2019 GALA Award WinnerJoy Design + Build is honored to have won the  2019 GALA Merit Award for our one-of-a-kind custom home over 7,000 square foot home on North Nelson Street.

GALA (Great American Living Awards), the most prestigious residential design, sales, and marketing competition in the metropolitan Washington market have judged these awards for more than 50 years and to win a GALA is considered the “Best of the Best.”

Nelson Hall

Located on a large lot on North Nelson, the topography of the site added some complexity. The left side of the lot had a deep hole where a swimming pool used to be. Beyond the limits of clearing the house the grade dropped rapidly. It was important to the clients that the house sit up at, or above street level.

Nelson Hall

The exterior elevation has low sweeping roof lines hiding most of the upper floor behind the roof line. Both a large front porch and a covered side porch accent the front elevation. At the rear of the house we created a detached garage with an attached screened porch with fireplace. This space overlooks the pool and patio off the walk out basement below. Features in the pool bath include a sauna and stackable washer/dryer.

Nelson Hall

The main floor has 10’ ceilings with raised ceilings in the family room and library retreat. The glass-filled box bay adorns the rear family room wall looking out over the trees and pool below. The cathedral ceiling in the library, completes the custom-built ins and fireplace accents.

Nelson Hall

Entering the house, you are drawn to the side platform stair and the volume ceilings with dormer above. Though not fully open to each other the kitchen/keeping room/nook allow easy access to the side porch as well as the family room.

The upper floor is adorned with bookshelves along the back-stair gallery as well as a grand owner’s suite with barrel ceiling and split access to a shared bath with walk in custom shower. Raised ceilings and well appointed in suite baths are all provided in the three additional bedroom suites.

The basement is where the parties are set to happen! Twelve foot high basement ceilings with a recessed porch, walk up bar, theater room and wine grotto keep the guests entertained for hours without crowding.

We love it when our clients are happy! To see the entire portfolio of this residence custom built for maximum entertainment value, visit us here.

After buying a large spec home that turned out to be less than we expected, we decided to forge ahead and build exactly what we wanted. We ended up with a home that far exceeded our very high expectations. We are thrilled to entertain one or 200 in our new home, and we highly recommend the team at Joy Design + Build to create the home of your dreams.

Dan Meyers
Arlington, Virginia