Home & Design

Shaker-style cupboards and Carrara marble countertops grace the new kitchen.

A new living room is located in the one-level addition spanning the back elevation.

Fresh details, trim and built-ins add functionality and elegance.

BEFORE: The original kitchen.

The existing living room became the new dining room.

A Charming Ranch Reborn

Atlas Moran Construction revamps a dated 1950s abode

The residents of a Falls Church rancher decided it was time for the next chapter. They wanted to renovate the 2,200-square-foot, three-bedroom home and trade its lackluster interiors for a bright, new aesthetic that would still respect the structure’s traditional roots and neighborhood.

The owners enlisted Craver Architects and Atlas Moran Construction to expand the footprint and recast existing space—a program that would deliver extra room, improved functionality and renewed style.

The plan included a one-level addition spanning the back elevation; it houses a new kitchen, living room and primary bedroom, all with nine-foot ceilings to create an airy feel. Shaker-style cupboards and Carrara marble countertops grace the kitchen, which boasts an island and plenty of counter space. In lieu of upper cabinets, copious windows bathe the space in natural light. A second addition on the building’s left side accommodates a new office/guest room.

Existing interiors were also treated to a makeover. The old, dated kitchen was cleverly divided into a pantry, mudroom, laundry and powder room. The existing living room became the new dining room. And the owner’s former bedroom made way for an expansive closet and bath adjoining their upgraded quarters in the addition. The wife furnished the interiors to reflect the updated look.

Throughout the now-3,014-square-foot abode, fresh details, trim and built-ins—from storage cabinets in the living room to nickel-gap panels in the utility spaces—add functionality and elegance.

GRAND AWARD: Entire House under $500,000. Renovation Contracting: Atlas Moran Construction, Arlington, Virginia. Renovation Architecture: Craver Architects LLC, Alexandria, Virginia. Kitchen Design, Cabinetry & Tile: Mosaic Home Interiors, Alexandria, Virginia. 

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