McLean, Va., house with garden oasis lists for $3.5 million

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In 2011, when Leo Brooks initially went with his true estate agent to see this assets in McLean, Va., he didn’t go into the dwelling correct away. Instead, he wandered to the back again of the residence, the place he was smitten.

“I walked by way of their aspect gate, arrived into the yard,” he said. “It was just astounding. It was summertime, and [there were] all these wonderful plants. They had this lovely pool and a personal location. Right then, I advised myself, ‘I never know what it is heading to look like on the inside of, but it’s likely to be tricky not to take this, just centered on how the gardens glimpse.’ ”

Distinguished properties for sale in the D.C. area

McLean, Va., dwelling | The four-bedroom, 4-bathroom, 5,000-square-foot home on just less than an acre is detailed at $3.5 million. (Nathan Stewart/C. Gauthier Photography)

The house, which he phone calls a “cottage in the woods,” was designed in 1963 but has been expanded in excess of the years. The gabled roofs give it a storybook appearance.

5 yrs immediately after buying the property, Leo and his wife, Debbie, undertook a renovation of the house and gardens. They hired McHale Landscape Design for the exterior and Akseizer Design and style Group for the interior.

“What’s nice is when you have people today that are impressive but you can also collaborate with,” Debbie stated.

A great deal of the exterior renovation concerned uncovering and refreshing. Azaleas wrapped close to the swimming pool, concealing it. Large oaks and poplars ringed the home, obscuring a watch of the house.

“You couldn’t see the character of the house simply because there have been so many trees in front,” Leo reported.

10 significant trees ended up taken out. The azaleas and other plants had been transplanted to other areas of the backyard. The English gardens were being laid out in a additional official arrangement. Debbie mentioned only about 40 to 45 p.c of the vegetation are new.

The greatest problem was “trying to marry the previous with the new,” Anthony Cusat, who is a senior landscape architect with McHale and led the renovation, informed House & Design magazine. McHale received an award of difference for the challenge in 2019 from the Landscape Contractors Affiliation of Maryland, D.C. and Virginia.

With plants staggered to bloom at diverse periods, the Brookses have an ever-transforming landscape as properly as a secluded oasis.

“It’s incredibly personal,” Debbie said. “Wherever we could see an adjacent rooftop, we additional an additional tree.”

McHale also put a fire in a gazebo on the grounds, constructed a large courtyard with a fountain on the aspect of the house, and made what Leo calls his “man cave” — an outside kitchen area with a grill, fridge, tv and superior-leading seating.

Akseizer Layout Group aided renovate the kitchen area and the owner’s suite. The owner’s bedroom has a fire and a 15-foot vaulted ceiling with wooden trusses. Glass double doorways open to a covered deck with automatic screens. The lavatory is carried out in a model Debbie phone calls “British official.” It has a heated floor, double self-importance, independent shower and soaking tub, a fireplace, and a tv. Huge dressing areas have designed-in shelving and cabinetry.

The four-bedroom, four-lavatory, 5,000-square-foot home on just beneath an acre is mentioned at $3.5 million.

858 Canal Dr., McLean, Va.

  • Bedrooms/bathrooms: 4/4
  • Approximate sq.-footage: 5,000
  • Ton dimensions: .92 acre
  • Features: The 1963 home has been expanded about the many years. The current proprietors renovated the exterior and interior, selecting McHale Landscape Layout and Akseizer Style Team. The grounds consist of English gardens, a courtyard, heated swimming pool and spa, an out of doors kitchen, and a gazebo with a fireplace. The two-amount dwelling has 4 fireplaces. The three-car or truck garage is connected.
  • Listing agent: W. Ted Gossett and Joe Kotula, Washington High-quality Properties