A Custom Pool House and Additions Transform this Georgian Colonial into an Extraordinary Abode
The additions to this extraordinary home were custom designed and built to meet the space and entertaining needs of our clients. The unique beauty of this residence is a result of true collaboration between client, architect, designer, and builder. The pool house won a 2017 NARI Contractor of the Year Grand Award.
Our clients fell in love with their Georgian Colonial home when they first moved in, but knew they would need more space. After adding a swimming pool, they worked with Harry Braswell, Inc. to construct a series of three additions designed by Architect Scott McBroom, Robert Bentley Adams & Associates, P.C. A three-story addition to the main house included a master bedroom suite, library, and a wine cellar/cigar room for entertaining. A second rear addition enlarged the kitchen and added a large family room. A connected pool house completed the expansion.
The pool house includes a second floor guest suite, an outdoor shower, a large storage basement with music practice area, and a first floor kitchen. The homeowners have a pool house “rule”: guests are required to make one meal for the homeowners!
The series of arches, which create an outdoor connection between the main house and the guest house, are reminiscent of similar arches at the nearby Mount Vernon Estate. An existing arched iron gate (still there) between the house and the original garage also inspired the outdoor walkways.
The interior of the pool house was to be completely different: a bold and colorful environment in contrast to its classic exterior. The homeowners worked with Troy Englert of Patrick’s Designs on the interior design. Harry Braswell, Inc. designers laid out the plan for the contemporary kitchen, which boasts red Viking appliances, a handmade red concrete drop-in sink, and raised silver tile. The first level custom geometric marble tile flooring (pictured) was inspired by a magazine picture. Special programming was used to create the individual cuts needed for the floor tile artwork.
The Scalamandre Zebra roman shade inspired the tile patterns and wall colors in this dramatic guest house bathroom. The challenges: to look seamless, the grouting for the tile had to be white on white tile and black on black tile, and the vanity faucet needed to be cut into the Christopher Guy mirror.
The rear addition allowed a spacious kitchen expansion and opened up the family room to bring the outdoors indoors with large windows.
Working to make additions to older homes appear seamless can be challenging. Here, the additions’ floors are wood subfloors with lightweight concrete and heating tubes inside that needed to align with an out of level existing floor system.
The beautifully crafted mahogany walls of this custom library provide a rich backdrop for the treasures within. An intricate coffered ceiling glazed with hand laid sterling silver further enhances the room’s warm ambiance.
Photography credit: Greg Hadley