Howard Glaser and Karen Hinton bought their five-bedroom Colonial in Great Falls—a home with enough space for their four kids—in 2002. “It fit our needs, but we were anxious to remodel,” says Glaser.
Last year, the couple hired Anthony Wilder Design/Build, in Cabin John, to renovate the house and build a two-story, 800-square-foot addition. Glaser had laid reclaimed-wood floors throughout the house, so Wilder contacted the purveyor and purchased matching boards for the addition and beams for the ceiling. The 150-year-old wood came from a cotton mill in Georgia. Wilder, an architectural designer, used it in the new kitchen, dining, and living areas.
Glaser says the focal point of the room is the cast-iron Aga range, which has both gas and electric components. The radiant-heat appliance—which means it’s always on, no preheating necessary—weighs 1,300 pounds. The floors had to be reinforced to support it.
Hinton loves the gas fireplace in the living room, which reminds her of her grandparents’ farmhouse in Mississippi. She also likes the tin-tile backsplash, which she made from ceiling tiles found at an antiques store in Lucketts, Virginia.
To create a light, open feel in the addition, Wilder built two-story ceilings and added a window above triple-wide French doors. In the rafters, he placed discreet cable lights that can be adjusted for directional lighting.
The homeowners like the way the new space complements the view of the rolling hills just outside their window. Says Hinton: “Although we’re in a suburban area, the house transports you to a much more rural countryside.”
Where to Find It
Range: Aga Four Oven Cooker.
Floors and beams: Reclaimed American oak and custom historic heart pine from Mountain Lumber Co. in Ruckversville, Virginia; finished by Annandale Floor Finishers.
Countertops: Coiba Labrador Antique from Arc Stone, fabricated by U.S. Marble & Granite in Springfield, Illinois.
Cabinets: Essex Wood-Mode from Aidan Design in Bethesda.
Tile: Ceramic subway tile from Subway Ceramics in Verona, Wisconsin.
Hood: Custom-made by Mark Masser of Capital Cabinetry & Millwork in Rockville.
Island: Silestone Ivory Coast countertop from U.S. Marble & Granite.
Cable lights: Tech Lighting.
