Project Details
- Project Name
- Industrial Chic Row House Transformation in Washington, DC
- Location
- District of Columbia
- Remodeler
- BOWA
- Project Types
- Single Family
- Size
- 3,085 sq. feet
- Year Completed
- 2017
- Project Status
- Built
Project Description
The young couple who purchased this 1885 row home knew they would need to renovate to fit their growing family and unique design ideas. The townhouse’s traditional layout was dated, cramped and didn’t match their personalities. The challenges of this renovation included a lack of natural light, a closed floor plan, and a generally dated look. The project included removing walls and renovating the kitchen and half bathroom on the main level, remodeling the full bathroom and adding a laundry area to the second level, pouring new concrete flooring on all four levels, and designing a staircase to act as the focal point of design. This renovation touched almost every part of the house and began with redesigning the dated stairs that obstructed the flow of natural light from the top-floor skylight. Structural changes were necessary to accommodate the new staircase, and a perforated steel feature was custom designed to allow light to pass through and give an airy feel to all levels. The homeowners’ desired industrial aesthetic was achieved by opening the wall to the kitchen from the living room, pouring concrete flooring on every level and incorporating the homeowners’ beloved vintage doors. The owners loved the look of the brick wall exposed during construction, that separated their neighbor’s unit from their own, and modifications were made to incorporate it into the design. By painting the brick white, it not only added uniformity to the wall and brightened the space, but also created a seal to meet energy code and help reduce future energy costs. This feature also created the perfect canvas for the owners’ colorful, vintage commercial signs. The kitchen features a custom dining table extending from the island which echoes the new steel staircase and enhance the industrial look of the interior. The young family is thrilled with the finished product of their new space.