Heather DiSabella took on the renovation project for a family of five, including two cats and a St. Bernard, in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The family, having previously transformed a farmhouse, desired a return to city life and fell in love with a property built in 1903. The house, largely untouched since the 1950s, had segmented rooms and a floor plan lacking flow.
DiSabella recognized the potential in the home’s structure and the family’s appreciation for its historical elements. The major renovation focused on opening up the first floor, creating a seamless and inviting space for the family to gather. The kitchen, once isolated at the back, was redesigned to become a central and open hub, transforming the entire dynamic of the house.
The condition of the house posed a significant challenge for Heather DiSabella, with years of neglect evident in dust-covered surfaces and inoperable fixtures. The discovery of asbestos in the basement added another layer of complexity to the project, necessitating encapsulation. DiSabella focused on transforming the layout of the first floor, recognizing the need for changes in functionality. The decision to knock down the wall between the kitchen and dining room and switch the living and dining areas reflected the family’s desire for a more open and communal space. This reconfiguration aimed to accommodate the family’s love for cooking and entertaining while enhancing the flow of the home. Additionally, the strategic placement of a large window in the living room allowed for a prominent display of the Christmas tree during the holiday season.
Heather DiSabella tailored the design of the entire home to cater to the needs of her busy family clients. The third floor was dedicated to the preteen daughters, with two bedrooms and a shared bathroom featuring ample vanity storage and a spacious tub. DiSabella extended her design expertise to part of the previously unfinished attic, transforming it into a functional space with desks and beanbag chairs for the girls.
The stylistic preferences of the clients manifested in a blend of Old English and farmhouse styles on the main level, infused with a modern twist on the bedroom floors. Inspired by a home designed by Elizabeth Roberts, the kitchen’s color palette was carefully chosen to reflect this inspiration.
Leveraging the clients’ existing furniture, DiSabella added character to the spaces with antique rugs sourced from Etsy and a comfortable West Elm sectional in the living room.
Heather DiSabella successfully blended modern functionality with historical charm in the renovated home, creating a space that caters to the needs of a contemporary family while preserving its traditional elements. The restoration of historical features, such as the massive sliding doors between the living room and dining room, became a cherished aspect of the design. The clients chose to keep the original interior doors and brass hardware, working with a local company to restore the hardware and make some knobs functional again.
Additionally, the existing wood flooring was refinished with a new stain finish, and the original front entry stairs were enhanced by painting and repairing small details. The clients are delighted with the transformation, particularly appreciating the improved flow and openness of the first floor, providing a welcoming space for the entire family to gather comfortably.
