BOWA Transforms a House into a Home in Paeonian Springs
Written by Kaitlin Hill | Photos by Nova Soul Imagery
In Paeonian Springs, just south of Waterford, luxury remodeling firm BOWA lovingly restored a 1930s-era abode, blending the new homeowners’ wishes with a conscious nod to the original features of the house.
“This property was absolutely magnificent — 50 acres, rolling views — but the house was from the 1930s and kind of clunky, like a lot of older homes,” says Jeff Weeks, project leader at BOWA. He adds, “You know, I call it charm.”
Weeks worked with architect Lauren McGee, who would later join BOWA as vice president of architecture and design. Weeks shares, “I have a great working relationship with her.”
A main focus of the project was to improve the flow of the house, opening up the kitchen to the first-floor living spaces. Modern touches were added, too. “We did a little coffee bar and an eat-in island,” Weeks explains. “The couple was very specific that they wanted something traditional but transitional.”
The mudroom got a facelift, with custom cabinetry, a powder room, and a desk area, and BOWA added an outdoor shower for the couple’s dog.
Upstairs, the theme of “opening up” the house continued with a closet relocated to the primary bedroom for better views and more space. Weeks explains, “We made a nice arched opening in there, and relocated closets into the entry of the primary suite. [It] just gave the room a better vibe, because it allowed so much natural light in, and they could see their million-dollar view.”
BOWA also reconfigured the primary bathroom into a wet room with a generous shower and luxurious tub. A sense of calm was achieved through a neutral palette consisting of Calacatta Valentin quartz countertops, Greenwich Linear sconces, and antique brass hardware.
Beyond the big-ticket items, the details made all the difference, with finishing that modernized the space while keeping the overall look traditional. “It looks timeless,” Weeks says. “It’s a classic design, so I feel it fits the 1936 history of the home.” He laughs, “I feel like I could still see a 1936 Ford out front.”
Though the project was completed in time for the couple to move in on schedule, it, as with many older homes, was not without challenges. “For older homes, we do find some things that were done wrong [originally],” Weeks says. “We found floating beams, some wiring that was not great, and some HVAC components that weren’t so great either.” He continues, “But that is the charm of working with older homes. It is just part of the process.”
Hardships aside, for Weeks the project was immensely rewarding. “My favorite part of the process is the final walkthrough,” he says. “It’s a pride factor… We want that perfection.”
He continues, “The clients were overjoyed.”
Joy could describe Weeks’ feelings about the build, too. “I love my job,” he says. “And I truly mean it. I think it comes across with authenticity when we are dealing with clients.” He adds, “I look for relationships, not sales. I care about relationships more than anything. That’s my driving force.” ML
Published in the June 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.