I live surrounded by construction: modestly scaled early to mid-20th century homes being torn down to make way for residences that sadly look a bit like Barbie's townhouse, and homes being enlarged with rather clunky results.
Going against this trend to live large, Charlottesville, Virginia-based architect Madison Spencer masterfully renovated his own family's 1950s home, Rabbit Run. Recently it was featured in the April issue of Southern Accents.
Although the transformation is radical, Spencer's changes were graceful and as the story explains, inspired by enviable existing features including eight-feet-tall triple-sash windows and Chippendale window grilles.
Spencer, a UVA graduate, also took his cues from Thomas Jefferson's designs for the university. The arcaded pavilions surrounding Jefferson's Lawn are echoed at the rear of Rabbit Run where Spencer created a new dining/sitting room above a brick arcade; his daughters' sitting room and bathroom fits within the pediment above. Hopefully his project will inspire others who want to improve a not-so-huge house without venturing way beyond the existing footprint. (Bonus points for the chic red door.)
The final two images show the UVA campus, all others are of the Spencer residence -- front and back, before and after
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30 comments:
I so love this home's charming transformation and Charlottesville, VA!
Anon -- I love Charlottesville too :)
Couldn't agree more with the sentiment. This is lovely, tasteful and smart.
Glad you like it Balsamfir.
This is one of the best renovations I've seen! Thanks for sharing, style court!!
Opera Glass -- thanks for visiting. I think it's one of the best I've seen too.
As the owner of a fire engine red front door too - I give him 10/10 :-)
I absolutely love the house at the top. Thank you SO much for posting it!!
XX
Anna
anna--thought you might like this one!
Courtney - you should see the monstrosity that is being built down the street from the charming home I posted today. Our architectural review board must be on drugs. This is lovely.
I thought the same thing when I read that article! What a breath of fresh air. Too bad so many architects/homeowners are hell-bent on monster homes!
Oh, gosh, it makes me so sad to see all those old homes replaced with huge houses that barely fit on the lot. This is a great renovation! Thanks for sharing!
Janet,
Great point about the oversized homes sometimes not fitting the land :)
I love and remember this renovation. I also live in a town chock full of distasteful McMansions. We have recently downsized (next door!) to a cape now that most of our children are out and are planning a (hopefully, similarly tasteful) renovation, although more modest in scale. Unfortunately we don't have the sloping backyard for such a dramatic rear elevation. If I can, I will send before and afters.
Sounds lovely Serbelloni, thanks.
Oh, I love it! My dream house is something just like that (or that house of Mrs. Blandings although it doesn't sound like she's moving anytime soon and it's pretty far away from me)-- I would much rather have smaller with higher quality. I love that house! Yes, the McMansions are so funny-- lots of wasted space, purposeless columns,20 ft ceilings (nothing like paying to heat a bunch of unused airspace!), and three sides of vinyl siding. I'm not trying to be a snob-- I'm just saying, if I had a million and a half dollars to spend on a house, I'd much rather have a much smaller house of the highest quality than a humoungous lump of space with a "grand" master suite. I'd love to see more before/after postings like this one!!
Anon--
I want to buy Mrs. Blandings' house too!
Thanks for the input.
That first home is my ideal house, I just love it!!!
I order a subscription to southern accents after seeing this article. I love love this house. I like that from the street it just looks like dormer windows were added, but the back of the house is amazing. I am in awe of those that have this wonderful of a vision. I wonder what Spencer could do to my house.
Izzylu,
That was my reaction too. From the front, so subtle -- not cosmetically but in terms of structural changes. Then the back, wow! Still not too big or radical but really gracious.
What a wonderful transformation. It looks like it could have always been this way. California has a reputation for McMansions....I always appreciate it when something is done so beautifully. Thanks for the inspiration!
Katie -- another great point. It does feel seamless.
i wish more neighborhoods had restrictions on building those McMansions that barely fit on the lot upon which they are built.
it's a relief to see that classic beauty still thrives!
xo alison
Classic beauty is a great way of describing this house Alison :)
Mr. Blandings will be so happy that we will have a long-distance bidding war in the unlikely event that the dream house were to be on the market. He will laugh his head off as you discover the Silence of the Lambs basement and heaving garage floor just for starters! Thank you both for the lovely compliment.
I wish Mr. Spencer would work his magic over here in Virginia-Highland, before McMansions ruin the neighborhood!
Laura, yeah I know. Some of them get so vertical and boxy. They start so high off the ground, I guess to incorporate as many rooms as possible. However there is a new one -- maybe on Lanier? I forgot -- that is larger yet not at all a McMansion. Very pretty with long French doors :)
Steve Gambrel attended UVa, too. That place seems to churn out thoughtful talent!
I agree! And if my memory is correct, Ruthie Sommers is an alum too.
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