Ina Van Tonder

Susie Soleimani Photography :: theeyebehindthelens.com

Originally built in 1889 a short walk from the old East Falls Church rail station, the vaguely reminiscent gothic Victorian was a landmark in a neighborhood of late 19th century wood frame homes. The two story house had been changed many times over its 116 year life with most of the changes diminishing the style and integrity of the original home. Beginning during the mid-twentieth century, few of the changes could be seen as improvements. The wonderfully dominate front tower was obscured by a bathroom shed roof addition. The exterior skin was covered with asbestos siding, requiring the removal of any wood detailing projecting from its surface. Poorly designed diminutive additions were added to the rear creating small, awkward, low ceiling spaces that became irrelevant to the modern user. The house was in serious need of a significant renovation and restoration. A young family purchased the house and immediately realized the inadequacies; sub-par spaces, kitchen, bathrooms and systems. The program for this project was closely linked to aesthetics, function and budget. The program called for significantly enlarging the house with a major new rear addition taking the place of the former small additions. Critically important to the program was to not only protect the integrity of the original house, but to restore and expand the house in such a way that the addition would be seamless. The completed house had to fulfill all of the requirements of a modern house with significant living spaces, including reconfigured foyer, living room and dining room on the first floor and three modified bedrooms on the second floor. On the rear of the house a new addition created a new kitchen, family room, mud room, powder room and back stair hall. This new stair hall connected the new and existing first floor to a new basement recreation room below and a new master bedroom suite with laundry and second bathroom on the second floor. The entire exterior of the house was stripped to the original sheathing. New wood windows, wood lap siding, wall trim including roof eave and rake trim were installed. Each of the details on the exterior of the house matched the original details. This fact was confirmed by researching the house and studying turn-of-the-century photographs. The second floor addition was removed, facilitating the restoration of the four sided mansard roof tower. The final design for the house is strong but not overpowering. As a renovated house, the finished product fits the neighborhood, restoring its standing as a landmark, satisfying the owner’s needs for house and home. Hoachlander Davis Photography

Photos by John Umberger

Linda McDougald, principal and lead designer of Linda McDougald Design l Postcard from Paris Home, re-designed and renovated her home, which now showcases an innovative mix of contemporary and antique furnishings set against a dramatic linen, white, and gray palette. The English country home features floors of dark-stained oak, white painted hardwood, and Lagos Azul limestone. Antique lighting marks most every room, each of which is filled with exquisite antiques from France. At the heart of the re-design was an extensive kitchen renovation, now featuring a La Cornue Chateau range, Sub-Zero and Miele appliances, custom cabinetry, and Waterworks tile.

Angle Eye Photography

This 1826 Beacon Hill single-family townhouse received upgrades that were seamlessly integrated into the reproduction Georgian-period interior. feature ceiling exposing the existing rough-hewn timbers of the floor above, and custom-sawn black walnut flooring. Circulation for the new master suite was created by a rotunda element, incorporating arched openings through curving walls to access the different program areas. The client’s antique Chinese screen panels were incorporated into new custom closet casework doors, and all new partitions and casework were blended expertly into the existing wainscot and moldings.

Early spring in the gardens, the purple blooms of groundcover Vinca provide a wonderful carpet of color. Narcissus 'Pheasant Eye' are a welcome spring sight with lovely white blooms.

Todd Pierson

Michael Prokopchak, ASLA

Monit Rosendale

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2013 Houzz

NYC apartment combination. Alex Kotlik Photography

This classic Lake Sunapee home has a contemporary interior with spectacular views and an open floor plan designed for entertaining family and friends. Architectural design by Bonin Architects & Associates. Photography by William N. Fish