Restoring an historic 1880s row house in Old Town for a couple with two boys was tricky enough; toss in the fact that the property was a mere 19 feet wide and the stakes became even higher.

Architect Patrick Camus and designer Anne Marie Hauer were hired to take on the challenge. The sweeping overhaul traded choppy, outdated interiors for a more open plan that enlarged the kitchen and created a nearby breakfast/sitting room. Hauer, who joined the project at the get-go, designed loads of built-in storage on all three levels to keep clutter at bay.

But the most drastic change happened in the basement—originally a partial crawl space with a dirt floor. An excavation that spans the full footprint of the house carved out a new lower level with nine-foot ceilings; it encompasses a great room, a guest room and bath, plus a mudroom with access to the rear yard. Today, the 3,000-square-foot home includes five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths.

Hauer embraced light, bright furnishings with a nod to what she calls classic British design. A Q&A with the designer details the process.

What most excited you about transforming this 1880s gem?
I love old homes and the quirky details that come with them. Considering that the project was so small and contained, it was a challenge to come up with interesting solutions for functionality and storage.

Why did you lean into British design?
My clients wanted things to feel elevated but not super-traditional. I see classic British design as a look with patina and history. Think handmade, quality pieces with a bit of color and whimsy and interesting shapes. It’s décor that will always be in style. In the 1800s, many people were coming over from England and living in Old Town Alexandria. So it makes a lot of sense, right?

Was the large-scale pattern on the living room sofa a hard sell?
Many homeowners are hesitant about doing a big pattern on a big piece of furniture because they may get sick of it. These clients were open to some pattern play. Even though the living room sofa fabric is quiet and tonal, it makes a statement.

What do heirloom pieces accomplish?
I love to incorporate heirloom pieces because they bring depth to a home. We find ways to incorporate them with modern elements to ensure that a space doesn’t feel too dated. In this project, the dining table was passed down by family members.

Discuss the benefits of engaging an interior designer early in the process.
The biggest benefit is budget—ensuring that expectations are set from the beginning. Often clients don’t realize they need help until they’re well into a project, but here we were able to design the space in its entirety before construction even began, thinking through all the details from lighting to storage. We also were able to order furnishings with long lead times.

Describe the role hardware and other metal accents played in this makeover.
All the hardware comes from Armac Martin, a British company that offers multiple finish options. The dining room and kitchen hardware is unlacquered brass. For those rooms, we also selected sconces and pendants in aged brass; and the breakfast room’s tabletop is hammered brass. These finishes will patina over time to reflect the age of the home.

Share the reason for wallpapering the dining room ceiling.
The homeowners wanted to avoid window treatments, which would make the interiors feel too closed-in. But that left us with the view of a fence outside. To draw the eye away from walls and windows, we added Sanderson wallpaper on the ceiling.

What sets the custom dining room cabinetry apart?
My client wanted to store and display china and but also needed a place for serving. We designed cabinets with small trays that pull out to provide an extra serving area. The cabinets are painted taupe for a little bit of warmth; they coordinate with the wallpaper we chose for the ceiling.

Why was salvaging the original pine floors a priority?
The flooring consists of wide, varying planks in a lovely golden color. They’re rustic and dip a bit, revealing how old the home is. But they don’t feel rickety, which I attribute to the contractor and architect creating major reinforcements in the basement below. So you get these incredible, worn floors that still feel secure and safe.

How do modern elements keep the interiors feeling current?
Even though it’s an older home, the owners wanted a few clean-lined, modern pieces. In the breakfast room, the pendant by Workstead mirrors the black fireplace surround and black-metal accordion doors leading out to the patio. This fixture and some of the pieces by Urban Electric have an old feel but also look fresh and current.

In what ways does the newly excavated basement nod to the home’s past?
There was an original built-in cabinet in the kitchen with beautiful, leaded-glass doors. The builder had it sanded, painted and re-installed in the basement. There was also a low, brick arch in the basement. We dropped the floor by four or five feet and turned the arch into a bookshelf to pick up on the history.

ASK ANNE MARIE