improved

By Jennifer Shapira

your home,

Gorin/ShutterStock.com

renovations allow professionals and homeowners to exhibit

personal touches.

www.northernvirginiamag.com

57

imagine a kitchen where there is a place for everything, and everything is in its place. now imagine thats your kitchen. while that sinks in, consider how one couple achieved that kitchen and, ultimately, a whole new house.

ith a little hard work, elbow grease and homeowners can work toward a return on their insome thoughtful discussions with a sim- vestments. Even if you dont plan to sell your home patico contractor, an Annandale pair put for decades, there can be small and large enhancetheir stamp on a custom-built kitchen and brought ments to consider. new life throughout the rest of the house. Experts say that more homeowners are choosing to stay in their homes and add on to their current Some 30 years and a couple of grown kids later, they were all too familiar with their houses limita- structures rather buy a new house. The most frequent tions. Now empty-nesters, they knew it was time for improvements that people make are to kitchens and a change. They just werent sure howor whereto master baths, she says. However, over the last few get started. years many homeowners feel that they shouldnt The kitchen was job one, says David Foster, presi- move out of their existing homes. And thats a direct dent of Lorton-based Foster Remodeling. They toyed effect of the state of economy, says McLean-based with moving and knocking down the house and build- interior designer Shanon Munn. ing something new, but really there were a lot of People want to do something, but they want to things they liked about it, says Fosdo something that improves their ter. They had a two-acre lot, they life immediately in the home that really liked their property, and the theyre in, she says. with ted rogers & house had a lot of memories with it. But even though renovation may Annandale homeowner And they didnt really want to start seem like a big word, small changes of whole-house remodel all over again. can make all the difference in qualby David Foster, Foster The open-and-shut case was made ity of life. They can be simple fixes Remodeling: to get started updating, personalizlike a new coat of paint to hanging How long have you lived ing and making every inch of their some artful orbs above a new island, in your home? 1950s-era home more livable. to something more daring and expen"We purchased the home in 1983 and have lived there sive like a whole-house remodel. ever since; 28 years." in sink The last couple kitchens that Ive Indoor renovations are on trend toworked [on] have been kind of light At first you were only interested in a minor kitchen day for two main reasons: If smartly renovations because people want to remodel. How did you go engineered, they improve a homelive in their house while theyre dofrom that to a whole-house owners quality of life and increase ing it, says Munn. That means lookrenovation? "[We] wanted a nice kitchresale value, when and if it becomes ing to upgrade to a new countertop, en, and the existing home time to sell. backsplash or hardware. did not provide the requisite layout. Additionally, the With an eye toward the future, You can completely change the

Qa

58

march 2012

courteSy of foSter remodelinG

(Left page) Rogers' newly renovated kitchen. (This page) After shots of the fireplace and master bathroom.

heating and cooling system was from the original design and needed to be upgraded to the modern more efficient units. We had looked at selling and purchasing a more modern home; however, of all the homes we viewed (and we looked at quite a number throughout the region) were poorly built and possessed the cheapest fixtures. That, and poor insulation in the existing house, made the whole-house renovation the logical choice." You did a media room, a new fireplace, master suite, new kitchen and an arts and crafts studio. What is your favorite new thing about the house? "I am quite pleased with everything about the house, and it would be hard to select any one thing. Surprisingly, it is the little things that we enjoy: the filtered hot and cold water dispenser in the kitchen sink, the heated master bathroom floor and the wheelchair-accessible shower. On a larger scale, it is the great room that we created by removing all walls from the existing living room area." What are your wifes favorite new features? "She shares my thoughts; however, as an artist, she had track lighting mounted to highlight her many paintings that are hung throughout the home. Wanda had David install DC power available to the windows, which enabled her to have remote-controlled electric curtain window treatments." How do you like using the generator? More to the point, how do your neighbors feel about it? "The generator is definitely a convenience; however, with the heating and cooling depending heavily on electricity, having a generator powered by natural gas was a nobrainer. On Davids recommendation we selected the largest air-cooled unit available at the time, and we are not sorry. A few months ago we lost power for two days. We welcomed the neighbors to charge their cell phones and watch the nightly news on TV. So I would say the neighbors are happy to have it available."
www.northernvirginiamag.com

Before shots of the kitchen and fireplace.

courteSy of foSter remodelinG (beofre & after shots); diana rich/ShutterStock.com (icon)

look of your kitchen by putting in a new backsplash or adding new cabinet knobs or pulls, she says. Consider a new sink. If you can update some of the elements and tolerate some of the others, those are small renovations that can still make a dramatic impact. Thinking about function and how you live in the space helps dictate the solution, says Jerry Levine, president of the Levine Group and 2011 president of the Washington, D.C. chapter of National Association of Remodeling Institute (NARI). In the first half of the 20th century even into the 70shomes were much more compartmentalized, says Levine. There were designated activities for designated spaces, and, depending on the activity, you moved from room to room. People

dont live like that anymore. In the remodeling world, were trying to change older houses to fit the more modern lifestyle, remarks Levine.

investment upgrades
When it comes to return on investment, there are a couple of things to factor in if youre thinking about a remodel. Its not just about garnering the best returns; its about taking a close look at what makes sense for you and your family. Home improvements can be classified in one of two ways, though they have been known to comingle, says Levine. The first is the have-to-do project. That is: What does the house need right now? Thats the repair or upgrade you know you need to take on.

Top improvemenTs for home renovations

If youre interested in making renovations to your home, experts say these are the main areas to consider for best resale value: Modern, Open (Bright) Kitchen: These days, it is important to have a functional yet modern kitchen (granite and composite stone countertops, adding islands). Kitchen redos include state-of-the-art, wellfunctioning, sometimes professional-grade stainless steel or custom integrated appliances. Lighting options have switched to elegant and artistic pendants, and essential task lighting. Hang a pendant with a splash of color that picks up your backsplash, says Susan Nottoli, showroom manager at Dulles Electric. Finished Basement: From media rooms to rec rooms, the flexible use of a finished basement is essential to a homes increase in value. Thats something people do to give themselves more living Top Improvements continued on page 62

59

for finding excellent contractors

It all begins with seeing the possible. Looking at the space you have to work with, and imagining it transformed. No matter how challenging the job, our designers can help you create a true Showplace of your own. Stop in soon, or call us and imagine all thats possible!

sTraTegies

If youre looking to remodel, or even just thinking about it, there are certain things to look for in prospective contractors. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) offers some suggestions. How long have you been in business? Or how many projects like mine have you completed? Ask for references, but be cautious that theres more to it than that. Find out who theyve worked with, and what they thought of the results. Believe it or not, good communication is the most important skill a contractor or a contractor group can have, says McLean-based interior designer Shanon Munn. Sure, their craftsmanship should be admirable, and it should fit your style and needs, but if the contractor has trouble returning calls or isnt able to produce cost estimates in a timely manner, those are immediate red flags. No project goes from start to finish without some kind of hiccup, says Jerry Levine, NARIs 2011 D.C. chapter president. He advises asking contractors to describe a time when something went wrong.

Free In-Home Measure & Design Consultation

2720 Dorr Ave Fairfax, VA 22031 703-204-2222 13913 Willard Rd Chantilly, VA 20151 703-378-1080

CABINET

www.fairfaxcabinet.com

The second type of project is the want-to-do project, and those are of the ilk that involves some discussion among family members about how to improve life in the home. The key question there, says Levine, involves how long you and your family intend to stay in that home. Kitchens, bathrooms and additional social spaces are the areas in a home that typically boast the biggest returns on investment. Homeowners want to be able to interact with friends and family while performing other tasks, he says. A kitchen suits that definition perfectly. Same with a finished basement.

whole-house remodel
Foster transformed the Rogers workaround kitchen into something significantly larger and much more workable. A well-placed arched window overlooks the wooded backyard, professional-grade appliances were installed, and a dishwasher and SubZero refrigerator are integrated into

60

march 2012

courteSy of foSter remodelinG

Before and after shots of media room and laundry room in the newly built-out lower level, both of which have cherry cabinetry for storage and organization.

Sheds - Gazebos - Children's playhouses Pavilions - Pergolas - Wood and poly lumber furniture

Built on site or delivered pre-built.

Call for free over-the-phone quote or on-site consultation.

703-396-7299 www.backyardshed-deck.com
Licensed - Bonded - Insured VA Contractor License #2705-072315

the Shaker-style cherry cabinetry. A granite-topped island invites conversation and food preparation at family gatherings. A strategically placed pot filler sits above the burners and cooktop in a recessed tile backsplash. Foster added tall pantries perfect for storage, adding roll-out shelves for convenient ease of use. Foster talked with the Rogers about their specific needs and, before long, Mrs. Rogers had a cabinet that housed her dining room tables leaves. She now has easy access to those extensions. (No more toting around the house to carry them to and fro.) They were placed in their own cubbyhole, now close at hand and well-situated. As Foster talked with the Rogers about their interests, he began to see their ideas take shape. It became apparent that they had a pretty substantial wish list that extended far beyond the kitchen. Foster guided them through an extensive whole-house remodel. Beyond the houses original footprint, he built an arts and crafts studio for the wifes painting and stained glass projects reachable by a breezeway, built out their master suite and, for all-out comfort, the bathroom is toasty with heated tile floors and a post-shower body dryer that Foster located overseas. Foster even incorporated one of the wifes stained glass pieces to serve as an accent window in the master bath. The living room and dining room were opened up for maximum flow, and hardwood floors were installed throughout. Perhaps the most important whole-

Continued from page 59 space, but add value to their home when the market does turn arond and they can sell, says Amanda Welch, interior designer at McLeanbased Ambi Design Studio. In-law suites: Many homeowners would rather have their parents move in with them than into assisted living. Build-outs that combine a couple of bedrooms in a home to creating entire apartments for elderly family members is something David Foster has seen a lot of over the past few years. Doorways are widened, thresholds are rollover-able, grab rails are added, appliances are placed at comfort height; all of these changes are examples of the need to make the aging population more comfortable. Powder rooms: Dont underestimate the purpose this little room

serves. Aside from the kitchen, its one of the most used and most frequented guest spaces in the home. The easiest and quickest fix is to punch it up with a new coat of paint, suggests Bob Bell, a specialist in contractor services at Home Depot in Reston. Hang a new mirror, dress it up with a new vanity, or put in a new light fixture. Showcase pieces of a favorite photo collection. Express yourself. This is a little room can reflect your personality. Change it as you see fit. Artistic use of tiles: Shanon Munn, owner of Ambi Design Studio, says as the options continue to grow in ceramics and porcelains and decorative tiles, theres a trend toward the extremes in size choices that she is placing in kitchens and baths. People are either going with the mosaic or the really large 18 by 24 tiles, she says. Homeowners are choosing cool recycled glass or patterned ceramics to achieve a custom look. And in the renovation of a master bath suite, warming tile floors are practically a must-have.

62

march 2012

The Stella Collection from Kichler Lighting, featuring polished chrome with satin-etched cased opal glass.

house convenience, as their neighbors can attest, is the addition of a generator. So even if they lose power, and they certainly have thanks to recent winter and summer storms, everything from the refrigerator to the media room remains powered up. Neighbors are welcome to charge their cell phones and tune into the news. Most important, the home suits their needs as they grow older, says Foster, and its now maxed out for convenience. Window treatments are remote-controlled with the tap of a finger. The wifes paintings are exhibited throughout the house, and better viewed thanks to the gallery feel of the newly installed track lighting. The old wood fireplace in its original red brick surround was replaced with a dramatic stone gas version; and themantle above, is a salvaged beam from the houses demolition. The newly built-out lower level includes the media room, tricked out with the requisite large-screen TV, a home office and a continuation of the kitchens cherry cabinetry. Foster translated their needs and wants into a design that maximizes their usable space.

add some sparkle

Dont underestimate the impact that lighting can have in a renovation, says Susan Nottoli, showroom manager at Dulles Electric in Sterling. In kitchens and baths, people are still putting in recessed lights, she says, but she adds that todays options are of higher quality.
www.northernvirginiamag.com

courteSy of kichler liGhtinG

63

remodeling 411
ReMODeLeRS AND cONTRAcTORS:
Blue Moon Construction 23421 Spice Bush Terrace, Ashburn; 888-209-8352; www. bluemoonconstruction.net Bowers Design Build 6715 Whittier Ave., McLean; 703-506-0845; www. bowersdesignbuild.com Case Design/ Remodeling Inc. 701 Park Ave., Falls Church; 703241-2980; www.casedesign.com Dee David & Company 7906 Sycamore Drive, Falls Church; 703-560-6601; www. deedavidandco.com Foster Remodeling 7211-H Telegraph Square Drive, Lorton; 703-550-1371; www. fosterremodeling.com Micahel Nash Design, Build & Home 8630-A Lee Highway Fairfax; 703-641-9800; www. michaelnashkitchens.com NVS Kitchen & Bath 8982 Hornbaker Road, Manassas; 703-378-2600 800 W. Broad St., Falls Church; 571-765-4450; www.nvskb.com Sagatov Associates 400 N. Washington St., Falls Church; 703-534-2500; www. sagatovhomes.com Sun Design Remodeling Specialists Inc. 5795-B Burke Centre Parkway, Burke; 703-425-5588; www. sundesigninc.com The Levine Group Architects and Builders 2323-B Stewart Ave., Silver Spring; 703-525-4646; thelevinegroup.com Tradition Homes, LLC 1497 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 100, McLean; 703-987-3444; www.builtbytradition.com TriVista USA 808 N. Danville St., Arlington; 888-814-8748; www.trivistausa. com kleppingerdesign.com Lauren Leiss Interiors The Pure Style LLC; 571-926-7825; www. thepurestyle.com Lee Design & Interiors 1020 King St., Alexandria; 703-683-7013; www. leedesignandinteriors.com Rachel James Interiors 8300 Boone Blvd., Suite 500, Vienna; 703-848-9255; www. rjinteriors.com Shanon Munn, ASID, Principal Amanda Welch, Allied ASID Ambi Design Studio Inc. McLean; 703-597-8401; www. ambidesignstudio.com Stephanie Kelley Redefined Design LLC; 703-851-2412; www. refineddesignllc.com Susan Nelson Interiors 1104 Jonquil Circle Great Falls; 703-244-1601; susannelsoninteriors.com U Design for the Home 4735 Jefferson Davis Highway Fredericksburg; 540710-2390; www. northernvirginiainteriordesign. com 2936 Annandale Road, Falls Church; 703-663-2762; www. dcgoodwill.org Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia 716 S. Glebe Road, Arlington; 703-521-9890 7770 Richmond Highway, Alexandria; 703-360-6700 4262 Entre Court, Chantilly; 703953-3747; www.habitatnova.org Red Barn Mercantile 113 S. Columbus St., Alexandria; 703-838-0355; www. redbarnmercantile.com Salvation Army (Area Locations) 2421-A6 Centreville Road, Herndon; 703-713-6691 10 C Cardinal Park Drive, Leesburg; 703-771-3371 4915 Ox Road, Fairfax; 703-3858700 11201 Balls Ford Road, Manassas; 703-686-4607; www. salvationarmyusa.org The Cottage 105 S. King St., Leesburg; 703-443-0058; www. cottageatleesburg.com The Old Lucketts Store 42350 Lucketts Road, Leesburg; 703-779-0268; www. luckettstore.com 8405 Richmond Highway, Suite G, Alexandria; 703-360-6399; www.keepingroom.com The Nest Egg 11940 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax; 703-988-0944; www. shopthenestegg.com Urban Retreat 11409 Sunset Hills Road, Reston; 703-689-3404; urbanretreatfurniture.com Valerianne 111 Church St. NW, Suite 201, Vienna; 703-242-1790; www. valerianne.com Willow Street Decor 203 Washington St., Occoquan; 703-497-2070; www. willowstreetdecor.com

TILe/FLOORINg:
Architectural Ceramics 203 S. Union St., Alexandria; 703299-6200 7505-P Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 703-714-0161; www. architecturalceramics.net Barrett Tile Co. 9203-I Enterprise Court, Manassas Park; 703-369-4114; www.barretttile.com Collins Tile and Stone 40405 Lenah Run Circle, Aldie; 703-965-2090; www. collinstileandstone.com Design Tile 8455-B Tyco Road, Vienna; 703734-8211; www.design-tile.com Enterprise Bath and Tile 4094 Majestic Lane, Suite 121, Fairfax; 703-961-1044; www. enterprisebathandtile.com Fairfax Marble and Granite 13913 Willard Road, Chantilly; 703-378-1080 2720 Dorr Ave., Fairfax; 703-2042222; www.fairfaxmarble.com Ideal Tile 929 W. Broad St., Falls Church; 703-237-8400; www.idealtile.biz McLean Tile & Marble 6827 Tennyson Drive, McLean; 703-734-7040; mcleantileandmarble.com Northern Virginia Tile Company 703-447-9380; www.nvtileco. com

AcceSSORIeS/OTHeR: LIgHTINg:
Dominion Electric Supply Co. 14605 Lee-Jackson Highway, Chantilly; 703-631-8300 5053 Lee Highway, Arlington; 703-536-4400 33 Fairfax St. SE, Leesburg; 703777-1555 7471 Mason King Court, Manassas; 571-921-1050; www. dominionelectric.com Dulles Electric 22570 Shaw Road, Suite 150, Sterling; 703-450-5700; www. dulleselectric.com Lamps Unlimited 1362 Chain Bridge Road, McLean; 703-827-0090; www.lampsunlimited-mclean.com Decorium 116 King St., Alexandria; 7034662; www.decoriumhome.com European Country Living 1006 King St., Alexandria; 703-778-4172; www. europeancountryliving.com Green Front Furniture 10154 Harry J. Parrish Blvd., Manassas; 703-396-8560; www. greenfront.com Le Village Marche 2800 S Randolph St., Suite 110-A, Arlington; 703-379-4444; www. levillagemarche.com Peacock Road 125 Mill St., Suite 4, Occoquan; 703-490-2244; www. peacockroad.com Pear Tree Cottage 130 Maple Ave. E, Vienna; 703-938-1331; www. thepeartreecottage.com The Keeping Room

INTeRIOR DeSIgNeRS:
Kleppinger Design Group 2809-A Merrilee Drive, Fairfax; 703-208-2208; www.

Goodwill (Area Locations) 22405 Enterprise St., Sterling; 703-444-5186 2421-A Centreville Road, Herndon; 571-346-1046 9960 Main St., Fairfax; 703-3491806

64 march 2012 march 2012

diana rich/ShutterStock.com (icon)

THRIFT /SALvAge:

Additionally, there are wonderful finishes now like brushed nickel and bronzes, she says, which allow designers and homeowners a welcome oppor- & Fabricator Importer tunity to add punch and personality toCOUNTERTOPS GRANITE previously institutional-type fixtures. Exotic colors - Over 200 - Thousands She says those rooms are also hotspots of Slabs - Lay-out your own slab for suspending pendants of all shapes Sealer - Permanent - Digital Measuring and sizes. - Competitive Prices - little Choose from art glass for a Fast Turn-Around Time - Local & Personalized - Free Design splash of color, or look to pick up the Consultation color theme in kitchen backsplashes 2720 Dorr Ave. 13912 Willard Rd. or countertops, she suggests. Chantilly, VA Fairfax, VA 703-378-1080 703-204-2222 Nottoli has seen a surge of interest in LED lights over traditional incandescent bulbs because they produce less Pietra Cardias Granite Slabs Bookmatched by Fairfax Marble heat and energy but radiate the same One of our more than 200 different Exotic Colors in Stock. amount of light. LED lights are more desirable today because they are dim Over 300 Exotic Colors Permanent Sealer Fast Turn-Around Time mable and have less of a blue tinge, Thousands of Slabs Digital Measuring Local & Personalized casting a much warmer glow than they Lay Out Your Own Slabs Competitive Prices Design Consultation did just a few years ago. There are other ways to express 2720 Dorr Ave 13913 Willard Rd architectural detail when it comes to Fairfax, VA 22031 Chantilly, VA 20151 lighting. Also in vogue are tray ceil703-204-2222 703-378-1080 F O ings, where soft light bounces off thePRO MARBLE & GRANITE www.fairfaxmarble.com crown molding, or above or below the cabinetry. For a pretty nightlight efLicensed & fect, Nottoli says, consider illuminatInsured ing glass-front cabinets, which offers the homeowner a chance to showcase Custom Design favorite dishes or vase.

small spaces, big impact

Washington, D.C.-based interior designer Erica Riggio believes that everyone has the right to feel comfortable in his or her space, no matter its size, no matter its price levelwhether rented or owned. To Riggio, everyone is entitled to reside in a state of comfort and high design. From her work on beautifying a powder room to that of a rented twobedroom bachelor pad in Chinatown, she says, without having to spend a lot of money, there are lots of ways that you can feel good in your space. With permission to paint the walls in the Chinatown apartment, she created a hip-urban-retro look in chartreuse and gray tones. She rocked her own handmade wall art with 45s she scored at the Salvation Army that suited the roommates perfectly. For that project she

& Quality Material for your Deck or Fence

FENCING Chain Link Wood Vinyl Ornamental DECKS Custom Wood Vinyl TREX Screened porches AZEK Fiberon

703-361-1141 or (800)477-6315 www.armorfenceco.com

Free Estimates

shopped consignment and IKEA. And her mini-renovation was a success. We met their budget; we made it work, Riggio says. We went where we can find really great dealssome of it used, some of it not. It was a quick-and-dirty job, says Riggio, who completed that project in record time and with a low budget. But of the finished product, she says the bachelors were really happy! Its true that home improvements can consist of large-scale additions, but

there are also tiny, smart design moves that arise from a thoughtful contractor or designer who really understands your needs, and works to add just a little more comfort into your life, often in ways so tiny and unexpected, yet so welcomed, you have no idea how you lived without them. And if you can get more bang for your buck, so much the better. In some cases, you may have no intention of selling, but that doesnt mean you cant live like it.
www.northernvirginiamag.com

65