A stately 1937 solid brick colonial style house elegantly sits in the middle of a spacious triple wide city lot in the vibrant Northside of Richmond. Interestingly, this particular tract of land appears to be a remnant of a much larger historical plot, which has gradually been subsumed by the expanding city grid over time. Once abandoned and severely neglected for decades, the new owners commissioned its meticulous restoration along with a modern addition that doubled the overall size of the existing house. The couple has recently sold their much larger 1929 Georgian Revival home, located just blocks away, and have chosen to retire here in spaces intentionally designed for single story living, ensuring they age-in-place comfortably. A detached rear garage (to be built as phase 2) stands in the form of a charming historic carriage house, a style commonly found in Richmond's urban neighborhoods. Thoughtful features such as tree allées, inviting outdoor rooms, and dedicated gardening spaces are intricately woven into the overall plan composition.

Much of the addition is comprised of budget-friendly fiber cement claddings for practicality, while brick is chosen for the side adjacent to the closest neighboring lot, where it is utilized as both a thin transparent screen wall and a thicker wall complete with projecting headers. An elegant opaque white limewash slurry is applied over both the new and existing brick to create a visually unified exterior. These timeless architectural details draw inspiration from and originate among the historic Virginia vernacular traditions, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the region.

• Interior Designer: Sara Hillery Interior Design

• Design 2018

• Construction 2022-2023

• Contractor: Tom Dunn