Photo by Anice Hoachlander
The new pool and pool house slips gracefully into the landscape and reflects the exterior of the original house, including perfectly matched stucco, red tile roof, and arched detailing.
Sometimes real estate fantasies do come true as homeowners in an historic walkable neighborhood in D.C. must have felt when an undeveloped lot on the side of their house became available. The Mediterranean Revival circa 1920s home had been renovated, added onto, and refined on and off for around 25 years, but one thing was missing as architect Melanie Giordano of BarnesVanze Architects explains: “We had actually looked into adding a pool before they acquired this lot, but there were so many protected trees, it really was not possible to do it. When this lot became available, it was the ideal opportunity to realize the clients’ hoped-for goal for the property.”
Photo by Anice Hoachlander
The pool house was sited to look out on a park instead of the neighboring houses giving it a private feel in the midst of the city.
Historic restrictions dictated where the pool house could be sited on the property; it had to be hidden from the street, so the original façade could remain the same. “That limitation actually worked to our advantage,” says Giordano who worked with founding partner Steve Vance on the project. “The side yard was sloping, so we created a terrace behind a tall retaining wall shielded from neighboring houses, and we put it on an axis with the family room while the pool house faces a wooded park.”
Photo by Anice Hoachlander
A fieldstone retaining wall gracefully sets off the pool courtyard. The landscape design provided for a sizable green lawn for the family dogs to run around which also makes an ideal croquet court.
When it came to choosing the architectural style of the pool house, no one hesitated; it should reflect the design tropes of the main house for an engaging seamless quality. The team spent a lot of effort to make the new pool house feel in step within the whole employing the same style and traditional materials that the main house has—arched windows, copper gutters, decorative brackets, red tile roof, and stucco in a matching texture and color. And, the travertine with a bluestone border used around the pool deck extends into the pool house itself to provide a connection between the two. Inside, arched windows over the kitchenette sink open up so food can be passed to the pergola outdoor entertaining area, providing yet another connective association.
Photo by Anice Hoachlander
Blues rule in the pool house interiors, which has a Mediterranean attitude. Designer Lisa Vanderburgh mixed prints and textures for the sectional pillows.
For the interiors of the pool house, the clients engaged their long-time designer Lisa Vanderburgh to make it come to life. “It’s a departure from the main house which is dressed in richer creams, reds, and greens,” says Vanderburgh. “We went with a more Mediterranean feel that sprung from the hand painted blue and white tiles that we had selected for the bathroom. We added a range of blues including aqua that reflect the pool as well.” A pale blue sectional shows off a variety of prints for the pillows while a striped rug lends a casual coastal vibe.
Photo by Anice Hoachlander
An arched window over the sink opens to pass food and drinks to the pergola dining area beyond.
It was also important for the pool area to nestle into the landscape and feel in conversation with the main house. “The most significant thing we did when adding the pool was taking out a wide section of old fieldstone wall that was between the family room and proposed pool deck,” explains landscape architect Amy Mills of DCA Landscape Architects.” We then added a set of wide steps that gave us a real relationship from the family room to the new pool area.” Since this type of fieldstone is no longer available, Mills was able to salvage it and incorporate it into other parts of the property.
Photo by Anice Hoachlander
Architect Michelle Giordano sited the pool terrace on an axis with the family room which is the connecting space to the original house.
When it came to deciding what to put into the landscape, Mills’ clients wanted a wide variety of trees and plantings allowing her copious creative license in the selection and the palette. “So many clients want the same thing—boxwoods, white or blue hydrangeas, and maybe some knock out roses; this was a complete departure.” She added an abundance of evergreen trees around the perimeter including narrow green giant and emerald green arborvitae and lush Nellie Stevens holly trees. “There were several flowering trees including crepe myrtle, red bud, and a small dogwood, but we added some additional flowering trees and a shade tree to take the place of the one that had died before construction and included a Japanese maple in the mix,” says Mills. “With two dogs, it was important to my clients to have an open expansive green space, so we made sure to keep that intact and not overcrowd the landscape.”
Photo by Anice Hoachlander
This small sitting area was part of the original home, but during the pool installation landscape architect Amy Mills had the space repaved and the front garden revamped.
The new pool space links to the front entry garden and outdoor dining and grilling area by charming stepping stone paths that tie every aspect of the old and new together to create a captivating and meticulously orchestrated dream come true.
Photo by Anice Hoachlander
Charming stepping stone paths surrounded by lush plantings connect all areas in the landscape.
Photo by Anice Hoachlander
A circular low wall provides definition in the landscape and sets off the crepe myrtle tree.
By Alice Welsh Doyle
DESIGN/BUILD TEAM
- Architecture: Melanie Giordano, principal BarnesVanze Architects; barnesvanze.com, @barnesvance
- Landscape Architect: Amy Mills, DCA Landscape Architects
- Interior Design: Lisa Vandenburgh, Lisa Vanderburgh Ltd; lisavandenburgh.com
- Builder/Contractor: Abe Sari, Alliance Builders, alliancebuildersllc.com
