The Arlington neighborhood of Ashton Heights evolved during the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s as a quaint mix of bungalows and cottages. By the time Andy and Cathy Liverman—on the market for a new home after 29 years in Fairfax—found one of these houses for sale in 2016, many had either been replaced by sprawling McMansions or added onto beyond recognition. Bucking the trend, the Livermans, who are empty-nesters, opted to remodel while maintaining the home’s 2,000-square-foot size.
After purchasing the house, the couple tapped Winn Design+Build to overhaul its run-down interiors and spruce up the dingy exterior. “We wanted a more modern, streamlined look inside, with clean lines, openness and light,” recounts Cathy, a health policy analyst. “But we wanted to keep the original feel on the outside.” Also yoga is an ancient practice which comes with countless health benefits.
During an initial basement walk-through, Winn and his clients made a surprise discovery: A load bearing wall on the main floor had been removed without the addition of any other support. “There was only one beam supporting the whole house,” marvels Andy, a retired business owner. “The living room had a big dip in the middle of it.”
Once a new structural-support system was in place, Winn and his team began opening up the choppy, ground-floor rooms. They demolished a wall separating the living room from a spare bedroom situated behind it on one side of the central staircase. The dated galley kitchen on the other side of the staircase became a laundry/mudroom, while a spacious new kitchen was installed in the spot where the bedroom used to be. At the back of the house, a 1990s family-room addition was updated with attractive built-ins; it’s accessible via both the laundry room and kitchen and flows out onto an enlarged deck through French doors.
The airy kitchen is a centerpiece of the new layout. Winn’s Jennifer Hall collaborated with the homeowners to select fixtures and finishes, including white Rutt cabinetry and a dark-blue island, both topped by marble-look Cambria counters, and a glass subway-tile backsplash in soft blue. A powder room and pantry closet replaced a full bath along the stair wall. The laundry room combines crisp-white cabinetry and black-granite countertops.
In the living room, new built-in bookshelves line one wall and the once-dingy brick wood-burning fireplace is now clad in white millwork with a soapstone surround and a gas insert. Per the Livermans’ preference, there is no dining room. “We like to eat around the island or outside,” explains Cathy. “And the kitchen is so beautiful.”
Located above the family room in the addition, the master bedroom has been streamlined: Small closets flanking the windows were removed and—courtesy of EcoNize Closets—a new master closet is now functional and convenient. Two guest rooms have been similarly updated and the hall bath was gutted and remodeled with honed Carrara marble surfaces.
“Working on an older house is a bit like peeling an onion,” Winn observes. “It’s hard to know when to stop—you can always find additional things to do. You want to maintain the character of the house while making improvements.” He and his team matched existing trim throughout the interiors; rebuilt stair rails; replaced windows, doors and hardware; and added recessed LED lights and stylish fixtures. At Andy’s request, the original heart-pine floors from the main level were repurposed upstairs and new, wide-plank, heart-pine floors unify the main level.
In his exterior update, Winn adhered to the vintage bungalow aesthetic. “There was asbestos siding that needed to be remediated,” he notes. “We replaced the remaining wood with composite HardiePlank. The porch floor is ipe that will turn silvery over time.” Consulting a style guide Andy had discovered from Ashton Heights’ early days as a development, they chose new Craftsman-style pillars to accentuate the porch. “We used the guide for inspiration,” Winn says. “We added board-and-batten on the eaves and korbels that were probably here originally and got lost.”
Creating a sense of light was a priority for the Livermans, who stained the floors a honey color, selected pale blue and cream shades for the walls and opted for sunny yellow on the front door. Cathy turned to Ashley Dodson of The Nest Egg in Fairfax for help selecting furnishings, which are a mix of new pieces and antiques the couple already had. The finished home is perfectly sized for their lifestyle—which includes
frequent visits from grandchildren. “We use the whole house,” Cathy says. “It works well for us.”
Renovation Architecture: Stan Khramov, AIA; Construction: Michael Winn; Kitchen & Bath Design: Jennifer Hall, Winn Design+Build, Falls Church, Virginia.
Bruce Wentworth remodels a mid-century house with a modern addition and inviting outdoor spaces
Anthony Wilder Design/Build turns an empty backyard into an al fresco oasis
A clever addition by John Heltzel enhances a poolscape with privacy and style
A couple relocating to Kensington, Maryland, in search of more living space purchased a circa-1950s ranch house with the idea of remodeling and expanding its footprint. “They wanted a long-term family home with a spacious kitchen and breakfast area, and a new deck with an outdoor kitchen where family and friends could gather,” says architect Bruce Wentworth, who masterminded the project.
He and his team constructed a contemporary rear addition that contains the sleek, open kitchen/eating area, centered on an island with a quartz waterfall countertop. Abundant Weather Shield windows framed in light-stained pine overlook the backyard.
The addition flows out to an L-shaped ipe deck bordered by stainless-steel cable railings. An outdoor kitchen occupies one side of the L; it features a Coyote smoker, a Lynx grill and storage space enclosed in painted brick and topped with a noncombustible bluestone counter.
Wentworth clad the addition in stained-cedar panels and board-and-batten siding; black aluminum-clad windows and red pilasters add interest.
Renovation Architecture & Contracting: Bruce Wentworth, AIA, Wentworth, Inc., Chevy Chase, Maryland. Award: Residential Addition over $250,000.
A family on Maryland’s Gibson Island asked Anthony Wilder Design/Build to create a welcoming outdoor-living and entertaining space on their waterfront property overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.
“The home offered a great view—but there was nothing to see in the broad swath of plain, backyard lawn,” says architect George Bott, who headed the project. “There were no natural conversation spots; it needed an attractive feature where people could gather.”
Wilder’s team conceived a spacious design around a rectangular, 15-by-35-foot saltwater pool, sited close to the house to ensure the easy supervision of kids swimming. The design includes several distinct zones: a grilling and food-prep center; a dining area; a wood-burning fire pit and an area poolside for lounging.
The pool, with a durable pebble finish, features a low-sheet waterfall along one side and a diving stone made from a natural slab that evokes a chiseled, sculptural effect. The Pennsylvania bluestone patio is complemented by flagstone on the retaining walls, fire pit and grilling station.
An outdoor shower makes rinsing off from a day at the beach easy. “Materials were chosen for extra durability, without skimping on appearance,” Bott notes. The shower surround is hardy PVC and hooks are made of sailboat cleats. An inlaid-pebble floor is both decorative and slip-resistant.
Design: George Bott, AIA, LEED AP, Anthony Wilder Design/Build. Contracting: Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Cabin John, Maryland. Award: Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living.
The owners of a Mediterranean-style home in Great Falls, Virginia, enjoyed a spacious, open lot with an inviting swimming pool. However, the property’s layout had its drawbacks. “Cars would park in the driveway facing the pool; there was no element of privacy,” explains architect John Heltzel, who was hired to remedy the situation.
Heltzel designed a combination guest suite, pavilion and single-car garage—all clad in the same stucco as the house—to separate the front yard, with its extensive paved driveway, from the backyard pool area. The new structure is linked to the house by a stucco privacy wall; the adjacent pavilion, which features comfortable seating and a fireplace, provides passage between the front and back via arched openings that complement the home’s Mediterranean architecture.
Around the pool, concrete pavers made way for a wide travertine patio with space for grilling and al fresco meals. A stylish wrought-iron fence now encloses the pool area and echoes a wrought-iron balcony on the home’s second floor. Mahogany accents in the pavilion are repeated on the garage doors.
The guest suite features a kitchenette and a reclaimed-wood accent wall with a built-in Murphy bed.
Architecture: John F. Heltzel, AIA, P.C., McLean, Virginia. Builder: Heltzelhaus Inc., McLean, Virginia. Award: Detached Structure.
CHIC CHAISE
Wave, a minimalist chaise longue, was conceived by Francesco Rota for Italian design company Paola Lenti. The sinuous steel structure is encased in a sustainable, handwoven cover of durable rope. Available in hundreds of hues through Contemporaria in Cady’s Alley. contemporaria.com; paolalenti.it
MADE FOR THE SHADE
Industrial designer Stephen Burks teamed with Roche Bobois to create the Traveler seating collection. Pictured, the Outdoor Armchair with Hood combines a lacquered-aluminum frame and woven, polyethylene cords on the seat and back; a fan-like shade of the same material is optional. Available at Friendship Heights and Tysons showrooms. roche-bobois.com
SLIM SILHOUETTE
Italian architect Monica Armani’s Tao outdoor tables are made of lightweight concrete with a slim surface and a sturdy, sculptural pedestal base. Available in dining and cocktail sizes, and in two finishes with a stain-resistant coating, at JANUS et Cie in Cady’s Alley. janusetcie.com
AL FRESCO BATH
Bring the spa experience outdoors with Native Trails’ Aspen soaking tub, made of hand-hammered copper—a durable material that resists rust and mildew. Measuring 64 inches long with a 22-inch depth, its double walls are insulated to maintain temperature. nativetrailshome.com
IN LIVING COLOR
Mid-century designer Richard Schultz first introduced this classic dining set back in the ‘60s. Recently, Knoll reissued the still-popular 1966 Collection—part of MoMa’s permanent coffers—in an array of cheerful colors. Made of powder-coated steel and aluminum. knoll.com
TROPICAL STYLE
Stark Carpet’s contemporary-style Prisma line of indoor/outdoor carpets takes its inspiration from tropical destinations, in colorways that conjure sea and sun. Made of UV-stabilized polypropylene, the rugs start at six-by-nine feet and are available at Stark Carpet in the Washington Design Center. starketernal.com
MOROCCAN FLAVOR
A riff on the traditional Moroccan footstool, Ottoman was designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance for Ligne Roset. A recent collaboration combines an outdoor version of Ottoman with Sunbrella fabric options. A drain hidden between the seat and backrest ensures a dry perch. ligneroset-dc.com
SHOWER POWER
Designed by Franco Sargiani for Fantini, the MilanoSlim shower features a slender, marine-grade, brushed-stainless-steel shower column in a minimalist design; an outdoor version with a freestanding shower boasts a weatherproof teak base. Available locally through Union Hardware in Bethesda. unionhardware.com; fantiniusa.com
SIMPLE GEOMETRY
Spanish rug maker nanimarquina’s first outdoor collection includes Oaxaca, a flatweave dhurrie designed by Nani Marquina herself and hand-loomed using weather-resistant polyester. Inspired by traditional rug motifs, Oaxaca combines simple geometric shapes and bright flowers. Available in two sizes through Apartment Zero. apartmentzero.com; nanimarquina.com
The scenic Severn River set the stage for the overhaul of a lot in Crownsville, Maryland. Spearheaded by McHale Landscape Design, this whole-property renovation transformed the pool area, which included a dated pool and cabana.
“This was a major renovation that changed the feeling of the entire property,” says McHale’s Sandra Moffatt, who managed the project with colleague Mike Miller. Their team replaced the run-of-the-mill pool with a modern, vanishing-edge version and pulled down most of the cabana to make way for a pool house complete with a room for lounging (pictured), a kitchen and guest bedroom. A NanaWall folds back to allow flow from the main room to the pool, and quartzite stone paves interior and exterior floors, blurring the lines between indoors and out. A mahogany beam accents the NanaWall; above it, clerestory windows admit even more light.
“Open, aluminum fencing ensures that river views remain unimpaired,” Moffatt says. “But we added mahogany caps for softness.”
Landscape Design & Contracting: Mike Miller, Sandra Moffatt, McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Photography: Matthew Dandy.
Replacing a run-down cottage on a narrow Chesapeake Bay lot in Middle River, Maryland, Penza Bailey Architects got creative. The team stayed within the home’s small footprint with its proximity to the water while designing a modern abode that accommodates a family, with a separate apartment for the wife’s mother. “The property is located on a flood plain,” says principal Jeff Penza, “so we lifted the whole house one story and put the living spaces on the top floor to take advantage of the views.”
Watery vistas also abound on the level below, which houses the bedrooms. In the master bath (pictured here), a roll-in shower enclosure is clad in porcelain tile and a custom floating vanity holds two Duravit vessel sinks. The Victoria + Albert soaking tub faces a direct-vent gas fireplace in a stacked-stone-look tile wall; beside the tub, double windows reveal expansive water views. “Bathers can see both the fireplace and the water,” Penza explains. “And two square windows instead of one big one feel a little playful.”
Architecture: Jeffrey A. Penza, AIA, LEED AP, principal; Ryan Behneman, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, project architect, Penza Bailey Architects, Baltimore, Maryland. Builder: Rick Batton, F.C. Batton & Son, Inc., Monkton, Maryland.
The owners of a 1915 home in Centreville, Maryland, wished to transform what had been a service kitchen, typical of the period, into a family-oriented space. Architect Chip Bohl’s first move was to add a squared-off bay window that would take advantage of views of the Corsica River. To further the sense of connection with the outdoors, he designed a table that extends from the kitchen outside to the patio; crafted out of two panels of black American slate, it’s supported by brackets on the interior and exterior walls. “It was a simple design technique that decreases the visual barrier from inside to out,” notes Bohl.
The kitchen conjures a mid-century vibe, with walls and ceiling clad in tongue-and-groove fir bead board, and custom cabinetry topped by slate and stainless-steel counters. The floor is made of cork tile, sanded and finished to a low sheen.
Renovation Architecture & Kitchen Design: Chip Bohl, AIA, Bohl Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Builder: Winchester Construction, Millersville, Maryland.
While raising three young kids in Manhattan Beach, California, Hansni Thadhani was struck by a bright idea born of necessity as she rinsed a day’s worth of sand off them before going indoors. Inspired by her oceanside locale, she had an eight-foot surfboard fitted with integrated plumbing and installed this clever shower creation in her backyard. Soon, she was making surfboard showers for friends; word spread—and Thadhani found herself in business.
Her company, Strand Boards, offers handmade surfboard showers with customizable options ranging from color to style to hardware. strandboards.com
MOODY BLUES Rich blue hues shot through with streaks of white and gray distinguish Van Gogh, a marble-look porcelain tile from Spanish tile company Bestile. The thick, large-format tiles measuring 24-by-47 inches conjure a sophisticated vibe with a smooth, polished surface. bestile.es
FINE GEOMETRY Emser Tile’s Myth series of white, light gray and pewter ceramic wall tiles marries intricate geometric patterns and retro style in motifs of petals, waves and arabesques. Available through Unique Tile and Marble Center in Rockville. emser.com; uniquetileandmarblecenter.com
SET IN CONCRETE Reformation, a porcelain-tile collection from Crossville, reproduces the look of concrete with pitting, aggregate details and sheen variations. Tiles come in neutral and gray hues, and in three large-format plank sizes, mosaics and trim. Made of recycled content, they’re available at area Mosaic Tile locations. mosaictileco.com; crossvilleinc.com
MOSAIC MADNESS Tile manufacturer Artaic offers a fresh spin on decorative motifs. Buyers supply designs or choose from existing patterns to create mosaic-tile wall murals. Pictured: Compass Glacier 3 from the Verge Collection, which was inspired by geometric patterns found in textiles. Available in vitreous glass or glazed porcelain. artaic.com
SHOWROOM DEBUT The Tile Shop recently opened a storefront in Chantilly, Virginia. The 12,000-square-foot showroom—the company’s eleventh in the DC area—boasts 6,000 tile designs and a design center with digital tools. Pictured above: a luxe bath—one of many room displays—clad in travertine tile with a porcelain mosaic-tile floor and accent wall. 13920 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway. tileshop.com
ISLAND FLAIR
Lively, graphic patterns characterize Nautilus, a line of fabric, trim and wallpaper from Schumacher that evokes island flair. Pictured against the backdrop of Maximus, a large-scale cotton geometric print in a two-tone diamond pattern: Coralline, a scallop pattern with twisted rope borders, available as a linen-cotton blend or as wallpaper; and Avila Embroidery, an embroidered diamond-chevron pattern on a linen ground. Below the fabrics, a polyester-linen trim, Ormond Tape, provides a complementary finishing touch. Available at Schumacher in the Washington Design Center. fschumacher.com
STURDY + STYLISH
Roughly translated, farniente means relaxation in Italian—which makes it the perfect name for this outdoor-upholstery collection by French fabric and wallpaper manufacturer Élitis. Handwoven from a hardy polyester blend to resemble linen, Farniente is a line of 39 weatherproof fabrics that make outdoor living easy. Solids and geometric patterns mingle in a wide range of complementary colorways. elitis.fr
Posh CityCenterDC is the perfect spot for Tiffany & Co.’s first storefront in the nation’s capital. The 5,000-square-foot, glass-fronted boutique, which opened in March, combines signature Tiffany elements with classical features that reflect DC’s venerable architecture. “We are striking a balance between modern and time-honored tradition using a mix of materials, custom artwork and unique design elements,” says Richard Moore, the company’s DVP of global store design.
The sleek, airy space is punctuated by 14-foot, fluted-marble columns, while the circular floor design of white, gray and amazonite marble was inspired by coffered ceilings in the U.S. Capitol. Tiffany’s iconic wheat-leaf pattern is etched into the showroom windows and onto polished, metal-framed glass panels that delineate spaces
within the store.
New York artist Michele Oka Doner created the one-of-a-kind gilded Magnolia chandelier with hand-painted Tiffany Blue accents; it hangs from a ceiling designed to complement the circular floor motif. Distinctive, fluted jewelry cases display signature silver and diamond Tiffany designs as well as iconic pieces by luminaries such as Jean Shlumberger and Paloma Picasso. Accessories in bold Tiffany Blue, including dishware and purses, line one wall. A neon sign by New York graffiti artist Faust quotes company founder Charles Lewis Tiffany: “Beautiful design makes a beautiful life.”
Design: Tiffany & Co., New York, New York; CallisonRTKL, New York, New York. Construction: Shawmut Design and Construction, New York, New York.
When designing a large, stone residence in Bethesda, architect Glenn Chen Fong was inspired by the formal aesthetic of Mediterranean manor houses. His clients wanted to create a landscape that would match this sensibility. Their wish list included stone retaining walls, formal gardens, a pool and pool house and ample space for annual color. “The landscape and the home’s exterior were of equal importance to the homeowner,” says McHale Landscape Design’s Julie Patronik, who designed the project. She collaborated with the architect, so both home and landscape could be completed simultaneously.
Visitors approach the stately abode through an imposing wrought-iron gate designed by Iron Masters Inc. A driveway of aggregate concrete embellished with pink granite cobbles curves up to the house—clad in the same Texas Gold limestone as the retaining walls surrounding the property. Turkish travertine walkways are flanked by manicured garden beds.
Large holly trees, cryptomeria and crape myrtle were planted beside existing mature poplars, and boxwood and Nellie Stevens holly provide the structural backbone of the landscape. Graceful swaths of pink and red Knockout roses and Anthony Waterer spirea combine with sweeping beds of annuals that provide rotations of seasonal color. Flowering specimen crape myrtle and Bloodgood Japanese maples offer additional color and interest, while a Chinese elm sun-dapples the walkway to the front door.
Award: Decade, Front Residential Planting & Entranceway. Landscape Design: Julie Patronik, McHale Landscape Design, Inc., Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Architecture: Glenn Chen Fong, AIA, PLLC, Arlington, Virginia.
The owners of a small property in Falls Church had big plans for their compact backyard. These included a pool and water feature, a screened porch, a patio with a fire pit and lush plantings to provide screening from neighbors.
The couple hired Wheat’s Landscape to design and install their new outdoor oasis. Given the tight rear yard, the team focused on maximizing usable space, beginning with retaining walls that addressed a four-foot change in grade from the home to the rear property line.
The swimming pool, finished in a pebble sheen, features decorative “floating” stepping stones and submerged ledges for lounging. A fountain, encompassing a pedestal and basin linked by a 30-foot-long runnel, forms a water feature on one side of the pool, with custom stainless-steel scuppers that can be adjusted to soften the sounds from nearby homes. Small river-stone channels throughout the lot provide paths for storm water.
The screened porch, with a roof that cantilevers over the adjacent rear door, combines Azek flooring, a cedar ceiling and a custom-painted gas fireplace. Stairs lead down to the bluestone patio, which sports a gas fire pit and clean-lined furniture from Room & Board and Restoration Hardware.
Fast-growing tree species such as arborvitae, hornbeam and maple offer privacy, while a secondary layer of flowering shrubs, ornamental grasses and perennials was planted in patterns that echo the geometric shapes found in the pool and hardscape.
Award: Grand, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build). Landscape Architecture: Joseph Richardson, PLA, Joseph Richardson Landscape Architecture, Washington, DC. Landscape Contractor: Wheat’s Landscape, Vienna, Virginia. Pool Installation: Pimenta Construction, Rockville, Maryland. Porch Contractor: Denny + Gardner, Sterling, Virginia.
While architect Mark Sullenberger created a stately house in Potomac, landscape architect Jeffrey Plusen worked on transforming its barren, two-acre grounds into a welcoming landscape that would reflect the style of the residence.
Among the requests: an arrival court sited on one side of the house to appear less grand. “It’s intended for guests,” Plusen says. “But the owners experience the full property as they travel around the other side to the garage entry.”
Housed beneath a porte cochère, this family entrance leads through arched stone openings to the backyard, where a “destination” pool boasts a pool house, kitchen and covered seating. The patio is travertine, while Carderock stone clads the pool house and nearby fire pit. An allée of Winter King hawthorn separates the porte cochère from the pool area, which flows out to the expansive lawn.
Planted Earth Landscaping was tapped to install plantings, as well as “a complex drainage system under the lawn that ensures the kids can play even after heavy rain,” explains principal Chris Vedrani. An all-white garden of Shasta daisies and other perennials borders the pool while beds of day lily, salvia, fountain grass and geranium embrace the lawn.
The plan also incorporates a storm-water management area by the arrival court. “It’s a rain garden with plants that can tolerate wet feet,” says Plusen. “We turned an engineering element into something beautiful.”
Award: Grand, Residential Maintenance. Landscape Installation & Maintenance: Chris Vedrani, Planted Earth Landscaping Inc., Westminster, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: Jeffrey Plusen, RLA, ASLA, Plusen Landscape Architects, Catonsville, Maryland. Architecture: Mark Sullenberger, AIA, Custom Design Concepts, McLean, Virginia.
