Home Additions

Second-Story Home Addition in Fairfax, VA

Remodeling Need

These Fairfax homeowners were looking to expand their living space for entertaining and add a new owner’s suite along with a dedicated office. Their current home lacked an office altogether, and the existing owner’s suite felt cramped. In the main living area, the kitchen was closed off from the living room and functioned more like a small eat-in kitchen. Despite having a beautiful backyard, the layout didn’t take advantage of the views, leaving this feature underutilized.

Design Solution

To create a more open and functional space for entertaining, we built a two-story addition that allowed for a complete kitchen overhaul and the addition of a spacious living area across the back of the home. The original living room at the front was transformed into a formal dining room, optimizing how the space was used throughout the house.

We then added a new living room that seamlessly connects to the deck, featuring nearly floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase stunning views of the backyard. The vaulted ceiling enhances the sense of openness, and as you enter the home, the expansive windows draw your attention straight to the breathtaking outdoor scenery.

On the lower level of the addition, we created a brand-new owner’s suite, making the most of the two-story structure and providing a private retreat for the homeowners with direct access to the backyard.

The new owner’s suite includes a spacious bedroom, a luxurious freestanding tub, a separate shower, a single sink and faucet (as per the client’s preference), a private water closet, and a walk-in closet. The original owner’s bedroom was repurposed into a dedicated office, providing the homeowners with both a relaxing retreat and functional workspace.

For the kitchen backsplash, we selected 2×8 porcelain subway tiles. The cabinetry is from Sightline, with Caesarstone countertops and Kohler plumbing fixtures. In the bathroom, we used Signature Hardware, while the owner’s bath features Greenfield cabinetry, which is an upgraded line from Sightline. All plumbing fixtures were sourced from Ferguson, and the tile throughout was porcelain from Mosaic Tile. In the kitchen, we installed wood flooring to match the existing red oak hardwood, and for the owner’s suite, the homeowners chose carpet for a cozy feel. For the deck, we used Trek Composite Decking and matched the existing roofing and siding for a cohesive look.

Challenges

Adjacent to the new living room, the design included a second-story deck built over a flat rubber roof. The roof framing was carefully sloped for drainage and set lower than the living room floor framing to accommodate a level sleeper system with Trex decking. To maintain adequate headroom in the bathroom below, the new concrete slab was stepped down by two risers from the existing basement. The multi-zone ductless HVAC system required thoughtful routing around the support beams necessary for the deck’s structural integrity. Extensive planning was also done to ensure proper stormwater drainage, as the front yard sloped steeply toward the addition. Block stem walls with waterproofing and downspouts to daylight were installed to protect the finished space from water intrusion.

Result

The transformation is truly fantastic. As you enter the front, you immediately catch a glimpse past the new kitchen into the addition, drawing your gaze upwards past the ceiling line, sparking curiosity about what lies beyond. Upon reaching the back, you’re greeted by the expansive windows and the sloped ceiling, which together create a vast, bright, and airy atmosphere that dominates the space. This area, especially with its striking fireplace, is one of the designer’s favorite parts of the entire remodel. While the kitchen has been beautifully updated with a fantastic island perfect for gathering, it’s the dramatic windows that truly stand out as the highlight of the project.

Project Location