Restoring Charm: A Thoughtful Colonial Renovation in North Arlington
Classic homes in northern Virginia used to be on each and every corner, but in recent years have become a scarce, yet desired find. When we came across this center hall colonial in North Arlington as a proposed flip project, I knew we needed to preserve its original architecture and make it feel timeless on the inside. This home deserved more than a surface-level, or as we call in the construction world “lipstick on a pig” makeover—it needed a thoughtful restoration that honored its original character.
Beyond preserving the exterior charm of this classic colonial, the renovation focused on creating a more modern and functional space. One of my favorite examples is the primary bathroom, a space designed with both sophistication and practicality in mind. Older homes have such detail in their edges, trimwork, and materials—details you rarely find in newer builds these days.
In the primary bathroom, we layered various marble sizes and trim details to create a shower that felt seamless to the rest of the home. We took inspiration from the other architectural elements we introduced in the formal living and dining rooms — like wainscot molding. Similar detail was brought into the bathroom and a chair rail molding was added in the shower to divide 3” x 6” honed marble tiles from larger 12” x 24” tiles. This mix of size and scale with profile added more interest, while consistency of materials maintained a cohesive look. The result is a timeless and classic design that feels elevated and sophisticated.
On the floor, we kept the marble theme running – this time using a basket weave. I sourced a pattern that had a greige accent versus a black dot, keeping it very serene and neutral. This tile flowed through the main bathroom area as well as the shower.
While aesthetics played a large role in the design, functionality was equally as important. With so many engineered materials now replicating the look of natural ones, we made it a priority to balance durability and authenticity. For the countertops, I selected Calacatta Idillio – an elegant quartz surface from MSI that offers the luxurious look of marble without the maintenance. The plumbing was something we splurged on. With the bathroom being the primary suite, I wanted to use polished nickel plumbing features over chrome for an elevated look. The cabinetry was finished in Sherwin Williams Repose Gray – a very versatile, soft hue that reads as a true neutral. Gray can often lean too farmhouse when paired with the wrong accents, but here, combined with glass knobs and polished nickel lighting and hardware, it took on a timeless, classic feel. The same color was used as the base cabinets in the kitchen so there was a theme and a repetitive element to define the consistency within.
This project was all about keeping the charm of the original home while making it work for how people live today. By mixing classic details with updated materials and layouts, we created a
space that feels both timeless and comfortable – while adding just a bit of character. It’s a great example of how old and new can come together in a way that just makes sense!
This project was all about keeping the charm of the original home while making it work for how people live today. By mixing classic details with updated materials and layouts, we created a
space that feels both timeless and comfortable – while adding just a bit of character. It’s a great example of how old and new can come together in a way that just makes sense!