Clifton Farmhouse

Location: Clifton, VA

The owners of this historic farmhouse sought a comprehensive addition to expand the living and entertaining spaces while bringing the family together with a more open, fluid and friendly layout.

The small rooms, low ceilings and dark, interior kitchen have given way to open spaces, vaulted ceilings and a spectacular relocated kitchen. A floor-to-ceiling folding door opens the entire great room to the outdoors while the visually stunning timber frame trusses support the vaulted ceiling and hint to the traditional barn on site.

The original breezeway that connected the garage to the house was rarely used so a new central foyer was designed in its place. The wide entrance offers great views of the pool, pool house and farm while drawing people into the new entertaining spaces.

Use of shiplap siding on the walls, tongue & groove ceilings, recessed lighting and wide-plank white oak floors give the entire space a fresh look.

Great care was taken to expand the home without diminishing its historic charm or period details. The soffits, fascia, clapboard siding and windows seamlessly integrate with the original home. Colonial windows were replaced with “farm style” 2/2 windows for a more traditional look and exterior barn lights are an authentic touch consistent with those used on the detached barn and adjacent pool house.

All this work was not without its challenges. The older additions were not properly aligned with the original dwelling, so floors needed to be elevated and leveled. All work was done while three adults, two kids and two dogs occupied the home. This meant building the new addition and kitchen had to occur prior to removing the old kitchen.