2020 Washington Metro DC Chapter Contractor of the Year (CotY) Grand Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for Entire House Renovation
Our clients wanted to turn their family house into their forever home. They loved the large, wooded property, but they wanted to create a more modern home, bringing the outdoors inside. Another key objective was to make the home comfortable for day to day living with the ability to quickly convert the home into an open venue to host events. Lastly, with adult children the potential for expanding families, they wanted to create comfortable space for their children to come home to visit.
Before, the front elevation had a traditional theme.
To create a more modern curb appeal, the After front elevation has new siding and trim details. A calm off-white paint with new modern, stained-grade, front door. Larger black framed windows and new black framed French Doors to the front porch present stark changes, but the home still fits in the neighborhood. The most dramatic changes focus on the rear 2-story addition and the significant interior re-design.
Before rear elevation
Meeting the client’s needs: The new 2-story rear addition anchors the modern theme for the rest of the renewed home. This is new conditioned space that replaced the former sundecks. The new space opens to the wooded property to bring the outdoors in.
Before
To create a natural organic look on this modern space, the addition is wrapped in Machiche wood in a rich brown stain. Machiche is exceptionally strong and durable. This type of 100% natural hardwood is resistant to insects and decay, making it the perfect wood for many years of trouble-free enjoyment. Continuing the modern theme, the chimney is wrapped in prefab panels to give the illusion of concrete. Kolbe and Kolbe windows were selected with minimal frames to accentuate the views.
Before
Machiche hardwood was also used on the decking for continuity. Powder coated black stainless-steel posts with stainless-steel cables expand on the modern theme. Inset lighting on each riser promote safety. Waterproof roofing membrane under decking allows a finished wood ceiling.
Before
After
After
After: Every inch of this home’s exterior was renovated to transform it to the modern home the clients wanted.
Before
After
Before Main Level
The new main level floorplan opens to views of the wooded yard and makes the home more conducive for hosting large events.
• Reoriented stairs and changed the hall bathroom to a powder room.
• New full bath for guest bedroom
• Larger space for art studio/office
• New washout room space repurposed from the old closet
• New sunroom faces south for great light in this space and flooding into the kitchen.
Before View of KITCHEN immediately to left of foyer.
NEW LIBRARY
Before View from FOYER to back of home. Views from front door foyer were very traditional.
NEW FOYER. After views from front door demonstrate dramatic change to the theme of the home. More modern and open to the yard, while increasing the functionality of the home.
Before View of HOME OFFICE immediately to right.
NEW OFFICE/ART STUDIO WITH WASHOUT ROOM
The renewed home office now doubles as an art studio for both creating and displaying art. The left wall cabinetry has special picture rail for displaying art.
Roll out cabinetry hide art supplies.
The art “washout” room can be converted to a catering/serving area.
New French doors can be opened during events for easy access to the front porch.
The new library area creates a comfortable reading spot but converts to an intimate conversation area during events OR the furniture can be moved so that the adjacent dining table can be enlarged from six seats to twelve. Floating shelves of walnut supported by limestone are angled to create an unobstructed view of the back yard. A two-sided fireplace creates delineation of space while still feeling open.
Before dining room
The new dining room is in the same general location as the former dining room; however new windows and custom bent-wood console create a dining space that is congruent with the overall modern and nature-oriented theme of the home. The light fixture is designed to look like trees reflecting on the water.
Before Family Room
The old family room windows have been replaced with taller ones, meeting a client need of bringing more of the outside in. The new floating stairs are steel and white oak with glass panels to accentuate the view. Hard wood floors are white oak with custom blend of cool and dark gray matte finish stain.
Adjacent to the renewed family room, the kitchen has been relocated to the center of the home with better views and natural light.
Before Kitchen
The kitchen is full of functionality but was specifically designed to fade into the background during events in the home.
To help the kitchen “fade to the background” during events, high gloss cabinets have touch open features to avoid hardware, even on the refrigerator.
The range is also touch screen, free of knobs. The walnut graining at a 45-degree angle on the cabinets matches the angle on the floating table. Cambria Brittanica tops and back splash are artistic yet have a very natural flow.
The kitchen transitions beautifully to the new 2-story addition. The kitchen light fixture was specifically chosen to emulate the triangular shape of the kitchen and look great from any angle.
In the angled transition space between the kitchen and the new 2-story addition is a new pantry/beverage area. Hidden cabinetry to the left store pantry items. The area to the right houses ice maker, beverage refrigerators and more storage. This space doubles as a caterer’s service area during events.
The new sunroom is where the homeowners spend most of their time. Large windows make the space feel outdoors. Materials used in the space complement the natural surroundings. The graining in the Eternal Marquina Silestone fireplace feature and light fixture mimic tree branches.
The Machiche wood ceiling further creates an outdoor feel.
Railing matches the wood ceiling and wraps the stairs to the new lower sunroom.
Before Lower Level
The new lower level floorplan continues the theme of “comfortable for everyday and converts for entertaining”. In addition, revitalized guest quarters with a new additional bathroom create an inviting space for adult children and their families.
Descending from the upper sunroom to the lower sunroom: the space is very bright and open. The lower sunroom is a cozy spot for everyday use. Furniture was specifically chosen to break apart into several conversation/sitting areas during events. The deep ledge under windows is beautiful but also functions as a place to set drinks and appetizer plates.
Before Lower Family Room
The lower family room has been updated to be thematically the same as the rest of the home. New taller windows open to the patio and bring in lots of natural light.
The lower family room is not only better looking but includes loads more functionality. Custom cabinetry has lots of storage, beverage refrigerators, a sink and microwave. Perfect for movie night with visiting family!
A new mudroom was created between the lower family room and the lower sunroom addition. The space connects to a walkway to the garage and features a large coat/storage closet, custom cabinetry and a floating walnut bench.
Before. One of the client’s objectives was to make guest space on the lower level more comfortable for their visiting adult children and their families. As noted on the lower-level floor plans, the before space had three guest bedrooms.
The original full bath was given a facelift. The after space retains three bedrooms but carved out space for an additional bathroom. So, rather than one bathroom the lower level now has two.
The new bathroom features a tub/shower combination and two single bowl vanities.
Before upper level hallway
The floorplan did not change but the space was completely updated. The upper level hallway was refreshed with new paint, door hardware and pendant lights.
Before Master Bedroom
The master bedroom was updated to include new custom window seat with both recessed lights and extending reading lamps above.
Before Master Bathroom
The after-master bathroom is significantly improved. The shower and toilet were flipped to allow for a larger shower and a private water closet.
Before Master Bathroom
The after master bathroom is significantly improved.
Before Master Bathroom
The vanity not only got a refresh, but because of the angle of the ceiling, the before light fixture was oddly off center. A linear modern light fixtures looks more appropriate for the space.
Before upper level hall bath
The upper level hall bath was updated with a unique design on the floor/tub surround tiles. Hexagon shaped tiles in variant gray tones were placed to go from darker to light, from the door to the tub. The unique placement of the tiles for the backsplash create interest while still being practical.
CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES / INNOVATED METHODS
The floating island table needed to be comfortable for everyday use but morph into a bar top for events.
In order to ensure the table did not pull off, we engineered steel supports that extend through the cabinets and ultimately anchor to the floor joist. Extra electrical outlets hidden under the table increase its functionality.
To change the stair case location/direction to allow larger glass on the exterior wall and improve circulation we had to install multiple steel beams; as well as, rerouting the plumbing for the bathroom above through the new beam work.
The steel floating stairs were carefully designed; however, the fabricator built the connection plate 1” too big. Rather than wait 10 weeks for a new one, we created a ceiling detail to camouflage the error seamlessly.
Before. The former front door had no place for the homeowners’ “stuff”… shoes, dog leashes.
After, drawers and shelves are hidden behind these beautiful doors.
Before. The former powder room was outdated.
The new powder room has floor to ceiling modern tiles and a beautiful vessel sink. All the plumbing fixtures are hidden to make this room truly a piece of art.
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.
