5987 9th Rd N, Arlington, VA 22205

In 1993, after looking at what seemed like 100 homes, the owners found a classic Arlington post-war Colonial home. The husband, an architect, saw that it had good bones an open floor plan with spaces that would support a future family. Over the next 26 years they renovated the house from top to bottom. First on the list was a new kitchen, then the second floor with the arrival of their first child, the basement with the second and finally a two-story addition, front porch, first-floor renovation and front and rear hardscape and landscaping. Wanting to respect the traditional design of the original house and the neighborhood, the front porch was designed utilizing the proportions of classical architecture and the living room windows were extended to the floor to match the size of the front door and bring light into the front of the house. In the rear, modern design was given full reign with simple forms composed from cement stucco siding, black-framed windows and a copper clad wrap around bay window. The first floor provides a light-filled family room and similarly open master suite on the second floor with views of the skyline in Ballston two miles away. A new kitchen with blue foil faced cabinets, light colored Corian countertops, double oven, stainless steel appliances and Viking cooktop completed the project.