Margy Dunn and her family were thrilled when they moved into their single-family home in Arlington, VA from the townhouse they had been living in. It meant more space, less stairs to manage and easier access around the house. But it still needed a few modifications to make the home perfect for her little boy. He has cerebral palsy and relies on a walker or wheelchair to assist him in getting around. He is independent and always on the move, so making his home a place he can feel safe and secure was of utmost importance.

The family called on SVA Construction Corp Design Build because a friend of theirs had used them for an accessible project and they had seen the work and loved it. Not only from an aesthetics point of view, but also the creative solutions that were incorporated into the project. Margy knew Russ was the only choice to design this project because he also had a child with cerebral palsy so could totally relate and offer suggestions coming from
real world experience.

The family’s initial thought was to add a ramp and porch to the front of the home. But after consulting with Russ and the SVA Construction Corp team, they realized that they would need 50 feet of ramp so it was probably not a viable option. Incorporating a side porch and lift ended up being the best solution from both a design and functionality perspective. According to Margy, the lift is “life-changing”.

With five stairs leading to the front door, not only was this cumbersome but dangerous for her son. The best part of the project is how much her son loves his new lift. He’s proud of the independence he’s gained with it.

Russ also offered suggestions for making the inside of the home work better by incorporating grab bars in the bathrooms, widening doorways where needed, and reinforcing the stair railing so that weight could safely be put on it. The reinforced railings allow the little boy to train and work on his strength. Widening the side entrance door and bathroom door to make wheelchair width also made life so much easier.

Words of Advice from the Homeowner

“Do your homework. The project was so much more involved than I had imagined. Working with a reliable company was great because they took care of everything. They handled permits, managed contractors, thought about design, and understood issues with codes because that’s their expertise. And because of Russ’ personal experience, he knew exactly what we were dealing with.”

– Margy Dunn

A Seamless Addition: The three-level addition looks just like an original part of the house. Inside, it offers access to all three levels and also provides natural light and access to a new
outdoor living area.

A Perfect Solution for Active Homeowners

These Rockville, Maryland empty nesters are just a little bit active, to say the least. That’s exactly why adding an elevator to their home made total sense – they refuse to let mobility challenges stop them from living their busy lives.

A Perfect Solution for Keeping Their Forever Home

Two years ago, on a trip to Kenya, the homeowner, Lloydie Triplett Zaiser, broke her ankle and lacerated her knee when falling into a hole on safari at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro. At the same time, her husband discovered that he had a blockage in his heart and needed heart surgery. She cut her trip short, came home, and went straight to Washington Hospital Center to be with her husband. As a result of her injury, she couldn’t put weight on her ankle for three months. Her husband couldn’t walk up the stairs while healing from his surgery. They both healed and were eventually able to get around again, but it was a wake up call as to how inaccessible their house was. They felt that if they wanted this to be their forever home, and they did, they had better prepare for the future now.

Lloydie knew Russ SVA Construction Corp, President and Founder of SVA Construction Corp Design Build, and his family for many years. So when it came time to select a remodeling company, the choice was very easy. Lloydie knew that Russ and his company specialized in accessible remodeling, so was perfect for the job. And having 100% trust in Russ and his team, she knew she could leave them with the key and go about her daily routine.

Renderings Provide Options: As part of the planning process, the homeowners had the opportunity to explore numerous design possibilities including a screened-in hot tub and a wrap-around deck.

The homeowners knew they wanted an elevator but details beyond that were unclear to them. The first thing the SVA Construction Corp team recommended was considering an elevator lobby on each floor. The homeowners admitted to having never thought about that but now say that the lobbies on each floor of the 3-story elevator are their favorite part of the project. A reading nook was created on the bedroom level lobby providing ample sunlight to warm the space and the perfect place to cozy up with a good book.

The homeowners were presented with lots of options when it came to the elevator itself. The homeowner was looking for something that was simple, yet elegant. She preferred to add her own personal adornments to the space. The elevator had openings in the basement, first floor, and second floor. In addition to the elevator itself, a small deck was added off of the first floor lobby, with steps down into the backyard. A new roof was also needed to accommodate the elevator addition. The existing roof was ready for a replacement so the timing worked out well.

Kenya Educational Service Trips ~Tuko Pamoja~ Cross Culture Educational Programs

Through her business, Tuko Pamoja, that means, “we are together”, Lloydie has made 26 trips to Kenya over the
years.

Tuko Pamoja supports 180 female craftspeople by helping them to sell their crafts in America. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of their items go back to the women so that they can support their children and families. SVA Construction Corp Design Build helped host an Open House at Lloydie’s home after her elevator project was complete and offered to donate $10 for every attendee at the Open House to Tuko Pamoja. With 92 people in attendance, Russ donated almost $1000 to this amazing organization that built a playground for the kids living in a rural area of Kenya that had never seen a playground before!

An Improved Home on Three Levels

Final Thoughts

“I felt that the choices and advice given by the SVA Construction Corp team were right on target. I felt completely comfortable in their hands. The team constantly communicated with me and never left me hanging. And they always showed up when they said they would. I loved the guys working in my home. I wish I had more money to do another project just so that they could come back.”
– Lloydie Zaiser

Remodeled for Living

As this Silver Spring family looked to make some updates to their home, their number one goal was to design with the future in mind. The current layout of the home relied on two-story living. A big part of the renovation plan was to design for first floor living while considering accessibility throughout.

To make the first floor a fully livable space both inside and out, an addition and sunroom complete with a brick patio was incorporated onto the back of the home. This, along with removing a wall between the kitchen and living room, allowed for a larger kitchen. The new kitchen boasts a peninsula with seating as well as table seating as opposed to the original galley style kitchen that did not accommodate seating. 

A garage that had been converted into a den was now transformed into an updated sitting room that can be used as a bedroom at some point should the need arise. The existing design had a step into this room that has now been removed to make the room flush with the rest of the first floor, allowing for ease to come and go.

Seeing the Future (floorplan)

SVA Construction Corp Design’s 3D rendering software allowed the homeowners to visualize the new space before committing to the changes. The virtual look at the floorplan helped give a sense of how traffic
would flow through the new space, how furniture would fit, and even how light fixtures would illuminate rooms and work areas.

BEFORE

An old garage-to-den conversion and the typical small rooms of this older house made for a chopped-up and inefficient floorplan. Radiators, small windows and other details original to the house presented opportunities for dramatic improvements in livability for the owners – for today and for tomorrow.

More Convenient Today & Ready for Tomorrow.

A partial bathroom on the first floor was converted into a full bathroom and includes a curbless shower. The shower glass door is removable and the vanity is set up to convert to a wall mounted sink to create a fully accessible “wet room”. A new laundry room (the original laundry room had been combined with the bathroom) allows for modern conveniences that the room formerly lacked. Doorways throughout the first floor were increased to 36” so that they are wheelchair accessible.

With careful planning and creative design, this house can now serve as this family’s forever home. The renovation mixed style with function creating the best of both worlds! 

More Space, More Convenience: In addition to the new, more functional living space, the renovation also allowed the homeowners to incorporate much-appreciated updates such as added storage in drawers and cabinets and a more accessible laundry room.

This McLean, VA family of four loved their 1960’s home and wonderful neighborhood, but had simply outgrown their space. In particular, they were longing to create larger bedrooms for their two boys as well as a space the boys could call their own. They also wanted to better maximize their first floor space. That’s where SVA Construction Corp Design Build came in. The new design incorporated all of that and more – A second story addition provided the space they needed to stay in their home comfortably and configure a layout that worked for the entire family.

What Was Done

The original first floor of the home contained three bedrooms. By removing walls, one of the rooms was converted into additional living room space and one was turned into an office. The redesigned space also eliminated a hallway that existed right as you entered the front door. The layout now features an open floor plan with kitchen/living room area. A bump-up was added above the stairs from the first to second floors (originally attic stairs) to allow for plenty of headroom. The newly added second floor space was designed to house two bedrooms, one for each child, a full bathroom, a lounge area complete with a homework nook, and a second office, as both homeowners work from home. On both levels, the floors were redone in an oak with an English Chestnut stain. On the exterior, the original light red brick was repainted to match the new smooth Hardie Siding that was chosen in Booth Bay Blue.

A Detailed Plan

As part of the planning process, SVA Construction Corp Design Build created an extensive materials list and 3D renderings of the house – before and after – to help the homeowners visualize the possibilities and eventual outcome. The 3D renderings allowed the homeowners to explore different color, trim and materials options – and even see how landscaping changes would impact the home.

A Masculine Yet Elegant Bathroom

The upstairs bathroom for the two boys was a main area of focus. Plenty of time was taken to ensure that the selections were perfect. The homeowners were looking to create an aesthetically interesting, masculine-feeling space, while at the same time providing the function that they needed. The overall design of the space had a transitional feel with lots of cool greys, blues and whites. Dark grey Crystal Cabinet shaker-style cabinets with clean lines were incorporated into the design along with 12 x 24 dark grey tile flooring. A Carrera (white and grey) marble was chosen for the counter top, and the same tile in a mosaic pattern was used for the shower floor and in a subway tile pattern on the shower walls. Polished chrome fixtures added brilliance to the space and made a definite statement when you walk in. The white sink and toilet stand out beautifully against the grey in the room. Overall a classic sophisticated, masculine look was achieved – two months ahead of schedule!

In The End

The homeowners couldn’t be happier with their beautifully remodeled home and can’t believe how well it functions for them. It’s amazing what can be accomplished when customized to fit a family’s individual tastes and lifestyle.

Functional space and clean contemporary lines were the main goals of this beautiful kitchen and mudroom remodel. This active family of four, living in Great Falls, VA, with their three dogs and two cats, had decided it was time to transform their kitchen and laundry room areas into the functional space they knew they needed if they wanted to stay organized and productive. Adding an updated, modern look was just icing on the cake. The original kitchen layout was small and choppy and didn’t provide the proper working space the homeowners desired. The laundry room was disorganized and small. As these are two of the most regularly used rooms in their home, the homeowners felt remodeling them was a top priority.

To enlarge the two areas, we removed space from an existing playroom. Since there was another playroom in the home, this space was not missed. With the additional room we were able to create a mudroom in the old laundry room space plus a separate cubby area. The homeowners wanted to divide this into two distinct spaces. The cubby area included cubbies, shelves and hooks, and allows the kids to keep shoes, jackets, backpacks and such neat and organized. The mudroom was designed with access to the backyard for the dogs to come in and out, and included a large sink for cleaning the dogs. A homework/desk area in between the mudroom and kitchen provides the perfect space for the kids to do their homework without being isolated.

The kitchen design combined great organization with nice open space. The white and grey color scheme perfectly complemented the contemporary clean lines. And coffee-colored flooring and island cabinets added a dramatic contrast and a clear designer vibe. A sink was added to the island at the request of the homeowners. Ample drawers and cabinets were incorporated into the design along with four banks of large floor-to-ceiling utility cabinets in a distinguished dark hardwood that more than addressed the organization issues. Lots of drawers, including a microwave drawer, allow for clean, sleek storage to house important appliances.

The homeowners couldn’t be more elated with how well organized everything is now, and how stunning the space turned out. Everything that was previously causing clutter and chaos now has the perfect place. And the clean lines and modern color scheme now elicit the calming, relaxed and organized environment the homeowners couldn’t wait to achieve.

This suburban family came to us with a fairly lengthy to–do list of renovations for their home. With aging parents who visited frequently, their number one priority was to create a functional and attractive in-law suite featuring a bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchenette, all complete with accessible features. Also on their wish list was to update a powder room, convert a dated laundry room into a better-functioning laundry/mudroom, add a breakfast nook to the kitchen, replace the hood above an existing range, and enlarge the kitchen island. They also wanted to build a new deck in the back yard.

Not only did the design and project craftsmanship win over the Kees, it won a Silver 2016 Master Design Award in the Universal Design category, and was featured in Qualified Remodeler Magazine’s March 2017 issue.

Detailed plans and thorough materials lists helped every stage of the project move smoothly and without any surprises for the homeowners.

Sometimes it’s the small things that make all of the difference. Some of the homeowner’s favorite elements of the project were a corner niche with a glass tile accent, a curb-less shower with linear drain and a filtered cold-water dispenser in the kitchenette.

The zero-step entry addition, new finishes and in-law suite fit seamlessly with the existing footprint of the home. The homeowners now have ample, accessible space for their parents’ visits. They also have a breakfast nook, larger island, powder room, laundry room/mudroom area and deck that the whole family can now enjoy.

“We chose SVA Construction Corp to build an accessible addition (bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette), as well as reconfigure portions of our kitchen, laundry, and powder room. They did a fantastic job of incorporating the things we wanted, as well as suggesting things we didn’t think of at first, but now love (a large, covered deck). We had an outstanding project manager (Justin). He had an incredible eye for detail, and was so friendly and respectful of our time that the construction process flew right by without a hitch.” – The Kees

View Project 

showering and brushing his teeth. In order to accomplish this, the homeowners had a wish list of items that they wanted the exterior renovation and bathroom remodel to accomplish. This included: providing a way for their son to get outside easily from his bedroom which was on the main level of the ranch style home, creating protection from the elements outside when their son was waiting for a ride and easy access to and from the driveway once he’s outside. They also wanted to ensure that the exterior renovations to the home did not detract from the beauty of it. For the bathroom remodel their goals were: a roll-in shower for ease of access with a wheelchair, sink with room for a wheelchair to fit under and plenty of room in the space for him to easily get around.
Added Functionality
Both of the new spaces, the bathroom and the exterior modifications have greatly enhanced the functionality of the home. When the homeowners purchased this ranch home, they knew that some modifications would be necessary. Having a ramp to the outside provides a tremendous help in allowing access in and out of the house without much help from others. And the new bath with all of the accessible amenities allows the little boy to conveniently and accessibly get ready for his day. A new wall-mounted sink with cabinets helps maximize the space and provides convenient storage at the same time.

BEFORE THE RAMP INSTALLATION

BEFORE BATHROOM RENOVATION

Function and Beauty
The exterior renovation complements the rest of the home beautifully. If fact, it adds to the architectural interest of the home. The new portico and curved ramp with a stone wall were added seamlessly. The neighbors have commented how amazing the transformation looks. The bathroom is done in beautiful tones and offers a relaxing and clean atmosphere that anyone would enjoy using.

FLOOR PLANS

Seamless Integration
With an accessible design project, a major goal is for the modifications to blend seamlessly with the existing structure. The ramp was designed in such a way to not only provide the functional value that the homeowners desired but to add visual interest to the home as well. The curved layout added an interesting design element along with an attractive metal gate placed where the ramp meets the driveway. A stone wall adds to the overall beauty.

AFTER

End Result
Overall the project turned out beautifully and the homeowners couldn’t be more thrilled. This little boy now has the mobility and independence he and his family desired. The design team came up with a variety of solutions to meet the homeowner’s needs of greater accessibility for their son to and from the outside of the home. He has easy access to the driveway allowing him to get to school and other activities without much assistance. He has a beautiful new bathroom that’s all his and his own personal “suite”.

BEFORE

Extensive renovations including adding new space were made to the home. The scope of work on the first floor included: relocating the kitchen, remodeling the bathroom, adding a laundry room which was previously in the basement, adding a side entry mudroom, building a covered entry, and in the new space adding a living room and screened in porch.

FLOOR and ELEVATION PLANS

Second floor renovations included: a new master suite, converting an existing hall bath into a jack and jill bath for the kids, and adding a new HVAC unit.

AFTER

The biggest challenge of the project was figuring out the kitchen space. The homeowners wanted a larger kitchen but doing that in its original space would have created a very narrow room. The idea to move it to the other side of the house allowed for the perfect space for an expanded kitchen with an ideal layout.

The homeowner could not have been more thrilled with the end result. The renovations turned out exactly as they wanted them. They loved working with their designer because he listened to what they wanted, and didn’t just try to pressure them into taking only his ideas. The front cedar porch is warm and inviting and has amazing curb appeal. The family love that they now have seating at the bar in the kitchen for quick meals and couldn’t be happier with all of their new bathrooms. The additional space allowed for all of the changes they wanted to make their home work perfectly for them now and down the road.

View Project

The scope of work included:
Demolition of an existing kitchen and dining room to create one large kitchen space which would provide both food prep, cooking, baking and entertaining space, removing a load bearing wall between the two spaces, and updating the dated kitchen that had last been remodeled in the 70’s into a unique, contemporary look. The components of the kitchen were very important to the homeowners. Because their wish list was so immense, the kitchen was designed into two key areas. The main area of the kitchen included a high end gas range and gas fire wok perfect for cooking and grilling and a large sink and dishwasher. Open shelves were also incorporated to house cooking supplies and serving dishes and to create an open, airy look. The other side of the kitchen contains the bar area with room for gathering and entertaining. The bar also includes a small prep sink, ovens for baking and microwave. Granite counter-tops and porcelain tile floors throughout tied the whole room together.

BEFORE

FLOOR PLANS

Results:
Overall, the homeowner’s goals were met with a beautifully updated contemporary kitchen with all of the bells and whistles the homeowners desired. Not only do they have the ideal layout to cook and bake a wide variety of items, they now have the gathering space they desired to host parties for family and friends. And the clean, sleek lines of the space, contemporary appliances and cabinetry, and open shelving create the contemporary look the homeowners were seeking.

AFTER

The Challenge: 
The biggest challenge with this project was figuring out what to do with a beam that ran across the ceiling of the room that had to stay in place. We suggested incorporating the beam into a tray ceiling with beautiful decorative molding. The clients were a little concerned with how this would turn out but loved it once they saw it completed.

BEFORE

FLOOR PLAN AND 3D B&W RENDERING

The Result:
A relocated window and new window seat provide the homeowners access to great views and additional storage. Taller cabinets, a full pantry with pullout drawers, a larger island and a decorative glass cabinet all create an impressive look while adding the functionality the homeowners desired. One-of-a-kind, meticulously chosen Bordeaux granite tops create a sense of elegance, while a furniture-like refrigerator and dishwasher ensure a high-end and seamless look. The larger island provides an ideal alternative eating space. The homeowners couldn’t be more thrilled with their classically-styled yet updated, new space.

AFTER