The retired owners of this Potomac house have lived here for over 25 years and since they opted to live there for another 25, they wanted a substantial interior and exterior renovation. We included a plan and features to they can age-in-place.

Click here to walk through the finished project.

FIRST FLOOR

On the first floor, the couple wanted an expanded kitchen and a better flow to a new outdoor porch/patio. We added a two-foot wide addition along the length of the house on the back, which added about 140 square feet to the first floor. Expanding the kitchen into that addition allowed us to incorporate a large island set in a U-shaped line of cabinets. The new sliding door to the patio is in the same location as the original, as is the bay window. We installed built-in seating in the new expanded bay window. We widened all the doorways to the kitchen for better flow and accessibility.

BEFORE: The original kitchen was outdated and dark.

AFTER: The new kitchen is open to the dining nook and family room.

AFTER: The sink is in the same place as the original sink, but we installed a generous window that overlooks the yard.

BEFORE: The openings from the dining room and hallway were narrow. The kitchen was outdated.

AFTER: We reconfigured the original kitchen pantry closet, replacing it with cabinets.

AFTER: To the right of the cooktop is a wider doorway between the dining room and kitchen.

AFTER: Doorway seen from the dining room.

We gave the family room a lighter, brighter feel by removing the wood paneling and faux beams. We scaled down the brick wood-burning fireplace to a tiled hearth and convenient gas unit.

AFTER: The original door to the garage and mudroom is now a more comfortable opening for easy access to the garage, laundry room, full bath and screened porch.

BEFORE: The faux beams, dark paneling, and large brick hearth made the family room feel dark.

The owners want to be prepared when or if they require a first-floor bedroom for aging-in-place. We reconfigured the mudroom near the garage entry to add a full bathroom with a curb-less shower and other universal design features. We installed a new laundry room next to this bathroom. The existing family room could easily be converted into a bedroom.

We shifted the closet from the stair-side of the foyer to the front-door side. Adding a new front door glass, flanked by two sidelights, and replacing the dark tile floor creates a more welcoming entry. Using the same wood flooring throughout this level connects the rooms.

BEFORE: The original louvered closet at the base of the stairs made the entry foyer feel closed in.

AFTER: Two doors provide access to the rear yard for great flow for entertaining. A glass door in the hall to the screened porch. A sliding glass door leads to the flagstone patio.

AFTER: The elegant porch has white painted beams and framing that contrast with a cedar beadboard ceiling and flagstone floor. The adjacent patio is curved and set with open black railings.

BEFORE: The original rear yard only had a small patio space. We also added more windows and enlarged some existing window openings to bring more light into the house.

SECOND FLOOR

We made cosmetic changes throughout this floor, including removing wallpaper and refinishing the hardwood floors that was under carpeting. We completed a major renovation in the master bedroom and bathroom. We vaulted the roof of the master bedroom and reconfigured the master bath and closets to make the space more cohesive. We also updated all the finishes in the hall bath.

AFTER: Vaulted ceiling in the master bedroom.

BEFORE

BEFORE: The master bathroom was small and the closet configuration around it was not ideal.

AFTER: The new generous master shower has a seat and nearby towel storage.

AFTER: Hall bath.

BEFORE: Hall bath.

Arts and crafts accents throughout the house included:

• Front door glass pattern
• Kitchen backsplash tile
• Shaker cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms
• Fireplace tile and accent pattern
• Exterior light fixtures

FRONT FAÇADE

We gave the front exterior facade a face lift with new siding, windows, roof, front door, garage door, shutters, and walkway. The clients wanted to transform the high, formal front entry into one that was warm and welcoming and differentiate their home from the other tract homes with double-height entryways in their neighborhood. Designer Chris Williams created this option with a lower height front entry with an arched front porch that contrasts the rectangular shape of the house and windows. The porch base is stone veneer.

BEFORE

AFTER: Though brick was in good shape, the original aluminum siding was faded and peeling. We installed new fiber cement siding. We also installed new roofing. The original windows were single pane with storm shutters. We installed four new and 17 replacement windows. The garage needed a new beam for structural support. We also installed a new garage door.