Text by Charlotte Safavi
When homeowners Rian and Matt McClevey bought their Fairfax, Virginia, Colonial-style house back in 2011, they were attracted by what Rian describes as “great bones and a nice-sized yard with lots of mature trees.” At the time, the couple had only one of their three children, but their intention was to put down roots in the area.
Back then, Rian was working for a national housebuilder, where she became friends with the firm’s senior interior designer, Alexis Dattoli. Their friendship stood the test of time, and in 2019, Rian hired Alexis, who had since started her own firm, to help renovate the family’s home.
“We were finally able to focus on fully redesigning the home to meet our personal style; we wanted a place that would be beautiful but also kid-friendly,” says Rian. “We designated a few ‘adults-only’ rooms, like the dining and living rooms, but there are plenty of spaces throughout the main floor where everyone can relax and be cozy.”
The house always had a solid layout, but it was in need of a refresh: the kitchen was builder-grade, the palette consisted of muddy tans and beiges, and the furnishings were an eclectic mix acquired over the family’s prior moves. The home lacked a cohesive quality.
The new furniture choices are clean-lined yet traditional in style, and several pieces have patina, such as the pair of chests with an aged-oak finish that flank the sunroom off the family room. “Everything is family-friendly, even in the more formal front of the house,” says Alexis. “We used indestructible Crypton fabrics and natural leathers that improve with age; there are upholstered stools for extra seating in the sunroom and an ottoman as the cocktail table in the family room, so few sharp corners.”
One of the most striking rooms in the house is the dining room painted entirely in blue-gray and filled with a collection of blue-and-white chinoiserie. Yet the blend of wood furnishings makes the space approachable. “As a family, we love to entertain friends and family, so this room was very important to us,” says Rian. “Hosting makes us happy, and the kids love to have loved ones around.”
The accent colors of blue and green are a nod to the home’s connectivity to the backyard, which was always one of its most appealing features. “We truly believe the redesign has breathed new life into our home and gives us so much joy. It finally feels like our home,” says Rian.
