1412 Kennedy Street, NW – 16th Street Heights |1/2 Block from Carter Baron Amphitheater
6 Bedrooms & 4.5 Baths | In-law Suite with Full Kitchen in Basement | Rooftop Deck | Two-Car Garage | Huge Backyard with Patio
1412 Kennedy has been in the same family for more than 40 years. A family was raised there, and one of the children, at least, planted roots in the neighborhood when they were old enough to make a home for themselves. If one could judge by the many pictures that graced the house, the children seemed happy and well loved in that house. When Dwayne and I were welcomed into the home for a brief tour, I fell in love, as usual! Many say you should de-personalize a home for sale, but I happen to believe the opposite. I love the story a house can tell, from many Bibles that may be found tucked in interesting places, to the pictures, posters, and nick-knacks that make a house, you know, a home. I happen to love the solid symmetry that many older homes reveal. The rooms were all generous in size, and details- like plaster crown molding and thick wood chair rail. Two of the bathrooms sported the again popular white ceramic hexagon floor tile with white subway wall tiles. The house was wrapped in windows, and while the original white painted house showed water stains, peeling paint and collapsed gutters- the Grandness and Sophistication still shown through.
After purchasing the home, with a substantial budget which 1412 Kennedy soon absorbed, we set about restoring the house to its rightful place high on the hill. A beacon of gleaming white, with heavy doses of grey and black accents. In order to make the home work for a contemporary buyers, we reduced the number of bedrooms from 6 to 5, and increased the number of bathroom from 3 to 4 ½. We removed many of the walls on the first floor to create an open, free flowing space- yet managed to re-create zones of activities which still provide a large living room, large dining area, new kitchen with views of the expansive lot, and a first floor family space- perfect for reading, listening to music or tv watching. We combined two of the original bedrooms and the addition to form the greatly expanded 600 sf master suite, with an enormous walk in closet and master bath. Next we re-arranged the attic, which originally housed two compact bedrooms, re-imaging it as another family social space, with wet bar and French doors which lead to a sanctuary in the form of a roof deck. The lower level originally had an interesting stage area (I think dance classes were once given there) and a low ceiling. We dug deep to give better head-clearance, and added two bedrooms, a kitchenette and lounging area or second living room. The space would make a perfect en-law space, with it’s own separate side entrance. Finally, we tore down the 1 car garage, and built a new 2 car garage leaving two additional parking spaces on the alley side. While I am detailing mostly the aesthetic changes, the changes beneath the walls has been equally substantial. All major (and minor) systems have been wholly replaced, electrical wiring, plumbing, heating and cooling, insulation- everything. We wired the house with an intercom, sound system with in ceiling speakers, and security system.
It is our hope that the house will again be home to a family that will thrive and grow.