Design

On September 5th, we met with our design/build company to review the initial schematics they had created for the renovation of LJH based on several meetings we had beforehand. We were working toward completing a design, making basic choices about finishes and the submission of our building permits prior to closing, such that we could begin work immediately following closing. This was the first step in that process.

Having essentially completed our "feasibility study", we knew that we were in decent shape on the structure of the house, and that we didn't need to sink unreasonable sums into merely making sure the house wouldn't fall over. While there was evidence of past termite damage, our survey showed that there wasn't current activity. We also learned that the ductwork in the basement attached to the retro-fitted HVAC was wrapped in asbestos and needed to be removed by experts, but we had expected that. These things weren't free of course...the first of many costly things that don't add obvious value but need done. 



View from Front of House

When friends or family learn what we are doing, the first question we often get relates to the Byzantine rules and procedures most people expect you need to follow when renovating a historic structure. As it turns out, since LJH is not on the National Historic Register, we were subject only to the rules of the Falls Church Historic Architectural Review Board. Any renovation of a historic structure in Falls Church must pass through this body to receive a building permit, but the main requirement is that the owner not tear the structure down. Other than that, while the Board can make your project difficult if they choose to, there are guidelines but no hard and fast rules.



View from Driveway

 However, the reason we were willing to carry a property for the duration of the 8-9 month project without living in it was the attraction to a historic property to begin with. Our design/build firm loves doing old homes, and we both were committed to doing a renovation and addition that would appear as closely as possible to an original design. That meant restoring and replacing original windows and trim, exposing the original heart pine flooring buried under newer oak if possible, choosing to use special siding on the addition, and making choices about what goes in the new part of the house with an eye toward a 19th century home.

So we were excited to see the designs, and should quickly be able to iterate to complete the floor plans and layouts. Some of the best features of the design include a large screen porch, open floor plan for the kitchen/family room area, a unique "ell" layout in keeping with the current shape, dedicated workout room space in the new basement and, to the whole family's delight, a home theater dug into the basement of the original house. The latter is obviously an admittedly modern amenity, but hidden away from the main part of the house in the basement. You can't live completely in the past!