As Seen in Home & Design Magazine January 2023 Issue
This home’s 1984 styling needed an update. Having recently built a new, second home at a South Carolina beach, it was hard for the family to come home to a lack-luster house. Knowing that this is their long-term primary home, it only made sense to do a total refresh of the space… bringing in a feeling of “beach house Zen” while altering the floor plan to make the space work better for their family of four. The family wanted to minimize formal spaces and maximize informal spaces, including renovating the kitchen for better circulation. They wanted the space to be open, organized, light-filled, comfortable and “beach Zen”.
BEFORE – MAIN LEVEL: The Living Room and Dining Room were large spaces that were largely unused. The Living Room was oddly shaped, difficult to furnish and therefore, not very functional. Likewise, the family room was awkwardly shaped AND the hallway was a collection of nonsensical doors.
AFTER – MAIN LEVEL: The more formal living and dining spaces were combined to create a Dining Room/Parlor; creating a much better scaled and usable space. Combining these spaces allowed the former dining room space to be absorbed into a larger, more functional kitchen space. A portion of the family room and the hallway and powder room areas were completely re-imagined allowing for a more usable family room and the creation of a mudroom/laundry area with tons of functionality. The relocated powder room is functional and private.
Before: Entry way was dated and not very inviting.
After: The entry way is lighter and brighter. New lighting, paint color and more neutral stair runner/carpet create a more inviting motif.
A larger opening to the new dining room/parlor to the left can be cordoned off by closing the new glass pocket doors.
Before
After: The front door was replaced with a larger, more modern unit. The client wanted more light in the entry way. A partial glass door and large glass sidelites helped to solve this problem.
Before: The before living room was largely unused and oddly shaped, making it difficult to furnish.
After: The combined dining and parlor area is a much better scale and more conducive to the smaller formal gatherings favored by the client.
Before
After: The dining/parlor combination room is a better utilization of space.
Before
After: Given that the dining/parlor room’s purpose is to be an adult “get away” space while entertaining; replacing the before large opening with a smaller passageway (with a solid pocket door) helps to create a sense of privacy and intimacy. The before “dental” crown moulding has been replaced with a multi-piece, more modern crown painted in Ben Moore Cotton White.
Soothing colors create the sense of “beach” calm that the homeowners wanted. Wall color is Ben Moore Pale Oak. Floor stain is a custom combination of Tidalwood and Shipyard hues. The Arhaus Aubrey Chandelier creates dramatic ambiance.
The new, expanded kitchen looking into the dining/parlor room. Glass transom over the door allows for light to pass through even if pocket door is closed.
Before: The before kitchen was dark and dated.
After: The after kitchen includes the “before” kitchen and dining room footprints. This combined larger space allows for a better organized, functional kitchen with better circulation… and it is also beautiful! Note: The client wanted to be able to see the TV from the kitchen.
Before
After: The small island with cooktop and range did not meet the clients’ need. A larger, prep and eating island was installed to increase functionality. Perimeter cabinets are Crystal Cabinets in Decorator White while island cabinets are Terra Taupe. Tops are quartz Callacata Valentini. All colors were chosen to bring that sense of “beach calm” into the renovated kitchen.
Before
After: The “after” renovated space allows for a wall of functionality: From right to left… 30” Thermador Masterpiece combination speed wall ovens • 30 X 84 Thermador Column Refrigerator and 24 x 84 Column Freezer with Custom Panels • New Pantry details are on next slide.
Before: The before pantry was tucked into a crowded corner.
After: The after pantry provides lot of storage space with easy roll-out shelves and drawers below. The lighted glass panels above help to make the room even brighter and pleasant.
While the finishes are beautiful, they are also functional. Circa Darlana Pendants in Aged Iron have no glass to keep clean. Roca Conestoga 3 X 12 tile in Tender Gray is easy to maintain. The accent back splash above the range is Roca Rock Art framed with polished chair rail tile.
The island seating area was specifically designed to accommodate these rattan seat stools from South Carolina. The rest of the island is 100% usable storage on all sides.
Thermador Professional Series 36 Inch Natural Gas Rangetop is flanked by two deep storage roll outs and two deep storage drawers.
Kohler’s Whitehaven Farmhouse Undermount Cast Iron Kitchen Sink with Brizo Faucet and Brizo Cold Water Dispenser.
Before: The before breakfast area and passageway to the family room was narrow.
After: By moving the powder room from the center of the home to a spot adjacent to the mudroom, we were able to remove that wall and open the space up to be more gracious and light-filled.
Before
After: Another close-up photo of how repurposing the “hallway/powder room” space was an innovative way to capture more space for the kitchen, breakfast room and family room.
The renovated space is more connected and light-filled.
The “after” breakfast room and family room are so much more aesthetically pleasing. Ben Moore Agreeable Gray paint color is used throughout the kitchen, breakfast area and family room for a contiguous feel. New modern crown moulding is throughout the space as well.
Additional recessed lighting has been added and a new modern, open metal, bronze light fixture helps to accentuate the breakfast area. Note: There is a new exterior door leading to a new exterior screened porch. The porch is not included in this project profile.
Before: The before family room was awkwardly shaped, making it hard to furnish. A door to the back hallway didn’t make sense.
After: Reallocating the rear part of the family room to the mudroom/laundry room was not only an innovative way to make the family room more usable, but it allowed the development of a more gracious mudroom/laundry room. (Mudroom highlighted in upcoming photos)
Before
After: We resized the hearth area to make it a better scale in the new space. A built-in beverage center was also added to make the space more functional. The “eye-ball” lights were replaced with more and better placed recessed lights.
Before: The before laundry room was located between the hallway and the garage.
Before: There was no dedicated mudroom.
After: By stealing space from the family room, we were able to create a spacious laundry and mudroom room with clean lines, lots of storage and functionality.
Before
After: In addition to stealing space from the Family Room, we also shift the door to make more room for the laundry equipment and folding area. The new space is larger, more attractive and better organized with the ability to store cleaning and paper products behind cabinet doors. Stacked full-size GE washer/dryer is a space saver. Recessed lighting replaced the old florescent ceiling lights. Porcelain tile flooring is perfect for this high-traffic area.
Crystal Cabinets in Cotton White are both beautiful and functional.
Cabinets are designed to accommodate shoes, hats, and hanging clothes on a bar or hooks. Dessert Silver Silestone is the perfect, easy to clean, material for the countertops.
Before: The “before” powder room was in the middle of the house.
After: Relocating it nearer to the mudroom/laundry room worked well, but it is still part of the main living area just with greater privacy.
The door to the mudroom/laundry room can be closed when guests are in the home.
Overall, the clients are thrilled with their renewed home. We accomplished all of their needs with innovation and creativity while improving the home’s aesthetics and functionality.
Objectives met: Minimize formal spaces and maximize informal spaces • Larger kitchen with better circulation • Open spaces that were organized, light-filled, comfortable and “beach calm” • Better organized and larger mudroom/laundry area.
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.
