Before
A couple with a contemporary aesthetic moved to a traditional center-hall Colonial in Chevy Chase DC. They tapped architect Michael Bruckwick and designer Sarah Wessel to embellish their home with as many modern touches as possible—including the front façade, for which they requested a modern take on a classic covered entry.
| Then | Now |
| There was no porch area, so it felt as if the home was missing a focal point. The exposed brick façade added to the traditional look. | A covered area boasts stone pillars wrapped in stainless steel that draw the eye. The brick façade is painted to update its appearance. |
| The front door was narrow and uninviting with a traditional wood frame. | The wide door is contemporary with horizontal panes. The wood frame has been replaced by a transom and sidelights in a modern vernacular. |
| The landscape leading up to the door was uncomfortably sloped and unkempt. The driveway was narrow and overgrown. | The front yard is terraced, the path is flanked by plantings and pavers cover the driveway. In lieu of a water feature, Wessel added wire sculptures by Gold Leaf Studios. |
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: MICHAEL BRUCKWICK, AIA, Katinas Bruckwick Architecture, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: SARAH WESSEL, Sarah Wessel Designs, Ltd., Washington, DC. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: SAREENA JERATH, Tiger Lily Landscapes, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: ANGIE SECKINGER.