Laura and Chuck Anderson have lived in their iconic Morris-Day shingle-style house in Vienna for a quarter of a century. And while they truly love their home, the original design created some challenges for aging in place.
Built in 1997, the house had no full bath on the first floor, and the backyard had never really been developed.
Approaching retirement, the Andersons wanted their home to feel like a true retreat — something that would not only serve their lifestyle today, but also enhance their enjoyment of the property for years to come.
The vision was to create a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience that respected the original Craftsman architecture while introducing fresh amenities like a sunroom, pool, and updated landscaping.
“It was about crafting a more gracious way to live — adding function, beauty, and a sense of calm throughout the property,” says Michael Winn of Winn Design + Build, who carried the project through construction.
Rather than take a piecemeal approach, the Andersons opted to do all of the work at once over a six-month timeframe.
Protecting the Charm
The Andersons’ biggest goal was to update the property without losing the home’s character and charm.
“We felt very strongly that any changes should respect the architectural integrity of the original design,” says Laura.
Fortunately, the Andersons were able to track down Dwight McNeil, the Morris-Day architect who had drafted the original plans for the house.
“We asked Dwight to design an extension, which included a full first-floor bath and a sunroom, as well as a separate garage to shield the pool area,” says Chuck. “The plans also included converting unfinished space in the basement into an exercise room and bathroom.”
Following creation of the schematic plan by McNeil, the torch was passed to architect Lauren Magee of Winn Design + Build, who took over the design development and construction documents.
“Dwight had worked with Winn Design in the past and knew that they were capable of the detail and craftmanship required of a Morris-Day renovation,” says Laura. “Winn very ably turned Dwight’s vision into wood, shingles, and stone.”
“Most impressively, they had an innate sense of what we were trying to achieve aesthetically and made the build-out process as painless as possible,” says Chuck. “Not only did they execute a beautiful addition and new garage, they helped us choose finishes, exterior paint colors, and also made substantial repairs and upgrades to lighting, paint, and mechanicals in the original house.”
Creating Indoor-Outdoor Living Space
A large piece of the project was working to bring the backyard to life.
“It was all about creating flow and visual harmony,” says Winn.
A sunroom was added with large windows overlooking the pool, helping to flood the interior of the first floor with natural light.
“The new sunroom is undoubtedly our favorite part,” says Chuck. “It organically developed into a sun-filled parlor with a French flair, in part because we decorated around a wonderful Monet-inspired bench we won at a charitable auction.”
“I also love the bell we installed on the breezeway,” Winn says. “It came from Chuck’s childhood home and now has a place of honor in this next chapter of their lives. It’s those small, meaningful touches that make a house a home.”
Another last-minute change the Andersons found delightful was adding an outside door to the new first-floor bath, allowing it to be used as both traditional bathroom and as a changing area for the new pool.
Lovely Landscaping
The landscaping was essential in tying everything together.
Horticulturalist Mark Finlayson created a plan that added texture, color, and movement to the architecture, while Wheat’s Landscape brought it to life beautifully.
“We installed charming features like a kitchen herb garden at the front and tucked fountains along the pool’s edge to create a serene atmosphere,” Winn says.
“Strategic plantings, pea gravel pathways, and layered beds created an experience that feels welcoming and lived-in — like the home has matured into its surroundings,” he says.
By minimizing hardscape and using materials like TimberTech decking, bluestone, and natural stone veneer, they were able to create zones that felt cohesive, not compartmentalized.
“We were also very intentional about transitions: steps that lead gracefully into the landscape, materials that repeat across the porch, patio, and breezeway, and an emphasis on balance between structure and greenery,” Winn says.
The Andersons are thrilled with the final results.
“The new sunroom effectively connects the house to the newly landscaped backyard and has become a convivial gathering place for family and friends,” says Chuck.
Feature image by Constance Gauthier
This story originally ran in our June Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
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