2017 Washington Metro DC Chapter Contractor of the Year (CotY) Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for Best Residential Addition
These homeowners wanted a more spacious and comfortable family room and open floorplan. They also wanted a larger kitchen with counter eating area and outdoor dining near the grill area. Lastly, they wanted a space that could be a home office or extra family room on the lower level. Part of the existing home was repurposed to meet these needs. New space was added to create the spacious feel desired. The addition transitions smoothly to the new porch adjacent to the grill area. Below the new family room is a room that can be either family room or home office.
Before floor plan was typical 1970s Colonial with formal rooms very seldom used that took up a lot of square footage.
After floor plan, we have repurposed those formal spaces and added space for more gracious family living.
Before basement did not allow for the husband to have a workshop and the wife didn’t have a needed home office separate from the existing one her husband used.
With the added family room above, they didn’t need as large a rec room. So, the AFTER basement has repurposed the rec room to be “his” workshop. The new space added to the basement will be her home office and/or flex room. Note also, the storage area that opens to the back yard for garden supplies.
3D Rear Elevation Before
3D Rear Elevation After
Before Rear Elevation: In a typical 1970s community, this home no longer met the needs of it’s owners.
After: A rear addition gave owners space for a more gracious and open floor plan on the main level and a home office/extra family room on the basement level. A new screened porch allows for bug-free outdoor living.
Before: Side elevation shows garage and door accessing the former mudroom. The homeowners and their guests never use their front door. So, creating a more inviting informal entry to the home was a priority.
After: Entry door accessing new mudroom is now part of the coverage porch. The porch also allows for a grilling area at the far right end and outside access to the new screened porch; in addition to adding a covered entry way it also adds architectural interest to the home.
Before: The kitchen was small and dated.
After: Kitchen is much larger and better organized. A large island facilitates easier baking (owners love to bake), and a counter top for casual dining and visiting with the cook is ideal for the family. A beverage/serving area keeps guests from being underfoot in the kitchen prep area.
Before: The family room was cramped and poorly organized; the fireplace and exterior doors made furniture placement a challenge.
After: The addition expands the footprint to allow for a very generous family room. High ceilings made it seem even more spacious and the multitude of windows and skylights bring in lots of natural light… while still being connected to the kitchen.
Before: The back wall and one small window made the kitchen dark and feel more cramped.
After: Removing the back wall and replacing it with lots of windows helped the kitchen feel more open and light. Light, natural colored Cambria counter tops make the space feel more spacious as well. Pendant lights in bronze accent the space and provide attractive task lighting.
After: A separate beverage/serving area with space for dining room storage (china and glassware) helps to keep guests out of the kitchen prep area. The back splash in this area and in the kitchen is linear glass mosaic tile.
After: Granite with a leathered finish on the island makes setting down hot cookie sheets safe and clean up easy. Cabinets are stained Adler in a slightly darker tone than the perimeter cabinets.
Avid bakers, the homeowners love the ability to just “pop up” the heavy stand mixer and it no longer takes up counter space.
After: This busy family buys a lot of bulk food to cut down on the number of shopping trips needed. This new, large walk-in pantry meets their needs for big box storage on custom job-built shelves.
A French Door refrigerator allows for proper clearance when the door are open.
Before: The dining room was closed off to the rest of the house. The space was rarely used and became a “catch all” space.
After: A new direct vent corner fireplace with grey stone surround denotes the transition from the family room to the new dining room (former family room). We were able to match the existing oak hardwood flooring to the original home and finished them with a weathered oak finish.
After: The new dining room is integrated into the open floor plan. On the left side of this remodeled wall fireplace, there is an opening to the family room to allow natural light to come into the dining room. The position of the new gas logs is where the former family room log burning fireplace existed. Contemporary linear gas logs are surrounded by stacked slate and have reflective copper colored glass rocks for a touch of elegance. A pewter chandelier on a dimmer switch allows for differing lighting schemes while dining. A built-in buffet area with storage is perfect for serving.
The porch was small before and the door from the house was in the middle of the family room wall, taking up a lot of rear wall space. After: The addition allowed us to move the doors, allowing for more space in the family room. Hardie board and batten panels, painted white, add a feeling of openness. The color reflects light and makes the space seem even more light filled.
After: The new screened porch has plenty of space for a dining and sitting area. The homeowners says they get so much more use from this new screened porch because it is larger and has better egress to the outside and inside. Stained tongue and grove 1X6 wood ceiling boards provide contrast to the white trim and railing. The flooring is IPE and was selected due to its warmth and natural finish.
The screened porch was only accessible from the family room and back yard before. After: The new side covered porch provides a more convenient circulation from the driveway; as well as, from the backyard and new family room addition.
There was no mudroom before, you entered directly into the laundry room from the driveway. There was no room for coats or storage. After: The renovation allowed for a proper mudroom with bins, hooks, cabinets and a coat closet. A motion sensitive light switch was added to room for extra safety when entering the home at night. This room is attractive enough for guests to enter!
After: The addition added enough space for a walk-in laundry room and sink area; a room directly next to the new mudroom separated by a pocket door.
There is plenty of cabinet space for soaps and cleaning supplies.
After: The addition on the main level made it possible to add a basement level room below. The homeowners wanted to keep the former brick exterior wall in place as a feature wall.
For now, this additional basement space is an extra entertainment room but will be a future home office.
After: Lastly, with the rest of the main level completely renovated, the powder room was given a face lift with a new 30” vanity in aged oak and an aqua mosaic tiled mirror.
A crystal pendant light adds a touch of whimsy and casts an interesting pattern on the walls.
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.
