Project Description: The challenge of this project was to provide a growing family with much-needed additional square footage without sacrificing the great curb appeal of the classic Cape Cod style home.  A side addition was added on the southeast side of the home, providing an additional living space and a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. Rather than try to make the addition appear as if it had always been there, which would not have been the case in the Cape Cod typology, MCG and the homeowner instead decided to embrace the addition as new, but still fitting with the charming cottage feel of the property. This was achieved by setting the addition back a bit from the existing front façade and by using complementary board-and-batten siding to match the main house’s trim work.  On the inside, some custom features the clients decided to explore were a curbless shower in the bathroom, herringbone-pattern white oak flooring, and built-in bookshelves along an entire wall of the new living space. 

About a year later, the clients reached out to discuss renovating their 10×10, cramped kitchen. Ultimately, they opted to add a full addition on the opposite side of the house, including a spacious kitchen, walk-in pantry, and mudroom. This move converted the original kitchen and small dining space into a formal dining room with custom built-ins and a beautiful contemporary kitchen with a statement range and two-tone cabinetry. More custom touches, like the fluted backsplash at the range and arched details, further highlight the client’s aesthetic and the benefits of working with a design-build company like MCG. 

Ultimately, MCG felt that the goal of gaining additional finished square footage without sacrificing the charm and layout of the original Cape Cod home was well accomplished at this Fairfax County residence.