In the 1960s, as Robert E. Simon developed his plans for Reston, Northern Virginia’s first planned community, local architects began designing homes and building model homes for the community. A variety of home styles were designed, but most had the common theme of being built of natural materials that would blend with the trees and streams of the neighborhoods.
One of the original Reston homes, designed by architect Ken Bonner, is on the market for $650,000. The contemporary-style single-family home at 1315 Westhills Lane has been remodeled extensively and expanded, yet it retains its distinctive style. Set on a half-acre wooded site at the end of a cul-de-sac, this home captures views of the trees and dappled sunlight through floor-to-ceiling windows and several skylights.
An asphalt drive leads from the street to the home, which rests just far enough into the woods to provide a treehouse effect. Warm wood floors and soft colors create a gentle atmosphere in this home, and the open floor plan allows for flexible rooms and easy entertaining.
The grounds have been professionally landscaped and include mature trees that back to a common-area easement with more trees. A split-rail fence encloses the backyard, where a flagstone patio provides a quiet oasis under the trees. The property includes a one-car garage with extra storage along with a built-in shed and storage space tucked underneath the house.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the woods in nearly every room. A deck leads from the driveway to the front door, where the owners expanded their foyer and added stone flooring. Just off the foyer is an updated powder room with a contemporary glass bowl sink.
While each room on the main level has its charms, guests are likely to be drawn to the sunny kitchen and its multilevel breakfast bar. Upgraded stainless steel appliances, granite counters and stone backsplash tiles and accents blend easily with the hardwood flooring and custom-designed cabinets in this spacious room. Recessed lighting and a double window over the sink fill the room with light.
Adjacent to the kitchen is the breakfast room, which has additional custom-designed cabinets and a wine refrigerator. Sliding glass doors link the breakfast room with the adjacent stone patio.
Throughout the home, decorative touches add to the ambience, including serpentine contemporary track lighting and hand-painted murals that draw attention to the woodland setting.
The dining room features a Polish crystal chandelier, a built-in half wall with cabinets and plenty of space for entertaining friends and family.
The main level includes a sunroom with a skylight and sliding glass doors to a charming balcony set under the trees.
A floor-to-ceiling two-sided brick gas fireplace divides the living room from the library. Both rooms have hardwood flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows along with decorative track lighting. The library has built-in bookcases with indirect lighting.
An open hardwood staircase leads upstairs to the second-level landing, where a floor-to-ceiling window fills the upper hall with light. The linen closet has two wood doors with beveled glass inserts. Nearby is a full bath with ceramic tile flooring.
The master suite features a sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a double-door closet and French doors leading into the bedroom. The bedroom has two more closets and a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows facing the woods.
The owners expanded and remodeled the master bath in 2003, adding an oversized whirlpool tub, ceramic tile flooring, ceramic tile walls with accent tiles, a double-sink vanity and a separate shower enclosed by frameless glass walls.
Two additional bedrooms on this level each have floor-to-ceiling windows, two closets and hardwood flooring.
The finished lower level includes a fourth bedroom, with sliding glass doors to a private deck. Nearby is a renovated full bath. A recreation room or media room is at the center of this level.
The entire lower level creates a perfect private space for houseguests or an au-pair or in-law suite.
In addition to the living areas on this level, the laundry room has been expanded to include space for exercise equipment. An unfinished storage room and workshop is adjacent to the laundry room.
This home’s parklike setting may allow residents complete privacy, but when they are ready to explore the outside world, they will find everything immediately accessible. Tennis courts, walking trails and an outdoor swimming pool are all within a block or two of this home. Reston’s recreational amenities, which also include basketball courts, soccer fields, indoor ice-skating, exercise trails and an array of classes available at two community centers, are all nearby.
Reston Town Center has become a minicity, with a wide range of restaurants, cafes, shops and amenities, including a movie theater and a community space that morphs from an ice-skating rink in winter to a concert venue in the summer. Festivals and fairs are held almost every weekend in pleasant weather.
In addition to the town center, Reston is home to multiple village centers with more shops and restaurants. Residents of Westhills Lane can walk to Lake Anne Village, the original center of Reston, where cafes, the Reston Museum and a community center with an art gallery are clustered along the shores of the lake.
Details:
Address: 1315 Westhills Lane, Reston, VA 20190
Community: Reston
Age: Built in 1971
Price: $650,000
Size: Approximately 3,800 finished square feet on site of approximately one-half acre
Taxes: $5,506 in 2010
Homeowners association fee: $515 annually
Exterior features: Contemporary-style single-family home set on a wooded half-acre lot on a cul-de-sac, fenced rear yard with professional landscaping and patio, asphalt drive, one-car garage
Interior features: Four bedrooms; three full baths and a powder room; open floor plan with open hardwood stairs; foyer with stone flooring; kitchen with granite counters, breakfast bar and stainless steel appliances; breakfast room with sliding glass doors and extra cabinetry with wine cooler; formal dining room with Polish crystal chandelier; sunroom with skylight; living room with two-sided fireplace shared with library; built-in bookcases in library; master suite with separate sitting room and multiple closets, luxury bath with whirlpool tub and separate shower; two additional upper-level bedrooms with tall windows and renovated full bath; finished lower level with bedroom, recreation room, full bath, exercise/laundry room and unfinished storage room/work room
Amenities: Hand-painted mural, two-sided gas fireplace, flagstone patio, upgraded windows, decorative track lighting, high-efficiency gas furnace, built-in shed and storage hidden under home
Close by: Walk to swimming pool, tennis courts, Lake Anne Village shops and restaurants; close to Reston Town Center, additional shops and recreation throughout Reston; near Wiehle Avenue Metro station (under construction), Dulles Toll Road, Fairfax County Parkway and Washington Dulles International Airport
Schools: Forest Edge Elementary, Langston Hughes Middle, South Lakes High
Open house: 1 to 4 p.m. July 11
Contact: Realtor Vicky Robertson with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate at 703/867-0271 or visit www.vrobertsonhomes.com
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