Modern Farmhouse Renovation in the Heart of a Historic Home

blue cabinetry on island in modern farmhouse style kitchen

Written by Angelina Kaul

Photography by Angela Newton Roy

This 101-year-old bachelor pad gets a modern farmhouse makeover to accommodate the needs of a growing young family.

Standing proudly in the historic Lyon Park neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia is a 101-year-old bungalow with recent modern farmhouse style renovations. Bright, airy and warm, this house—once a bachelor’s pad—is now a cozy home to a young family of four.

When the homeowners purchased the house, they knew that something had to be done to make it their own. “We knew that the house had good bones, but the layout did not function well for our family,” say the homeowners. Although the exterior of the house kept its bungalow look, the interior needed work to accommodate a family with a toddler and a preschooler. The homeowners enrolled Michael Sauri, Co-Owner and President of TriVista USA Design + Build to help them with their dream project.

custom-made marble-topped island in renovated modern farmhouse style kitchen — The custom-made, marble-topped island serves as the focal point in the kitchen. It has plenty of counter space for the family to prepare meals and spend time together.

The Problem

“When you walked through the client’s front door, you were originally greeted by a space that was very modern and cold,” says Michael. He realized immediately that the space was a complete mismatch for the family’s transitional style. A huge double-sided and awkward looking fireplace and two wide floor-to-ceiling columns separated the space. A dated wooden accent wall and irregular fixtures were begging for a change. The lack of kitchen cabinetry or pantry and the kitchen sink were a major problem for them. The family room was oriented to face the fireplace, but you couldn’t see inside the kitchen. This was also a problem for the homeowners because it was important for them to keep an eye on their young children if they were in the living room and the adults were in the kitchen. The flow of the entire space was confined with limited functionality, and it presented a challenge for a family with young children.

media room with built-in cutouts in modern farmhouse style living room — Matching white cabinets and shelving unify the living room and kitchen, as well as the overall look of the space.

The Transition

Michael suggested a complete demolition of the space. He removed the double fireplace, the wood accent wall and the fixtures. The columns couldn’t be removed because they were part of the support system for the space. So, Michael had the width of the columns adjusted to create a better flow for traffic in the area. All this made the space “much more connected to each room,” says Michael. It created an open and airier feel, which is a big part of the modern farmhouse style. With these adjustments, it is now easier for the homeowners to look over from the kitchen into the living room and the adjacent dining room, which makes life a lot easier with two young children in the house. Now there are separate areas for different activities for the family, but every spot is easily accessible and noticeable.

wine fridge and white cabinetry in modern farmhouse style kitchen — Tall white custom-built kitchen cabinets provide clean lines and much needed storage space.

The Hub

The island is an important part of the family’s home; it is where all the action happens when they come together to cook, eat and catch up with each other on their daily activities. Michael wanted to improve this important spot for them by building the center island around the six-burner stove. This presented a problem initially with the ventilation system, but he resolved the issue by re-routing it. Now, the island is the focal point of the kitchen.

wooden dining table and exposed ceiling beams in renovated historic home — The bright and sunny dining room features hardwood floors and large blackframed windows that are the focal point in the room. As with the kitchen island, it features a beautiful painted cabinet that ties both spaces together.

Brilliant and warm sunshine bursts through the majestic kitchen window lighting up the entire space. A modern farmhouse sink in white was added by the window. It is the homeowners’ favorite spot in the kitchen. Another remarkable addition to the kitchen was the ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall custom-built maple wood cabinetry. With all the extra storage, the homeowners can now utilize the space to store items and keep the kitchen looking organized and clean all the time. Michael kept most things at the same dimension and tied the cabinetry together with the crown molding between the top of the cabinets and under the ceiling.

Small Space Tips and Ideas

farmhouse sink in modern farmhouse kitchen in renovated historic home — The farmhouse sink is another typical element in any modern **farmhouse kitchen**. Michael used brass hardware for the faucet to add contrast against the white of the sink and give it a pop of color.

The modern farmhouse style renovations have made the home a perfect fit for the homeowners’ young family. Now, everything works together in the space for them. It is not only beautiful, but practical, too. The homeowners are pleased with the changes. “We love the space, and it is the heart of our home,” they say.

geometric wallpaper in modern farmhouse style powder room — Michael updated the adjacent powder room with neutral shades of pewter green for the cabinet. A complimentary glass cloth wallpaper adorns the wall. Candle sconces frame the mirror, creating a charming space that carries forward the clean lines from the kitchen and living room.

Thinking about a modern farmhouse renovation in your own home? Find advice on How to Save on a Remodel. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of farmhouse inspiration!