Outmoded materials and a late-1990s floorplan—think awkward angles, closed-off rooms and poor circulation—ruled a family’s Fairfax County roost. So the owners called on Bowers Design Build for a comprehensive architectural and design-build renovation. The project reconfigured main and upper levels with upgraded finishes and millwork, celebrating natural light and improving sightlines throughout.

At the heart of the home, the team reimagined the once-disjointed kitchen and sunroom. “The kitchen’s peninsula island restricted circulation and made entertaining difficult,” recalls lead designer Lori Shaffer. “And the original sunroom felt heavy and closed-in with low ceilings; limited insulation made it unusable year-round.”

The team implemented a new, rectangular kitchen plan complete with custom cabinetry, layered lighting and a generous island with a quartzite countertop. A marble-tile backsplash, 60-inch Wolf range and stainless-steel hood with polished straps complete the picture.

After a wall separating the kitchen and sunroom came down, the latter was treated to a vaulted white oak ceiling, a wall of windows and climate control. As Shaffer reflects, “The space has been transformed into a bright, year-round gathering area while maintaining the calm, timeless aesthetic carried throughout the project.”

Award: Kitchen over $150,000. Renovation Architecture & Construction: Jason Gagen, lead architect; Lori Shaffer, lead designer, Bob Braddock, vice president of architecture; Bowers Design Build. Photography: Monica Baranko.