After 30 years in the five-bedroom Potomac house where they raised their kids, the task of seamlessly downsizing to a two-bedroom co-op apartment in Northwest DC wasn?t an easy one?but an empty-nester couple nearing retirement managed better than most.
?We were transitioning to being less than full-time professionals,? says the wife, a technology executive and college professor (her husband is a lawyer). ?Our focus was living on one level for aging in place while having enough space to be comfortable. We also wanted a walkable neighborhood with easy access to public transport.?
The 2,700-square-foot apartment in Woodley Park checked all the right boxes. But the unit had not been renovated since the late ?90s. Shortly after purchasing it in 2021, the wife began assembling her ideal design team for an overhaul. First on the list: architect Jeff Hains, who had already completed eight renovations in the complex. ?I am very familiar with this building, its nuances and infrastructure,? he explains. ?I also knew how to navigate the process with the board of directors.? Next, interior designer Barbara Noguera came on board. She and Hains clicked?and their professional chemistry was very important to the owners. ?Our synergy was dynamic, and we were able to collaborate on transforming this home into something very clean, fresh and modern,? the designer says. Builder Ted Peterson of Peterson and Collins also joined the team.
The mandate was to improve the overall footprint with an ai...