The 20,000-square-foot residence is surrounded by one-and-a-half acres of manicured grounds intended to evoke the spirit of Versailles. Mature trees and plantings accentuate a reflecting pool, a swimming pool and a pool house, all easily accessible from the many floor-to-ceiling French doors on the residence’s main level. Inside, there are seven bedrooms and seven full and five half-baths. Built in 2005, the house is clad in Texas limestone with a clay roof that Jason Evans, owner of Acadia Renovations, went to great lengths to protect when a new elevator was installed. “That roof was a unique element that I didn’t want to ruin by poking a hole in it!” he recalls.

From the very beginning, the owners had a vision for the interiors. “We wanted to keep the original architectural intent but with a more modern sensibility,” Tracey explains. “And because I love fashion, we added a little bit of color, texture and ‘jewelry,’ especially in the lighting, wherever we could.” The couple also wanted to showcase their meticulously curated art collection while giving every member of their family—which includes four children aged six to 14—space to pursue their individual and collective passions.

To bring this vision to exuberant life, they selected San Francisco-based HBA, a global firm known for distinctive high-end hotel, restaurant and residential design. It was an easy decision for Tracey, a real estate developer and the project’s “visionary in chief,” who had collaborated with HBA professionally for more than 20 years. 

“Tracey and I share the same design shorthand and we already had an idea of what she wanted to achieve,” reveals designer Meghann Day of HBA San Francisco. “There was nothing wrong with the house; it was just a little dated and ornate. We brought out its beautiful bones and gave it a lighter, more refined look.”

HBA’s hospitality pedigree is evident throughout the home, from the oversized sconces in the entry foyer to seating areas that invite conversation and furnishings that balance formality with family life. The drama begins in the entryway where a cool palette of limestone flooring and white walls prevails, lit by a shimmery chandelier whose design suggests fish fins (a tribute to the couple’s children, all of whom are swimmers). There are two curtained reading nooks and a sleek, gray settee offset by gold-tone sconces.

In the sumptuous living room, art takes center stage. Above the stone fireplace hangs a chromogenic piece by photographer Dave LaChapelle titled Couture Consumption. A grand piano anchors the space while curvaceous furnishings lend Art Deco volupté to the room.

An antique table with seating for 10 serves as the centerpiece of the formal dining room, where a champagne-gold colorway is enlivened by pops of blue. Jewel-like Murano glass chandeliers hang over the table, highlighting the coffered barrel ceiling. Walls upholstered in padded silk add another layer of texture and visual interest. 

A caramel-hued leather bar with an onyx countertop marks the transition from the living room to husband Tim’s office, which opens into the garden. Built-in bookcases, a long, modular sofa, an antique gold-leaf chandelier and game tables create an elegant yet playful space befitting the creative tech entrepreneur. 

By contrast, Tracey’s office is a cozy, feminine retreat attired in high-gloss blush pink and accessorized with a two-tiered gold chandelier, a bold wallpapered ceiling and a Peter Chase painting expressly commissioned for the room. 

The more private side of the house—sitting rooms, breakfast area and TV room—boast beautiful garden views along with equally refined furnishings, though on a more intimate scale. Here, function informs design to encourage family activities, from secluded reading nooks and homework spaces to game tables and TV monitors hidden behind gallery walls or custom-built cabinetry. Art, too, plays a role. Over the fireplace in the main-floor family room is the work that launched the couple’s collection—a Cubist painting by Marcel Mouly. 

Each bedroom on the second level reflects its inhabitant’s taste and interests. The primary suite is a study in white, light blue, celadon—and serenity. An antique sunburst mirror rises above the four-poster bed while floor-to-ceiling draperies and richly upholstered furniture envelop the room in tranquil warmth. 

HBA mostly preserved the original footprint; an elevator replaced a spiral staircase in the mudroom and Tim’s bathroom became his son’s bedroom. However, the architectural details that so captivated the owners all received enhancing makeovers. Acadia Renovations painstakingly hand-sanded and repainted elaborately faux-painted walls; ditto the columns and decorative-plaster detailing. Covid added another complication, delaying delivery of certain pieces and forcing the designers and homeowners to get creative with sourcing. All told, it took about three years to transform this ornate château into a dynamic, modern-day dwelling. 

“It’s a large house,” Tracey admits. “But every space was designed to have a function and purpose, so it all feels intentional. We use and enjoy every inch of our home."

The project marked a new beginning for the house—and its owners. Lee and Mark Miller were both widowed following decades of marriage. After meeting online, the two began a courtship and in 2020, they wed. 

Intent on creating a home that celebrated their union, the Millers decided to overhaul the Annapolis bi-level that Mark, a retired business executive, had acquired in 2012 as weekend getaway. “I think it dates back to the ’50s,” says Lee, a former real estate agent. “It was a little fishing shack that was added onto over time.” 

The home suffered from low ceilings, run-of-the-mill finishes and choppy interiors that failed to capitalize on expansive views out to the Chesapeake Bay. Recognizing a diamond in the rough, the couple wanted to transform the main level into a haven for single-story living while reserving the lower floor for a steady stream of visitors—including their four adult children and eight grandkids. 

Mark proposed taking the residence in a modern direction. Lee, whose prior homes leaned traditional, took a leap of faith. “I’m all in,” she responded, “but we have to find the right team first.” Following conversations with a handful of architects, they landed on Peter Miles of The Drawing Board, who in turn introduced them to Katalin Farnady of Farnady Interiors. The owners then tapped Lynbrook of Annapolis for construction and McHale Landscape Design for an upgrade of the one-third-acre site. 

Miles completely reimagined the exterior and the 2,850-square foot main level. “The home had been expanded with multiple roof slopes colliding at awkward angles,” he explains. “The renovation simplified the roofline with a low slope, except for a shed roof that lifts up the family room wall and opens it to the water.”

A foyer wrapped in slatted-mahogany panels leads into an open space combining the kitchen, dining and family room. Accordion doors afford seamless passage to a screened porch, backyard and dock. Hidden doors in the foyer paneling lead to a functional core where Miles consolidated a powder room and mudroom off the garage. A home office for two is reached from here or the kitchen. 

Eliminating two small main-floor bedrooms made way for a generous primary suite. Accessed near the foyer stairway, it features a large bedroom and separate baths and dressing rooms for each newlywed—along with infinite bay vistas.

The interior plan took shape at weekly design meetings, which began during covid and continued through the 18-month construction phase. “Katalin and I worked together closely to make sure interior materials warmed up and helped define each of the spaces,” says Miles. 

Taking cues from the exterior, Farnady developed a nuanced tableau, focusing on a monochromatic palette enlivened by rich textures, patterns and hints of the unexpected. “When an architect gives you floor-to-ceiling windows and they’re focused on the view, you have to keep the interiors somewhat minimal,” she notes. 

In the family room, she offset pale oak floors and creamy upholstered seating and rugs with a dramatic fireplace wall of Black Diamond granite. Meanwhile, the open kitchen boasts a waterfall island, counters and even a range hood sheathed in Calacatta Cremo marble. “For me, the secret to keeping a monochromatic interior interesting is paying close attention to details—both architecturally and decoratively,” explains the designer. “I played with sizes, shapes and textures, adding different materials and finishes to keep each room unique.”

The open layout and clever kitchen design foster easy entertaining. Collaborating with Jonas Carnemark of Konst SieMatic, the team avoided upper cabinetry near the island in favor of unobstructed views. Around the corner from the oven wall, additional cabinetry, workspace and appliances await.  

The Millers joined Farnady on field trips to High Point Market and local showrooms in search of the right mix of furniture, finishes and lighting. “It was clear that they wanted comfortable furniture with fluid lines,” the designer says. In the family room, custom seating, bespoke tables from her eponymous collection and a wet bar cater to gatherings large and small. 

“Giving the team free rein” was key to the project’s success, says Lee Miller, “because you don’t know what you don’t know.” 

Lavishing attention on every detail elevated spaces beyond the ordinary. Miles traded conventional baseboard molding for reglets with a precise, grooved reveal and installed acoustical ceiling panels to absorb sound. Farnady played up the home’s minimal backdrop with dramatic textures and glamorous lighting—from the office’s geometric Lee Jofa wall covering to the bedroom’s freeform chandelier. 

Executing the plan was no easy feat for the builder. “Contemporary trim details are clean and crisp, but at the same time can be involved and time-consuming,” says Lynbrook’s Meredith Hillyer. “Unlike a traditional home, there are no extra layers that can disguise an out-of-true condition. It’s one and done.”

McHale landscape architect Matthew Rhoderick echoed the architecture in his innovative exterior plan. “We jumped in with a palette of materials that is often underutilized in waterfront properties,” he says. “Evoking an industrial feel with Corten steel, dark-stained concrete and trimmed architectural plantings, we were able to make the entryway the star of the show.” Corten steel carries through to the backyard, where it edges pathways to the pier.

Embarking on married life together, the Millers couldn’t be happier with their finished home. “As a realtor, I’m jaded—but this is my favorite house ever,” reflects Lee. “We watch the sun rise every morning and the place sparkles like a diamond. And every evening we get the most incredible sky—it’s on fire. Thanks to our expert team, we were able to translate our wishes into a stunning home.”

Mearns joined the team at the start of the process. “Liz had designed our living room a couple of years earlier; we loved what she did, so we wanted her there to advise us,” explains the wife. The designer immediately gleaned her clients’ aesthetic, which she describes as “California cool”—a casual yet curated look that is both sophisticated and family-friendly. 

“It feels effortless,” Mearns says. “But it’s clear there was a design plan.” A Q&A with the designer about the project follows.

How did the home’s look evolve? 

It was collective brainstorming to reach a style. My family is originally from California, and I went with something reminiscent of rancher style, which you see out there. The house has no basement and was built in the ’50s, so the look felt right. I’m inspired by California designers like Amber Lewis, who creates eclectic spaces in a relaxed, casual style. This house couldn’t be too precious, since a family lives here. I tell my clients, a house can be sophisticated and not be formal; don’t confuse sophistication with formality. You can have both.

What design choices support the home’s aesthetic?

Our taglines were neutrals, textures, West Coast lifestyle. We used a lot of casegoods; sideboards in the living and dining rooms are by Noir, which is based out of LA and has a cool, funky look. We also pulled in vintage pieces so the rooms feel collected and not like a catalog. It was a fine line between California and mid-century. Combining—styles and eras, old and new—gives a room depth.

You used unmatching fabrics for the family room sofas. How do you make that work?

I prefer upholstering sofas in different fabrics. I get pushback on it sometimes, but I like rooms to feel slightly collected. If you don’t match, though, you have to be careful that the shapes of the frames work together.

Share how you selected the rugs for this project.

I treat rugs like art. I love to mix mediums—jute, antique Persian, hide, stripes. There are a lot of antique rugs in this project. In the foyer, an antique rug looks great next to a fresh, striped stair runner. And the living room has a very ropey jute rug that’s soft underfoot. I wanted it to be neutral to support a custom ottoman in there that I had upholstered using a beautiful antique rug. It’s a centerpiece of the room.

How does art enhance a space?

Art is so important—it really is the element that pulls everything together. I try to mix prints, landscapes, abstracts, etc. Your eye stops and appreciates art more when it’s not all the same. In this project, there are more than five pieces by Tiffany Steele McAvoy, who works with me and is a talented painter of abstract art. There’s one in the family room that I think ties the room together.

Describe the kitchen design.

I collaborated with the wife and Pennsylvania-based Master Design, which fabricated the white oak cabinetry. There was a lot of editing. We wanted the kitchen to be a calm space, so we kept the finishes consistent, without much variation in surfaces. I love the black cabinet wall. 

We chose honed Taj Mahal quartzite for the countertops and backsplash and used a glazed, handmade ceramic tile from Portugal for the range wall. The hood was custom by Marks-Woods; they applied the plaster finish on site. 

Why choose wallpaper over paint?

When a room lacks architecture, wallpaper can give it interest. I used a bold floral pattern by Thibaut in the wife’s sitting room to create something happy and unexpected. I also find that wallpaper can define a transition space as a room; here, I wallpapered a second-floor pass-through that we expanded and turned into a game room.

What is the story behind the primary suite? 

It used to be on the second floor above the garage, part of a 1980s addition. The owners decided to use that huge space as a rec room for the kids and moved their bedroom down to the main floor, to a space that previously contained two bedrooms. The wife originally  hoped to use the smaller one as a closet, but I persuaded her to make it her sitting room. I envisioned it as a little feminine, a respite from the chaos of family life. Beautiful built-ins line one wall and those fit the bulk of her wardrobe.  

Talk about the variety of woods in this house. 

The floors are a wide-plank maple and the doors are new to the home, made of fir stained a warm hue; I love that they’re not white. The kitchen cabinets are light-stained white oak and we have dark walnut built-ins in the mudroom. While I think you want some consistency, I believe mixing woods ensures a house won’t feel like a model home. Different woods make a space feel special.

ASK LIZ

Name a trend you’ve embraced. 

For a while it was brass hardware and finishes everywhere, but lately we’re seeing people wanting nickel again. I still love the brass, but nickel can also be pretty.

What trend would you like to see more of?

During covid, we learned that more cozy separate rooms are good to have—this house has some intimate spots that serve a family well. I’d like to see more sitting rooms off of primary bedrooms, so people can shut a door and have privacy. If you’re building, give yourself the option to be separate and private sometimes. 

Favorite color right now?

Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is my go-to neutral. For a big color, I love Ka Ching by C2. It’s a deep, moody green that I’ve been using lately.  

What piece of furniture wouldn’t you part with?

The club chair next to the fireplace in my kitchen. My husband cooks while I sit there with my laptop and a glass of wine.

PERFECT PERCH  Designed by Sacha Lakic for Roche Bobois, the diminutive APEX pouf buries its wood frame entirely under a quilted cover. Available in a host of colorful fabrics at showrooms in Friendship Heights and Tysons. roche-bobois.com

UNDER GLASS  Orbit, a blown-glass side table by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform, boasts a round top seamlessly welded to a conical base for an airy silhouette. Find in two sizes at Poliform’s new Cady’s Alley location in Georgetown. poliform.it/en-us

CLOUD NINE The Elle Fabric Sofa by Bernhardt streamlines a classic kidney shape to conjure the softness of a cloud. The seat reaches to the floor, concealing its framework. Available at Belfort Furniture in Dulles. belfortfurniture.com; bernhardt.com 

HAPPY HOUR Made of lacquered MDF and rattan with brass, copper or nickel feet, the Traje de Luces bar cabinet by Portuguese design company Dooq recalls delicate architectural flourishes found in the south of Spain. It comes in a range of lacquered hues. dooqdetails.com

SKIN TIGHT As designed by Marie C Dorner, Ligne Roset’s Uncover seating collection comprises light, all-foam structures clad in stretch fabric for a skin-tight fit. Find at Ligne Roset in Upper Georgetown; the armchair is pictured. ligne-roset.com

SMALL WONDER The Wally workstation, a small-space solution by Resource Furniture, comes in melamine or lacquer. A touch lowers it via slow-open pistons while tech integrations add convenience. Find at the Cady’s Alley showroom. resourcefurniture.com

GOING MODERN Saka Home Furniture, which recently opened a showroom in Upper Georgetown, offers seating and tables in sleek, contemporary style. Pictured: The Demi Sofa combines matte-black steel legs with a tight seat and back in a wide selection of fabrics. sakahome.com

SLEEK SHAPE A curved, open silhouette distinguishes Room & Board’s Rhodes accent chair. A minimal metal base supports a hardwood frame concealed in foam and fiber and covered in leather or fabric. Available at Room & Board locations in DC and Bethesda. roomandboard.com

“The breadth of imagination and talent was astounding,” notes New Ravenna creative director Cean Irminger, commenting on the submissions. “Winners were selected for the beauty of their original artwork and the challenge of each piece’s mosaic realization.”

Four winning designs, announced in February, have joined the company’s catalog as Pinnacle, a new collection. Each motif is fashioned by hand out of brass, jewel glass and honed, polished and tumbled stone, using hand-cutting and waterjet techniques. The designers will receive a commission for each made-to-measure mosaic produced. newravenna.com

Alterations were limited by the unit’s existing built-ins and open-plan structure. “We added a custom console in the great room that served as a knee wall to break up the space visually without blocking the harbor view,” explains project designer Joyce Pearl, who relied on multiple seating and lounging areas to create intimate conversation spots; luxe, tactile textiles and finishes convey warmth and visual interest.

For the dining room (pictured), Pearl and her team selected textured draperies in neutral tones that frame the view without obstructing it. A Hammerton chandelier hangs above a table and low-slung chairs by Theodore Alexander.

Enter designer Erika Bonnell, tapped by the owners to mastermind a makeover that would enhance both form and function. A collaboration with building contractor SugarOak Corporation, the project overhauled the kitchen, butler’s pantry and six bathrooms, among many other improvements. “We gave the interiors an updated-traditional vibe,” says Bonnell. “Our goal was to honor the home’s traditional bones but keep everything very approachable. We also made some functional changes to support their lifestyle.”

While most of the floor plan remained intact, the designer repurposed existing spaces to better suit her clients’ needs. For example, the husband, retired from the insurance industry, wanted a place to read and display his books. So Bonnell transformed the rarely used living room off the foyer into what she describes as “a cool, masculine, English library that looks like it’s been there forever.” Floor-to-ceiling, built-in shelves now line the back wall and wrap around the corner to join the right side of the fireplace. 

For the kitchen redo, a layout that would accommodate multiple cooks topped the owners’ wish list. Although some of the kids have flown the nest, the brood prepares and enjoys meals together whenever they can. “We’re a family of bakers and cooks,” the wife reveals. “We needed the kitchen to work for all of us. Cooking together is a part of our family culture, and it’s so much more fun to do that in a nice environment.”

Before, a cooktop located in the island limited prep space. Bonnell reconfigured the plan, installing a professional-style Thermador range along one wall. Aesthetics in the previously dark, uninspiring space vastly improved too, thanks in large part to white-painted custom cabinetry from Cornerstone Kitchen & Bath.

Since increasing the kitchen’s footprint wasn’t an option, the designer further eased congestion by establishing a separate, bistro-style baking station in what she characterized as a weird pass-through space that connects the butler’s pantry and breakfast room. She also added a walk-in pantry, accessed through a hidden door in the butler’s pantry, by borrowing 50 square feet from the garage. 

Bonnell then cast her designer’s eye on the interior architecture. In the entry hall, she complemented the existing plaster crown molding by applying trim to the drywall below. “We had this beautiful, heavy plaster molding, but then the walls fell flat,” she recalls. “We really wanted to elevate the space by adding more architectural detail with the applied molding.” The existing marble floors stayed put but the previously deep-gold walls were repainted an off-white hue.

When it came to defining a new look, as Bonnell relates, the wife requested “something happy and fresh.” The reimagined dining room certainly fits the bill. There, a scenic paper from Schumacher replaced red paint on the walls. And tasseled swags made way for simple, raw-silk draperies at the windows. 

Bonnell sourced new furnishings with the aim of establishing “a collected, lived-in, comfortable feel,” she says. For the family room, she designed an outsized sectional, as well as a coffee table that allows two leather-covered ottomans to tuck under opposite corners when not in use. As she explains, “This is the family hangout, so we wanted to create a central seating area that would accommodate everybody.”

Thoughtfully chosen touches make her schemes sing without overpowering, as the first-floor primary suite illustrates. Painterly Schumacher wallpaper graces the bedroom, while floral mosaic tile embellishes the bathroom’s two arched vanity niches. “We enjoy contrast and interest, but always in a supportive, non-competing way,” states Bonnell. “The layers of details come together to create pleasing, non-jarring spaces.” 

The wife marvels at her designer’s creative flair—and at the completed project. “It really is artistry,” she enthuses. “There’s no way we could have done it on our own. Erika changed our life for the better.”

“In my last house, we were thinking about resale and didn’t take risks,” the wife recounts. “This time, I decided not to worry about that. I didn’t go safe and instead just picked what I liked.”

Kaplan concurs. “Even before the house was done, it was clear that she had a different vision from what we were seeing on the plans. Her ideas pushed the boundaries more than we’re used to, which really made the collaboration fun.” 

Establishing an overall aesthetic was the first order of business for interiors that are distinguished by their cohesiveness. The owner “has a sophisticated, industrial sensibility; also, she and her husband travel regularly to Paris and are drawn to a vintage European look,” notes the designer. Kaplan artfully blended both influences, conjuring what she calls “an aged patina” throughout. “We had this tension where I would try to soften things a bit and she would say ‘no, I want it edgier, more industrial.’”

Working with senior designer Becky Wetzler and their client, Kaplan landed on a palette of smoky lavender, cobalt and gray “to balance and connect the spaces through color,” she says. They also clad the ceilings on the two lower floors in rustic reclaimed wood, which the owner had her heart set on. The layers of deep color and strong texture make a dramatic statement throughout the dwelling.

From the first floor entrance, a foyer opens on one side to the wife’s library/home office with the staircase up to the second level ahead. “The walls were just plain drywall, so the main challenge was how to make the foyer feel custom,” recounts Kaplan. “We aimed to create interest and also draw visitors up the stairs.” 

Decorative millwork on the stair wall solved the dilemma, adding character and dimension. “I wanted something more creative than the traditional squares,” the owner says—so Kaplan devised an unexpected geometric motif. Iron-gray paint coats the foyer and stair. 

The office also underwent an upgrade. Built-in shelves on every wall accommodate the owners’ considerable collection of books; an integrated desk provides plenty of space for the wife to work. “We narrowed the doorway to a deep, cased opening to accommodate all the books,” relates Kaplan, who designed the built-ins and had them fabricated by Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens. Smoky lavender clads walls not covered by midnight-blue shelving.

Kaplan established a similar “soft-industrial” vibe upstairs, where the open-plan second floor encompasses the kitchen and dining and sitting areas. The designers found ingenious ways to differentiate zones in the large space. “We knew we wanted some separation,” Kaplan says. “It all came together as the furniture layout took shape.” 

Color was an important tool: lavender for the kitchen, gray in the dining area and cobalt in the living area. Black-painted wood beams run vertically above the kitchen and dining area and horizontally over the sitting area; the ceiling planks also switch directions. And one of the client’s favorite features separates the sitting and dining zones: a custom, three-foot-wide divider made of glass and iron that creates a subtle visual barrier. 

The homeowners kept the existing all-white kitchen, which allowed them to invest in other design elements—including many new furnishings. During furniture selection, Kaplan largely avoided wood, already dominant on the ceiling. Among other pieces, an eye-catching iron-and-stone sideboard anchors the dining area while industrial-style iron bookcases, repurposed from couple’s former house, cover a wall in the sitting area. They face an acid-washed mirror with a Parisian vibe flanked by custom sofas Kaplan designed for the Kensington home. 

Over-scaled chandeliers make a major statement. The wife “loves dramatic lighting,” Kaplan notes. “It was a challenge to find interesting fixtures for the main room that would work together without being duplicative.” A moody horsehair-and-horn chandelier hovers over the coffee table, while a sculptural Hubbardton Forge fixture in hand-forged steel hangs above the dining table. Blown-glass pendants, also by Hubbardton Forge, dress up the kitchen island.

Kaplan put her imprint on the primary bedroom as well, with an accent wall in Cole & Son wallpaper and dramatic lighting—including oversized teardrop pendants that flank the bed and an industrial-chic Ultralights ceiling fixture that measures 36 inches in diameter. 

As happy as she is with her stylish new digs, the wife admits that she loves to move—and expects to do so again, in time. “I think her creativity needs a new outlet about every five years,” Kaplan observes with a laugh. “It’s been lucky for me!” 

Renovation Architectural & Interior Design: Kirsten Kaplan, principal; Becky Wetzler, senior designer, Haus Interior Design, Rockville, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: David Costopoulos, Dynamic Renovation Contractors, Inc., Silver Spring, Maryland.

RESOURCES

THROUGHOUT
Artwork: Owners’ collection. Ceiling Beam Paint: Mopboard Black through benjaminmoore.com.

LIVINING AREA
Wall Paint: Hague Blue by farrow-ball.com. Pendant: ochre.us. Mirror & Cocktail table: fourhands.com. Chairs: bernhardt.com. Chair Fabric: janechurchill.com. Sofa Side Tables: uttermost.com. Floor Lamps: curreyandcompany.com. Sofas: Custom through Jonathan Wesley; 828-632-6800. Sofa Fabric: pindler.com. Ottoman: crateandbarrel.com. Oak-and-Steel Console: rh.com. Vase: vintage through greatstuffbypaul.com.

DINING AREA
Wall Paint: Street Chic by benjaminmoore.com. Pendant: hubbardtonforge.com. Buffet: bernhardt.com. Dining Chairs: rousehome.com. Dining Table: rh.com.

KITCHEN
Wall Paint: Calluna by farrow-ball.com. Island Light Fixture: Custom through hubbardtonforge.com. Stools: Owners’ collection.PRIMARY BEDROOM
Wall Paint: Cement Gray by benjaminmoore.com. Bed & Nightstands: bernhardt.com. Pendant: ultralightslighting.com. Lamps: rh.com. Wallpaper: cole-and-son.com.

POWDER ROOM
Sink & Faucet: kingstonbrass.com. Countertop: Custom through fernandosmarbleshop.com. Vanity Light: visualcomfort.com. Tile: architessa.com. Wallpaper:
cole-and-son.com. Mirror: uttermost.com.

OFFICE
Wall Paint: Calluna by farrow-ball.com. Drum Fixture & Wall Sconces: hinkley.com. Built-ins: Custom through jackrosen.com. Reading Chair: Owners’ collection.

ENTRY
Wall Sconces: rh.com. Console Table: fourhands.com.

Against a traditional backdrop of shiplap siding and weathered oak floors, Merida introduced a fresh palette of white walls and upholstery that reflects the light, ensuring the owner’s distinctive paintings, sculptures and collections take center stage (vintage sand pails from the 1930s playfully displayed on a bookshelf, for instance). Pieces done by the owner also adorn the walls—primarily collages of textiles, paper and paint. 

No sooner was the project completed than Hurricane Ian arrived. “The owner barely got one season,” Merida says ruefully. Though the main floor was destroyed, luckily most one-of-a-kind pieces were saved. Designer and client are already at work restoring the home.

Architecture: Leslie Kelly, Leslie Kelly Architecture LLC, Wilmington, Delaware. Interior Design: Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiors, Easton, Maryland. Builder: The Wolter Group, Fort Myers, Florida. Landscape Architecture: R.S. Walsh Landscaping, Fort Myers, Florida. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.

Sited on a hill overlooking vast plains, the 5,000-square-foot home was conceived in what the designer calls “California Spanish Modern” style—a distilled interpretation of Spanish architecture that embraces local vernacular with archways, stucco siding and a terracotta-tile roof. Walls of steel-framed glass create flow between airy interiors and outdoor spaces, which include sheltered gathering areas, a swimming pool and terraced gardens.

Boutlier clad the floors inside and out with limestone tile. He weighed in on room size and door placement and mocked up archways. Against crisp-white walls, he established a modern aesthetic with Italian furniture, abstract art and sculptural lighting. 

“The house is really meant for family to get together; the rooms are scaled well, so it feels intimate,” observes the designer. As a bonus, he adds, “On a clear day you can see all the way to the beaches of Del Mar—and to Tijuana.”

Architecture: Friehauf Architects, Solana Beach, California. Interior Design: Christopher Boutlier, Christopher Boutlier Interiors, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Anne Decker, AIA, Anne Decker Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: Mulvey Custom Builders, Del Mar, California. Landscape Architecture: TCLA Studio, Capistrano Beach, California. Styling: Anita Sarsidi.

After they bought the property, the wife tapped designer Joanne Fitzgerald to revamp the interiors and create a modern, eclectic vibe while respecting the home’s architecture. “Seeing what the place looked like and knowing what she wanted, it was exciting to visualize how we were going to make it hers,” Fitzgerald recalls.

The designer overhauled every inch of the 3,400-square-foot apartment. She transformed the kitchen and three baths, created a bar near the family room and replaced or refinished most of the flooring. Wherever possible, she selected furniture and art from her clients’ collection. “We also brought in modern furnishings and colors that made the traditional elements look that much more spectacular,” she notes.

What influenced your design scheme?
You walk into the apartment and see a gorgeous curvilinear stairway. I suggested we keep that motif going because it’s a very linear space. We selected circular light fixtures and an oval dining table to bring that thread through. 

Explain how art elevates a home.
Original art makes such an impact and is a window into who the homeowners are. I urge clients to take their time and collect artwork that moves them. And whenever they travel, I tell them to get a piece of art—it will be a lifelong reminder of the trip. 

For this project, my client and I went to Montreal together and selected some new art to add to her collection. And we just got back from an art-buying trip to Mexico City and Oaxaca, where we found some outstanding pottery pieces from a family that goes back a few generations.

How do you foster harmony between traditional and modern elements?
When you have an ornate architectural canvas, it’s important to pay homage to it in some respects and contrast it in others. Adding elements with straight lines and materials without much pattern helps achieve the contrast you need.  

There was so much architectural detail in this home that we decided to keep it very quiet. Rather than changing colors in every room, walls are painted the same pale gray—Benjamin Moore’s Bruton White. We kept the moldings the same color but painted them in a high gloss so they really sparkle. 

Why do you paint ceilings a different color?
I firmly believe that the ceiling plane is vastly underutilized and I’m allergic to ceiling white. To create mood, I paint ceilings in very pale, subliminal colors that people don’t immediately recognize. In this apartment, the paint scheme is consistent; all the ceilings are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Gray Sky. 

How did you upgrade the kitchen without breaking the bank?
The existing materials were nice and installed beautifully. The classic cabinet profile looked good with the crown moldings and fit into the building vernacular really well. We decided to keep the cabinets but re-lacquered them in a pale gray; the paint was sprayed on so the cabinets look factory-finished. Finally, we added exquisite new quartzite countertops and polished-nickel hardware. 

What do you achieve by mixing a variety of metal accents?
Metal is the perfect launching pad for making interiors look more modern; the brushed and polished brass that we see a lot now has a modernity to it. One of my favorite things is to mix warm woods and cold metals. 

Describe the family room transformation.
I wanted to have fun in this room, where 10-foot-tall doors open to a spectacular terrace. The Romo wallpaper has a graphic quality that updated the space beautifully; I chose a complementary dark-gray for the accent wall and picture molding. The coffee table made of burled olive wood with acrylic legs is a play on traditional and modern. Overall, the space is casual but still very elegant.

What advice do you offer clients doing condo renovations?
It’s important to talk to building management early on. Find out what you can and cannot do. See if you can get plans, which is not always possible when you’re dealing with an older building. Once you understand how much flexibility you have with plumbing and electrical, you can work from there. 

Shed light on how and when you use wallpaper.
There are some situations where wallpaper can anchor a space and give it the artistic dimension it needs. And there are others where we might need just a little bit of pattern. That was the case in the primary bedroom. Even though the Phillip Jeffries wallpaper is quiet in terms of color, it has a huge impact in scale. I didn’t want to distract with pattern and color—I wanted to attract and create interest without being overwhelming. ■

ASK JOANNE

What are your favorite sources for art?
I love Susan Calloway’s gallery in Georgetown; the work she curates is excellent. I also send clients to the Torpedo Factory where they can get to know what they like and meet the artists. 

Name your favorite bold shade at the moment.
I’m a huge fan of Benjamin Moore’s Raspberry Blush. It’s a warm pink that’s just fantastic. I will probably try it in a bedroom. 

Share a favorite furniture possession.
A dry sink I bought when I was antiquing with my mom. It has a scalloped edge and original zinc lining. I used it as a changing table and later ended up converting it into a bar. My son once carved his name into it, which adds to its history!

What's a good way to update a vintage piece?
I love painting old wood-framed Bergère chairs in a fun color and jazzing them up with new fabric.

KITCHEN COOL  Big Chill—known for its outside-the-box appliance colors—has seized the moment with Raspberry Red, which approximates the 2023 Pantone hue. Seen here on the 30-inch classic hood with brass trim. bigchill.com

SIGNATURE STYLE  Ligne Roset’s iconic Pumpkin seating collection designed by Pierre Paulin evokes its namesake with a soft, organic structure made of molded polyurethane encased in a quilted cover. Shown in Fuchsia. ligne-roset.com

 TABLE TIME  Resource Furniture’s Ademar Collection features coffee and end tables in oak or walnut, with a variety of wood or lacquer finishes. Pictured, an end table makes a strong statement in Burgundy. resourcefurniture.com

WOVEN WONDER  Columns of abstracted leaves adorn Ecoleaf 5, a jacquard weave from Marcus William that blends polyester, spun viscose and cotton. Find in a choice of nine colorways; Watermelon is pictured. marcuswilliam.com 

BATHING BEAUTY  Fir Italia, a maker of chic plumbing fixtures, recently debuted Custom Outfits, a line of matte and glossy finishes that can be custom colored. The Melrose 70 bath faucet is pictured in bold magenta. fir-italia.it/eng

Lala Curio creates glamorous, bespoke wall coverings and cloisonné tile—made in China using centuries-old techniques. Wolf’s family has been in the business for three generations. “We have access to amazing artisans in Beijing and Suzhou who have retained their craft, so we’re able to give it new life,” she says. 

Wolf studied interior design at Parsons before her stint in fashion. She later earned a master’s degree in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. “Then I decided to go back to my roots and spent three years in rural China working with artisans to create our collections,” she recalls. 

In 2014, Lala Curio was born. The atelier puts a playful spin on traditional cloisonné and on hand-painted and -embroidered silks, many of which are inspired by an archive of 18th-century chinoiseries. “We create haute couture for walls,” says Wolf, who recently relocated from Hong Kong to DC, where her husband grew up. “Everything is made to order so clients can add a personal touch that tells their story.”

Find at Rue IV. lalacurio.com; ruefour.com

The DC makeover, a one-bedroom condo, is the latest stop on a journey that began in 2008 when the owners purchased a two-bedroom unit in the same building with the idea of downsizing (they ended up keeping their McLean home as well). When another unit down the hall came on the market in 2019, the couple—he’s in technology and she’s retired from the telecom industry—jumped at it. “It was an incredible opportunity to create a private suite for out-of-town guests,” the wife recounts. “And we love having an independent environment where we can work or relax.”

Odd angles and a concrete ceiling punctuated by exposed ductwork imparted a quirky, industrial-chic vibe—but that’s where the allure of the builder-grade flat ended. “I knew I wanted to demo the interior when we bought the place,” the wife says. “I needed Joe’s talent to design the layout and architectural elements.”

The 835-square-foot apartment opens into a short hall with a spare room to the right. Straight ahead lies the living/dining area, with the kitchen on one side and doors to the bedroom and bathroom on the other. “Everything in the unit was touched,” Ireland relates. “We gutted the space and reimagined it in soft-modern style with industrial flair.” 

He enlisted Winchester for the job, which included moving a wall in the spare room to widen the galley kitchen; installing eight-foot-tall pocket doors in lieu of the standard ones; and adding a wide panel of decorative frosted glass that admits light to the bedroom from the main area. A niche with a built-in bench turned the nondescript entry hall into a charming foyer that hints at sophisticated finishes to come. 

Ireland embraced the off-kilter window wall. Stone-look, ceramic-tile floors are laid at a diagonal and bespoke furniture follows the same irregular lines. The obtrusive ductwork has been upgraded to a custom, flattened-oval shape. “We covered the ceilings and trim in high-gloss paint to bounce as much light as possible through the unit,” says the designer. The color palette complements powder-coated gray aluminum window frames as well as views of the concrete-and-brick cityscape. 

The prefab kitchen got a glam makeover with Premier Custom-Built cabinets in a gleaming, metallic finish; a swirling Fantasy Brown quartzite countertop; and a wall clad in an antiqued-mirror panel over which a bold, colorful painting is showcased. The original kitchen was open to the living/dining area, but glass upper cabinetry now separates the spaces while still letting in light. 

Throughout the home, an opulent, layered sensibility prevails. Innovations grass-cloth wall coverings in purple and gold hues embellish both the living area and bedroom, while the spare room is clad in a tactile Arte wall covering made of banana bark woven with delicate metal wire. Extravagant patterns crop up on pictorial Pierre Frey wallpaper that makes a sumptuous statement in the bathroom and on a playful Hermès pattern that dresses up the niche by the front door. 

In the bedroom, a richly hued tapestry adorns the wall behind a spare Poliform bed; the designer hung a gilt sunburst atop the fabric, creating a dazzling visual moment. He also designed the bedding, which combines luxurious textiles from Misia Paris, Zak+Fox and Jiun Ho to lavish effect. 

Sleek, custom furniture keeps the vibe light and modern. “Almost everything is artisanal or vintage, with some pieces by local artists and craftspeople,” Ireland notes. In the dining area, a banquette of his design, clad in Holly Hunt velvet, is positioned in front of the window wall; its slender legs channel natural light beneath the seat. An asymmetrical table of sand-blasted, bleached walnut with a concrete base, also designed by Ireland, was fabricated by Michael James Furniture. In the adjacent sitting area, a bespoke sofa angles around a coffee table that doubles as art; its hexagonal glass surface displays a verre églomisé treatment by New York artist Miriam Ellner that glimmers with precious metals, iridescent flakes of mica and crushed abalone. 

Exuberant modern artworks share wall space with a carved-wood panel created on commission by artisanal woodworker Caleb Woodard and chic sconces that provide just the right ambiance. 

The owners are thrilled with their second pied à terre. “It’s fantastic,” enthuses the wife. “I knew Joe could elevate the space into something exceptional. I still get goosebumps when I walk through the door.”

Also appealing was the clean-lined architecture of the center-hall abode. “This is a well-done update of a traditional style,” observes the husband, who works in real-estate investment. But the interior, while beautifully finished with imposing marble accents, felt stark. 

“There’s a lot of black and white and big slabs of stone,” notes the wife. “We wanted to warm it up.”

Envisioning what the husband calls “contemporary, colorful and comfortable” spaces, the owners enlisted designer Catherine Ebert to bring them to life. The brief was clear: Don’t play it too safe. 

“They wanted something bold, with a little bit of drama,” recounts Ebert. “The architecture is sort of substantial—with high ceilings and chunky moldings. The house has a strong personality, so I sought out elements that would meet that moment.”

First, the designer addressed “a sea of drywall.” A plaster-like, decorative-paint finish awakens the living room walls while wall coverings animate several other spaces. A textured-vinyl selection from Phillip Jeffries, for instance, lends the powder room off the foyer a “glam-pow” presence, says Ebert. “Wallpaper is a wonderful way to differentiate spaces and add personality. It takes walls from blah to fabulous really quickly.”

New furniture was a must, given that few of the owners’ existing pieces measured up in scale. Ebert sourced unusual finds to amplify the interest. For evidence, look no further than the foyer’s black-and-gray console, which sports a malachite faux finish. The designer explains, “I was looking for a wide variety of ways to introduce special materials, textures and finishes throughout to give the house the substance and richness that it needed.” 

When Ebert had trouble finding the perfect piece for a space, she designed one herself. The living room’s sculptural coffee tables—with lacquered bases and smoked-glass tops—serve as illustration. “That room is really rectilinear,” she notes. “I wanted to add a layer of movement and organic shape.” For the husband’s home office, which lies just off the living room, she conjured a desk that cleverly conceals electrical outlets and wires in its base cabinet.

The owners’ preference for vivid hues dictated many selections. Take, for example, the green-velvet chaise resting on a custom-colored, splatter-print rug in the living room. “Whenever there was a choice between a safer option and a stronger option,” the designer reveals, “they always went for the stronger one.”

Ebert also curated a collection of art to bring in more color. “We had some big walls to fill,” she says. “I helped identify those places that needed robust artwork.” Hanging in the dining room, a powerful abstract painting by April Midkiff “energizes the vista down the entry hall.” The family room’s happy Hunt Slonem piece, depicting multi-hued finches, “provides a perfect segue to the outdoors,” accessible through steel-framed sliding doors.

In that family hangout space, which opens to the kitchen and breakfast nook, the designer balanced the couple’s request for a grown-up feel with practical considerations. A teal-toned performance fabric from Lark Fontaine clads the sofa. The Tulip table and indestructible chairs in the casual dining area can be wiped with a sponge. “We plan on raising our kids here,” states the husband. “We didn’t want stuff that we would feel uncomfortable having a two-year-old sit on.”

Upstairs, the primary suite serves as a soothing escape for the parents. Ebert encased the bedroom in monochromatic shades of dusty blue, starting with faux-silk wall covering from Phillip
Jeffries. “The clients are very well-traveled,” says the designer. “I was trying to call up that luxurious hotel-bedroom vibe.” 

Wallpaper bedecks the en-suite kids’ bedrooms too. The quirky Shattered pattern by Abnormals Anonymous enlivens the daughter’s pad. And a starry covering lines the ceiling of the son’s nursery. As fun as these spaces are, the lower level is, perhaps, the ultimate kids’ zone; its rope swing and climbing wall are popular neighborhood attractions. The basement also comprises a TV-viewing area, kitchenette and guest suite.

The owners appreciated the parental point of view that Ebert, who has children a little older than theirs, brought to the project. “I really wanted a home that felt elegant but was functional,” reveals the wife. “Without Catherine’s perspective, we might have ended up with a house that was really beautiful but hard to live in. This house strikes the right balance and works for our daily living.”

RESOURCES

THROUGHOUT
Windows & Exterior Doors: marvin.com.

FOYER
Flooring: petradevelopment.co. Stairs & Railing Fabrication: Century Stair Company; 703-754-4163. Stool: kravet.com. Console: bradleyusa.com. Paint: Snowbound Vases by sherwin-wiliams.com.

LIVING ROOM
Fireplace Surround: petrastonegallery.com. Chaise: modshop1.com. Chase Fabric: Sahco through kvadrat.dk/en. Coffee tables: Custom by catherineebertinteriors.com. Rug: artandloom.com. Game Chairs: arteriorshome.com. Lounge Chairs: vintage Marco Zanuso. Game Chair fabric: larsenfabrics.com. Lounge Chair Fabric: zimmer-rohde.com. Center Table: m2l.com. Roman Shades: conradshades.com. Art: Owners’ collection. Wall Treatment: twindiamonds.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinets: binovamilano.com through petradevelopment.co. Island & Backsplash: petrastonegallery.com. Pendants: rh.com. Range & Refrigerator: mieleusa.com. Pot Filler: waterworks.com. Countertop & Sink: petrastonegallery.com. Bar Stools: m2l.com.

BREAKFAST ROOM
Chandelier: rh.com. Table: dwr.com. Chairs: m2l.com. Art: Owners’ collection.

DINING ROOM
Art: April Midkiff through merrittgallery.com. Table: hellman-chang.com. Chairs: gubi.com. Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Wall Covering: phillipjeffries.com. Chandelier: gabriel-scott.com. Sideboard: bethanygray.com. Mirror: arteriorshome.com.

FAMILY ROOM
Sofa: hickorychair.com. Sofa Fabric: larkfontaine.com. Rug: carpetimpressions.com. Coffee Table: Owners’ collection. Pedestal Table: westelm.com. Leather Chair & Ottoman: hermanmiller.com. Frame TV Art: Hunt Slonem through merrittgallery.com. Paint: Snowbound by sherwin-williams.com.

POWDER ROOM
Sconce & Vanity: rh.com. Wall Covering: phillipjeffries.com. Fixtures: waterworks.com.

OFFICE
Desk: Custom by catherineebertinteriors.com. Chair: dwr.com. Desk Lamp: circalighting.com. Shades: conradshades.com. Drapery Fabric: larsenfabrics.com. Drapery Fabrication: rockvilleinteriors.com. Paint: Snowbound by sherwin-williams.com.

OWNERS’ BEDROOM
Bed: aneesupholstery.com. Bedding: matouk.com. Night Table: madegoods.com. Table Lamp: kravet.com. Drapery Fabric: romo.com. Drapery Fabrication: rockvilleinteriors.com. Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Chair & Ottoman: dwr.com. Pedestal: westelm.com. Wall Covering: phillipjeffries.com. Bureau: centuryfurniture.com. Art by Bureau: Owners’ collection. Art above Bed: Amy Donaldson through  merrittgallery.com.

CHILD’S ROOM
Bed, Night Table & Hutch: newportcottages.com. Bedding: craneandcanopy.com. Chair: vintage. Chair Fabric: janechurchill.com. Table Lamp: westelm.com. Wallpaper: abnormalsanonymous.com. Rug: carpetimpressions.com. Shade Fabric: larkfontaine.com; samuelandsons.com. Shade Fabrication: rockvilleinteriors.com.

NURSERY
Crib & Chair: Owners’ collection. Rug: romo.com. Shade Fabric: fschumacher.com; samuelandsons.com. Shade Fabrication: rockvilleinteriors.com. Wall Paint: Pale Smoke by benjaminmoore.com. Wallpaper: hyggeandwest.com. Shelf: newportcottages.com.

BASEMENT
Storage Unit: us.usm.com through m2l.com. Art: Amber Goldhammer through merrittgallery.com. Paint: Snowbound by sherwin-williams.com.

“Everything was from scratch,” Schmidt recalls. “The client’s only proviso to me was ‘do your magic.’”

The three-story stucco, glass and brick house strikes a dramatic presence on its quarter-acre corner lot. There are six bedrooms, five and a half baths, a multi-feature recreation room on the lower level and a roof deck up top. The foyer and primary bedroom are double-height spaces, enhanced by floating staircases with glass railings. 

Designed and built on spec by Prime Solutions Group, the 7,000-square-foot house was purchased in the spring of 2021 by a CEO from New York and his wife, who have two young children. Seeking help in selecting furniture and art for the main level and bedrooms, the owners discovered the Ashburn, Virginia, designer behind JWS Interiors through social media.

“The husband reached out,” explains Schmidt, whose Instagram followers number in the six figures. Her online posts show a taste for creamy textiles on cushy sofas, monumental marble coffee tables, spare architectural lighting and a touch of humanizing handiwork, be it a wooden stool, a woven rush seat or a coal-black ceramic bowl. It’s the warm side of modernism, but totally fashion-forward. Schmidt’s projects demonstrate a penchant for art that pops, including a sassy image of Marilyn Monroe blowing an enormous bubble of pink gum—though whether her Miami client sprang for the $30,000 limited edition or the $15 reproduction poster is not revealed. 

In fact, the designer’s success on the Bethesda project rested as much on her ability to marry high and low elements. “I combined high- and medium-end with custom to create an entirely custom look,” she says. “That’s how I stayed on budget.” 

The Bethesda home had been staged for sale as a glam singles pad—not for a couple with two kids and a dog in tow. Schmidt, who has two teenage daughters, understood that the family would appreciate comfort over cool metal and glass. “I wanted it to feel naturally modern and comfortable,” says the designer, who set out to create clean, airy interiors that evoke a sense of serenity. “I started with a white canvas so it would all flow.”

She went for drama in the foyer. A clean-lined marble console of her own design rests below a bold digital photo collage by Australian artist Dina Broadhurst. 

In the main-level living spaces, the existing envelope of white walls and European white oak floors is enlivened by strategically placed windows. Schmidt softened the floor-to-ceiling glass with simple linen panels over sheers in the family room. “The house gets amazing light,” she says. “I wanted to incorporate natural sunlight and play off that with the furniture.” Nubby textiles look touchable, and they are: They have been professionally sprayed for stain resistance.

Significantly, the designer defined the primary living area not as formal living and dining spaces, but as a laid-back family room and eat-in kitchen. For maximum functionality, the family room is organized in two conversation groups: one by the fireplace, the other facing the opposite wall. In keeping with Schmidt’s more relaxed concept, she scouted popular retailers such as CB2, West Elm and RH for casual but stylish furnishings; choices were guided by availability, practicality and her particular aesthetic. She elevated the look with custom designs including a statement marble coffee table, a chair that conjures a nomadic past and an oversized, upholstered ottoman. “I wanted the home to read as naturally modern and comfortable, really just a clean, airy feel,” she says. 

To the left of the foyer is the husband’s home office. Schmidt papered one wall with Kelly Wearstler’s Crescent, an oversized geometric pattern in an ebony colorway. Behind the desk hangs a painting by David Carlson; a second work by the Arlington artist and community activist was commissioned for the owners’ bedroom, furnished with a custom upholstered bed and vintage chairs. A loft accessed from a floating staircase in the primary bedroom is staged as a tranquil retreat and yoga studio. A sauna was added to an existing bathroom that Schmidt detailed in black marble. She also applied her aesthetic in two upstairs children’s bedrooms and a serene guest room.

The owners were able to move in after a remarkably quick 10-month decorating process. “My clients were very easy to work with,” says the designer. “The attitude was, ‘Just show me your designs; you’re the professional.’ It was a dream project for me.”

“We loved its uniqueness, and while many finishes weren’t our style, we thought we could make changes and preserve the home’s quirkiness in a way that felt more like us,” recounts the wife, a photographer. She and her software-engineer husband took the plunge, then turned to designer Ann Gottlieb for help realizing their vision. “We’re big fans of dark and moody spaces with some weight to them—not light and airy,” the photographer explains.

Gottlieb embraced the challenge, which included revamping the great room and primary suite as well as making smaller fixes throughout the house. Says the designer, “We reflected the owners’ quirky vision—but with a livable-modern twist.”

Describe your clients’ vision and how you achieved it.
They requested a “Spanish-Revival-meets-Gothic” aesthetic—and those terms were my springboard. I used to work at Gensler on commercial projects, and part of my job was researching architectural eras for historical restorations. For this project, I researched Gothic and ancient and modern Spanish architecture to understand exactly what they wanted. 

How did the owners determine which architectural elements to keep?
A lot of elements were interesting but not relatable to them; the stained glass, for instance, depicted violent scenes they didn’t want their young son to see. But they kept antique Chinese pocket doors separating the great room from an adjacent lounge, and hand-carved wall panels in the gallery, among other features. 

What alterations took place in the great room?
We replaced a massive limestone fireplace with one of more livable proportions. The new fireplace has a sculptural stucco surround with soft edges—a nod to Spanish Revival. The insert is made of dark, marble-look Dekton, a favorite finish of mine. Ceiling beams were reinstalled to accommodate a new lighting plan and we stained the ceiling dark. 

At 16-by-30 feet, the great room is huge. How did you make it feel intimate?
All the tones in the room are on the warmer side to keep them inviting and comfortable. And I made sure to maintain a human scale in my design. For instance, I was dead set on sizing the mantel so you’re not craning your neck to watch TV above it. A mix of soft textures and metals balances the room.

How did you introduce Gothic influences?
Largely through lighting, which is modern with a dark, ornate edge. An example is the gold-leaf Corbett Theory chandelier in the great room. We also chose a massive Hubbardton Forge chandelier with a Gothic feel for the foyer. Lighting was a major factor in the design concept; we went big to fit the size of the rooms.

Explain how lighting improves a space.
Lighting provides mood, drama and contrast. Without it, even beautiful finishes can look bad. And you need to be able to set the scene for the time of day and what you’re doing. Residential lighting should be cozy and warm, never above 3000 on the Kelvin scale. All lights should be on dimmers. 

Discuss how the powder room evolved.
I originally came up with a pretty scheme based on soothing wallpaper. When I presented it to my clients, they said, “we need something darker.” It felt a bit like a challenge—so I came back with a stack of the scariest wallpaper samples I could find. They picked a Clarke & Clarke paper I found locally at Kravet with a motif of a gorilla in the form of a skeleton. 

Outline changes to the main bath.
We combined adjacent full and half baths to enlarge the primary bath, now clad in deep blue-gray Zellige tiles. Quartz countertops on a custom vanity are folded down in front to convey the appearance of a thick concrete slab. Inside the shower, a bench of the same material makes it a kid-friendly space. Gold cabinet pulls were installed sideways, which added a kind of wacky interest. These clients were open and willing to think outside the box. 

Characterize the vibe in the primary bedroom.
The owners wanted a calm, soothing place where they could relax and chill out. We selected Wish, an atmospheric, textured mural wall covering by Phillip Jeffries. They requested a super-tall headboard and I found what they wanted at RH. We loved the Arteriors sconces with tassels on them.

Do you prefer residential over commercial design?
Yes, I find the clients are often more creative. My inner crazy is better satisfied with residential design!

What inspires you at the start of a project?
I put together fabrics that help me think about color, texture and pattern, even if I don’t end up using them. How I build finishes is what informs my choice of other elements.

Favorite item you own?
I like Scandinavian furniture with fur on it. In my bedroom, I have the &Tradition Little Petra chair covered in sheepskin. It makes me feel happy.

Current trend you embrace?
I will always try to put mid-century classics into my projects—Knoll, Carl Hansen. These are investment pieces that will be cool 200 years from now. 

Go-to local shopping spot for home goods?
Vivid Chill in Great Falls and Mosaic District. Furniture From Scandinavia, Merrifield Garden Center. I like to collect for shoots and give my finds to the clients afterwards.

The Houses and Collections of Marjorie Merriweather Post: The Joy of It (Rizzoli Eclecta, 2022) celebrates the philanthropist and art patron’s residences and personal collections. Written by Hillwood’s curatorial staff and full of lavish photography, the book opens the doors to Post’s illustrious homes, from Florida’s Mar-a-Lago to her beloved estate in DC. Hillwood’s French drawing room is pictured below.  

Beyond Bold: Inspiration, Collaboration, Evolution (Pointed Leaf Press, 2022) traces the evolution of DC landscape firm OvS. Featuring 320 pages of vibrant photography, the book written by OvS principals pays tribute to the firm’s late founders, Wolfgang Oehme and James van Sweden, and details how the duo’s legacy lives on.

TONE ON TONE
Pieces of handwoven abaca inlaid with delicate bias-cut metal are assembled to create Staccato-Abaca, a tonal geometric pattern by Scalamandré. Available in Heron (pictured above) and Caramel. scalamandre.com

OUT OF INDIA
Holly Hunt’s Ponti wall covering pays homage to Pondicherry (now known as Puducherry), an Indian city famous for its vibrant rugs and fabrics. A tight pattern of multi-colored horizontal stripes resembling woven textiles achieves the look. hollyhunt.com

COOL CORK
Designed by David Rockwell for Maya Romanoff, Porto Elo wall covering conjures interwoven chain link on a surface made of sustainably harvested, hand-inlaid cork atop metallic foil. Find in nine color combinations; Bacchus Blue is pictured above. mayaromanoff.com

CONJURING THE COSMOS
Cork meets wood veneer in Cosmic Cork, a handcrafted wall covering by Phillip Jeffries that evokes a starry, three-dimensional collage atop a metallic, colored ground. Offered in six colorways. phillipjeffries.com

The couple detoured to find a vacant, four-story abode in a wooded cove on two acres fronting a Patuxent River tributary near the Chesapeake Bay. Shaped like a tall lantern, the modern home immediately struck a chord. “We fell in love and kept driving back on weekends to see it,” Stehlik recalls. “Eventually, we started bringing picnics and sitting on the deck.”

The duo decided to take the leap and, after their 2016 move-in, learned the 2,700-square-foot find was even more extraordinary than they’d imagined. It was designed as a personal weekend retreat by Lynford Snell, an architect who’d relocated from Seattle to DC for a government job. Like Frank Lloyd Wright, Snell’s program embraced organic materials and also carefully orchestrated views of nature. Word has it that Snell and his wife completed much of the construction themselves. Though the architect has passed away, she stayed in the home until the stairs became a burden and then put it on the market. “We are only the second owners,” marvels Stehlik.

Essentially, he and his partner had landed an unadulterated,  late-’70s time capsule complete with a sunken living room, two-sided stone hearth, Mexican Saltillo tile floors, bespoke cherry cabinetry and working light fixtures designed by the architect.

Aside from making a few repairs, replacing fixtures and appliances and revamping woefully outdated bathrooms, the new owners decided to preserve their escape’s retro vibe. “We really enjoy the vintage feel. It’s meant to be a casual space that gets us away from DC and everything being perfect,” explains Stehlik. “I have no desire for it to look like me or my work. I feel that my job is to maintain the architect’s vision and respond to it with enhancements and furnishings that befit the bones of the house.”

Ushering a guest into the compact foyer, the designer is quick to invoke Frank Lloyd Wright. “In my mind,” he says, “this feels like Wright’s philosophy, where he brings you into an enclosed entryway and then allows it to widen into the thing you want to enjoy most.”

The hall leads to an open living, kitchen and dining area where windows frame vistas of the river and woods in a carefully organized fashion. According to Stehlik, the symmetry was intentional. “I immediately picked up on how thoughtful Snell was,” he observes. “The house is set on a four-foot grid and it’s oriented exactly south. Deep overhangs on all the floors help in the summer with heat gain while in the winter we benefit from the sun.”

On the main level, friends can gather in the airy sunroom, the sunken living room or in a suspended wooden loft above it where the couple watches TV. “It’s a hang-out space that makes me think of Swiss Family Robinson,” says Stehlik. The second and third floors are devoted to the guest and owners’ suites, respectively; each boasts a renovated bathroom and balcony. A fourth-floor observatory is ringed by windows, affording a scenic, 360-degree panorama.

Stehlik furnished the home with new and vintage pieces that mesh with a mid-century oeuvre. A blue Room & Board sectional delivers a pop of color in the living area. “I wouldn’t ordinarily select a bright color for myself,” the designer explains, “but I felt like the house needed some energy.”

One change the owners recently made was staining the exterior cedar siding and decking black. “We were inspired by other modern homes clad in shou sugi ban wood,” says Stehlik, “and thought without great expense we could preserve the exteriors in a finish that allows the textured wood to show through.”

The couple trades Washington’s bustle for the serenity of the shore almost every weekend, often hosting guests. They kayak around the cove, while a 15-minute trip in their motor boat lands them at Solomons Island for dinner. They also enjoy an up-close connection with local flora and fauna, watching the osprey return to roost every spring and the chestnut oaks turn a brilliant yellow each fall. “It’s fun to recognize the rhythms of nature,” Stehlik reflects.

After a busy week, both partners begin to unwind on the trip to Hollywood. “We always bring a big bag of work that never gets opened,” Stehlik admits. “Once we’re here, we realize there’s value in that balance. It re-energizes us and makes us excited to get back to DC on Sunday night.”

Interior & Bathroom Design: Michael Stehlik, Stehlik Design, Washington, DC. Bathroom Renovation Contractor: DMV Kitchen & Bath, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland.