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“With more people working at home, the formal living room is often repurposed as a library/home office. By adding a wall of shelving, a custom desk as a focal point and comfortable seating, a traditional living room can be transformed.” —Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors |
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“Formal living spaces depend on the client. Is the room intended for game night? Cocktails before the fireplace? Displaying art and books? I adjust structural elements—windows, fireplaces, architectural lighting, trim—then add personality through furnishings, finishes, custom cabinetry, decorative lighting and art.” —Ann Gottlieb, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, Ann Gottlieb Design PLLC |
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“The formal living room was always the forbidden space. My clients now want it to be a multi-purpose room where kids can hang or a neighbor can stop by for a glass of wine. It should be practical and functional to fit your life.” —Laura (Fox) Wolff, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC |
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“The stately living room has gone the way of the ladies’ corset. Today, people want rooms that invite daily living—reading, work, conversation, games. When living rooms are small, I will focus on one conversational grouping and avoid a sofa. With more space, I like multiple groupings and a game table for activities.” —Josh Hildreth, Josh Hildreth Interiors |
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“The formal living room is not dead. I have clients who prefer an open-concept space, but plenty of people live a more formal life with bigger homes. Even formal should be comfortable; it should invite people in.” —Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiors |
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Cathy Purple Cherry Purple Cherry Architects |
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Bonnie Ammon Bonnie Ammon Interiors |
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Laura Hildebrandt Interiors by LH, LLCPHOTO: Robert Radifera |
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Samantha Sopp-Wittwer Interior Concepts, Inc.PHOTO: Geoffrey Hodgdon Photography |
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Sarita Simpson Interior Matter |
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Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas Interiors by Design, LLC |
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Melanie Whittington Whittington Design Studio |
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Kirsten Kaplan Haus Interior Design |
The Mid-Atlantic chapter of the Professional Remodeling Organization (PRO) announced its 2023 PRO Remodeler of the Year Awards during a February 11 gala at the DoubleTree by Hilton in McLean.
The awards go to remodeling and custom-building projects in DC, Maryland and Virginia; this year, judges reviewed 119 entries in 35 categories. Media sponsor Home & Design gave its Award of Excellence to a project by Anthony Wilder Design/Build. All the award-winning projects are listed below and can be viewed on the chapter’s website, promidatlantic.org.
Home & Design Award of Excellence
Anthony Wilder Design/Build
Basement under $150,000
GRAND: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
MERIT: House to Home Solutions
FINALIST: HIVEX Basement Finishing Co.
Basement $150,000 and over
GRAND: Spectrum Design Build
MERIT: TriVistaUSA Design + Build
FINALIST: Moss Building & Design
Creative Solutions
GRAND: Mosss Building & Design
Entire House under $500,000
GRAND: Moss Building & Design
MERIT: Finesse Design Remodeling
FINALIST: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Entire House $500,000 to $750,000
GRAND: Blue Star
MERIT: RessaBuilt
FINALIST: Marks-Woods Construction Services
Entire House over $750,000
GRAND: Blue Star
MERIT: Landis Architects/Builders
MERIT: TriVistaUSA Design + Build
FINALIST: BOWA
Green—Entire House/Addition
GRAND: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
New Custom Home 4,500 square feet
GRAND: OPaL Design Build
New Custom Home 4,500 square feet and over
GRAND: WINN Design + Build
Residential Addition under $250,000
GRAND: Marks-Woods Construction Services
MERIT: Marks-Woods Construction Services
FINALIST: Grossmueller’s Design Consultants
Residential Addition $250,000 to $500,000
GRAND: Pristine Acres
MERIT: Marks-Woods Construction Services
FINALIST: Schroeder Design/Build
Residential Addition over $500,000
MERIT: Marks-Woods Construction Services
FINALIST: TriVistaUSA Design + Build
Residential Bath under $50,000
GRAND: Blue Star
MERIT: The Levine Group Architects + Builders
FINALIST: MW Burke
Residential Bath $50,000 to $100,000
GRAND: Kingston Design Remodeling
MERIT: Blue Star
FINALIST: Marks-Woods Construction Services
Residential Bath over $100,000
GRAND: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
MERIT: Case Architects & Remodelers
FINALIST: Hopkins & Porter Construction
Residential Detached Structure
GRAND: OPaL Design Build
Residential Exterior Element $30,000 and over
GRAND: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists
Residential Exterior Element under $30,000
GRAND: House to Home Solutions
Residential Exterior under $100,000
GRAND: Marks-Woods Construction Services
MERIT: Daniels Design & Remodeling
FINALIST: Lofft Construction
Residential Exterior $100,000 to $200,000
GRAND: Bowers Design Build
MERIT: The Levine Group Architects + Builders
MERIT: House to Home Solutions
Residential Exterior over $200,000
GRAND: Bowers Design Build
MERIT: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
FINALIST: WINN Design + Build
Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration under $250,000
GRAND: Marks-Woods Construction Services
FINALIST: Gilday Renovations
Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration $250,000 and over
GRAND: Bowers Design Build
MERIT: Marks-Woods Construction Services
FINALIST: OPaL Design Build
Residential Interior Element under $30,000
GRAND: Blue Star
MERIT: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists
MERIT: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists
FINALIST: Marks-Woods Construction Services
Residential Interior under $250,000
GRAND: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists
MERIT: Marks-Woods Construction Services
FINALIST: Bowers Design Build
FINALIST: Finesse Design Remodeling
Residential Interior $250,000 to $500,000
GRAND: Bowers Design Build
MERIT: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists
FINALIST: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Residential Interior over $500,000
GRAND: Anthony Wilder Design/Build
MERIT: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Residential Kitchen under $75,000
GRAND: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
MERIT: Marks-Woods Construction Services
FINALIST: Anchor Landscape and Property Services
Residential Kitchen $75,000 to $150,000
GRAND: Moss Building & Design
MERIT: Marks-Woods Construction Services
MERIT: Case Architects & Remodelers
FINALIST: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Residential Kitchen over $150,000
GRAND: Anthony Wilder Design/Build
MERIT: Marks-Woods Construction Services
FINALIST: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
FINALIST: Case Architects & Remodelers
Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Area under $100,000
GRAND: Blue Star
Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Area $100,000 to $250,000
GRAND: Grossmueller’s Design Consultants
MERIT: House to Home Solutions
MERIT: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living Area over $250,000
GRAND: Pristine Acres
MERIT: Pristine Acres
FINALIST: WINN Design + Build
Universal Design—Entire House/Addition
GRAND: Atlas Moran Construction
MERIT: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Universal Design—Interiors
GRAND: House to Home Solutions
On March 15th, Home&Design celebrated its Spring 2023 issue with a festive event at USA Cabinet Store in Fairfax. Guests mingled and enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres while exploring the showroom’s stylish kitchen installations.
After a home renovation, EBLA was asked to reimagine the sloped front of the property with a better approach; to solve drainage challenges; and to create a unified feel between the remodeled home and a new, separate garage on the property.
“We redefined access via a formal walkway from the street and a secondary, informal walkway to the front of the house,” says principal and founder Ed Ball. “We also regraded the front yard for drainage and redesigned the plantings.” A pergola attached to the house serves as a visual connection between the house and garage; layered plant materials, vines and a flagstone walkway were also added. A firepit and outdoor kitchen occupy one side of the property. Walkways also lead to the backyard.
Highlights
EBLA
703-433-1863 — landscapearchitectnorthernvirginia.com
Homeowners in Falls Church had just completed a new traditional home with a rustic workshop on the property. They hired JHLA to devise a landscape plan that would connect the two disparate structures.
Principal Jennifer Horn created a croquet court that flows between the buildings, with Colonial steppers creating access across elevations. Her planting and hardscape choices reflect the style of each, with heirloom species, bluestone and formal edging around the house while natives interspersed with boulders and irregular flagstones adorn the workshop area. Says Horn, “Plant selection is key. It can enhance architecture in subtle yet profound ways. Our planting plan connects two spaces while creating a bespoke mix of species.”
Highlights
Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture
202-573-7581 — jh-la.com
Collaborating with clients on a design inspiration they were looking to bring to life, Sisson Landscapes created a beautiful and functional space for this DC home. Our designers took into account the requirements and desires for this small yet essential space as it serves as the access from the parking in the rear of the home. As the principal vista from the back of the home the design also needed to be eye catching. To contrast the angular red brick of the house and walls, Sisson created a serpentine gray cobblestone path amid Jacquemontii birch trees, providing opportunity for shade perennials with chartreuse foliage. The bespoke gate connects the garden space to the outside. The landscape illumination provides evening interest using path lights and up lighting, giving depth, dimension, and visibility.
Highlights
Sisson Landscapes
703-759-2012 — sissonlandscapes.com
Fine Earth Landscape emphasizes personalized customer service and long-term client relationships—exemplified by this award-winning landscape, which the company has maintained for more than two decades. Over the years, the team has planted every plant on the property, which is manicured weekly throughout the growing season. Care includes beds, weeding, pruning and turf. All the shrubs, including the many boxwoods, are hand-pruned without shears in a horticulturally correct manner. Thousands of annuals are planted every season. Special attention has been paid to the exquisite cutting garden—one of the owners’ favorite features of their landscape.
Highlights
Fine Earth Landscape
301-972-8810 — fineearth.com
Grow Landscapes was tapped to install a landscape conceived by Campion Hruby Landscape Architects. The extensive project encompassed a swimming pool with a water feature, a pavilion with a wood-burning fireplace, retaining walls, patios and abundant plantings.
The Grow team began by removing and storing existing custom fencing and gates, so as to ensure access to the sloped backyard. They implemented Campion Hruby’s drainage system, then created a thermal, full-color flagstone pool deck that surrounds the pool. Low retaining walls around the pool are veneered with brick to match the house.
Highlights
A semi-in-ground pool integrates the natural slope of the property to create a multi-level living area
A monolithic water feature is set into hand-chiseled building stone laid with dry mortar joints
The pavilion is distinguished by exposed rafters and beams, a standing-seam aluminum roof and a fireplace that matches the water wall
Lush plantings keep the extensive stonework from over-powering the space and blends with the surrounding woods
Grow Landscapes
703-771-1003 — growlandscapes.com
JCLD transformed the small, run-of-the-mill side yard of an in-town residence into a flourishing garden and entertainment space. “The client felt exposed because the homes are close together and several stories tall with views into her fenced area,” explains principal Jennifer Connoley, who designed a raised planter and a strategically placed trellis that extends above the six-foot fence to address the privacy issue. She and her team replaced a ramshackle porch with a new stone one and installed brick steps, a dining patio, a raised bed, a brick fire pit patio, drainage infrastructure, a custom water feature, lighting and new landscaping. From wide wrap-around steps and traditional stone-and-brick masonry to the simple wooden trellis, the material palette conveys a sense of timeless elegance.
Highlights
The owners of a 1910 residence on the Tred Avon River tapped Jennifer Connoley Landscape Design to revamp their half-acre Oxford, Maryland, property. The project demolished outdated existing structures, including a chicken coop and outhouse to make way for a long list of improvements: a stone patio, an outdoor kitchen, a pergola, a kitchen garden, a stormwater retention area, a front walk, parking areas, paths and redesigned fencing. The home sports a modern farmhouse feel, so the owners specified an understated aesthetic with a focus on form, function and water views. JCLD blended non-invasive and native plantings to create color, texture and all-season appeal with an emphasis on tolerance of both wet and dry conditions.
Highlights
Jennifer Connoley Landscape Design
410-200-1563 —jcld-landscapedesign.com
The owners of a small corner lot in McLean envisioned their backyard as an oasis from the bustle of the neighborhood. They tapped Pristine Acres to fulfill a wish list that included a pool, a covered structure, an outdoor kitchen and an open expanse of lawn. They specified a clean-lined aesthetic to complement their home’s modern architecture.
Pristine Acres devised an attached pavilion with a built-in kitchen and space for gathering. It overlooks the pool, which is anchored at the far end by a sheer-descent water feature. Retaining walls made of ipe and porcelain tile enclose the yard; they’re softened by terraced gardens of perennials and shrubbery. Sand-blasted marble paves the pool deck and an ipe ceiling animates the pavilion.
HighLights
Pristine Acres
877-333-5651 — pristineacres.com
Wheat’s was tasked with designing a lush garden and hardscape to surround a centerpiece pool. After masterminding the addition of a stormwater management and drainage system, landscape designer Mark Finlayson, CPH, and his team took cues from the home’s modern architecture, devising a stream-lined backyard oasis centered around the 15-by-30-foot pool. Thermal bluestone stepping-stones are separated by Mondo grass joints and polished pebbles to convey a clean, contemporary look that complements the house.
The landscape palette features holly and Green Giant arborvitae for privacy, softened by ornamental Japanese maples, fastigiate hornbeams and crape myrtle. Flowering shrubs and perennials such as oakleaf hydrangea, hypericum, Virginia sweetspire, Amsonia, and grasses enhance visual interest via texture and color contrast.
Highlights
Wheat’s Lawn and Custom Landscape
703-641-4790 — wheats.com
1. While masterminding a modern addition to an historic 17th-century, log-and-stone dwelling, its owner, an architect, tapped Colao & Peter to overhaul the landscape. “We created a private entrance gate with a circular driveway; renovated the swimming pool; devised a Japanese garden; and added masonry walls, steps and walkways, as well as plantings throughout the property,” recounts partner and landscape architect JR Peter. He and his design team employed stone in the landscape plan that complements both the addition and the original structure, creating a visual bridge between old and new.
Highlights
Colao & Peter began as stone -and-masonry company Colao Stone. Partner Joe Colao comes from a long line of stone masons, while partner JR Peter is a landscape architect who creates complex projects featuring pools, spas, decks, carpentry, masonry, hardscape and landscape. In business for over two decades, Colao & Peter maintains a client-first, no-ego approach, from consultation to completion.
2. When creating a landscape to complement a lodge-style abode in Winchester, Virginia, Colao & Peter conjured the right look with a natural-look stone veneer and boulder accents. The finished project includes a pool, spa, pool deck, fire pit and hardscape.
3. Hired to renovate a dull, outdated pool in Oakton, Virginia, Colao & Peter replaced cracked concrete decking with imported limestone bordered by bluestone. Lighting and firebowls atop masonry walls add interest.
Colao & Peter
703-553-0123 — colaopeter.com
Clients hired Michael Prokopchak of Walnut Hill to transform an aging property in Annapolis. The project entailed renovating a pool; creating a deck; reorienting and replacing the driveway to improve parking and incorporate lush plantings to complement the architecture of the home.
“The design was conceived to have the least impact on the local waterway,” says Prokopchak. “Native plantings offset the increase in lot coverage, while hardscape is designed to meet impervious requirements. Having a firm grasp of the local permit requirements ensured that we could stay one step ahead.” Plantings provide year-round color and texture. Pennsylvania bluestone crisply defines the front stairs, walkways, pool coping and wall caps.
Highlights
Walnut Hill Landscape Company
410-349-3105 — walnuthilllandscape.com
