Strause Ct. Rambler Renovation in Springfield, VA

FEATURED PROJECT · STRAUSE CT. · SPRINGFIELD, VA

A Fresh Start on Strause Court

One-level living, rebuilt for today: an open kitchen, a new fireplace wall, updated baths and a private backyard.

00 · INTRODUCTION

Inside the Strause Ct. Renovation

Single-level homes are hard to find in Northern Virginia, and buyers notice when one is done right.

Strause Ct. is a rambler in Springfield’s Lakewood Hills. Everything happens on one floor, with an attached garage, a covered front porch and a fully fenced yard behind the house.

Our renovation focused on the rooms people use most: an open kitchen, the living and dining area, and both bathrooms. When it was finished, the house was claimed in about four hours.

HOME TYPE

One-level rambler

BEDROOMS

3

BATHROOMS

2 full

INTERIOR

1,535 sq ft

LOT

About 1/3 acre

PARKING

Attached garage

OUTDOORS

Fenced yard & brick patio

RESULT

Claimed in ~4 hours

01 · THE KITCHEN

A Kitchen Built Around One Big Island

The kitchen: a 67-inch waterfall island, ceiling-height Shaker cabinets and Calacatta quartz.

The kitchen is the center of the house now. A 67-inch waterfall island gives everyone a place to sit, prep and talk, and the quartz runs down both ends.

Shaker cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, so there is more storage and no dusty gap on top. Calacatta quartz adds soft veining against the white cabinets.

Left: the sink run. Right: the dining area, open to the kitchen. Some rooms are shown virtually staged.

02 · LIVING AND DINING

One Open Room for Everyday Life

A linear electric fireplace is now the focal point of the living room.

The living room, dining area and kitchen now read as one bright space. A linear electric fireplace gives the room a focal point and works with the flip of a switch.

Because the home is on one level, there are no stairs between the bedrooms, kitchen and living space. That makes it easy for young families and for buyers planning to stay as they get older.

Living and dining share one open space.

03 · THE BATHROOMS

Custom Tile, Glass and Matte Black

Custom tile, a glass shower enclosure and matte-black fixtures.

Both bathrooms got custom tile, glass shower enclosures, matte-black fixtures and lighted mirrors. The look is clean and easy to maintain.

Under one toilet we found a failed wax ring and soft subfloor. We cut out the rotted wood, put in new plywood and a new flange, and set the toilet level. Mason explains this problem in What’s Under Your Toilet?.

04 · OUTSIDE

A Private Yard and a Brick Patio

The backyard: a brick patio, lawn and mature trees, all behind a fence.

Outside, the covered front porch welcomes guests, and the fully fenced backyard gives kids and pets room to play. A brick patio extends the living space outdoors.

Left: the fenced yard. Right: the front entry and attached garage.

05 · WHAT IT SHOWS

Why This Renovation Worked

Spend where people live

The kitchen, living room and baths got the biggest upgrades because buyers see and use them every day.

Fix what you cannot see

Soft subfloor and old seals were fixed during the work, not left for the next owner.

Keep it simple

One finish palette across the house makes it feel larger and finished.

Planning a renovation before you sell, or for yourself? Read renovations that increase home value or see more real projects.

THE GREAT HOUSE · NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Thinking about a renovation like this?

From kitchens and baths to whole-home renovations, we will visit, share ideas and give you a written, itemized estimate.