Prior to its complete transformation, the Carversville Farmhouse had a dark, cave-like feel with low ceilings, cramped spaces, and crumbling surfaces. And yet, there were elements of charm in the 1850s farmhouse that were worth saving. In addition, the property was under an agricultural easement that prevented modification of the building footprint. So, Re:Vision set to work with what ‘should’ be saved, and what ‘needed’ to be. Using Passive House building principles, continuous insulation was added to the building exterior which was then re-clad. Major moves on the interior included resetting floor locations to add head height, and removing an attic to make a vaulted ceiling. Wood from the floors and log cabin addition were re-purposed for architectural woodwork on the interior; stone walls were also salvaged for re-use. An existing fireplace was restored and made into a center point by creating circulation around it, and by featuring a previously hidden massive wood lintel. The resulting building evokes warmth in materials and character while remaining thoroughly modern in its openness, lightness, and energy efficiency. Photo Credit: Re:Vision Architecture

Kitchen Renovation: layout modification and aesthetic upgrades. Cabinets: Rustic Cherry Natural Counter tops: Golden Supreme Granite Back splash: Rittenhouse square bisquit Appliances: Samsung Black Stainless This was a traditional ranch style home with a small kitchen that lacked counter top space and had a cramped dining room that blocked access to the garage and back patio. The renovation focused on creating better flow, opening up the walkways, increasing storage and was upgraded to our aesthetic taste. The island incorporates dining seating for up to 5 while also providing storage for the Microwave, Trash/Recycling and Storage for dog food/board games. We designed a custom hood surround to fit within our limited ceiling height. This simple design added character and visual interest to a simple space plan. Full height pantry storage was added on the end of the kitchen by the patio doors, leaving just enough room before the garage door for the dog food bowls. Electrical was upgraded for the whole space, going from 2 outlets in the kitchen to 7 has increased the usability of the space. A USB outlet was added to the end of the island so that people can charge their phones. Prior to the renovation there was a lack of lighting, we added can lights and an island pendant to increase visibility for prep.

Michael Biondo photography The kitchen remodel is part of a larger renovation of an older home with the goal of maintaining the original character on the outside, while introducing a contemporary, functionally-driven aesthetic inside. Structural modifications allow three individual rooms to be combined and for the kitchen to be connected to the outdoor patio with large sliding doors. Warm, natural materials with contrasting elements enrich the minimal space: blackened steel vs. white lacquer, smooth paneling vs. rough stone. The design challenge was to use the original wood burning fireplace chimney for cooking was a detailing challenge requiring mechanical gymnastics and custom fabrication. The old hearth is transformed into the new focal point of the space.

Michael Biondo photography The kitchen remodel is part of a larger renovation of an older home with the goal of maintaining the original character on the outside, while introducing a contemporary, functionally-driven aesthetic inside. Structural modifications allow three individual rooms to be combined and for the kitchen to be connected to the outdoor patio with large sliding doors. Warm, natural materials with contrasting elements enrich the minimal space: blackened steel vs. white lacquer, smooth paneling vs. rough stone. The design challenge was to use the original wood burning fireplace chimney for cooking was a detailing challenge requiring mechanical gymnastics and custom fabrication. The old hearth is transformed into the new focal point of the space.

Michael Biondo photography The kitchen remodel is part of a larger renovation of an older home with the goal of maintaining the original character on the outside, while introducing a contemporary, functionally-driven aesthetic inside. Structural modifications allow three individual rooms to be combined and for the kitchen to be connected to the outdoor patio with large sliding doors. Warm, natural materials with contrasting elements enrich the minimal space: blackened steel vs. white lacquer, smooth paneling vs. rough stone. The design challenge was to use the original wood burning fireplace chimney for cooking was a detailing challenge requiring mechanical gymnastics and custom fabrication. The old hearth is transformed into the new focal point of the space.

Michael Biondo photography The kitchen remodel is part of a larger renovation of an older home with the goal of maintaining the original character on the outside, while introducing a contemporary, functionally-driven aesthetic inside. Structural modifications allow three individual rooms to be combined and for the kitchen to be connected to the outdoor patio with large sliding doors. Warm, natural materials with contrasting elements enrich the minimal space: blackened steel vs. white lacquer, smooth paneling vs. rough stone. The design challenge was to use the original wood burning fireplace chimney for cooking was a detailing challenge requiring mechanical gymnastics and custom fabrication. The old hearth is transformed into the new focal point of the space.

High-end residential remodeling specializing in kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, whole-home renovations, and luxury finishes. EDR Design Build provides architectural redesign, structural modifications, premium material sourcing, and integrated smart home systems. Services include project management, permit coordination, quality assurance, and timeline adherence for complex multi-trade projects. Focuses on transforming dated homes into modern luxury spaces while preserving character and adding contemporary functionality. Projects $200K-$2M+ depending on scope and finish specifications

High-end residential remodeling specializing in kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, whole-home renovations, and luxury finishes. EDR Design Build provides architectural redesign, structural modifications, premium material sourcing, and integrated smart home systems. Services include project management, permit coordination, quality assurance, and timeline adherence for complex multi-trade projects. Focuses on transforming dated homes into modern luxury spaces while preserving character and adding contemporary functionality. Projects $200K-$2M+ depending on scope and finish specifications.

High-end residential remodeling specializing in kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, whole-home renovations, and luxury finishes. EDR Design Build provides architectural redesign, structural modifications, premium material sourcing, and integrated smart home systems. Services include project management, permit coordination, quality assurance, and timeline adherence for complex multi-trade projects. Focuses on transforming dated homes into modern luxury spaces while preserving character and adding contemporary functionality. Projects $200K-$2M+ depending on scope and finish specifications

High-end residential remodeling specializing in kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, whole-home renovations, and luxury finishes. EDR Design Build provides architectural redesign, structural modifications, premium material sourcing, and integrated smart home systems. Services include project management, permit coordination, quality assurance, and timeline adherence for complex multi-trade projects. Focuses on transforming dated homes into modern luxury spaces while preserving character and adding contemporary functionality. Projects $200K-$2M+ depending on scope and finish specifications.

High-end residential remodeling specializing in kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, whole-home renovations, and luxury finishes. EDR Design Build provides architectural redesign, structural modifications, premium material sourcing, and integrated smart home systems. Services include project management, permit coordination, quality assurance, and timeline adherence for complex multi-trade projects. Focuses on transforming dated homes into modern luxury spaces while preserving character and adding contemporary functionality. Projects $200K-$2M+ depending on scope and finish specifications.

High-end residential remodeling specializing in kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, whole-home renovations, and luxury finishes. EDR Design Build provides architectural redesign, structural modifications, premium material sourcing, and integrated smart home systems. Services include project management, permit coordination, quality assurance, and timeline adherence for complex multi-trade projects. Focuses on transforming dated homes into modern luxury spaces while preserving character and adding contemporary functionality. Projects $200K-$2M+ depending on scope and finish specifications.

High-end residential remodeling specializing in kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, whole-home renovations, and luxury finishes. EDR Design Build provides architectural redesign, structural modifications, premium material sourcing, and integrated smart home systems. Services include project management, permit coordination, quality assurance, and timeline adherence for complex multi-trade projects. Focuses on transforming dated homes into modern luxury spaces while preserving character and adding contemporary functionality. Projects $200K-$2M+ depending on scope and finish specifications.

High-end residential remodeling specializing in kitchen renovations, bathroom upgrades, whole-home renovations, and luxury finishes. EDR Design Build provides architectural redesign, structural modifications, premium material sourcing, and integrated smart home systems. Services include project management, permit coordination, quality assurance, and timeline adherence for complex multi-trade projects. Focuses on transforming dated homes into modern luxury spaces while preserving character and adding contemporary functionality. Projects $200K-$2M+ depending on scope and finish specifications.

Photography by Ken Wyner 2101 Connecticut Avenue (c.1928), an 8-story brick and limestone Beaux Arts style building with spacious apartments, is said to have been “the finest apartment house to appear in Washington between the two World Wars.” (James M. Goode, Best Addresses, 1988.) As advertised for rent in 1928, the apartments were designed “to incorporate many details that would aid the residents in establishing a home atmosphere, one possessing charm and dignity usually found only in a private house… the character and tenancy (being) assured through careful selection of guests.” Home to Senators, Ambassadors, a Vice President and a Supreme Court Justice as well as numerous Washington socialites, the building still stands as one of the undisputed “best addresses” in Washington, DC.) So well laid-out was this gracious 3,000 sf apartment that the basic floor plan remains unchanged from the original architect’s 1927 design. The organizing feature was, and continues to be, the grand “gallery” space in the center of the unit. Every room in the apartment can be accessed via the gallery, thus preserving it as the centerpiece of the “charm and dignity” which the original design intended. Programmatic modifications consisted of the addition of a small powder room off of the foyer, and the conversion of a corner “sun room” into a room for meditation and study. The apartment received a thorough updating of all systems, services and finishes, including a new kitchen and new bathrooms, several new built-in cabinetry units, and the consolidation of numerous small closets and passageways into more accessible and efficient storage spaces.

Kitchen Renovation: layout modification and aesthetic upgrades. Cabinets: Rustic Cherry Natural Counter tops: Golden Supreme Granite Back splash: Rittenhouse square bisquit Appliances: Samsung Black Stainless This was a traditional ranch style home with a small kitchen that lacked counter top space and had a cramped dining room that blocked access to the garage and back patio. The renovation focused on creating better flow, opening up the walkways, increasing storage and was upgraded to our aesthetic taste. The island incorporates dining seating for up to 5 while also providing storage for the Microwave, Trash/Recycling and Storage for dog food/board games. We designed a custom hood surround to fit within our limited ceiling height. This simple design added character and visual interest to a simple space plan. Full height pantry storage was added on the end of the kitchen by the patio doors, leaving just enough room before the garage door for the dog food bowls. Electrical was upgraded for the whole space, going from 2 outlets in the kitchen to 7 has increased the usability of the space. A USB outlet was added to the end of the island so that people can charge their phones. Prior to the renovation there was a lack of lighting, we added can lights and an island pendant to increase visibility for prep.

Michael Biondo photography The kitchen remodel is part of a larger renovation of an older home with the goal of maintaining the original character on the outside, while introducing a contemporary, functionally-driven aesthetic inside. Structural modifications allow three individual rooms to be combined and for the kitchen to be connected to the outdoor patio with large sliding doors. Warm, natural materials with contrasting elements enrich the minimal space: blackened steel vs. white lacquer, smooth paneling vs. rough stone. The design challenge was to use the original wood burning fireplace chimney for cooking was a detailing challenge requiring mechanical gymnastics and custom fabrication. The old hearth is transformed into the new focal point of the space.

Our client, with whom we had worked on a number of projects over the years, enlisted our help in transforming her family’s beloved but deteriorating rustic summer retreat, built by her grandparents in the mid-1920’s, into a house that would be livable year-‘round. It had served the family well but needed to be renewed for the decades to come without losing the flavor and patina they were attached to. The house was designed by Ruth Adams, a rare female architect of the day, who also designed in a similar vein a nearby summer colony of Vassar faculty and alumnae. To make Treetop habitable throughout the year, the whole house had to be gutted and insulated. The raw homosote interior wall finishes were replaced with plaster, but all the wood trim was retained and reused, as were all old doors and hardware. The old single-glazed casement windows were restored, and removable storm panels fitted into the existing in-swinging screen frames. New windows were made to match the old ones where new windows were added. This approach was inherently sustainable, making the house energy-efficient while preserving most of the original fabric. Changes to the original design were as seamless as possible, compatible with and enhancing the old character. Some plan modifications were made, and some windows moved around. The existing cave-like recessed entry porch was enclosed as a new book-lined entry hall and a new entry porch added, using posts made from an oak tree on the site. The kitchen and bathrooms are entirely new but in the spirit of the place. All the bookshelves are new. A thoroughly ramshackle garage couldn’t be saved, and we replaced it with a new one built in a compatible style, with a studio above for our client, who is a writer.

Kitchen Renovation: layout modification and aesthetic upgrades. Cabinets: Rustic Cherry Natural Counter tops: Golden Supreme Granite Back splash: Rittenhouse square bisquit Appliances: Samsung Black Stainless This was a traditional ranch style home with a small kitchen that lacked counter top space and had a cramped dining room that blocked access to the garage and back patio. The renovation focused on creating better flow, opening up the walkways, increasing storage and was upgraded to our aesthetic taste. The island incorporates dining seating for up to 5 while also providing storage for the Microwave, Trash/Recycling and Storage for dog food/board games. We designed a custom hood surround to fit within our limited ceiling height. This simple design added character and visual interest to a simple space plan. Full height pantry storage was added on the end of the kitchen by the patio doors, leaving just enough room before the garage door for the dog food bowls. Electrical was upgraded for the whole space, going from 2 outlets in the kitchen to 7 has increased the usability of the space. A USB outlet was added to the end of the island so that people can charge their phones. Prior to the renovation there was a lack of lighting, we added can lights and an island pendant to increase visibility for prep.