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Fairfax Station Homes

Monday, November 5, 2012

From Williamsburg to the White House (Part 2 of 2)

String of renovations inspired by historic buildings transforms a 1981 Fairfax Station Colonial.

Pat Howard, a former assistant to the White House Social Secretary under presidents Nixon and Ford, lives in a 1981 Colonial in Fairfax Station, but loves the fine architectural details of Colonial homes. For nearly 30 years Pat, an avid remodeler, has made a series of renovations to bring 18th century styling to her 20th century home. Yesterday, Patch featured how Pat utilized Williamsburg stylings for her sunroom addition, study, walk-out basement and master bedroom suite. Today, we highlight Pat’s most striking renovations, which required the help of a fine woodworker and a master plaster artist who has worked on such historic buildings as the Capitol and the White House. “Sometimes I feel like we have been under renovation since 1981…

Sunday, November 4, 2012

From Williamsburg to the White House (Part I)

String of renovations inspired by historic buildings transforms a 1981 Fairfax Station Colonial.

Pat Howard, a former assistant to the White House social secretary under presidents Nixon and Ford, has a penchant for the past. “I’ve always loved beautiful old homes,” said Pat, who is now retired. “I used to go to the Southwest Virginia Museum in my hometown [Big Stone Gap] and be fascinated by the wood and the beauty there, especially the staircase.” In 1981, Pat and her husband, Jack, decided to build a new home in the Canterberry Estates subdivision of Fairfax Station. They chose their 2-acre lot and watched as its trees were felled. They chose a four-bedroom Colonial from among the builder’s available models, and made some limited allowed changes. But they knew that to get the house they wanted — one with the “beautiful old house” …

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