After spending 30 years in California, doctors Taraneh Razavi and Stuart Schlisserman became bicoastal when they purchased a modest, circa-1950 rancher in Chevy Chase to live in part-time. Raised in the DC area with relatives nearby, Razavi had always pictured returning someday—but the allure of this particular abode was its location next door to her aging mother. “Family is important to us,” Razavi explains. “We wanted a gathering place for everyone near my mother.”

The rundown, 4,198-square-foot structure hadn’t been renovated since the ’70s, so an immediate redo was first on the agenda. The owners, who have grown children and grandkids, hired Landis Architects | Builders to achieve their vision. “They wanted to be close to family but still have a home that feels like California,” explains project manager Jim Caw. “They requested a high level of finishes, greater functionality and aging-in-place features that would allow Taraneh’s mom to navigate the space.”

The Landis team gutted and rebuilt the single-story house, removing portions of the foundation walls and replacing the roof. Conceived by project designer Chris Williams, a three-story, 4,928-square-foot residence took shape on the original footprint. “It was important to the owners that it fit into the neighborhood and not be out of scale, but they did prefer something more modern,” Williams relates. “So, although the rooflines and forms are traditional in terms of sizing, the building materials are contemporary.”

Nichiha siding—a durable, cementitious material—clads the exterior. The pre-finished, two-by-three-foot panels resemble blocks of sandstone and are stacked in front of a rain screen that creates a moisture barrier. Marvin windows were installed throughout, and a path flanked by sleek cable rails leads to an inviting front porch. An exterior plan by landscape designer Tomi Landis implemented extensive hardscaping and plantings in both front and back for a lush, welcoming feel.

A bump-out in front accommodates a flagstone porch that doubles as the main entry, imparting visual interest to the home’s front facade. The reconfigured main level boasts a center-hall layout, with a spacious entry leading to a dining room on one side and a powder room, primary suite and den on the other. Extending the rear wall of the structure by about four feet allowed for an airy great room at the back of the house; it contains a sitting area, a luxe kitchen and a breakfast nook within a bay. Sliding-glass doors open out to a flagstone patio equipped with an outdoor kitchen.

The project added on a full second story that accommodates four bedrooms; two are ensuite while the other two share a bath. The existing basement was finished and features a full bath and an exercise room equipped with a kitchenette. The garage remained at the side of the house, but its opening was shifted from the side to front-facing.

When it came to the interiors, Williams worked with staff interior designer Zulma Puhl to realize the clients’ wishes. “They wanted a high-end retreat that would be sleek and modern but also organic and soft,” Puhl recounts. “That combination really captured the essence of their California home.”

Clean-lined, airy rooms are full of natural light. Eight-foot-tall interior doors, trim-less windows with stone sills and wide-plank, white oak floors all contribute to a light, contemporary feel. A new staircase marries oak treads with iron balusters in a tuning-fork motif. Book-matched quartz slabs surround the fireplace in the great room, where vaulted ceilings elevate the sitting area and breakfast nook.

Williams designed the roomy kitchen lined with custom, solid and veneered white oak cabinetry by Henrybuilt. Puhl added Silestone countertops and backsplash along with flourishes such as fluted panels on the island front. Floating vanities with integrated stone basins grace the dwelling’s primary bath, where large-format porcelain tiles conjure a contemporary vibe.

Razavi selected what she terms “refined modern” furniture and lighting with an assist from Zahraa Alwash of ZEE architecture + interior design. Comfortable upholstered pieces in a neutral palette marry modern silhouettes with pops of color for warmth.

A main priority of the remodel was accessibility. With that in mind, Williams and his team installed an elevator that connects all three levels, situated the primary bedroom on the main floor and installed a curb-less shower and linear drain in the bathroom for wheelchair accessibility. And since the idea was to integrate Razavi’s mother into the household, a path now connects her home with the renovated one next door. “My mom likes her own space,” Razavi says. “This way we can always be close by.”