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

In 2011, when Leo Brooks initial went with his genuine estate agent to see this assets in McLean, Va., he didn’t go into the house suitable absent. As a substitute, he wandered to the again of the dwelling, where by he was smitten.

“I walked by means of their facet gate, arrived into the backyard,” he stated. “It was just amazing. It was summertime, and [there were] all these stunning crops. They had this lovely pool and a personal location. Suitable then, I advised myself, ‘I really do not know what it is going to appear like on the inside, but it is likely to be hard not to acquire this, just based on how the gardens glance.’ ”

Distinguished households for sale in the D.C. location

McLean, Va., property | The four-bedroom, four-bathroom, 5,000-square-foot house on just underneath an acre is detailed at $3.5 million. (Nathan Stewart/C. Gauthier Images)

The residence, which he phone calls a “cottage in the woods,” was created in 1963 but has been expanded around the years. The gabled roofs give it a storybook appearance.

Five many years right after getting the property, Leo and his wife, Debbie, undertook a renovation of the residence and gardens. They employed McHale Landscape Design and style for the exterior and Akseizer Style Team for the inside.

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

Substantially of the exterior renovation involved uncovering and refreshing. Azaleas wrapped all-around the swimming pool, concealing it. Substantial oaks and poplars ringed the assets, obscuring a look at of the house.

“You couldn’t see the character of the household mainly because there have been so quite a few trees in entrance,” Leo mentioned.

10 large trees have been taken out. The azaleas and other vegetation have been transplanted to other sections of the backyard. The English gardens were being laid out in a much more official arrangement. Debbie mentioned only about 40 to 45 per cent of the crops are new.

The finest problem was “trying to marry the aged with the new,” Anthony Cusat, who is a senior landscape architect with McHale and led the renovation, explained to Home & Layout magazine. McHale received an award of difference for the task in 2019 from the Landscape Contractors Association of Maryland, D.C. and Virginia.

With crops staggered to bloom at different periods, the Brookses have an ever-shifting landscape as well as a secluded oasis.

“It’s quite personal,” Debbie said. “Wherever we could see an adjacent rooftop, we added one more tree.”

McHale also put a hearth in a gazebo on the grounds, crafted a big courtyard with a fountain on the aspect of the residence, and created what Leo calls his “man cave” — an out of doors kitchen area with a grill, refrigerator, tv and superior-major seating.

Akseizer Design and style Group helped renovate the kitchen and the owner’s suite. The owner’s bedroom has a fireplace and a 15-foot vaulted ceiling with wood trusses. Glass double doors open up to a coated deck with automatic screens. The bathroom is performed in a type Debbie phone calls “British official.” It has a heated floor, double vanity, individual shower and soaking tub, a fire, and a tv. Huge dressing regions have crafted-in shelving and cabinetry.

The four-bed room, 4-rest room, 5,000-square-foot home on just under an acre is shown at $3.5 million.

858 Canal Dr., McLean, Va.

Bedrooms/loos: 4/4
Approximate square-footage: 5,000
Whole lot dimensions: .92 acre
Features: The 1963 property has been expanded more than the yrs. The present owners renovated the exterior and inside, using the services of McHale Landscape Style and Akseizer Style and design Team. The grounds consist of English gardens, a courtyard, heated swimming pool and spa, an outside kitchen area, and a gazebo with a hearth. The two-amount house has four fireplaces. The 3-motor vehicle garage is hooked up.
Listing agent: W. Ted Gossett and Joe Kotula, Washington Good Homes