Alex & Wendy’s Evolving Victorian

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Name: Alex and Wendy and their adorable pets, Lulu and Mel
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Size: 2,000 square feet
Years lived in: 9

Situated just off the main street in the historic district of Old Town Alexandria, Alex and Wendy’s home is the epitome of the classic elegance that defines the city’s character. With a beautifully traditional color scheme and period details like transom windows and cast iron rim locks, it’s hard to believe that it hasn’t always served as such a vivid reminder of the area’s rich colonial history.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

When Alex and Wendy found the nineteenth century rowhouse in 2003, it looked like a run-down bachelor pad that left less imaginative buyers unimpressed. A series of previous owners – unconcerned with preserving its tradition – inflicted one impulsive repair job after another, handing down a list of failed projects for its incoming owners to undo. Friends and family asked the couple why they’d want to take such a gamble on their first home, but they were able to look past the patchy flooring and sloppy paint jobs to see its unexposed potential. And though it has taken them nearly a decade to breathe life back into the old home, those that once questioned their judgment now come to them for design advice. Their aqua-hued front door serves as a vibrant prelude to their charismatic home, where a devotion to its original charm can be seen from the moment you cross its threshold.

Inside, the home is a showcase of Victorian revival. While a lot of young homeowners are lured by the accessibility of more modern renovations, Alex and Wendy have gone the extra mile to restore their surroundings. Down the street at their local library, they’ve pored over historical records in search of clues about the design elements that may have contributed to its original look. Using this research, they have thoughtfully sourced period authentic details to reintroduce to their home. Impressively, they have done all of this without compromising their contemporary tastes. Integrating vintage features like steeple-tipped door hinges and bold patterns with modern amenities like custom closets and whole house audio, they have created a stylish space that remains delightfully reminiscent of its origins without feeling magisterial.

Since 2009, they have documented their experiences as DIY preservationists on their blog, Old Town Home, where they offer amusing insight and helpful how-to instructions for the all-too-familiar pains of transforming an outdated infrastructure into something that is both convenient and livable, but also respectful of its history. Together, Alex and Wendy have done just that – cultivating a stunning composite of old and new, and proving that sometimes the risk is worth the reward.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Our Style: Traditional and respectful of the period of our home (1880s row house in Old Town Alexandria, VA), while tastefully introducing contemporary elements and technologies.

Inspiration: Pinterest, decorating magazines, HGTV, Sarah Richardson, Candice Olson, and other homes in the area.

Favorite Element: Our location. We love living in an urban historic district, and have wonderful neighbors.

Biggest Challenge: Making the time outside of our day jobs to tackle all renovation/restoration projects ourselves, as well as blog about our experiences on Old Town Home

What Friends Say: At first they were surprised we would buy “such a crappy” place. No joke. Now they mostly love our home, are impressed by the work we’ve done, and often ask for our help and advice.

Biggest Embarrassment: The amount of time some projects have remained undone. For example, we’ve had a bare, stripped door jamb in our upstairs hallway for eight years now.

Proudest DIY: Making the desk in the office (Alex). Transforming the guest bathroom from a 1980s monstrosity to a vintage inspired space with modern conveniences (Wendy).

Biggest Indulgence: Whole house audio system from Nuvo and Sonos (Alex), Thassos marble in the guest bathroom (Wendy).

Best Advice: Take your time and do it right. And definitely use high quality paint and supplies.

Dream Sources: Waterworks, high-end antique stores, boutique home furnishing retailers like Red Barn Mercantile and Random Harvest (in Old Town Alexandria).

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Resources of Note:

PAINT & COLORS

ENTRY

salvaged and restored

Salvaged

The Brass Knob

Made by Alex and Wendy

LIVING ROOM

DINING ROOM

FAMILY ROOM

Trash to treasure project

KITCHEN/SUN PORCH

BEDROOM

halfpricedrapes.com

BATHROOM

Ann Sacks

OFFICE

Random Harvest

GUEST ROOM

made and designed by Alex and Wendy

UPSTAIRS HALLWAY

Red Barn Mercantile

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks, Alex and Wendy!

Images: Lindsay Wood/Alex Santantonio

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