The complete architectural and interior renovation of a four-level Washington, DC rowhouse restores the spatial hierarchy of a grand historic townhouse while reorganizing its interior around a new central staircase and top-lit circulation hall.

There was nothing original left in the interior of this formerly-grand row house in Washington DC, requiring a bit of archaeology and ground-up invention to bring back some idea of what had been lost while transforming it into a gracious family home. In the center of the house, we replaced a series of disorienting, ad-hoc staircases dating from prior renovations with a single, sweeping stair with an open well connecting all four levels, and topped it with an oculus to bring borrowed light deep into the plan. The central band containing the stair/light well discreetly contains new services: powder rooms, laundry, storage, mechanical shafts, and transitional hallways, allowing the remaining spaces on each floor to be restored as properly proportioned, flexible rooms in the spirit of classic townhouse space planning.

On the main level, we (re)introduced grandly scaled true plaster cornices in new front and rear parlors that highlight existing and new plan geometry, and inserted a crisp, Nordic-style furnished kitchen in the rear parlor that defers to grandeur of the room it occupies. As one ascends the stair, we created wider openings toward the kitchen and a second floor family sitting room, allowing unexpected vertical sightlines that challenge the vertical separation of a townhouse without undermining it. At the top of the house, a full-floor private bedroom suite with a spectacular all-marble bath and a luxurious dressing room and wardrobe is a peaceful escape.

A tonal moss green from Edward Bulmer subtly shifts from room to room as the natural lighting conditions change, and rather than use traditional fixtures, the lighting is new and vintage pieces from the Bauhaus and early 20th century Vienna, creating an environment that feels collected over time. Furniture is similarly sourced from an eclectic variety of new and vintage early 20th century pieces in lush fabrics and textures that feel very much of today.

• Location: Washington, DC

• Type: Row House - Full Gut Renovation

• Services: Architecture and Interior Design

• Stylist: Tessa Watson

• Photographer: Jennifer Hughes

Published: Domino, Financial Times House and Home