Center-hall colonial homes are a thing in Alexandria – it’s hard to go more than a few blocks without seeing one. You can instantly recognize them; they look like the quintessential child’s drawing of a house. They are rectangular, built of brick, and they include a central front door flanked by windows.

This is Convene Architecture’s story of two, similar center-hall colonial homes in the Northridge neighborhood of Alexandria. Each had clients who hired us to give their home a complete makeover, but in two very different styles.

One client dreamed of a traditional home featuring a light-filled dining bay overlooking a spacious backyard oasis. The other imagined a mid-century modern addition with a cool kitchen. We gave both homes a new vibe while maintaining their original essence, and had fun making ALL our clients’ dreams come true! 

Traditional and Modern

On the exterior of the houses, we gave each a number of updates, with front porches, new windows, and painted brick. On the traditional home, we detailed the new front porch with a custom standing seam metal roof and classical column details. On the modern home, we added an awning over the front door with bespoke metal brackets and unique light fixtures.

Each home got a completely new look for their interior spaces in partnership with talented interior designers. Led by Melissa Colgan Interiors, the traditional home is layered with lush patterns and colors to define the rooms. Led by Jefferson Street Designs, the modern home uses a largely black and white color palette (save the colorful beam!) with rooms flowing into each other. But there are similarities, too; each home has arched openings adjacent to the front door with fun wallpaper to make the entry special.

Each home got an addition on the rear of the house, which required structural steel to support the weight above. In the traditional home, we covered the steel with reclaimed wood beams which were shipped in from an old barn. In the modern home, we only needed one steel beam and we painted it bright red-orange, creating an architectural feature at the entry to the new kitchen.

Each home has a kitchen with a “feature wall” that can be seen from other rooms in the house. In the traditional home, this wall has a custom plaster hood and subway tile over the range. Decorative storage is provided by metal and wood bistro shelving and there are diagonal views to the outdoors. In the modern home, the kitchen has oversized, horizontal windows surrounded by stacked white tile, with expansive views directly into the backyard.

With the two-story rear addition for each home, we completely reimagined access to each backyard. We detailed the traditional addition with classic details and materials, large doors, and a neutral color palette that can be seen from the deck, outdoor patio, and screened porch. We detailed the modern addition with contrasting materials, textures and colors, and included large french doors that lead from the kitchen to a backyard deck. We worked with skillful builders on both projects, Harry Braswell, Inc. for the traditional home, and G.W. Hastings (now retired) for the modern home.

Clients often ask us why our architecture doesn’t all look the same. It's because we listen! In the end, we’re successful if our clients love their reimagined homes, whatever the style. We were grateful to work with incredible clients and partners on these projects - and smile every time we think of our clients enjoying their homes.

Credits:

Traditional Home: Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography; Interior Design: Melissa Colgan Interiors; Builder: Harry Braswell, Inc.

Modern Home: Photography: Angela Newton Roy Photography; Interior Design: Jefferson Street Designs; Styling: Kristi Hunter; Builder: G.W. Hastings

SEE ALSO: Convene Architecture: What’s In A Name?