is from Kenny Ball Antiques.
BOOT ROOM
The walls, trim and millwork are painted Sherwin-Williams Studio Blue Green and the ceiling is in Alabaster. The flooring is French Sarbonne Limestone from Versailles Surfaces. The antique console table is from Kim Faison Antiques and the stag head is from Charlotte Moss.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
The wallpaper is Holly Trellis, the window treatment fabric is Garden Club in Blue, both from Thibaut. The secretaire is from Kenny Ball Antiques. Inside the secretaire are florals by Vladimir Kanevsky and plates from Charlotte Moss. The Bamboo chair is from Heyday Antiques.
Home and Garden Events
House tours, design awards, mini-concerts and a conversation with a design icon
By Joan Tupponce | Illustration by Katie Pelikan
Sept. 10 Live at The Branch Mini-Concert Series: John Emil Join Americana singer/ songwriter and lap guitarist John Emil for an hourlong musical performance in the Main Gallery of The Branch Museum of Design. For tickets and info, visit branch museum.org.
Sept. 24 Modern Richmond Sender Vans Tour Join Modern Richmond for a tour of Sender Vans workshop in Scott’s Addition. The shop tour will include several of the company’s recent projects. Co-founders Peter Guyre and Joey Darragh will discuss their design ethos and talk about the modern materials and thought design that go into creating solutions for clients. Tour begins at 5:30 p.m. modernrichmond.org
FARTHER AFIELD:
Sept. 24 Conversations on Design with Charlotte Moss Join Charlotte Moss at Farm-
music at The
the House at Herring Creek, Fire Station 12, and celebrate regional design
ington Country Club near Charlottesville for conversations with design professionals Meg Bra , Lisa Fine, Alexa Hampton, Jane Scott Hodges and Suzanne Tucker. Limited availability for a tour of the Southern Living Idea House in the evening. All proceeds go to an interior design scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University. Event starts at 9:30 a.m. charlottemoss.com/events/ conversations-on-design
Sept. 26 to Oct. 26 Fall 2025 Curtain Call Consignment Sale This year’s Curtain Call sale will be held at the former JC Penney space in Regency Mall. Drop-o dates for items run from Sept. 26 to Oct. 5 (closed on Monday), and sale dates run from Oct. 10 to 26 (closed Mondays). Items accepted include sofas, dining room sets, decorative pillows and rugs, and more. For additional information, visit curtaincallrichmond.com.
Sept. 27 Autumn Pilgrimage House Tour
Organized by Westover Episcopal Church, the annual Autumn Pilgrimage House Tour has been a mainstay in Charles City County since 1954. This year’s tour includes Shirley Plantation, the House at Herring Creek, Burlington, Milton, Laurel Blu and Westover Church. The tour runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $60. Pre-purchase tickets available online. Lunches, $20 each, are also available for preorder from Sally Bell’s Kitchen. westoverepiscopalchurch.org
Sept. 27 - Oct. 19 Homearama Tour eight custom homes in the Chesterfield Summerlake community showcasing the latest in new home design trends. richmondhomearama.com
Oct. 15 Golden Hammer Awards
Celebrate the 2025 Golden Hammer Awards with host Historic Richmond at the Byrd Theatre. The awards have honored excellence in neighborhood revitalization projects throughout Greater Richmond since 2000 by recognizing professionals and community members who improve neighborhoods through restoration, adaptive reuse, new construction, placemaking and historic preservation. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit historicrichmond.com.
Oct. 18 Modern Richmond Fire Station 12 Tour Join Modern Richmond for a familyfriendly open house and tour of Fire Station 12 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Designed by Mosley Architects, the newest fire station in the city provides community meeting spaces in a sustainable LEED Silver-certified building. modernrichmond.org
Oct. 18 VAxDesign Awards Launched in 2018, this annual awards program at The Branch Museum of Design recognizes visionary thinking and patronage in the design fields that help broaden recognition and appreciation for architecture and design throughout Virginia. 6 to 9:30 p.m. branchmuseum.org
Hear
Branch Museum; tour
