Houzz Tour: An Eclectic Ranch Revival in Washington, D.C.

David Benton and Dennis Kirk’s 1957 ranch home sits at the end of a quiet street in the Palisades neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Its simple exterior and familiar profile recall iconic American architecture, though humbler than the White House several miles away. Whereas the architecture of the U.S. capital may be best known for its neoclassical opulence or historic federalist style, Benton’s home is on four split levels. A quick walk puts him on Georgetown University’s campus or along the Potomac River, but at home he can feel like he’s miles away. “We’ve got a country house,” says Benton, “but we’re in the city.”

BEFORE:

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: David Benton and Dennis Kirk
Location: Palisades neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Size: 2,200 square feet (204 square meters); 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

The existing exterior was every bit 1950s ranch home. The home’s previous owners had lived there for 35 years, says Benton, who describes their maintenance style as that of people who aren’t really into houses. “Instead of fixing something, they added another layer of paint or drywall,” he says. He liked the home’s bones, but a lot of stripping and cleaning up needed to be done.

AFTER: Benton, an architect at Rill Architects, didn’t want to alter the exterior too much. He refinished the HardiePlank siding in a darker, more contemporary charcoal; left the original brick; and installed energy-efficient windows. The landscape was tackled early on. Benton had no desire to inherit the homeowner chore of mowing the lawn. “I don’t want to do that ever again,” he says. The first thing he did was remove the grass and install year-round foliage plants like lavender, rosemary and bear’s breech.

The entryway’s update was probably the most dramatic. Benton removed the ornate entry post and railing in the first photo and replaced them with a simple post and a colorful potted fern.

See more of this Eclectic Ranch Revival in Washington, D.C.

Houzz Tour: An Eclectic Ranch Revival in Washington, D.C.