2005 Washington Metro DC Chapter Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for Best Interior Renovation
Remember when retiring meant buying a house on a lake a fishing the day away? Well that was then and now, “Retirement Living” means something completely different. Our clients are living proof. Volunteer work and consulting have taken the place of the 9-5 job and travel and entertaining consume their “spare time”. Therefore, a change in work-life, meant a change in home style for this McLean couple.
Upon retiring from full times careers, our clients searched for a new home to suit their new lifestyle. After much thought and searching for other homes, they decided that they wanted to live in their existing home for their retirement years. They are located in a wonderful neighborhood on over one acre near downtown McLean. However, they wanted to make the home, where they had raised their two children, more conducive to their retirement lifestyle. The homeowners wanted a larger home office for all the consulting and volunteer work they would be doing, a first floor “get away” space for reading or watching TV, a larger Dining Room, Living Room, and outside deck for entertaining, an updated kitchen, a better organized master suite and new private guest quarters. With these new features, they could live more comfortably and productively, while at the same time provide private guest quarters for their children and grand-children when they visit.
Before rear elevation
The new rear elevation shows how part of the house was extended by just a few feet while the sunroom addition allowed for new guest rooms below
We recommended “repurposing” their existing three bedrooms on the first level to accommodate many of their lifestyle changes. One former child’s bedroom was turned into the home office. The other former bedroom was turned into a study for that “get away” space. The existing master bedroom was larger than it needed to be, but the bath and closet space were smaller than they needed to be. So, we took away some of the bedroom space and created a large walk-in closet. The bath was also reorganized to remove an unused whirlpool tub and install a large walk-in shower. Installing larger windows made the former master bedroom and bath space brighter with natural light. New cabinets and glass block completed the updated look in the master bath.
Before master bedroom was larger than it needed to be. The bathroom and closet were smaller than they needed to be.
The master bedroom is a little smaller to accommodate a larger bathroom and closet. It is still adequately sized.
The former master bath had an old unused tub
The new no-threshold shower replaces the old unused tub
To make the Dining Room and Living Room larger, we added three feet onto the back of the house. This was just enough space to create better circulation in these living areas. The addition of coffered ceilings and up-lighting made these spaces even more pleasant to be in. However, to make the living space even more useful, we added a sunroom off the dining room, to the back of the home. The sunroom has French doors leading to a larger deck that can accommodate a large outdoor dining table and chairs and a sitting area.
The smaller before living room was more cramped feeling
Bumping out the back of the house just few feet made a big different in circulation. New ceiling treatment really makes the space look polished.
Before the dining room had a view to the rear of the house
After, the transition from the living room, through the dining room and into the new sunroom is great for entertaining
The new sunroom is great first floor gathering space
Before deck was obstructed by a large bay window
Custom glass insert in the new iron deck railings make the look completely unique
After deck: we’ve removed the bay window and allowed for a more open walk way
The kitchen was renovated with new appliances, cabinets, lighting and décor, but the most functional addition to this space was the dumb waiter installed to bring groceries and other items from the basement/garage level to the first floor.
The before kitchen was looking a bit dated
After Kitchen is brighter and has better overall functionality
Before this former fireplace opening was used for some storage
The old fireplace opening was converted to wine storage
The addition of a dumb waiter helps with getting groceries from the lower level garage to the kitchen
The addition of the sunroom on the first floor allowed for additional space below it on the basement level. This new basement space is the perfect size for a new guest bedroom. With full size windows, you’d never know this space is in the basement. Adding the additional three feet in the Living Room on the first floor also allowed for an equal expansion in the basement family room below. This new basement space is an ideal living and entertainment space for guests. We also changed the ceiling lines and lighting in the basement to make the space more inviting.
The before basement was pleasant, but dark
The new basement guest area is very inviting. With the new wall of windows and doors, you’d never know you were in a basement.
The new guest room under the new sunroom is every guest’s dream room
For finishing touches, we were very conscious about how the newly renovated spaces related to the rest of the home. In order to tie it all together, three other elements were addressed. First, we created an entry courtyard in the front of the home. This new courtyard establishes a much more welcoming feel to the entryway. Secondly, the first part of the house you experience after the front door is the foyer. We added a coffered ceiling with up-lighting to mimic the living room and widened the passage way from the foyer to the Living Room. Lastly, with all the great new or renewed spaces in this home, we had to refresh the first floor guest bathroom.
Before foyer was dark and dated looking
We gave the foyer area a face lift with new ceiling treatment and up-lighting
The former family hall bath has been spruced up to become a true guest bathroom
