American Family

This renovation has a fresh farmhouse vibe.

- Charlotte Safavi

Homeowners Libby and Jason Newman started their journey home with an all-American Alexandria, Virginia, neighborhood.

"Before even setting eyes on the house, we fell in love with the neighborhood for its big green yards, old trees, and quiet streets for our kids to roam," Libby Newman says. The couple has two children, son (age 10) and daughter (age 8), as well as three pets.

BUILDING AN ALL STAR RENOVATION TEAM

The Newmans purchased the 1961 Colonial red-brick house in 2019, with the intention of renovating it to meet the needs of their growing family. They chose to work with architect Christine Kelly of Crafted Architecture, Justin Olewack of BOLT Builders, and local interior designer Kristin Try of Kristin Try Art + Interiors, who happened to be raising her own family in the neighborhood.

"Their wish-list was to open up the floor plan for a better flow and then expand the footprint to create additional living spaces, including a larger kitchen on the main level and primary suite upstairs," architect Christine Kelly says of taking the house from 2,600 square-feet to 3,100 square-feet.

FUN & FUNCTIONAL ADDITIONS

Though the basic layout remains the same, a wide-cased opening now separates the kitchen and family room, which were formerly compartmentalized. In place of a series of smaller windows, a large pair of French doors open from the family room onto the new stone patio outside. The kitchen has also expanded to include an eat-in banquette and coffee bar. This space further connects to an added screened porch.