Building Reputations

Spotlight on Award-Winning Remodelers and Their Most Lauded Projects

By Cathy Cruise

Do you ever wish your home was more functional, or dream of roomier rooms? Long for light, ache for ambiance? You’re not alone. With fewer people buying new homes these days, more are considering remodeling.

“When there’s no easy sale or trade-up option, it makes sense to improve upon what you have,” says John Byrd, president of Home Fronts News Service. “There’s a sense today of people settling in and making a house into one that works for them.”

But how to choose a contractor? Take a look at their achievements—like these 10 area builders, most of which received the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s (NARI) Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards (national and regional). Others took home the big-name Chrysalis and American Institute of Architects (AIA) awards.

Eagle Home Design, LLC
11738 Indian Ridge Road, Reston; 703-476-5550; www.eagleprojects.us
NARI 2008 Regional CotY Award, Residential Kitchen $60K to $100K, Region II
Home in Sterling

This kitchen had very little counter space, and not enough room for entertaining friends and family. While the owners wanted a contemporary look, they wanted it to match the traditional decor found in the rest of the home.

By removing one wall section, Eagle Home Design nearly doubled the size of the kitchen, freeing up traffic flow in and around the area, and providing a space that can now comfortably fit up to 20 people. More counter space was supplied as well, with the use of black, natural stone countertops. All new cabinetry and appliances were installed. Bisazza tile and prefinished hardwoods were placed on the floors, giving the room a contemporary, upscale design that blends well with the adjoining rooms and decor.

“Today’s clients are more willing to take risks in their remodels,” says John W. Thompson, principal at Eagle. “That means they’re becoming open to more minimal contemporary design. They are also very interested in rooms that use space more efficiently than the original design allowed.”

Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.
5795 B Burke Centre Parkway, Burke; 703-425-5588; www.sundesigninc.com
NARI 2007 CotY Grand Contractor of the Year Award, Residential Addition Under $250K
Home in Fairfax

This home was dark inside, with one small picture window to light up the living and family room areas. The owners also wanted better curb appeal—an attractive entryway and better access to upper and lower floors.
Sun Design opened up the front of the house by building a two-story addition with a split-level foyer, creating new entries to both levels of the structure. Contemporary vertical windows were installed, along with skylights in a truss roof and frosted glass ceilings, to flood the house with natural light.

The rich wood siding on the home was made from a mixture of cedar, redwood and brick with a stucco finish. New flooring was achieved with porcelain tile and oak hardwoods.

The result is a much brighter, more inviting area, inside and out. The spacious foyer now allows for direct access to the lower level and provides a much-improved flow of space.

Bob Gallagher, vice president of Sun Design, says innovative projects like this are becoming the norm. “We have been seeing more of a desire for a creative design,” he says, “that will result in strong value for what homeowners spend.”

Fisher Group, LLC
4119 Chatelain Road, Annandale; 703-750-1151; www.designbuildrenovate.com
NARI 2007 CotY Finalist Award, Residential Bath $30K to $60K, Metro DC Chapter
Home in Falls Church

This homeowner didn’t want a big bathroom, just “big enough to not bang my elbows,” she says. She desired not only more space, but a contemporary style with warm finishes—particularly wood, clean lines, lightness of scale and neutrals with jewel-toned accents. She requested a spacious grooming area, plenty of storage, a shower with a seat, more light and, since she’s a gardener, as much connection to the outdoors as possible.

In lieu of the usual mirrored wall over the vanity, Fisher Group placed vanity cabinets in front of the windows, allowing for a fresh and spacious look. For grooming needs, a mirrored medicine cabinet and lighted, standup makeup mirror were provided on the vanity. A frameless shower enclosure with a curbless entry was added to visually enlarge the space, and the toilet was partially hidden from view by a linen closet.
Large windows were installed to let in the garden view and as much light as possible, and a raised ceiling provided a sense of volume and a contemporary line to the space. Cabinetry was chosen to complement the new red-oak doors installed throughout the home, and natural reed shades were mounted to complete the indoor/outdoor theme.

The Gallick Corporation
111-C Carpenter Drive, Sterling; 703-787-0313; www.gallickcorp.com
NARI 2008 National CotY Award for Residential Exterior $100K and Over, Region II Southeast; NARI Region II Grand Award; NARI Chapter Merit Award
Home in Great Falls

This outdoor space wasn’t always so spectacular, with an original porch consisting of aging pressure-treated wood and a concrete slab. The homeowners wanted a more versatile, inviting area for their outdoor gatherings.

When it was discovered that the home’s existing well and septic fields were not located where the property plat indicated, the initial project scope had to change. The existing deck was demolished, and feasibility tests for relocation and reconstruction of new systems had to be conducted. Once this was done, The Gallick Corporation used weather-resilient materials such as synthetic stucco, composition decking and polymer sheet cabinets to build the new structure. Just off the home’s kitchen sitting room, a full outdoor kitchen was created, complete with stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. On the upper left patio, steps away from the living room, stands a handsome new fireplace of faux cultured stone.

This versatile new deck is now accented with ceiling fans, coffered ceilings, recessed and spot lighting, and metal rails with gated spiral stairs. The space blends well with the upbeat character of the home, and serves as the ultimate spot for get-togethers and outdoor entertaining.

Little River Carpentry, LLC
14 Little River Road, Laurel, Md.; 301-775-4276; www.littlerivercarpentry.com
NARI 2008 Regional CotY Award for Residential Bath $30K to $60K, Region II
Home in Washington, DC

A 1950s bathroom in this Embassy Row home was typical for its time—small, with black and white tile, pedestal sink and a small closet nearby. Since this cramped room had to serve as the main master bath for the owners and their children, Little River Carpentry set out to make a functional, yet kid-friendly space.
After removing the closet, they set the wall two feet into the bedroom to make one large master suite. They added a bathtub with a hand shower and fashioned a step for the children and for the parents to sit on at bath time. While they made the vanities 36 inches high, they also created pull-out rolling stools so the kids could reach the sink.

Since one child was potty training, heated floors were installed to help with late-night trips to the toilet. The wall between the bathroom and nursery was framed out in 2-by-6 instead of 2-by-4, allowing for deeper insulation and a sound-isolation panel.

“The owners knew they had a tall order,” says Little River owner, Andy Ault. “We asked them to make a wish list in order of priority. They said they’d be happy with 50 percent of it. We basically gave them every item on it.”

Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.
7913 MacArthur Blvd., Cabin John, Md.; 301-907-0100; www.anthonywilder.com
NARI 2008 Regional CotY Award for Residential Exterior Specialty, Region II
Home in Great Falls

After living with an unattractive deck that couldn’t hold much more than a grill and some chairs, the owners longed for a bigger space, as well as a hot tub and screened porch. “I told them, ‘Let’s make it a big courtyard,’” says Anthony Wilder, who envisioned an environment unto itself outside their door.

Using mostly maintenance-free synthetic decking for the rails, columns and groupings, the company built a dazzling, mutlilayered outdoor retreat. To keep the view from being disrupted, the screened porch was placed to one side, and a covered walkway was constructed to reach the bell-shaped, gazebo-style enclosure. The structure itself rests on top of an ivy-covered base with unique arched doorways. Vertical, transparent screens made of synthetic wire cloth were installed right into columns of the porch, which can be opened or closed as needed. A glass rail around the hot tub again keeps the view in plain sight.

“People want exposure to the outside,” Wilder says. “Anytime you build a structure like this, you should consider it your outdoor living space.”

Bowers Design Build, Inc.
6715 Whittier Ave., Suite 200, McLean; 703-506-0845; www.bowersdesignbuild.com
NARI 2007 Grand CotY Award for Historic Home Renovation, Metro DC Chapter
Home in Arlington

Designers call it a four-square farmhouse—one square each for the living room, dining room, kitchen and foyer. The owners of this 1920s-era home knew it could be improved, especially its limited space, but wanted to maintain its historic appeal.

Bowers Design Build added a fifth square—a three-story one—out back. This provided a basement with a guest room and full bath, a mid-level family room and mud room, and a third story master bath, closet and exercise room. Hardiplank siding helped maintain the original wood look of the exterior, and windows were made to copy the originals. Since the garage was nearly falling down, a new, almost identical one was built. The owners now love that the house is not only updated, fully functional and beautiful, but still looks authentic enough to belong in the neighborhood.

“People want the same things they’ve always wanted,” says Wilma Bowers, company co-owner. “They want open floor plans so they can have more of a great room effect. Master bedrooms and baths are big and have been for years. We ask people to think about how they can utilize existing space first. Not only is that cost effective, but it’s a green approach as well.”

Glass Construction, Inc.
3307 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, DC; 202-362-6012; www.glassconstruction.biz
2007 Chrysalis Award, Regional Best Project, Whole House Remodel Over $500K
Home in Washington, DC

This 1891 residence, the oldest house on record in Cleveland Park, had been in general decline for years. The floors needed leveling, staircases had to be brought up to code, and framing needed to be made structurally sound. The owners also wanted an addition with an enlarged basement and an exterior renovation that would retain the home’s Victorian style.

Glass Construction began by installing a full-depth, 9-foot basement, requiring development of a shoring and stabilizing system throughout the existing structure. A 2,500-square-foot addition was then constructed, a procedure that required all the mechanicals to be rerouted and one side of the house to be raised 3 inches to level the floors. New staircases were built, the kitchen and bathrooms received high-end fixtures and appliances, and custom-milled casework, built-ins and trim were installed throughout. Air and plumbing systems were replaced, and the electrical system was upgraded to feature speaker and audio visual systems and modern security features. Exterior repairs replicated the old porch as much as possible to match the details of the original front.

Fifteen months later, this once-neglected home was transformed. It now retains its full historic charm while meeting the needs of its presentday family.

Michael Nash Custom Kitchens & Homes
8630-C Lee Highway, Suite B, Fairfax; 703-641-9800; www.michaelnashkitchens.com
NARI 2008 Regional CotY Award for Residential Kitchen $30,000 to $60,000, Region II
Home in Springfield

This kitchen had a single door to the family room—a tight squeeze for normal traffic—and an alcove that took away valuable space. The homeowners wanted to widen the opening between the two rooms, but still be able to close it off when guests stayed in the family room. They envisioned a huge, sliding barn door to serve that purpose.

“This was a challenge we had never encountered before,” says Sonny Nazemian, president and CEO of Michael Nash. “But we researched it and decided it would work.”

As the owners also wanted the kitchen enlarged, a load-bearing wall was moved 18 inches deeper into the family room. To hang the heavy barn door, the wall was reinforced and made into one straight line. The door was suspended by wheels that moved across a solid-iron bar above the doorway.

To create the French-country kitchen the homeowners wanted, beadboard was installed on the center island, along with dark granite countertops, decorative backsplash tiles, wood floors and angled lower cabinets. The kitchen is now eye-catching and efficient, and prominently features a distinctive door that not only functions well, but serves as an interesting conversation piece.

“People today want more open kitchens,” Nazemian says. “Lighter, airier and accessible from all corners of the house.”

David Jameson Architect Inc.
113 South Patrick St., Alexandria; 703-703-3840; www.davidjamesonarchitect.com
2006 Virginia Society AIA Design Award; 2007 Northern Virginia Chapter AIA Design Award; 2008 Washingtonian Magazine/Washington, DC Chapter AIA Design Award
Home in Arlington

The owners of this 1970s home wanted a more open, unified space that would appear firmly connected to its outdoor surroundings. With its labyrinth of tiny spaces beneath a mass of unrelated roofs, the original footprint was functional, but needed to be spatially reordered. Additionally, the exterior required updates and simplification.

Using Spanish-cedar siding, heavy stucco walls and glass, David Jameson Architect, along with its contractor, Added Dimensions (Takoma Park, Md.), created a much more spatially elegant, ultramodern home that flawlessly draws in elements of nature. Incisions were made in the floor plates to create open, multi-story areas that weave the surrounding forest backdrop into the living spaces. The contemporary, rectangular exterior, carved into a steep site, uses an L-shaped base of stucco to root the house into the sloped area. A wood-and-glass tent-like structure tops out the garage and offers a unique outdoor terrace with a hot tub and skylight.

The result is a striking, innovative dwelling that has a true connection to its environment. “More and more clients come to us asking for lots of natural light,” says Ron Southwick, project architect. “They want open spaces and want their homes to have a true connection with the landscape.”

Tips on Hiring a Contractor
Although you’ll want to check out any potential builder with the Better Business Bureau and do some research on the Internet, here are some basics to ask before you sign on. For more tips, visit www.nari.org.

How long have you been in business?
How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year?
Can I obtain references from these homeowners?
Who will work on my project—employees or subcontractors? Who will supervise it?
When can you start/finish?
What is your work schedule like? (What time do they begin and end each day?)
Lastly, ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable with this company? Do they respond promptly to inquiries? Am I being heard?

What If You Don’t Have a Lot to Spend?
Remodeling doesn’t have to blow your budget. For custom-built results at modest prices, consider these tips from J. Michael Belle, managing member at New Century Homes in Fairfax, and Andrew Moore, president of Arlington Designer Homes.

Should you consider first?
Begin by shopping smart, Belle says. “Minimize and narrow your focus. Go to a vendor’s showroom, and get the builder’s sales reps involved early on.” And note that, when comparing bids, “the lowest bidder is not always the lowest priced. Compare apples to apples. Sometimes the true value is in the service.”
Moore says to consider upgrading unused space before adding on, and to try recycling from a source like Habitat for Humanity’s Re-Store, which offers donated household items. Or check out manufacturers’ ‘remainders’—such as kitchen cabinets originally designed for another house. “It takes some flexibility,” Moore says, “but the value can be worth it.”

You can only afford one upgrade, what should it be?
“Kitchen and master bath,” Belle says. “You get almost a full return, a ‘wow’ factor in resale and the pleasure of use until you sell.”
Moore agrees that kitchens, baths and master bedrooms are generally the way to go, but says “if something sticks out like a sore thumb, consider addressing that. Or if most people see your house from the outside, maybe you should paint, buy shutters or landscape.”

Can you cut corners—and where should you not?
Belle says it’s OK to curtail finish work, “like interior finishes, trim sizes or door sizes,” but not in the kitchen or outside. “Never cut back in brick or exterior finish, exterior detail or landscaping. Always finish the exterior to make it water-tight.”

“Don’t cut back where safety or high-traffic areas are involved,” Moore says. “If you use your family room a lot, don’t get cheap carpet there, because it will need to be replaced in a year or two. Don’t save on plumbing fixtures, either. It costs a lot to have a plumber fix a leaky faucet.”

About DIY painting, wallpapering, etc.?
“If you’re good, you can finish up,” Belle says. “But I think that is risky and would not recommend it.”
“If you can apply wallpaper,” Moore says, “and not make it look like a second-grader did it, there’s no need to pay someone else. But is it worth a weekend of work for you to save $200? If so, have at it.”

(October 2008)

Tags: architect, builders, Home & Design