Warmth of Wood An airy addition takes advantage of sweeping Magothy River views See More...

Bedroom Eyes Custom builder Marnie Oursler creates a weekend getaway on the Severn River in Annapolis See More...

City Vista Interior Concepts, Inc., conjures a chic, modern retreat with views of Baltimore Harbor See More...

From a 17th-floor corner unit in the sleek, newly built Cheval Bethesda condominium, a panorama unfolds through 40 feet of floor-to-ceiling windows. Large swaths of green are punctuated by rooftops, while the National Cathedral and Tysons skyline are visible beyond.

This breathtaking vista greeted architect Mark McInturff when he first visited, hired by owners who’d fallen in love with the view from their three-bedroom dwelling but were unhappy with its builder-grade finishes. “You’re already halfway there; this is what it’s all about,” the architect told them. 

The retired couple—he was a franchisee and she owned an art gallery—share a strong modernist aesthetic. “Our vision was for a minimalist, elegant and personal space,” says the wife, who retained an extensive contemporary art collection. “I wanted to feel we were floating, with lots of light and airiness. My thought was to bring in color with the art but let the architecture shine on its own terms.”

McInturff and project architect David Mogensen enlisted a team that included designer Sophie Prévost and contractor Justin Barrows of Added Dimensions for the job. There were two mandates: Bring in a higher level of materials and detailing; and create display space for art. The wife “knew exactly where each piece was going,” McInturff notes. “Most people start with millwork and construction, but we worked everything around the art. It was a fun place to start.”

Since the bones of the building were good, major structural changes were deemed unnecessary. The architects homed in on a drywall partition separating the glass-walled, open-plan dining/living areas from the kitchen. They replaced the plain white expanse with a wall of finely detailed millwork and built-in shelves and cabinets that extends the length of the room. Composed of white oak and blackened steel, the structure serves dual purposes: Shelves on the living/dining side create display and storage space while appliances and cupboards are integrated on the kitchen side. A pocket door connecting the dining area and kitchen was replaced with a white oak and blackened-steel version.

McInturff and Mogensen ultimately extended the built-ins even farther, wrapping them around the corner and into the foyer, where a pocket door of blackened steel keeps the kitchen separate—though round perforations in the door allow a whimsical glimpse inside. More millwork and a low-slung white oak shelf line a gallery wall in the living room showcasing large canvases against a blackened-steel backdrop. And white oak and blackened steel also crop up in the guest room and home office as built-in desks and shelving. “We actually were furniture designers on this project as well,” McInturff observes.

Hiding a boring soffit on the living/dining area’s concrete ceiling led to what he and Mogensen call “clouds”—dropped ceiling sections that gently follow the room’s curved lines and delineate furniture groupings. “The clouds allowed us to install recessed and cove lighting and add other fixtures where we wanted them,” Mogensen explains, noting the wife’s request for adjustable art lighting. 

Before beginning the interior design phase, Prévost visited the owners at their previous stand-alone home in DC. “They wanted the new space to be elegant and serene but a little playful with color,” she recounts. “I spent time looking at their artwork for ideas. I chose classic, modern furniture—not too much ego, just simple, clean shapes.” Low-profile pieces in neutral fabrics let both art and views take center stage—with the notable exception of a sculptural Poltrona Frau chair in the living area that pops in bold orange.

Working closely with the architects, Prévost also suggested enhancements such as the pivot door leading into the primary suite. In an inspired stroke, she sourced a woven-metal screen by French artisan Sophie Mallebranche in Paris. Framed in blackened steel, it slides over the television and doubles as mixed-media art with its undulating, dimensional surface. 

Later in the process, designer Susan Vallon, who’d previously worked with the owners, contributed by pulling together carpets, draperies, paint and some furniture to realize the project’s final outcome. “They are a warm and loving couple,” she says. “I wanted their surroundings to reflect some of the coziness of their relationship.” 

Just when the home was move-in-ready, a leak from the unoccupied unit above flooded the dwelling, destroying the floors and existing kitchen. Nine months later, the patient couple finally moved into their revamped home—now equipped with a new kitchen where Poggenpohl custom cabinetry is seamlessly integrated with McInturff’s white oak and blackened-steel cabinets. “The flood turned out to be fortuitous,” the wife confirms. “We were able to reimagine the kitchen as a much sleeker and more efficient space that continues the same feel as the other spaces—minimalist but welcoming.” 

Now happily ensconced, she and her husband are thrilled with their new digs. She enthuses, “I pinch myself every day as I settle into a favorite spot in the apartment and look out on our corner of the sky in Bethesda."

With four active kids, a homemaker and her attorney husband wanted their outmoded 1951 Colonial to better suit their needs. They assembled a design team that included architect Christine Kelly, Marks-Woods Construction Services and designer Liz Mearns to mastermind a transformation. “The goal was to create more room for the family. We reconfigured and updated all interior spaces,” recounts Marks-Woods partner Drew Marks. Among the mandates: Reorient the front entry and foyer, move the primary suite and expand the galley kitchen. Doors were added—and removed—to facilitate flow and create coziness. The redo ultimately added 400 square feet to the 4,600-square-foot, five-bedroom abode.  

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.

SCANDINAVIAN SUMMER Swedish maker Skargaarden has debuted Laknäs, a collection of outdoor dining furniture crafted of sturdy teak in clean, simple style. The line is aptly named for a lakeside village in Sweden that hosts a Midsummer celebration each year. skargaarden.com

LUXE LOUNGE  The late Danish architect and designer Alfred Homann collaborated with Carl Hansen & Søn on the AH Outdoor Series shortly before his death in 2022. Made of FSC-certified teak, the collection’s dining and lounge furniture reflect Homann’s aesthetic with soft lines and a minimalist hand. carlhansen.com   

SITTING PRETTY  The Gehry Left Twist Cube was originally conceived for Heller in 2004 by modernist architect Frank Gehry, whose design played off the undulating forms of his buildings. Made of weatherproof polyethelene, the colorful pieces can serve as stools, tables or ottomans. hellerinc.com

PURE GEOMETRY  JANUS et Cie has reimagined its powder-coated aluminum Matisse collection with furnishings in premium, sustainably sourced teak. Matisse Teak includes chairs, sofas, a chaise and occasional tables, all defined by clean, geometric lines. A new Bethesda location is expected to open in fall 2023, replacing the brand’s recently closed Georgetown showroom. janusetcie.com

PAVING THE WAY  Ann Sacks’ first outdoor-surface collection is tailored to seasonal environments. In addition to ceramics, porcelain and stone, the line also introduces pavers and pool-coping tiles in three colorways; limestone tiles are pictured in Pistache. Available in the DC showroom; annsacks.com

WOVEN WONDER  NIBA Designs, which handcrafts custom carpets in Nepal and India, has debuted the PET outdoor rug collection—woven out of fiber made from recycled water bottles and other plastics. Customizable in a wide range of colors. nibadesigns.com

BELOW DECK  Fiberon’s Promenade PVC decking is geared toward use in watery environments—think docks and pool stairs—where it can be temporarily submerged. Lightweight and easy to install, it comes in six hues; Shaded Cay is pictured. fiberondecking.com

HomeWork: New Houses | Changed Houses | Not Houses
This is the fourth monograph by modernist architect Mark McInturff, FAIA, and colleague Julia Heine depicting Bethesda-based McInturff Architects’ extensive body of work. Residential and commercial projects are showcased via full-color photographs, plans and diagrams, with commentary by the architect. Images Publishing, February 2023.

Living Wild: How to Plant Style Your Home & Cultivate Happiness
Baltimore-based designer and plant guru Hilton Carter illuminates the creative process of styling your interiors with plants. His book revisits eight of his residential and commercial projects, delving into color schemes, textures and materials that best showcase greenery. He also presents his top picks for most impactful plants. CICO Books, March 2023.

Private Gardens of the Potomac & Chesapeake
Author Claudia Kousoulas tours 15 Mid-Atlantic landscapes completed by well-known designers. From tiny urban plots to sprawling estates, each includes a plan, a plant list and a description of goals and principles based on demands of site, climate and client needs. Full-color images enliven the text. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., July 2023.

DECO DELIGHT  Many of the latest furniture finds de-emphasize wood in favor of imaginative materials and finishes. Case in point: Arteriors’ Rucci Cocktail Cabinet is wrapped in a gridded pattern of ivory vellum and banded in antique brass. arteriorshome.com

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

Blue Star reimagines a modest rancher in Northwest DC See More...

Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes transforms an Ashburn abode See More...

Gilday Renovations masterminds a home office redo in Chevy Chase See More...

The National Zoo’s Bird House has reopened after a six-year renovation. In its new iteration, three immersive aviaries house more than 170 birds representing 56 species; another 16 species inhabit outdoor exhibits in the surrounding Plateau Gardens. 

The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center studies songbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds native to North, Central and South Americas. “Raising awareness about the plight of migratory birds is key to their survival,” says National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute director Brandie Smith. “We want visitors to appreciate the awe-inspiring journeys these animals make every year and walk away with the knowledge to protect birds and their shrinking habitats.”

DC architecture firm Quinn Evans designed the renovation within the walls of the zoo’s historic 1928 bird house, preserving a mosaic arch depicting tropical species that adorned the original entrance. A new, modern entry now graces the building’s front façade. In the Flyway, aluminum bird silhouettes suspended from the ceiling create movement while oversized images of a wood thrush, a black-necked stilt, a sanderling, a canvasback and other native specimens hint at what’s to come. 

The owners of a dated split-level in DC’s Kent neighborhood tapped Blue Star to execute a complete overhaul as well as a major addition. “More space and an indoor-outdoor feel were at the core of the clients’ goals,” recounts Blue Star principal Eric Goetz. “The transformation took the house from three to eight bedrooms and added two floors, making four levels of living space.” Though it stayed within the original footprint, the home increased from 3,423 to nearly 8,000 square feet. 

The finished dwelling only glancingly resembles its predecessor. Outside, enlarged windows, a gabled roofline and stucco siding present a clean-lined, modern sensibility. The main floor was reconfigured for better flow and function; the new second floor contains a primary suite with a luxe bath and a private deck. The basement features a rec room, gym, wine cellar and spare bedroom, while the skylit third floor includes a great room and a bedroom. 

A spacious and stylish kitchen anchors the main level, where crisp-white walls and white oak floors and detailing convey an airy effect. The living room sports floor-to-vaulted-ceiling, blue-painted millwork on the fireplace wall. Large, new Pella windows and doors—including a four-panel accordion door leading to a new patio—bring the outdoors in.

Award: Grand for Entire House over $750,000. Renovation Design & Contracting: Blue Star, Washington, DC. 

After purchasing an outmoded, circa-1980s home in Ashburn, Virginia, the owners hired Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a remodel. They envisioned more upscale interiors with increased functionality and a clean, modern sensibility. “Almost every inch of the house was transformed in one way or another,” recalls principal Sonny Nazemian. The project overhauled the kitchen, razed walls to create better flow and installed high-end finishes throughout.

The previous kitchen was cramped, dark and dated. The design team replaced a walk-in pantry with cabinetry, freeing up space for a center island. Removing a wall between the kitchen and adjacent sunroom brought in natural light, and windows were added that flank the hood; a slab of black quartz turned the range wall into a focal point. The mudroom/laundry room was revamped to encompass a butler’s pantry. 

A marble floor makes a statement in the double-height foyer, where two facing staircases now boast wrought-iron railings; wide-plank, dark-stained maple floors clad the rest of the main level. Other improvements include a linear fireplace in the family room with a two-story surround made of polished porcelain tile; widened casements between the foyer and dining room, where a decorative ceiling was added; and coffered ceilings supporting large-scale chandeliers. 

Award: Finalist for Residential Interior $250,000 to $500,000. Renovation Design & Contracting: Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, Fairfax, Virginia.

The challenge of working from home during the pandemic motivated a couple’s desire for more space. However, their 1924 dwelling in a historic Chevy Chase, Maryland, neighborhood made an addition problematic. After consulting Gilday Renovations, they turned their attention to a rarely used back porch. “By converting the porch into a room and incorporating part of an adjacent bathroom, we were able to create a brightly lit home office and an improved half-bath,” explains principal Kevin Gilday, who collaborated with colleague and interior designer Leslie Roosevelt on the project. 

To capture space for the office, the team demolished a wall between the porch and the interior; this allowed them to reconfigure the area where porch and bath converged. The full bath became a half-bath and an adjacent laundry closet was removed. “The reconfiguration improved overall flow in the back corner of the house,” Gilday relates.

In the new office, a row of Pella windows keeps the room bright. A built-in desk tucks into a niche opposite recessed shelving. Botanical wallpaper in a William Morris pattern embellishes the powder room above white wainscot. A low roofline made installing a full-size outer door impossible; Gilday solved the problem by positioning the door deeper under the sloped porch ceiling.

Award: Finalist for Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration under $250,000. Renovation Design, Interiors & Construction: Gilday Renovations, Silver Spring, Maryland. 

Nestled in Exmore on Virginia’s Eastern Shore peninsula, New Ravenna designs and fabricates lavish, handcrafted mosaics. In 2022, the company celebrated its 30th anniversary with a mosaic design competition featuring entries submitted in two categories: Fine Art and Pattern. 

“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

“There’s something about living by the water that brings me a sense of calm,” declares Bethany Beach custom builder Marnie Oursler, who recently completed her own vacation getaway on the Severn River in Annapolis. She hired Purple Cherry Architects to design the coastal Cape Cod-style abode, which features a guest room (pictured) with expansive water views.  

“The home is elevated about 30 feet above the river’s edge,” recalls principal architect Cathy Purple Cherry. “The bedroom’s large, ganged windows create an emotional connection to the water below.” 

A beamed, vaulted shiplap ceiling and walls clad in board and batten embellish the space. “I wanted as much light as possible,” Oursler relates. “The ceiling adds volume and an oval window draws the eye up.”

RH furniture and lighting lend coziness while a surfboard from K-Coast in Bethany Beach is a playful touch. Since completing the home, Oursler has converted the guest room into a nursery for her infant daughter. As she reflects, “I sit in a rocking chair with her while watching the boats go by. It really is peaceful.” 

A 1929 Shingle-style retreat on the Magothy River in Lake Shore, Maryland, received a modern update that included a 2,800-square-foot addition, sited beneath a dense tree canopy that offers shade in summer and sunlight in winter. The new volume contains an airy, two-story great room where sweeping water views are visible beyond window walls. 

“Our clients wished to complement their historic home while creating an addition with more relaxed spaces for guests and family gatherings,” explains project architect Amy Cooney, principal of Portland, Oregon-based Climate Architecture LLC.

In the great room (pictured), lounging and dining areas beckon beneath a vaulted and beamed bleached-poplar ceiling that brings warmth and intimacy to the expansive space—as do wide-plank French white oak floors. A wall of built-ins integrates storage and display space beside a comfortable sectional. Glass doors on the window wall open out to a wrap-around deck with cable railings that keep the view in focus.

The scenic Baltimore Harbor skyline took center stage during a condo renovation in Canton, near the Patapsco River. Interior Concepts, Inc., created a minimalist vibe in the five-bedroom dwelling, which the owners envisioned as a flexible space where they could easily host large gatherings and relax comfortably as a couple.

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.

A builder-grade townhouse in Rockville proved the perfect canvas for a creative homeowner with outside-the-box ideas. Downsizing from a traditional abode in Kensington, she and her husband—a lawyer and a schoolteacher, respectively—spotted the new enclave developed by EYA while it was still under construction. They chose a 2,000-square-foot, two-bedroom unit with four levels and the wife quickly enlisted Haus Interior Design principal Kirsten Kaplan, who had decorated their previous home, for help realizing her vision.

“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.