When renovating this classic capital estate, architect Stephen Vanze sought to modernize the home for its current owners while remaining respectful of original architect John Russell Pope’s design. First built in 1932 for the Folger family, this home on two acres in Washington, D.C., was designed for entertaining, with a large circular driveway, an expansive rear terrace, and a pine-paneled reception area.
The original home suffered from the financial burden brought on by the Great Depression and later, from ill-suited additions. When it was sold in 2012, the new owners, a couple with three small children, embraced the opportunity to transform the house into one suitable for family living.
On the first floor, Vanze and Zantzinger restored the main rooms and redesigned the primary stair to suit the entry sequence. They removed an existing bedroom on the second floor to make room for an expanded master suite and a new bedroom and bathroom for the children. The enlarged attic now functions as an in-law suite, while the spirit of Pope’s design lives on through the restored gardens, enlarged terraces, and a new pool house.
See more photos of the house and more winners of the 2015 Remodeling Design Awards.
