At Commonwealth Home Design, we’re often brought in to solve complex design challenges that limit how homeowners can use and enjoy their spaces. This recent whole-house remodeling and reconfiguration project in Vienna, VA, is a perfect example. Our clients loved their neighborhood, but their home’s layout no longer supported their lifestyle. What began as a disjointed collection of underused and outdated spaces is now a beautifully cohesive, highly functional, and stylishly updated home tailored for modern living.
The Client Challenge: A Disconnected Layout and Dated Spaces
The original layout of the home included a cavernous, two-story living room that felt cold and impractical. The laundry was inconveniently located on the main floor, crammed into the mudroom. The primary suite, especially the bathroom and closet, lacked flow and functionality. And while the kitchen served a basic purpose, the original U-shaped layout and small island were ordinary, inefficient, and did not take advantage of the available space.
Our clients came to us with a clear request: to reimagine their home, enhancing livability, expanding functional space, and creating more inviting environments – all within the existing footprint, wherever possible.
The Design Solution: Reclaiming Space with Smart Structural Modifications
The biggest transformation resulted from overhauling the two-story living room. By inserting a structural floor system, we gained approximately 500 square feet of new second-story space without altering the home’s exterior. This newly created area now accommodates a generous laundry room and a cozy sitting area as part of the reconfigured primary bedroom suite.
In addition, a surprisingly complicated existing framing system above and below the kitchen was investigated and re-engineered to allow the removal of a bearing wall and to expand the kitchen in a critical area.
Remodeled Kitchen & Expanded Walk-in Pantry
Though not yet professionally photographed, the new kitchen design and gorgeously spacious pantry are show-stoppers. The expanded space created by removing bearing walls allows for a long wall of cabinets with a focal point commercial stove, and a long island with ample seating.
An extraneous, dark, closed-off dining room was sacrificed for the expansion. It was an unnecessary vestigial component when compared with the delightful existing sunroom/dining room at the back of the kitchen.
An ”orphaned” window was repurposed into a desk area, making it possible to balance the design with symmetry through the spacious island, the lighting, and the backdrop of the commercial range.
Glass cabinet doors and a combination of walnut and painted cabinetry, plus toe-kick lighting, make this custom kitchen unique and arresting. The pantry accommodates large appliances, shelf-stable groceries, and a double oven, so that it does not impact the kitchen design.
New Luxe Laundry Room
The new laundry room is a distinctive space, featuring taupe cabinetry, large-format checkerboard floor tile, and a whimsical, nature-inspired wallpaper that elevates the room far beyond its utility. A new oval window, that matches existing windows in other locations in the house, floods the space with natural light, while pull-out drying racks and ample counter space make it as functional as it is beautiful.
Reconfigured Primary Suite, Without Expanding the Footprint
Just down the hall from the laundry room, the new primary bedroom sitting room features custom-built-ins flanking a floral accent wall, perfect for relaxing, reading, or sipping morning coffee. The arched shelving niches, rich wood countertops, and gold chandelier add character and warmth to the space.
Again, the original floor plan did not make good use of the available space. Many walls were removed and/or relocated to bring elbow room, spaciousness, drama, and light to replace the existing dated primary bathroom and walk-in closet, and hall bathroom.
In the primary bathroom, a full reconfiguration resulted in dramatically improved flow and storage. We used rich walnut cabinetry, a double-sink vanity with brass fixtures, and a bold emerald green herringbone tile backsplash to create a spa-like retreat. Under-cabinet lighting and slimline sconces enhance the modern feel, while the updated walk-in shower, finished in coordinating green tile with gold fixtures, adds a dramatic touch.
The adjacent walk-in closet and upstairs hall bath (not shown) were also reworked for better proportions and utility, all without adding square footage.
Whole-House Modernization & Cohesion
Other improvements throughout the home included:
- A hall drop zone designed to catch everyday clutter, especially when arriving and departing
- A reimagined mudroom with ample storage
- A refreshed powder room with new fixtures and finishes
- Updates to an upstairs hall bath
- A full renovation of the primary bedroom and closet
- Replaced stair railings for a completely different visual impact
The Result: A Functional, Stylish Home Built for the Way They Live
This project is a showcase of what thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship can achieve, especially when structural modifications open up new possibilities. What was once a collection of outdated, underperforming spaces is now a seamless and stunning home that supports this family’s needs today and long into the future.
We look forward to sharing professional photos of the remodeled kitchen and additional areas soon. In the meantime, we couldn’t resist offering a peek at this recently completed transformation!
Better space planning and expert design can make all the difference. Contact Commonwealth Home Design to begin your journey toward a more functional, beautifully remodeled home.
