Part of what makes our work enjoyable and rewarding is the ability to make our client’s visions come to life. Recently, we had the opportunity to work with clients who wanted to update their contemporary waterfront home in Reston. They had a wish list of projects they needed assistance with and enlisted us to make those wishes come true. The projects included renovating a lower level, painting, new flooring, updates to a guest kitchen area, and new furniture. All the work needed to keep with the contemporary nature of the home and be completed on a tight time schedule before their son’s upcoming wedding.

Our decorator, Janet Aurora, knew exactly how to check off all the items on our client’s wish list. We’ll walk you through how we transformed this home, improving its functionality and incorporating contemporary design elements.

Our challenge for the lower level was to reconfigure the space to create a television viewing and entertaining area. To complete the transformation, we captured space from areas that the homeowners weren’t currently using, including an in-home exercise room, closets, and a second entrance to a bathroom. We were then able to design a custom built-in for the television, which hid a structural beam. To create the contemporary look, we also removed a glass block that gave the lower level a very dated look. These changes allowed us to reconfigure the space so that it was designed to our client’s taste and maximized the functionality of the space.

Before of exercise room which wasn’t being used.

After photos.

After improving the functionality of the space, we started decorating to give it a contemporary flare. We added a luxury vinyl flooring that had beautiful gray tones and the look of hardwood throughout the lower level. To make the seating area cozy, we added re-upholstered swivel chairs and a chaise sofa complimented by an area rug to finish out the space. This was exactly what the client imagined for their new living area!

We also wanted to create an area for eating, playing games and shooting pool on the lower level.  We removed part of wall to create an open concept that allowed us to open up into the kitchen area. We added a granite top on the half wall for a drink spot. Our favorite part of the room? The game table with custom chairs, which coordinates beautifully with the client’s mirror over the buffet. The blue leopard print custom chairs were made larger for additional comfort, making it a cozy place to hang out with friends all night long.

Before photos above: As you can see the basement needed a major upgrade.

After photos above: After this upgrade, this basement is the perfect place to entertain

The upstairs guest suite received an extreme makeover. Our client wanted this space to be a relaxing getaway for out-of-town guests. The new suite has a neutral color palette with a blue area rug to pull the space together. We created an intimate seating area with two loveseats and a re-upholstered swivel chair. The kitchenette was transformed as well. We painted the existing dark oak cabinets gray to create a “shiplap” look, added a new glass tile backsplash, and replaced granite with quartz that has the look of marble.  These updates made the space feel welcoming and cozy for the client’s out-of-town guests.

Before photos: These are the pictures of the space that would soon become the guest suite getaway.

After photos: Our transformation created a beautiful, guest suite as a relaxing getaway for out-of town visitors.

New contemporary furniture? Check.  Improved functionality? Check. Upstairs guest suite? Check. Through our contemporary design and our ability to reconfigure the space, we were able to meet all of the needs on our client’s wishlist.

Do you have a home design wish list that you need help tackling? Give us a call! We’d love to see how we can help check off all the things on your wish list to make your home your dream space.