Braden Holtby began his illustrious ice hockey career as a goalie for the Washington Capitals. Over 10 years, he and his wife Brandi put down roots in the DC area, first residing in Old Town Alexandria where they welcomed two kids, now 11 and 13. After subsequent stints with the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars, the couple opted to return to the Washington environs upon Braden’s retirement. “We realized we had a lot in common with the people here,” Brandi says. “Going other places made us appreciate this area.”

Contemplating a new chapter in 2021, the Holtbys, both Canadian, made a house-hunting visit—and quickly came upon a three-and-a-half-acre spread in McLean anchored by a massive elm tree beside a picturesque pond. “We loved the land. We walked out back and that tree pretty much sold us on the property,” Braden recounts.

The sprawling, circa-1985 abode left much to be desired; in fact, it was listed as a teardown, and the couple had to request the realtor find a key so they could tour it. “It was quirky, but we didn’t mind that,” Brandi remembers. “It just needed some love—it needed a redo.”

The 8,300-square foot structure with seven bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths encompasses four levels. The main floor offers dining, living and family rooms, plus a service wing with a pantry, laundry, mudroom and music room. Upstairs are the primary suite, daughter’s room and Brandi’s home office, while the third floor houses the son’s room, guest quarters and a playroom. Though not part of the redo, the basement includes a gym, TV room, spare bedroom and rec room.

The Holtbys enlisted Four Brothers Design + Build to address issues of functionality while infusing the abode with clean lines and mid-century flair. “The house had potential but felt dated, and some areas lacked flow,” notes project leader Stuart Pumpelly. “We needed to make it cohesive, intentional and welcoming.”

Architect Jeremy Tetreault began by reimagining the exterior. “It was not very attractive,” he observes. “The clapboard main volume and side structure with stone veneer each had its own architectural language, with misaligned windows that didn’t match each other.”

A plan to impose a clean, consistent aesthetic unified the disjointed façade. All-new windows were aligned and scaled to harmonize with the dormers. Black, standing-seam metal roofing complements graphite-hued fiber cement in alternating lap siding and board-and-batten. A portico improved the home’s entry, and an unappealing dining room bay made way for a streamlined bank of windows.

Inside, the front foyer heralds the transformation. A closed-off vestibule became open and airy when a shared wall with the adjacent stair was removed. And a dramatic new floating stair allows for a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that extends on the façade from the ground floor up to the third story.

Other alterations include a reconfigured primary suite and service wing. A Venetian plaster fireplace anchors the family room and walnut shelving lines the living room, where a beverage bar is tucked into one corner. White oak clads most of the floors, though terracotta tiles sound an earthy note in the mudroom and laundry area. The kitchen has been elegantly overhauled using custom walnut cabinetry paired with deep-gray quartzite counters.

The Holtbys collaborated with Four Brothers interior designer Kristen Mendoza on colors, fixtures and finishes. “We wanted an airy aesthetic that would bring nature in,” Brandi shares. “We’re both interested in design, so we went for a mix of our styles; Braden likes white walls and I like a bohemian feel with more color.” Walnut finishes predominate; they match the couple’s mid-century-style furnishings—a number of which were crafted by Braden, who took up furniture making in the last couple of years (he also redid the smaller bathrooms himself).

Pristine Acres masterminded the home’s outdoor spaces, featuring an infinity pool, spa and cold plunge; a pavilion containing a kitchen, bathroom and fireplace; and plantings and hardscape. “We worked alongside Four Brothers to ensure a seamless transition from inside to outside,” shares landscape architect Kevin Kurdziolek. “The design aesthetic matches the house.”

For Braden and Brandi Holtby, their remodeled home is the perfect spot for a post-NHL chapter. Asked what’s next, Braden replies, “I’m doing stuff around the house—and I’m busy with the kids, enjoying that while it lasts.”

Renovation Architecture & Contracting: Jeremy Tetreault, associate architect; Stuart Pumpelly, project lead, Four Brothers Design + Build, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Kristen Mendoza, Four Brothers Design + Build. Landscape Architecture & Contracting: Kevin Kurdziolek, PLA, ASLA, PPA, Pristine Acres, Great Falls, Virginia.

Square One
Q&A with Stuart Pumpelly and Jeremy Tetreault

Share techniques for improving a home’s exterior.
JT: Using different types of siding is impactful. You can run it horizontally versus vertically, or select wider planks on the lower level to ground a building visually.
SP: As with this project, window placement and alignment are huge. We also pay attention to porticos and rooflines.

What advice do you offer clients to prioritize their goals?
SP: Every project starts with how clients function in the house and how we can solve their issues. What’s behind the walls is crucial to ensuring quality, but it may not be what we talk about most.

How do you assess if a home is suitable for renovation?
SP: Ultimately, it comes down to feasibility, cost efficiency and design potential. A structurally sound home with upgradable systems is often a strong candidate. But in some cases, cost and complexity of rebuilding can approach or even exceed the cost of starting new.