Filtering by Category: Whole house renovation

Reimagining a Whiting's Neck riverfront cabin

January 03, 2024 / Tracy Moller

What a treat to be involved in this massive renovation/addition project, which greatly improved the usability of a weekend home on the Potomac. A family member with mobility issues was no longer able to navigate stairs, so the owners wanted to enlarge the home, with the primary goal of adding a Stiltz lift so that everyone could enjoy the property again. The original two bedroom home was more than doubled in size, and the exterior materials were all replaced. Much of the fenestration was reimagined and balanced to bring the home out of the 80’s and into the 2020’s (I’m looking at you, triangular windows!) The public spaces were all shifted to the new left half of the home, while the original great room was replaced with a lavish master suite. The staircase was also repositioned opposite the new front door, and provides a great introduction (via large glass window) to the “adult treehouse” vibe you feel while gazing down at the river from the deck and covered patio spaces. The river is over 100 steps below the house.

A steep lot with close neighbors made this addition smaller than desired, but you work with what you’ve got. Alicia McCormick ,P.E., was kept on her toes with designing structural basement slabs over compacted fill, a very long ridge beam in the new great room, and with the design of some massive retaining walls around the new parking area. The builder, Mt. Tabor Construction, managed to get all sorts of equipment and material to this very challenging site, back a long steep twisting gravel “road”, and really brought my plans to life.

Thanks to Integrity Imaging Solutions for doing an amazing job of capturing this home’s beauty, inside and out, on such a steep property!

New on the left; original structure on the right (new begins at the right side of the new recessed entry).

BEFORE

BEFORE: Say goodbye to those triangular windows over the original kitchen, which is where the master bathroom will be going. The new front entry is where the propane tanks are.

It’s a long way up from the water

BEFORE: This long staircase remained.

This new side door leads into the end of the new kitchen. Dining is in the bumpout on the side. Notice the short windows at the dining area, due to proximity to the neighboring home.

I specified Simpson “Avant” series black powder coated steel fastener plates for the beam and post connections. They’re functional yet stylish, and don’t break the bank.

This large window to the right is over the new staircase and opposite the front door, for a welcoming view to the visitor.

Original deck was expanded to continue across the back of the new construction. This covered bit of deck feels like an outdoor room and gets lots of use.

Treehouse vibes.

The relocated public spaces, in new construction.

A “Stiltz” lift was added into new closets. The original part of the house begins just to the right of the closet. A new hallway leading to the master suite was part of the old master bedroom itself.

BEFORE: Here’s a dreadful photo of what the back Great Room wall looked like. The fixed triangles were removed for a rectangular transom. Please note the massive ridge beam, supported by the framing between those windows.

DURING: The old Great Room rear wall’s doors and triangle windows have been removed. The big point load from the ridge beam is now supported by a header that distributes the roof load to columns flanking the new transom window and doors below.

AFTER: Isn’t this prettier than the triangles?

Before: The old kitchen faced away from the river and didn’t have much view. I turned this space into the new master bath.

AFTER: The new master bath is in the original kitchen’s location. Triangle windows were removed, and new casement windows are centered on the gable. Above the flat ceiling is a ledge so that the high transom window is visible from the bedroom side, along with the entirety of the original ridge beam at the peak of the cathedral ceiling.

While small, the bathroom is highly functional and efficient.

A wine cellar greets you as you descend the stairs. The hallway leads into the original part of the home and the remodeled family room.

Remodeled family room included a new fireplace, doors, and windows. Hallway leads to the new part of the home and the stairs.

New stair rails were by Burdette Ironworks in Mercersburg. This is my second project with them; both clients extremely happy with their final product. They also fabricated the deck rails on this job.

Space under the original and expanded deck was finished with structural slabs, where previously there had been old flagstones and gravel. What an improvement!

On rainy days you can still enjoy the river view.

categories / Whole house renovation, Two-story
tags / Waterfront, Arts & Crafts, Waterfront Bungalow Makeover, O'Dell Construction, Potomac River, Steep Lot, Stiltz Lift

Big Pool Rancher Overhaul

November 18, 2013 / Tracy Moller

Purchased as a weekend house by a Montgomery County couple, this small one-bedroom is destined for full-time residence status once the owners retire. A strong connection to outside was crucial, as was keeping to a tight budget, which meant adding as little square footage as possible. By reconfiguring a few existing areas and moving the front door we created some nice long sight lines -- many of which lead to gorgeous views. The home is now a two-bedroom two bath, with great features like a covered front porch, walk-in pantry, walk-in closet, open basement staircase, cathedral ceilings, pool, hot tub, and decks. The former owners would never have imagined that their 28' x 30' box could be reinvented like this.

categories / Whole house renovation
tags / Rancher, Cathedral ceilings, Sunroom, Pool deck, Kitchen, Big Pool Rancher

Waterfront bungalow makeover

September 28, 2013 / Tracy Moller

A long-time contractor client and his wife, Bob & Lynn O'Dell, purchased this small one-story brick and block home on a waterway just outside of Annapolis for themselves. The intent was to renovate and expand to create a two-story home with walk-up attic and oversized one-car garage, while keeping within not only the subdivision's height restrictions, but also the allowable building envelope of the site. The views from the rear of the home, especially from the second floor and attic, were worth it.

categories / Whole house renovation, Two-story
tags / Waterfront, Arts & Crafts, Dormers, Walkup attic, Duval Creek, Waterfront Bungalow Makeover, O'Dell Construction