An Eye-Catching Cape Cod

Located in the historic Westmoreland Hills neighborhood

of Bethesda, Maryland, this charming 1930s Cape Cod-style cottage needed updates, both inside and out. The Anthony Wilder Design/Build team (anthonywilder.com) added 1,000 square feet to the back of the home; it also gave the façade a facelift.

Led by founder and architectural designer Anthony Wilder and architect Sean Mullin, the design-build team incorporated some of the exterior elements, such as the arched front door surround, into the interior updates.

On the outside, the owners wanted a whitewashed look for the brick, so they hired painters to lightly hand-scrape the exterior paint to reveal the brick underneath. The final effect is a “German schmear” finish. Combined with navy-blue shutters painted in Farrow & Ball “Hague Blue,” white dormer windows, a white mailbox and post, as well as a pop of yellow in the entry planters, the home now has a fresh, vintage style that the owners wanted and that perfectly complements nearby homes in this historic neighborhood.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

What’s not to love? Although we can’t all live in an historic neighborhood, we can emulate the stylish touches that enhance this home. Notice the matching lighting on either side of the front door, the vibrant plants in majestic urns and a statement-making mailbox—all doable additions to many homes.