Private Residence
McLean, VA
Inspired by the New England seaside vernacular, this eclectic shingle-style home modestly boasts a total living area of approximately 11,000 sf. Reducing the visual scale of structures this size is accomplished here by lowering the roof eave and housing a second floor and attic within the cedar shingle-clad roof assembly. The low-slung roof line also creates a much more dramatic front yard presentation to the flanking pair of roof gable features. Also breaking from the emphatically linear lines of the façade is a gently curved eyebrow dormer and bowed attic windows recessed within each roof gable to complete the front composition.
This otherwise traditional home received a slightly contemporary twist of color. Typical Cape Cod fashion contrasts gray shingles against crisp white trim. In this more vibrant approach, a pastel tone of blue shingles and white trim achieve a punctuation of depth in the form of black window frames and vibrant indigo entry door.
The home’s floor plan was designed in the form of a bent “L” shape with the garage wing angled from the main body of the house. This form allows the front, with its angled garage appendage, to act as a dividing wall and enclosure to the private rear-yard garden and pool beyond.
