Before
A homeowner was drawn to a McLean, Virginia, rambler for its location and promise of easy, one-story living. However, the unappealing, dated exterior needed an overhaul. She hired architectural designer Christina Doyle of Gilday Renovations to transform the home, both inside and out.
| Then | Now |
| The client wished to update the tired, brick façade and 1960s look with something fresh and stylish. | A French Eclectic architectural style conveys a welcoming “country house” vibe; the brick is covered in painted stucco. |
| A low-slope roof made the house feel cramped and small. | Doyle raised the interior ceilings 12 inches, and replaced the old roof with a steeply pitched, wood-truss roof that elevates the front façade. |
| Small, mundane windows added no charm to the home’s appearance, and a garage door dominated the view from the front. | French doors replaced the existing front door and windows, making the house appear taller and reinforcing its new look; a decorative dormer above and wrought-iron accents complete the picture. |
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: Christina Doyle, Gilday Renovations, Silver Spring, Maryland. CONSTRUCTION: Gilday Renovations. PHOTOGRAPHY: Morgan Howarth.