Anyone who gives a damn may have noticed an increase in farmhouse-inspired new builds in the DC area over the past couple of years. Homes like this one in Chevy Chase, currently listed at $1,700,000, have claimed many of the teardown lots that would have almost certainly been filled with McCraftsman builds until recently.
Since neither of these styles appear to be going anywhere, which do you prefer to see in your neighborhood? Let us know and leave your rating of this home in the comment section below!
Background
Right across the street from the home is the Audubon Naturalist Society‘s Woodend Sanctuary. The Sanctuary spans over 40 acres, and is open to the public every day between dusk and dawn. More.
Gallery
Our Choice/Rating
Give me the Craftsman. For one, I grew up with them. But you’ll also see more variety with the colors and materials than you do with the always white-and-black farmhouses.
That said, I definitely don’t mind the look, and there are plenty of people out there who just want something that looks new, which it does for now. This example has some uneven window spacing and the overhang looks a little big/mustache-esque on first impression. But it should benefit from the fact you usually have to pay more for a new build of this style.
The interior in a way gives off a “renovation” feeling. It goes a more traditional route with entrances and moulding, and the floor looks “lived on.” They abandoned this more elegant/mature direction in the kitchen, where I think a more basic approach would’ve been better. The floating shelves don’t work for me over that backsplash, and overall it just feels out of place by trying to be too hip all of a sudden.
A highlight: Primary bathroom. It fits in an attractive walk-in shower and dedicated space for the tub while keeping a comfortable size. I like the casual mood as well, though not having separate sinks or vanities might be an issue for some.
A reason for caution: The Society HQ across the street. It’s better than a high school or something, but I still wouldn’t want strangers constantly parking/coming and going in front of my house.
My overall score is a 6.3, with the following breakdown:
Ext – 5.3; Int – 7.3; Kitchen – 5.6; Baths – 7.1; Amenities – 6.3
Inside is nice but the outside looks like your standard new build without any character. Where is the backyard!? I need more for 1.7, at least a hot tub….
See “our thoughts” above. Thanks