Featured in Arlington Magazine’s Fall 2019 Issue on Multi-Generational Homes
The original rambler, where the homeowners raised their one daughter, is now a multi-generational home. Now, the aging homeowners, their daughter and her husband, and their two grandsons live together in harmony. We created a unique architectural plan where both arms of the family have their own private spaces but can be together when they want; to share in the care of the grandkids and… parents as they age. Their home is now being used as an example of a great option for aging in place in their county.
Before: The original family rambler front elevation
After: The two story multi-generational home
The before family rambler was a typical one-level, three bedroom home. What it didn’t have in space and appearance, it made up for with great memories.
The After home meets both family’s needs under one new Mansard roof. While the four adult decision makers all had different tastes; the Italianate two-story home was a style they all wanted included in their design. We painstakingly designed and built column details and brackets they appreciated.
Before: First Floor Plan
The after first floor plan demonstrates the two separate living spaces. From the front entry foyer, one can either go straight into the Daughter’s family space or turn left and go the Parent’s apartment. (Red outline denotes Parent’s apartment)
After: Second Floor Plan. The new upper level of the home accommodates the Daughter’s family bedrooms. A master for she and her husband and two kid’s rooms for their sons.
After: Basement Plan. The basement is accessible from both sides of the house. A recreation room, full bath, laundry, office and loads of unfinished storage space creates a bounty of functionality.
Starting from the front door, go straight from the front entry foyer and you enter the Daughter’s family side of the home.
From the foyer, you are welcomed into the front living room with a view of the dining area beyond.
From the living room, you step to the dining room that connects to the kitchen. The chandeliers emulate antique French lighting.
The Daughter’s family kitchen is beautiful and functional. The island accommodates food prep and a casual eating area. The 36″ Bertazonni gas range focal point of the kitchen. Petite orb pendants are from Ballard Design. The use of bright blue in the island compliments the special backsplash. Tops are Alpha White Granite.
The peacock backsplash was ordered from Italy and really adds to the range being a focal point.
Glass front display cabinets add functionality and beauty.
French doors, open to a deck, connect the Daughter’s kitchen to the Parent’s apartment.
Upstairs the Daughter’s master suite is an ample size. An antique bronze chandelier is a focal point in the room.
The master bathroom houses a walk in shower with charcoal colored 12 X 12 tiles on the walls, 2 X 2 floor tiles and river rock mosaic in the niche. The matte finish of the tile contrasts well with the polished chrome fixtures. Luxury 12 X 24 vinyl tile flooring in light gray completes the look at a great price and functionality.
A 66″ white and dark gray claw-foot tub provides a nice soaking feature. A hand-held body spray makes it even more useful.
The master bathroom has a double-bowl vanity and lots of open shelving. The space is full of functionality and looks great.
While the upper level has two kids’ rooms, the young sons still like sleeping in the same room.
With both boys sleeping in one bedroom, the second bedroom can be used as this really cool play room!
The kids bathroom is simple and practical.
The four piece tongue and groove wall and tub is super easy to clean.
The mudroom connects the garage to the kitchen in the Daughter’s side of the house. This dedicated space helps to keep clutter under control.
The basement laundry room has plenty of space for storage and folding. The cabinets and counter tops were repurposed from the original rambler’s kitchen. A laundry shoot (seen on the upper left wall) makes getting dirty clothes from the upper levels easy.
The basement is a great shared space. Armstrong’s “Rural Reclaimed” vinyl planks in russet create a warmth in this space; but are very practical.
Let’s go back to the front entry and take a left into the Parent’s Apartment.
To the left down the entry foyer is the main entrance to the Parent’s Apartment. The apartment has a proper exterior door that can be locked.
The Parent’s Living Room is just the right size for the two of them and a few guests.
It was important for the Parent’s to have their own kitchen so that the families truly had privacy most of the time. Notice the peacock backsplash behind the stove. It is thematically similar to the one in the Daughter’s kitchen; also brought in from Italy.
The Parent’s Master Bedroom is just the right size for them.
Having an en-suite bathroom with a low threshold shower is even more important as we age. The bathroom was designed to accommodate people with physical disabilities if needed. 4 X 10 subway tiles in soft gray in the shower are easy to keep clean. Luxury vinyl tiles were used on the floor. They are best cost, functional, attractive and anti-slip.
The Parent’s Apartment vanity is topped with a simple marble, but the mirror reflects the beautiful accent feature in the shower… 8″ X 8″ Gaia Bourges Isola tiles in a blue and green pattern.
We were thrilled to work with this family to help them achieve a multi-generational home. We are even more excited that their county is now using this home as an example of an appealing option to aging in place.
Award Winning Remodelers in Northern Virginia – Bowers Design Build has specialized in providing the best overall experience in the remodeling industry since 1990. Bowers Design Build specializes in Northern Virginia Remodeling and Northern Virginia Custom Homes. Our numerous industry remodeling awards have been great, but the true measure of our success has been high marks in overall customer satisfaction
Service areas: McLean, Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, Oakton, Great Falls, Alexandria, Fairfax County and Middleburg.
Specializing in: Northern Virginia New Custom Homes, Northern Virginia Whole House Renovations, Northern Virginia Kitchen Renovations, Northern Virginia Master Bathroom Renovations, Northern Virginia Interior Renovations, Northern Virginia Basement Renovations, Renovations for Aging-in-Place and Northern Virginia Outdoor Living Spaces.
