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Great Falls Connection ❖ HomeLifeStyle Spring 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at www.connectionnewspapers.comLocal Media Connection LLC

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HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStyleSpring 2015Spring 2015

2 ❖ Great Falls Connection ❖ HomeLifeStyle Spring 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

9841 Georgetown Pike

P.O. Box 97

Great Falls, VA 22066

703-759-9190

Brandenburg, Great Falls

$929,000

Park Garden, Reston

$553,000

Allenwood Lane, Great Falls

$1,449,000

720 Ellsworth, Great Falls

$675,000

Caboose Terrace, Sterling

$268,000

Walker Road, Great Falls

$2,650,000

Colvin Road, Great Falls McCue Ct Great Falls

$1,075,000

Eileen Summers

703.244.3190

Karen Washburn

703.598.2841

Twee Ramos

703.217.0200

Call us for a free consultation

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Over 25 Million Sold in 2014

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Great Falls Connection ❖ HomeLifeStyle Spring 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

thetic effects we were seeking.”Part of the assignment would also entail

a plan for preserving mature trees on theproperty’s eastern side.

THE GARAGE, which would houseDobson’s collectible motorized vehicles,needed a footprint of some 400 square feet,the contractor determined; the sunroom,one level up, would be plenty spacious atslightly over 200 square feet. Hence, Foster’s“stacked” pyramidal design not only satis-fies family “use” requirements, but also al-lows the “growing room” needed for anentire grove of mature trees bordering theproperty’s perimeter.

The plan was, of course, partly predicatedon lowering the lot’s existing grade somefive feet, enough to carve out a foundationfor the garage and create driveway access.

The foundation also figures prominentlyin an innovative engineering solution thatgives the couple the amount of glass theyhad been seeking in the sunroom.

To meet the county’s wind-bracing re-quirements, Foster and team designed anarrow-gauge, all-steel framework for thesunroom’s many large glass panels whichis anchored all the way down to the con-crete foundation itself.

“Our dogs can even look out the win-dows,” Joan Davanzo said. “The designgives us a really a stunning view in all di-rections.”

But, surely, a nearly all-glass room mustbe quite cold in the winter?

“All the windows are Low-E Argon-filleddouble pane — state of the art thermal re-sistance,” Foster said.

On the other hand, the sunroom featureDavanzo most appreciates is how fluidly itwill open to spring’s balmy breezes. All thewindows are casement-style which can beindependently adjusted to let in crossbreezes. Overhead, two skylights open elec-tronically — and individually. The skylightsare also equipped with electric blinds andrain sensors.

The room’s interior design scheme, whichDavanzo developed in conjunction with

Al Dobson and his new spacious garage to house his sport car, motor-cycles and ’60s rock memorabilia.

HomeLifeStyle

By John Byrd

On the face of it, adding a two-level structure to a 30-year-old brick house is not especially difficult. Essentially,

Vienna homeowners Al Dobson and his wifeJoan Davanzo each have a pet project — aspacious first level garage to house sportcars, motorcycles and ’60s rock for him; alovely sunroom comprised of floor-to-ceil-ing window walls for her.

Knock out the existing screen porch;slightly expand the footprint for the garage;sun room goes on top embracing the reardeck and pool; and, Bingo, it’s done.

Yet as anyone who has lived in the FairfaxCounty for a while knows, no project iswithout complications, and add to this theproblems of an unlevel grade, set-back re-strictions, strict rules on structures with lotsof glass and the owner’s desire to preserveall the surrounding trees, and suddenlythere are the makings of an intricate engi-neering challenge — the sort of brain-bustermost contractors wouldn’t attempt to un-ravel.

That’s how it all started with this decep-tively understated Vienna addition: severalcontractors told Dobson and Davanzo theycouldn’t have the amount of glass in thesunroom they were looking for; county rulesregarding glass and where it can be posi-tioned are rigorously enforced; and then,too, the glass must to be “braced” to resistwinds that otherwise might cause it to im-plode — a requirement which inevitablyreduces sightlines.

“County rules on glass in new construc-tion have been in place for over a decade,”said David Foster, president of Foster Re-modeling Solutions, the contractor thecouple hired to execute the project.

What several contractors plainly told JoanDavanzo, nevertheless, was that her dreamproject — as she envisionsed it — simplycouldn’t be built.

“We were told the windows couldn’t beas low to the floor, nor as close to the cor-ner as we wanted,” Davanzo said. “Since Ihad particularly liked the openness of theold screen porch the sunroom was to re-place, this was discouraging.”

By contrast, Davanzo said, Foster beganaddressing the project’s technical hurdlesfrom the first meeting.

“His experience was palpable,” said AlDobson, 70, who has had several previousencounters with remodelers. “The first con-sideration — which he pointed out imme-diately — was how to develop a site planthat would satisfy the county, but also giveus a sustainable result that allows the aes-

Foster, reflects a number of favored ownerlifestyle preferences. The tongue-and-groove ceiling and warm sea-foam greenwall color, likewise, were chosen to high-light a verdant visual continuum that re-calls childhood adventures in the country.

The new sunroom is accessible throughan adjacent family room separated by threeFrench doors which Davanzo mostly leavesopen.

“This is where I spend most of my timewhen I’m at home,” she said.

For Al Dobson, the favored hang-out nowis his “man cave” garage which houses aCorvette, his Italian motorcycle and a soundsystem that plays choice sounds of the ’50sand ’60s.

A racing enthusiast who participates intime trials at Summit Point, Dobson wanteda room that speaks to his passion for motorsports. Underfoot, PVC tiles in an iconiccheckerboard pattern set the tone for a pri-vate retreat decorated with ’60s movie post-ers and other period memorabilia.

“It’s a really peaceful spot to just relax,”Dobson said. “That’s what this process wasalways for, so I’m glad we pursued it.”

Addition pulls together stylesand overcomes challenges.

His and Hers:Special Spaces

Photo Contributed

The sun porch solution emphasizes views. Windows are insulated andwind-resistant.

DetailsFoster

RemodelingSolutionsperiodicallyoffers work-shops on homeremodelingtopics. Call703-550-1371or visitwww.fosterremodeling.com.

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Great Falls


HomeLifeStyle

See Historic Gardens, Page 7

The Virginia Historic Garden Touris an 8-day event that stretchesacross the Commonwealth. Eachspring visitors are welcomed to

over 250 of Virginia’s most beautiful gar-dens, homes and historic landmarks. Thisevent provides the opportunity to see un-forgettable gardens at the peak of Virginia’sspringtime color, as well as beautiful housessparkling with more than 2,000 flower ar-rangements created by Garden Club of Vir-ginia members.

The Clifton Historic District, registered asa Virginia Historic Landmark, was a CivilWar railroad stop and is filled with shops,memorable restaurants and restored homes.Clara Barton, founder of the American RedCross, tended to soldiers after the Battle of

Second Manassas at St. Mary’s Church andthe historic Fairfax Station, now a RailroadMuseum.

A self-drive tour on April 21 featuresstables, vineyards, a world-class garden,

Georgian-revival architecture, and a 10,000square-foot contemporary home with a van-ishing edge swimming pool – four private

Photo courtesy of Garden Club of Fairfax

Nestled in an equestrian neighborhood, a 10,000 square-foot contempo-rary home was built in 2013 for an active family with young children,and includes a stable.

Tour includes arare private look atspecial properties inFairfax County,Old Town Alexandriaand Leesburg.

Historic Virginia in GardensOld Town Alexandria,Saturday, April 18

Old Town Alexandria was in 1946 the thirdcity in the country to create a historic district topreserve its downtown. Today it has 4,000buildings with a historic designation. The April18 walking tour in Old Town includes five rowhouses with courtyard gardens in this preservedarea, and refreshments at St. Paul’s EpiscopalChurch. In addition to the private propertiesfeatured, the tour ticket allows access to TheCarlyle House Historic Park, Lee- Fendall HouseMuseum and Garden, George Mason’s GunstonHall and George Washington’s Mount VernonEstate and Gardens. The tour is hosted by TheGarden Club of Alexandria and Hunting CreekGarden Club. www.vagardenweek.org

Clifton and FairfaxStation, Tuesday, April 21

This self-drive tour features stables, vineyards,a world-class garden, Georgian-revival architec-ture, and a 10,000 square-foot contemporaryhome with a vanishing edge swimming pool –four private homes with gardens and two stablesin all. Tour ticket includes a tea at the CliftonPresbyterian Church. Advance Ticket Sales: $30at www.vagardenweek.org or [email protected]. Visitwww.gardencluboffairfax.blogspot.com for a listof local retailers selling tickets.

Leesburg, Sunday andMonday, April 19-20

Leesburg was mapped and recognized by theCouncil of the Colony in 1758. Most of the 11 fea-tured tour properties are located on two historicroads, Edwards Ferry Road and Cornwall Street.The neighborhoods offer a variety of architecturalstyles and well established gardens. This two-dayTowne and Country tour features 11 properties andcoincides with the Leesburg Flower and GardenFestival, which takes place on April 18 and 19.


(703) 759-91909841 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066

Donna UscinskiLicensed in [email protected]

703-759-7204

Specializing in Northern Virginia PropertiesSpecializing in Northern Virginia PropertiesGREAT FALLS $1,400,000

European styledmansion offersroom after room ofspacious comfortand classic ambi-ance. ElegantFrench windows,stained glassports, sun room,formal library, firstfloor master suite,and more. All onone of Great Falls’most beautiful 4-acre sites with itsown pond.

Rare opportunity toown 10 acres withpotential to build upto 3 houses on partof L’Auberge ChezFrancois familyproperty. Woodedbuilding sites over-look a vast openarea. Can be pur-chased alone orcombined with 944Walker Rd for aspectacular retreat.

GREAT FALLS $1,295,000

Grand 5-acre prop-erty in sought-afterSouthdown Farm.Excellent lot orienta-tion with toweringtrees provide theperfect location for amagnificent newhome. Existinghome has been well-maintained but isbeing sold “as is.”Short distance toPotomac River.

POTOMAC FALLS $965,000

SpectacularLowes Islandhome situated ona bluff with winterviews of PotomacRiver and gor-geous golf course.Filled with gloriousupdates and theultimate in ameni-ties from a com-pletely new masterbath with heatedfloor to a grandhome office.

Bright and sunnyhome in desirableneighborhood. Smalltown ambience inheart of urban city.Many updatesincluding newkitchen with SSappliances andgranite counters,fresh paint andscreened porch.Ready to move-inand create your ownmemories.

RESTON $324,000

Light-filled condoin “Edgewater atTown Center.”Updated kitchenboasts ceramicfloors, granitecounters, stainlessappliances includ-ing 5-burner gasstove. Two masterbedrooms, privatewalk-out coveredpatio, and viewsof lovely lake withfountain.

SOLD

GREAT FALLS $2,400,000

McLEAN$ 749,000


By Marilyn Campbell

The Connection

After a long, hard day at work, Jor-dan Coleman comes home to alarge apartment with modernamenities, including a 24-hour

concierge, ample living space, a state–of-the-art fitness center and a pool. The apart-ment features high-end appliances and fin-ishes as well as an open, flowing layout andlarge walk-in closets. Coleman – a lawyerand Capitol Hill staffer – shares the priceyrent with a friend. The complex is ownedby Avalon, which has properties in Arling-ton, Fairfax, Herndon, Falls Church, TysonsCorner and Vienna, Virginia, as well asBethesda, Maryland, and Washington.

The demand for high-end apartments inthe Washington, D.C., area is high, withrents soaring over the $7,000 mark. Thereare some who say the luxurious livingspaces and carefree lifestyles are worth theextra money.

“There are two kinds of people who wouldbe inclined to spend that kind of money inthe luxury rental market,” said DavidFreishtat, who teaches in the Masters in RealEstate Development program at the Univer-sity of Maryland and practices law inPotomac, Md. “First there are fairly success-ful, young people who buddy up and sharean apartment with two or three friends.They can afford to spend 35-40 percent oftake home pay in housing. They don’t spendmuch on food because they don’t have afamily to feed,” he said.

“Empty-nesters who’ve sold their homesand decided to downsize are also inclinedto rent high-end apartments. If they boughttheir house 20-30 years ago and sold it re-cently, they’re flush with cash,” saidFreishtat. “They might be looking to buy ahouse in Florida or Arizona where there’sno income tax, but for the year and a halfuntil they make that decision they’re goingto live in a nice apartment because they’vealways lived in a nice house so they’readaptable to those kinds of apartments.”

“These buildings ... are in great neighbor-hoods,” said Coleman. “They’re new con-struction and the layout is like you’re livingin the suburbs, but with the convenience ofliving in the city. There are kitchens, bath-rooms, living spaces are fluid and the clos-ets are ridiculously large.”

ONE OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS isReston Town Center in Reston, Va., withrestaurants and shops and public transpor-tation. A new, luxury apartment buildingwill has 360 apartments with easy access

Renters want resort-like amenitiesand access to trans-portation.

Luxury Apartments Popping UpHomeLifeStyle

to such a lifestyle.The Harrison at Reston Town Center is now

open, promising 28,000 square feet of luxury,resort-style living, and an easy trip to down-town Washington, D.C. for work or play.

At The Harrison, where rent runs fromjust under $2,000 to as high as $6,650 amonth, residents are offered such ameni-ties as a culinary demonstration kitchen; aprivate dining room for wine tastings; agaming area that offers pool, shuffleboard,chess, and card tables, a massage room, aspin studio and a 24-hour gym with state-of-the-art equipment. The pet-friendly prop-erty even caters to four-legged friends witha dog park and pet spa.

“People now want to simplify their lives,”said Karen A. Kossow, Vice President ofMarketing, Community Realty Company,Inc. which provides leasing and manage-ment services for The Harrison. “They wantan opportunity for a healthy and enrichedlifestyle. For example, with the fitness cen-ter and lounge area, there are opportuni-ties for socialization. You can keep youf pethere, and there’s even a place to walk yourdog or give it a shower. If you work fromhome there are offices with a printer andfax and conference rooms where you canhold a meeting. These things just make yourlife easier and simpler and give you more

time to enjoy life.”Also at Reston Town Center is The Met-

ropolitan, owned by Kettler, a real estatedevelopment firm based in McLean, Va., andwhich manages apartments throughoutNorthern Virginia. Residents at some of thefirm’s properties pay more than $7,000 amonth for features such as 17-foot ceilings,floor-to-ceiling windows, wood flooring andceramic tile bathrooms.

Kettler is also putting the finishingtouches on The Acadia, a 411-unit, high-rise luxury apartment building in the Met-ropolitan Park section of Arlington, Va., andplans to begin leasing units this spring. InOctober, the firm will begin construction onm.flats Crystal City. It will beKettler’s sixthproperty in the Pentagon-Crystal City neigh-borhood in Arlington.

“Our m.flats apartments are meeting agrowing demand for living spaces withinwalking distance of work, shops and enter-tainment,” Robert C. Kettler, chairman andchief executive officer of Kettler, said in astatement. “Many young people are form-ing families later in life. As a result, theynot only want to enjoy the vibrancy of citylife, but live in an apartment that has manyconveniences and amenities.”

At Bent Tree in Centreville, Va., managedby Lincoln Property Company, high-end

Photo courtesy of Renaissance Centro

Easy access to public transportation and close proximity to restaurants and shops attract residents to luxuryapartments communities like The Harrison at Reston Town Center in Reston.

units include cathedral ceilings, walk-inclosets, lighted tennis courts, racquetballcourts, a resort-style swimming pool, acyber café, a fitness center, bike trails,barbeque and picnic areas and a spaciousclub house where people can hang out.

Proximity to transportation is anotherbonus, said Jeremy Feldman of Bent Tree.“You have the Fairfax Connector and we’renear the Metro.”

Luxury apartments that offer residentsaccess to public transportation are doingwell. Twenty percent of the units in TheHarrison have already been rented, evenbefore its grand opening.

“They’re newconstruction and thelayout is like you’reliving in the suburbs,but with theconvenience of living inthe city.”

— Jordan Coleman


Sterling21800 Town Center Plaza

Sterling, VA 20164703-450-5453

Leesburg1051 Edwards Ferry Road

Leesburg, VA 20176703-771-4688

www.sterlingappliance.com

HomeLifeStyle

From Page 4

See Historic Gardens,

Page 11

homes with gardens and twostables in all. Tour ticket includesa tea at the Clifton PresbyterianChurch.

Tour proceeds fund the restora-tion and preservation of Virginia’shistoric gardens, and providegraduate level research fellow-ships for building comprehensiveand ongoing records of historicgardens and landscapes in theCommonwealth, and support themission of the Garden Club of Vir-ginia.

For a complete list of tours, seewww.vagardenweek.org

Virginia Historic GardenTour in Clifton and FairfaxStation

❖ Redlac Drive, Clifton: Locatedin a pastoral setting with grazinghorses nearby, this graceful 1987Georgian Revival house draws itselegant inspiration from historicWilliamsburg. Large rooms witharching Palladian windows over-look a formal boxwood knot gar-den and serene five-acre land-scape. The hardwood tree canopyshades a hillside azalea and rhodo-dendron garden with a bridge overa swale. Details inside include for-mal dining and living rooms withdeep crown and base molding andregal blue and gold wallpaper. An-tiques and the owners’ serendipi-tous flea market finds abound. Thefoyer, with Currier and Ives prints,leads to the living room with its1876 grand piano.

The bedrooms upstairs are filledwith vintage linens and familyheirlooms including the family’sfirst-communion dress, and areconnected by a central library fur-nished with an antique parlor set.Balconies overlook a shaded flag-stone patio and swimming pool.Dennis and Cyndy Patrick, owners.

❖ Willowbrook Road, FairfaxStation: Nestled in an equestrianneighborhood, this 10,000-square-foot contemporary home was builtin 2013 for an active family withyoung children on the site of theirprevious house. A handsome en-trance of stone, leaded glass andironwork leads to a spectacularopen-plan living, dining andkitchen area designed by the fun-loving owners with year-round en-tertaining in mind. The living areacontains a double fireplace and abacklit onyx bar. Large doors opento a long covered veranda fittedwith retractable screens wherefamily and friends enjoy diningoutside during warm months over-

looking the infinity-edge swim-ming pool. Other thoughtful de-tails include an elevator, a homegymnasium and a separate garagefor the children’s bikes and toys.The immaculate two-stall stableon the property has attached horsetrailer storage and is home to abeloved horse and a pony. The wifeis an accomplished equestrian asevidenced by a tack room filledwith trophies and ribbons. Localequestrians will be in the stable toanswer horse-related questions.Garth and Heather Viar, owners.

❖ Also Willowbrook Road,Fairfax Station: Serenity awaitsvisitors at this single-story Califor-nia-style property. The experiencebegins on the long drive that windspast a riding ring and pastures.Slate steps lead to the entrancecourtyard, where a koi pond andbamboo fountain set the warmspa-like mood of this wonderfulhome. The house, purchased in2003, has been completely reno-vated by the current owners, andhas been personalized with twinstudies, an open-plan kitchen.Clean, contemporary and con-nected to nature, the rooms alongthe back of the house each opento a series of graceful gardenrooms with an entertaining deck,a yoga/meditation deck, an out-door shower and a seating areasurrounding a fire pit. Inside, visi-tors find delights like a glass con-

Historic Virginia in Gardens

Courtesy of

Garden Club

of Fairfax

Located ina pastoral

setting withgrazinghorses

nearby, thisgraceful

1987Georgian

Revivalhouse in

Cliftondraws its

inspirationfrom

historicWilliamsburg.


HomeLifeStyle

By John Byrd

It’s been a good year for Sun DesignRemodeling.

In January, the full-service design/build remodeler won four “Contrac-

tor of the Year” awards from the Washing-ton, D.C. chapter of the National Associa-tion of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).Then, in February, an already locally-hon-ored gourmet kitchen was named categorybest (“kitchen above $150k”) in the 10-statesoutheastern region.

Winning projects include: a rear elevationpoolside recreation solution; a FrenchCountry gourmet kitchen (the southeasternregional winner); an open kitchen plan ina traditional interior style; and a lower-levelbuild-out to designed for use by three gen-erations.

French Country Kitchen Is Localand Regional COTY winner: Resi-dential Kitchen Over $120,000

For Dr. Rick Layfield and his wife KellyLayfield, the search for their dream kitchenstarted shortly after they purchased their3,700-square-foot, four-bedroom home inClifton eight years ago.

“The kitchen suite was a primary sellingpoint,” Kelly Layfield said of the 400-square-foot room.

But she found the rear of the house darkand dated. Sightlines to the children’s back-yard play areas were not well-aligned. Andthere was a visually obstructive bulkheadover the primary food preparation zone.

Also, the pentagon-shaped food prepara-tion island and dining counter wasn’t wellsuited for in-kitchen dining. And the cor-ner breakfast area was cramped — makingit hard to access a door to the back porchwhich used to be a pathway to the family’soutdoor grill.

Fortunately, Kelly Layfields’s first meet-ing with designer John Benson was produc-tive from the start. He proposed a rectan-gular food preparation island with a gran-ite surface, parallel with the two corners ofthe cook’s work zones.

Benson also helped Layfield explore thelighter, more textured hues she had beenseeking: marble subway tile wall covering;surfaces in Granite Bianco Antico; whitecabinets with glass facings; and an ovenbacksplash in a white quatrefoil tiling. Thecoffers, likewise, are delineated in a whiteand grey duotone.

“This is just the balance I was looking for,”Layfield said. “It feels like home.”

Open Floorplan Defines Casual ButElegant KitchenResidential Kitchen; $80k to$120k; COTY Honorable Mention

Steve and Melynda Britt’s four-bedroomcolonial in Vienna offered considerablecharms when the couple purchased it 10years ago.

There was a nicely finished library andliving room, a formal dining room and asizable family room in the back half of thehouse with a 13-foot cathedral ceiling fram-ing a lovely view of mature landscaping.

For Melynda Britt, the larger goal was akitchen footprint that offered an efficientwork space — integrated with the surround-ing great room.

“Since the emphasis was on a more intel-ligent use of limited square footage,” SunDesign’s Durosko said, “we thought custom-built-ins would help create better coordi-

nated work zones.”Critiquing the kitchen now, Britt is

amazed at how much more effectively thesolution works on several fronts: The foodpreparation island protects the cook’s worktriangle, and is positioned for easy serviceto the family room; the beverage station,an effective space divider, is accessible fromboth the breakfast area and family room;the coffee bar is situated between doorsleading to the dining room and the break-fast room, out of the chef ’s way; thekitchen’s mosaic tile flooring has been re-placed by a refinished hardwood flooring.

“We can now comfortably entertain 20-25 guests,” Britt said. “Better yet, the spaceis really warm and comfortable.”

Finished Lower Level Offers Multi-Gen Family SolutionCOTY Honorable Mention

Eric Park and his wife Tina, both physi-cians, were already quite busy 10 years agowhen they purchased a 3,400-square-foottwo-level neo-colonial in Falls Church.

“Our plan all along was to create a fam-ily home,” Tina Park said. “We saw the lowerlevel eventually playing a part in our dailylives, but were only using it for storage. Itwasn’t until my mother began regularlyhelping us with the girls that we began look-ing at the house more closely.”

At first Park’s mother, Kay, would stay inthe guest room, but gradually everyonestarted looking at ways to increase avail-able privacy.

It’s at this point that Sun Design Remod-eling enters the story.

“A basement conversion is challenging,”said Sun Design’s Liz Lee-Sint, who guidedthe Park project from concept to comple-tion, “especially when it’s going to bemainstreamed with the rest of the house.”

For Kay, the top priority was a suite withall the features of independent living, in-cluding a private entrance, a comfortablemaster suite and a fully functional kitchen-ette with dining for four.

On a separate note, the Parks envisioneda 195-square-foot family fitness center anda children’s play zone with custom built-ins.

Describing the finished décor as “modernAsian contemporary,” Tina Park stressedsimple lines, soft tones and open visuals.

“It’s really the nicest place in the housenow,” Park said. “And it satisfies so manydifferent needs that it’s become our maingathering place.”

House and grounds reconciliationjudged this year’s bestExterior Solution/COTY Grandaward winner

As Monte Zaben tells it, the rear eleva-tion to his 8,300-square-foot colonial inFredericksburg was so sun-exposed it wasuncomfortable sitting by the pool he hadjust installed the year before.

After researching several options, how-ever, he stumbled on Sun Design’s portfo-lio of indoor-outdoor solutions, and set upa meeting.

Combining an extended radius that stepsdown to the pool with vaulted entrance way,the structure’s architecture is welcoming.

Tapered craftsman-style piers support aseam metal roof. Inside, three distinct ac-tivity zones flow together: an open-airlounge; a cozy poolside vista with a pair ofwicker chairs; and an outdoor kitchenequipped with a traditional grill, a powerburner and refrigerators. A second levelgrilling deck is now, likewise, under roof.

Happy with the outcome, Zaben said heenjoys the outdoor kitchen so much he wasout grilling one of his specialties this pastJanuary. “We make regular use of the out-door space on just about every seasonableday,” he adds. “It’s very much a part of ourlives now.”

John Byrd has been writing about home improve-ment for 30 years. He can be reached [email protected].

Four Sun Designremodeling projectsnamed Washington-area “Contractor ofthe Year” winners.

Home Improvements Earn Awards

Photo by Bryan Burris

With its private entrance, fully operative kitchenette and dining table forfour, the new lower level allows Tina’s mother, Kay, to host bridge par-ties for friends independent of any other household activities.

Photo by Mitro Hood

BEST RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN: Sun Design’s winning kitchen solutiontakes full advantage of a 13' cathedral ceiling with a two-level windowwall. Owner Melynda Britt says the space is much better organized, yetmore accessible — perfect for entertaining.


703-622-0004

[email protected]

www.RobynCarton.com

Reston $1,069,000 Great Falls $925,000

Great Falls $839,900Reston $487,000

SOLD in 2014

Great Falls $2,250,000

Great Falls$1,995,000Extraordinary

Custom Estate…with AttachedGuest House!

Grand “Main House” with attached 2 Bedroom / 2 Bathroom “GuestHouse”— offering a total of over 10K finished square feet.Impeccable all-brick construction featuring dramatic architecture &exquisite finishes— including 2-story double staircase Foyer, 2-storyFamily Room, Gourmet “French County” Kitchen, sun-lit walkoutLower Level, 7 Fireplaces, 4-car Garage… and so much more! Total of6 Bedrooms, 7 Full Bathrooms & 2 Half Bathrooms. Located on pic-turesque 2.64 acres— boasting a lavish oversized pool with flagstonesurround. Langley High School district. The home of a lifetime!

Leesburg$1,399,000The Best of

“Beacon Hill”…Magnificent estatehome on nearly 4 acresin wonderful “Beacon

Hill!” Best lot in the community with spectacular views& vistas. Dramatic open floorplan with upgrades &custom features throughout. 5 Bedrooms, 4 FullBathrooms & 2 Half Bathrooms. 2-story Family Room,Solarium, Main-Level Library, 5 Fireplaces. Incrediblewalkout lower “Game Level” with full Bar, Billiards,Media Area, Exercise Room, 5th Bedroom & fullBathroom. Beautiful pool & spa overlooking privatebackyard. An entertainer’s dream!

Potomac Falls $699,000“Lowes Island” Beauty...

Immaculate, better-than-new home locateddirectly across from “Trump National Golf Club!”Beautifully-appointed & upgraded throughout. 3fully-finished levels with 4 Bedrooms & 3.5Bathrooms. 2-story foyer, Main-Level Library, luxu-rious Master Suite. Finished Lower-Level withlarge Rec Room, Den & full Bath. Lush cornerlot. Bring your golf cart… Resort lifestyle!

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

Great Falls $1,850,000

SOLD

SOLD

Great Falls $725,000

Currently Available

2014 was an AMAZING Year...Let’s make 2015 even BETTER!2014 was an AMAZING Year...Let’s make 2015 even BETTER!


McLeanTysonsCorner

PotomacGreatFalls

7

123

193

267

495

River Road

1

6 5

7

4

3

2

8

9

1 214 River Park Drive,Great Falls — $2,875,000

2 6609 Brawner Street, McLean — $2,575,000

Address .................................. BR FB HB ... Postal City ... Sold Price .... Type ....... Lot AC PostalCode .......... Subdivision ............ Date Sold

1 214 RIVER PARK DR ........... 6 .. 7 .. 3 .. GREAT FALLS$2,875,000 ... Detached . 1.72 ...... 22066 ........ RIVERBEND FARM ...... 01/16/15

2 6609 BRAWNER ST ............ 5 .. 5 .. 3 ......MCLEAN . $2,575,000 .... Detached . 0.48 ...... 22101 ........ SALONA VILLAGE ...... 01/30/15

3 859 NICHOLAS RUN DR .... 6 .. 6 .. 2 .. GREAT FALLS$2,550,000 ... Detached . 1.73 ...... 22066 ............ GROVEMONT .......... 01/09/15

4 1222 SOMERSET DR .......... 5 .. 5 .. 1 ......MCLEAN . $2,445,000 .... Detached . 0.51 ...... 22101 ...... CLEARVIEW MANOR .... 01/16/15

5 952 DOMINION RESERVE DR 5 .. 4 .. 1 ......MCLEAN . $2,350,000 .... Detached . 0.85 ...... 22102 .......... GARFIELD PARK ........ 01/15/15

6 8718 WOODSIDE CT .......... 5 .. 5 .. 2 ......MCLEAN . $1,995,000 .... Detached . 1.77 ...... 22102 ...... WOODSIDE ESTATES .... 01/14/15

7 1040 BELLVIEW RD ............ 7 .. 5 .. 1 ......MCLEAN . $1,928,000 .... Detached . 1.05 ...... 22102 ..... JACKSON RICHARD T ... 01/07/15

8 615 POTOMAC RIVER RD .. 6 .. 5 .. 2 ......MCLEAN . $1,690,000 .... Detached . 0.96 ...... 22102 .... POTOMAC OVERLOOK .. 01/30/15

9 10754 TERKES VW ............. 5 .. 4 .. 1 .. GREAT FALLS$1,535,000 ... Detached . 0.98 ...... 22066 .. ESTATES AT LONGWOOD 01/23/15

Copyright 2015 RealEstate Business Intelligence. Source: MRIS as of February 16, 2015.

January, 2015 Top Sales in Great Falls and McLeanLocal REAL ESTATE

Photos by Craig Sterbutzel/The Connection

In December 2014, 9 Great Falls homes

sold between $2,875,000-$675,000,

and 52 homes sold between

$2,575,000-$210,000 in the

McLean and Falls Church area.

3 859 Nicholas Run Drive, Great Falls — $2,550,000

5 952 Dominion Reserve Drive,McLean — $2,350,000

6 8718 Woodside Court,McLean — $1,995,000

7 1040 Bellview Road, McLean — $1,928,000


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HomeLifeStyle

From Page 7

servatory and studio, a relaxing slate tiled guest bathwith heated towel bar, solid cherry doors through-out, a master suite with his and hers dressing roomsand a sleek bath with heated marble floors. The eco-friendly, award-winning stable complex contains afour-stall barn, equipment storage, dry lots, roundpen, composting system and pastures. Randall andJoan Onders, owners.

❖ Poplar Grove, Lakewood Lane, Fairfax Station:Time stands still at Poplar Grove. A curving drive-way leads visitors through towering oaks and flow-ering cherry and plum trees to a slower, more gentleway of living. The cream-colored Federal-style homewas built in 1964 and renovated quite literally fromthe ground up in 2001.

The owners, one a landscape architect of world-class talent and the other a graduate of DuPageSchool of Horticulture and a seventh-generation Vir-ginian, carved a paradise of 18th-century grandeurout of what had been seven overgrown acres. Theowners’ passion and expertise brought to life a two-level Colonial parterre kitchen garden with boxwoodtopiary, oyster-shell walkways and a climbing-rose-covered chicken coop. Nearby is a vineyard with over400 Petit Verdot grape vines. Visit the swimming poolgarden and follow a shady path that leads to thesecret white garden with a pond and splashing foun-tain. In fact, fountains can be heard bubbling andsplashing in every direction. Another fountain bringswandering guests to an alfresco dining area remi-

niscent of Charleston. Inside, visitors find grandmoldings, sparkling chandeliers and museum-qual-ity artwork and antiques. Master Gardeners will beavailable to answer questions in the gardens. CharlesPrillaman and Parker Jennings, owners.

Nearby places of interest include the Clifton His-toric District, St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church,Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, and Mason NeckState Park.

More at www.virginiagardenweek.org.

Historic Virginia in Gardens

Photo courtesy of Garden Club of Fairfax

The self-drive garden tour in Fairfax Sta-tion and Clifton in Fairfax County featuresstables, vineyards, a world-class garden,Georgian-revival architecture, and a stun-ning 10,000 square-foot contemporaryhome with a vanishing edge swimmingpool – four private homes with gardensand two stables in all.

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E-mail [email protected] for more information.

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