An historic nineteenth-century dwelling originally commissioned by Washington, D.C.’s first governor Henry D. Cooke, this Second Empire semi-detached “suburban villa” with sweeping slate mansard roof had been thoroughly neglected since the 1940’s. Our total renovation maintained the historic shell, restored the structure’s stately character, and reconfigured  the warren-like interior for clearer circulation and more spacious living. The original three-storey central circular staircase, reconditioned and reinforced, received an opaque circular skylight at the top to allow a flood of light through the center of the house. We removed an awkward brick addition on the rear of the house to allow for a light-filled generous kitchen and spacious deck extension with views of the back garden. A family room, study, and two bedrooms with full baths occupy the expanse of the second floor, and the former servants’ quarters under the mansard roof were transformed into a primary suite with an adjacent nursery. Throughout the house, we reclaimed as many of the original elements as possible, reusing interior doors, restoring the original fireplace surround, and maintaining original glazing. Voted as house of the week by The Wall Street Journal upon its completion, our renovation returned this landmark Cooke’s Row property to its original grace and presence.

Photography by Gordon Beall