Property of Mr. and Mrs. Peyton Armstrong Kerr | Alexandria | ArchitectsBerla & Abel

WHEN Mr. and Mrs. Peyton Armstrong Kerr were offered their choice of sixteen or more plans for a new home, they unhesitatingly chose this well-designed, modern house. In doing so, they were also gaining the services of one of Washington's most progressive architectural firms. In the past, we've been proud to show our readers other good designs from the drafting boards of Berla and Abel, and we congratulate the real-estate developers who were farsighted enough to engage this talented pair of architects.

In selecting a home, everyone is influenced by small details, and the Kerrs were no exception. They are especially fond of enclosed stairs and found this fact, coupled with a very workable expandable floor plan, completely in line with their thinking. When it becomes less difficult to build, they intend adding two new bedrooms and another bath on the second floor. Even then there'll be enough deck space for much-desired outdoor living. The house, in spite of its small appearance, is large enough for the owners, their four children, and there's space in the basement for another room and bath.

Mrs. Kerr is a pianist and is most pleased with the excellent acoustics of the living room. She doesn't know exactly why this should be, but is most grateful since many recordings are made at home. Long batteries of casement windows brighten this charming room with its simple off- angle fireplace breast. The windows are high enough so that two sofas with many comfortable pillows have been placed beneath them to afford an ideal lounging spot. Walls in this dual-purpose room are of soft gray. Cross-ventilation is a feature of all three bedrooms, while an ample storage room on the second floor adequately accommodates the numerous odds and ends always collected by a family of this size. The basement includes a recreation room, laundry, trunk room, and other storage space, in addition to the space allotted for the proposed sleeping quarters.