One of the most flattering testimonials you can get from a client is when they return for a second project. Interiors by LH first worked on a redesign of the mudroom in this 1960s split level home, then had the privilege of coming back in 2020 for a total renovation of the lower level of the home, including a screen porch, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and an inviting family room. And the result is a before and after that’s barely recognizable.

The Challenge: Turn the Lower Level Into a Functional Space

While split level homes aren’t lacking in square footage, they aren’t known for being bright and inviting. The layout can feel disjointed, and the lower level is often lacking in natural light. This Alexandria family wanted their lower level to feel like a functional space that would become the family’s hangout and entertaining space, while also incorporating two bedrooms and a new outdoor living area.

The Result: A Light, Bright Split Level with Family-Friendly Function

The centerpiece of the renovated lower level is the family room, which had been a basic and dark den in its previous iteration. The room was immediately lightened with crisp, clear Sherwin-Williams Light French Gray paint on the walls, accents of Thibaut striped wallpaper for texture and interest, and wood look porcelain tile by Emser on the floors. One of the most impactful changes was turning the sliding doors into a window and installing two large french doors to the outside. Both doors are functioning, creating a sense of light and flow throughout the space.

Subtraction rather than addition made the fireplace more of a focal point. The hearth was removed, creating a flat front fireplace that made room for an airier feeling. Since the fireplace is gas, the hearth wasn’t actually functional — there’s no need for a hearth when you don’t require fire protection. Instead, a custom cabinet, mantle, and TV were added to lay the foundation for a hangout space where the entire family could gather.

And that’s the sentiment that inspired the entire renovation — creating a welcoming, approachable space where the family could come together to catch up in the evening, watch football on weekends, and invite friends over for cocktails, holidays, and casual get togethers. Seating was the main focus — there needed to be lots of it and it needed to be able to stand up to teenagers, dogs, buttery popcorn, wings, and the occasional glass of red wine. Everything needed to be wipeable.

Two Bruce sofas were used to carve out even more functional seating than you would get with a sectional. Choose a deep sofa with a bench seat and you’ll have more room for people who want their personal space and no one will fall in between cushions. A soft gray performance fabric was used on the sofas to keep the space light but add a touch of cozy texture.

Rowe swivel chairs allow the family versatility. They can have a conversation, watch the TV, gaze at the fireplace, or move between activities. The chairs are closer together than many might be inclined to arrange them, but you truly only need 20 inches to comfortably move around furniture.

Family friendly linen drapes on the expansive windows add an airy, coastal vibe, while the bar table with stools from Universal Furniture adds an additional seating area. An heirloom midcentury matchbook collection is artfully displayed, while the family's Salvador Dali occupies prime real estate within the room.

Just beyond the family room, the transformation within the outdoor space is perhaps the most dramatic. An under-utilized space beneath the deck was turned into a screen porch that is accessible via newly installed french doors. The resulting indoor-outdoor living is made even more functional thanks to the screens keeping out the bugs in the summer and the heated floors making it comfortable in chillier weather. Within this multi-purpose outdoor space, the same theory applies as it would in an indoor open concept space — consistently designed lightweight, aluminum furniture throughout makes it feel seamless. The color palette echoes the colors inside, with Sherwin-Williams Swimming Blue on the ceiling and Sherwin-Williams Gateway Gray on the walls.

Lastly, the lower level included two bedrooms, which were reworked for the family’s two daughters to graduate into their own rooms. Because teenagers’ style evolves, these rooms were designed to be versatile and adaptable, with a clean and simple base design that can be updated with whimsical color and pattern choices as time goes on. The feather and shell chandeliers in each room are a youthful, dynamic moment, while the bedding and artwork reflect their individual preferences, with one leaning into deep magenta and vibrant yellow, while the other prefers cool blues and violet. The result is two spaces that have longevity yet feel tailored to where the girls are now.

The family is now delighted with their lower level, which is the space where they hang out, spend time together, and gather with family and friends. Its transformation from dark, basic space to light, bright, and functional is one that truly changed the way they live.

Want to learn more about this project? Check it out in Northern Virginia Magazine 2023