A kitchen with a patterned tile backsplash, a white vessel sink on a countertop, a brass wall sconce, a built-in bookshelf with books, and part of a black and gold stove.

two story addition & interior renovation

Timeless Charm

A dark and dated rear addition gets a new lease on life in this grand historic townhome. Within the existing footprint, we reimagined the kitchen and primary suite to bring modern comfort, smart storage, and a sense of calm for a growing family.

Status
Completed 2022

SCOPE
two story addition + renovation

LOCATION
alexandria, va

Bright kitchen with white cabinets, marble island, gold fixtures, patterned backsplash, built-in bookshelves, and a view of a backyard with trees through glass doors.

the challenge

Natural Light, Function & Storage

The rear addition of this otherwise grand historic townhome felt disconnected—dark, dated, and lacking the storage and functionality the clients needed. With a growing family, the couple wanted a kitchen and primary suite that would better support their day-to-day life, offering more light, smarter storage, and a sense of modern ease within the home’s traditional shell.

  • White kitchen cabinets and a window with a floral Roman shade, part of a dining area with chairs.
  • A window with a floral patterned roman shade in a white room.
  • Bright corner window with outside greenery and brick wall, sunlight casting shadows inside, white window frame and sill, bottom storage with baskets.
  • A bathroom with a marble sink, brass faucet and fixtures, a mirror with a gold frame, a wall-mounted lamp, and patterned wallpaper with purple and white design.
  • A staircase with white railings, wooden handrail, and carpeted steps in a home interior.
  • Bathroom with white vanity, gold fixtures, window with patterned curtain, and glass-enclosed shower with white subway tiles.
White built-in closet with metal handles, a horizontal bar for hanging clothes, a white rolling ladder with several steps, and wooden flooring.

Special Features

Maximizing Space & Storage

To maximize space in narrow homes, we often combine hallways and closets. In the primary suite, a custom built-in closet wall offers the storage capacity of a traditional walk-in while serving as a pleasant transition into the bedroom.

A hallway with white walls, wooden flooring, and built-in white cabinetry, leading to a sunlit bedroom with large windows and a bed with white bedding.
A bedroom with a bed, nightstand, lamp, and two white upholstered chairs near a bay window with white curtains, wooden floors, and natural light.
A bedroom with a bed, nightstand with lamp, window with floral shade, and a cream upholstered chair, all illuminated by natural sunlight.
A modern, narrow two-story house with beige sidings on the sides and white panels at the front. It has large windows on both floors, a black door with glass, and a small wooden deck with steps leading up to the entrance. An exterior lantern light hangs above the door.

the solution

Making the Most of 6 Feet

At the outset of the project, our zoning analysis revealed we could extend only 6 feet to the rear of the house. To make the most of this limited allowance, we added a two-story bay to the back. On the first floor, the modest addition created a highly functional mudroom—an ideal transition between the rear yard and the kitchen. Upstairs, the new bay became a charming reading alcove in the primary bedroom.

A look at where we began—original conditions & site constraints

A Work in Progress

  • Backyard scene with a gray house featuring four windows, a ladder leaning against the wall, a table with chairs, and fallen leaves on the brick patio.

    Original rear exterior, lacking direct access and connection to the garden

  • A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a dining table, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Two windows with yellow and red curtains, and a person with short dark hair leaning over the table. A child wearing a face mask is partially visible on the left.

    Original kitchen was dark and outdated

  • Comfortable bedroom with a wooden bed frame, white bedding, and pillows, two windows with cream curtains, a nightstand with a lamp and photo frame, a dresser with a lamp and items, a laundry basket, a partially visible green playpen, and a cozy, floral-patterned wallpaper.

    Original bedroom above needed a refresh

Collaborators

Contractor: William Cromley Design/Development

Photographer: Jenn Verrier Photography

Interior Designer: Choux Designs

Back to Work