3323 East Fairfax (1990)

The owners of this center hall colonial built in the 1920s have spent thirteen years personally renovating the house from their own designs. They have extensively remodeled both the interior and exterior of the house to accommodate their growing family. This renovation culminated with the addition of a "great room," half-bath, loft, laundry, basement shop, and deck. Various neighbors, including an architect, helped with the four-year project, which was monitored by "countless sidewalk superintendents."

The traditional Cape Cod saltbox design of the exterior conceals the contemporary interior of the addition. The open interior includes tongue-and-groove ceiling paneling, wainscot paneling, natural woodwork, skylights, French doors, and a loft area off the stairway landing. The family room opens onto a deck with a Chippendale-patterned railing. In the back yard is a circular brick patio and a fenced formal garden. The brick used in the patio and front walk once paved Fairmount Boulevard.

In the living room the tile hearth was added to accommodate the wood stove. The kitchen was remodeled to include a greenhouse window, paneled ceiling, stenciling, and exposed brick chimney. The stove in the kitchen once belonged to the owner's grandmother.

The second floor bedrooms have been remodeled with chair rails and crown moldings. A Shaker peg rail has been added in one bedroom. A master suite is

planned for the third floor.