Text by Charlotte Safavi
Located in a charming Alexandria, Virginia, neighborhood called Del Ray, this Craftsman-style cottage underwent a design transformation to suit the growing family that calls it home. “We didn’t have children when we first moved in,” says homeowner Laura Winstead, recalling the once compartmentalized 1,796-square-foot bungalow she and Jeremy Robison share with their two young children as well as a cocker spaniel. “It worked for Jeremy and me, but as our family grew, so did our wish list.”
The couple began renovating the home just prior to the pandemic. “We really wanted to have a large kitchen and family room in the back of the house,” says Laura. “And a mudroom was a must.” In July 2020, as luck would have it, Laura and Jeremy hired the perfect team to create their ideal home. They worked with Virginia-based Morris Construction Company for the remodel and with Julie Riggin of Julie Kay Design Studio for the interior designs.
“I helped with lighting selections and designed the furniture plans throughout the home,” says Julie, who furnished the house, incorporating some older pieces with plenty of new selections.
The team added a great room to the back of the home that has become a favorite family hangout, and the new mudroom has been indispensable as the children go in and out. Everything was repainted or wallpapered. Wood trim throughout was replaced with clean-lined versions while the newer architectural elements blended beautifully with the older parts of the house.
“Laura grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and she wanted a sophisticated take on a coastal vibe for the overall design,” says Julie, who chose blue for the predominant color in the home, from the deep-navy walls in the front living room to the soft denim blues of the family room. She also layered in rattan, jute, and other natural woven elements throughout the spaces to complement the look.
“Everything we selected had to be modern, comfortable, and able to withstand the daily use of an active young family with pets,” says Julie. Coffee tables have rounded corners, and the furniture is upholstered in stain-resistant performance fabrics. The dining room has a dash of glamour with its oversize beaded chandelier and sisal wall covering, but overall, the style is casual, comfortable, and very livable for the family.
“We created a fun custom bed with storage in [the son’s] bedroom, and [the daughter] has a new girly en suite bed-and-bath above the family room addition,” says Julie.
The best part is that, from the exterior, the home’s façade blends in perfectly and unostentatiously with the older homes around it. “We love our neighborhood, being out on the front porch, and saying ‘Hi’ to our neighbors,” Laura says.
