Monit Rosendale

Photo: Sarah Greenman © 2013 Houzz

Originally built in 1889 a short walk from the old East Falls Church rail station, the vaguely reminiscent gothic Victorian was a landmark in a neighborhood of late 19th century wood frame homes. The two story house had been changed many times over its 116 year life with most of the changes diminishing the style and integrity of the original home. Beginning during the mid-twentieth century, few of the changes could be seen as improvements. The wonderfully dominate front tower was obscured by a bathroom shed roof addition. The exterior skin was covered with asbestos siding, requiring the removal of any wood detailing projecting from its surface. Poorly designed diminutive additions were added to the rear creating small, awkward, low ceiling spaces that became irrelevant to the modern user. The house was in serious need of a significant renovation and restoration. A young family purchased the house and immediately realized the inadequacies; sub-par spaces, kitchen, bathrooms and systems. The program for this project was closely linked to aesthetics, function and budget. The program called for significantly enlarging the house with a major new rear addition taking the place of the former small additions. Critically important to the program was to not only protect the integrity of the original house, but to restore and expand the house in such a way that the addition would be seamless. The completed house had to fulfill all of the requirements of a modern house with significant living spaces, including reconfigured foyer, living room and dining room on the first floor and three modified bedrooms on the second floor. On the rear of the house a new addition created a new kitchen, family room, mud room, powder room and back stair hall. This new stair hall connected the new and existing first floor to a new basement recreation room below and a new master bedroom suite with laundry and second bathroom on the second floor. The entire exterior of the house was stripped to the original sheathing. New wood windows, wood lap siding, wall trim including roof eave and rake trim were installed. Each of the details on the exterior of the house matched the original details. This fact was confirmed by researching the house and studying turn-of-the-century photographs. The second floor addition was removed, facilitating the restoration of the four sided mansard roof tower. The final design for the house is strong but not overpowering. As a renovated house, the finished product fits the neighborhood, restoring its standing as a landmark, satisfying the owner’s needs for house and home. Hoachlander Davis Photography

NYC apartment combination. Alex Kotlik Photography

This classic Lake Sunapee home has a contemporary interior with spectacular views and an open floor plan designed for entertaining family and friends. Architectural design by Bonin Architects & Associates. Photography by William N. Fish

Early spring in the gardens, the purple blooms of groundcover Vinca provide a wonderful carpet of color. Narcissus 'Pheasant Eye' are a welcome spring sight with lovely white blooms.

Westchester Whimsy This project was a two phase addition to a simple colonial house in Chappaqua, NY. Challenges for Daniel Contelmo included the hilly site, as well as the fact that the front entry lacked presence and the garage was the primary entry. Phase one added a family room, kitchen and breakfast room to the main level, and renovated a bedroom. New overhangs and brackets draw the eye away from the garage and place the focus on the house. Phase two completed the renovation and added space to the front of the house; this was an opportunity to add character to the bedrooms with a turret, and a vaulted ceiling in the bedroom over the entry. A new car pulloff allows visitors to view the front door rather than the garage. An open-air pool cabana with an outdoor fireplace and kitchen serves as a space for year-round activities. The final product was an exquisitely detailed and tastefully decorated home that integrates colonial and shingle style architecture with whimsical touches that give the house a more animated feel.

Photos by John Umberger

Winner of five awards in the Rough Hollow Parade of Homes, this 6,778 square foot home is an exquisite addition to the prestigious Lakeway neighborhood. The Santa Barbara style home features a welcoming colonnade, lush courtyard, beautiful casita, spacious master suite with a private outdoor covered terrace, and a unique Koi pond beginning underneath the wine room glass floor and continuing to the outdoor living area. In addition, the views of Lake Travis are unmatched throughout the home. Photography by Coles Hairston

Susie Soleimani Photography :: theeyebehindthelens.com

These photos are of a new model home built by Jimmy Nash Homes in 2012. The plan is the Seaside and it is built in Patchen Wilkes neighborhood in Lexington, KY. Photos by Deborah Stigall, Jimmy Nash Homes Marketing Director

Photographer: Tom Crane

This home was featured in the movie, "Coming home for Christmas" that came out December 2013.

Southern Style courtyard made with reclaimed brick

Greg Premru