Renovation of 420 Ridgeway still checks all the boxes

“I love it and wouldn’t change a thing,” Melody Royalty recalls saying after she and husband Rob Royalty toured 420 Ridgeway. That was in 2012.

Since then, the couple replaced carpet on the second floor with hardwood because “three kids and white carpet don’t go together.” They also replaced carpet with laminate flooring in the basement. Otherwise, the expertly renovated and expanded two story has stood the test of time, down to the warm, clean colors on the walls.

“It’s very classic,” Melody said of the 3,562 square foot residence. Exterior walls of stone and Hardi Board siding exude a 1930s charm-- a “best-of-both-worlds” combination that’s popular in Lexington.

Located on one of the Chevy Chase neighborhood’s most iconic streets, the Royalty home features a barrel vault ceiling over the front porch. It’s a charming touch that provides shelter from the elements while also distinguishing the home from others.

When the previous owners remodeled and added on 1,700 square feet, they opted for an open-concept floor plan in public spaces. They kept the kitchen and family room light and airy by going with 10 ft. ceilings and 8 ft. windows. White cabinetry contrasts with the island and wet bar that have a dark walnut finish. Double ovens, a six-burner gas stove, granite countertops, tile backsplash and a big walk-in pantry make the kitchen as practical and hard-working as it is pretty.

“I like to cook, so with the kitchen connected to the living area, it’s where we spend most of our time” Melody explains. “It’s my favorite space in the house.”

The family, which includes Gracie, 18, Avery, 13, and Jesse, 10, eats most meals at a traditional-style table that abuts the island. The adjacent dining room can handle sit-down dinners for 8 with no elbows bumping.

In mild weather, the 300-square-ft. screened patio and adjoining deck can be set up to handle several more diners. It’s also a favorite spot for relaxing for Melody and Rob, an orthopedic surgeon. A detached two-car garage a few steps from the deck presents more possibilities for entertaining on an even larger scale.

Beveled French doors lead to a bonus room that can be used as fifth bedroom, an office or playroom. Although the attached bathroom has a large step-up shower, it also functions as a powder room thanks to a door that opens to the hallway.

Upstairs, the owners’ suite is pure luxury. White cabinetry and millwork frame a large soaking tub positioned in the center of the room beneath a double-tray ceiling. Heated Carrera marble floors and a marble shower complete the spa-worthy space.

Previous owners wisely carved out generously sized closets in every bedroom as part of the whole-house renovation. They also added well-planned built-ins, such as bookshelves on the second-floor loft and a china hutch in the kitchen.

“There are a lot of little nooks and crannies, a lot of character here,” Melody said. “The house has a lot of touches of the original, yet it’s modern in every way. We think the previous owners did a great job preserving the charm.”

“We love our home,” she continued. “When we repainted, we even used the same colors.”

“If another house with everything we wanted hadn’t come up, we wouldn’t be moving,” Melody continued. However, the family isn’t going far—only five streets away to a ranch-style home.

“We want to stay in the neighborhood because we love the area,” she said. 　

This story was originally published December 4, 2020 at 2:31 PM with the headline "Renovation of 420 Ridgeway still checks all the boxes."