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.”

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.

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.

“We had a sense of good design from living with Frank’s work for three decades,” says the husband, a DC-area dentist. “And we knew from taking part in his process how much potential this place had when we first saw it.”

The wife, whose career in advertising and marketing now informs her philanthropy work, had set her sights on a single-level condo in beautiful, walkable Kalorama when the couple decided to downsize once their son left for college. “We were empty nesters,” she says, “and this place was perfect.”

When they invited Randolph to see the 2,400-square-foot, two-bedroom abode in 2019, his reaction was definitive: “If you don’t buy it, I will!” The large, open spaces, airy proportions and even the silky quiet of the partially below-level elevation sparked the designer’s imagination. But the floor plan was chopped up—especially the primary suite, which had to be accessed via the library. The finishes were dated and broad, flat wall expanses throughout lacked soul. In the living area, a prefab fireplace begged to be replaced.

Randolph turned to Christian Zapatka, his go-to choice for architectural projects, to devise a plan that would indulge his vision: A classic New York or Paris apartment. “We introduced clarity and definition to the jumble of spaces with an enfilade plan featuring defined rooms with proper cased openings,” Zapatka explains. “And we gave the blank walls substance with paneling and well-articulated trim.” The renovation also solved the dilemma of the primary suite’s awkward access, creating a convenient, direct entrance from the reimagined front hallway.

Zapatka’s plan established a 140-foot grand axis that allows the rooms to unfold in a sequence—each subtly framed by doorways. “I delineated a progression of spaces that I call zones,” notes the architect, who built them up using chunky cased moldings, cabinets and shelving that deliver character. He also adorned the walls with classically styled paneling that he describes as “true paneling, not applied.” Three plywood layers per panel, including a molding inset, create subtle shadow lines.

With four coats of Benjamin Moore’s Super White in high gloss, the wall panels convey the look of boiserie, a style found in 18th-century France and often imitated in preWar New York apartments. The same glossy paint on the ceilings reflects natural light from windows and terraces adjoining the rooms. “Painting everything one light-enhancing white ties the entire unit together,” Randolph avers.

A clean-lined, contemporary fireplace in Indiana limestone replaced the flimsy prior model; its low profile is a Randolph hallmark. Wide-plank, bleached white oak flooring in a chevron pattern throughout the dwelling emphasizes the flow between the rooms. “We ruled out carpets, which would only dimension the spaces to be smaller,” says the designer. Finishes on the door and cabinet hardware, picture frames, lamps and lanterns are light-reflective nickel.

A sleek Snaidero kitchen is open to the dining room, but its functions are discreetly hidden. Distressed-wood cabinetry echoes the hue of the foyer’s honed-marble floor. Randolph repurposed much of the furniture he’d used in his clients’ prior home. Inside the bright-white envelope, bespoke Niermann Weeks creations, pieces designed by Randolph and antiques mined from Marston Luce and David Bell are gorgeously sculpturesque. Refreshed upholstery mirrors the greenery on terraces off the living and dining rooms and autumn-orange accents reference Fortuny pillows purchased in Venice on the couple’s honeymoon.

The collaboration wrapped up in the best possible way. As Zapatka comments, “Clients who requested the feel of a New York apartment in Washington now say they can’t wait to return to DC when they’re in New York!”

RESOURCES

THROUGHOUT
White Oak Flooring: royaloakflooring.com

LIVING ROOM
Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Painting Over Mantel: Owners’ collection. Fireplace: Custom by christianzapatka.com. Club Chairs: Frank Babb Randolph; 202-944-2120. Ottoman: michaelclearyllc.com. Ottoman Fabric: elizabethbenefields.com. Sofa & Sofa Fabric: barbarabarry.com. Round Occasional Table: David Bell Antiques; 202-965-2355. Demi-lune Table: marstonluce.com. Mirror: davidiatesta.com. Flooring: classicfloordesigns.info. Club Chairs: Frank Babb Randolph; 202-944-2120. Club Chair Fabric: cowtan.com. Pedestal Table: dessinfournir.com. Drawers: niermannweeks.com. Pictures above Chest: antique. Neoclassical Chairs: David Bell Antiques; 202-965-2355.

HALLWAY
Console Table in Nook: Grand Tour Sculpture: Antique. Light Fixture: vaughandesigns.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinetry: snaiderodcmetro.com.

FAMILY ROOM
Club Chairs & Upholstery Fabric: Frank Babb Randolph; 202-944-2120. Sofa: barbarabarry.com. Sofa Fabric: hinescompany.com. Coffee Table: davidiatesta.com. Console & Chairs: niermannweeks.com.

BEDROOM
Headboard: Custom. Art on Wall: lesliearcher.com. Sconces: vaughandesigns.com.

BATH
Vanity: Custom. Flooring: porcelanosa-usa.com.

BEDROOM
Bed: Custom. Painting above Bed: Jennifer Grinnell. Bedding: matouk.com. Chair: David Bell Antiques; 202-965-2355. Nightstands: vaughandesigns.com.

Meyer proves the point beyond doubt in her own Bethesda digs. She and husband Michael, who works in commercial real estate, purchased the post-War Colonial in 2009 just before their first child, Grayson, arrived; Colin came along three years later. Over time, Meyer has crafted an environment that showcases her design prowess, while surviving what she calls, “the chaos of life.”

The living room welcomes visitors to the home. Nuanced neutrals set a sophisticated tone, but durability rules the day. A performance fabric from Perennials covers the custom sofa; its contrasting trim elevates the look. A “very forgiving” velvet covers two armchairs. “Nothing in the house is too formal,” the designer notes. “I like things that feel refined, but I don’t want people to be afraid to sit down anywhere.”

Vintage furnishings, found objects and family heirlooms fill the home. The living room’s cocktail table, for example, was signed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, a prominent furniture maker until his death in 1976. An antique chinoiserie mirror hangs over the living room sofa and beside it sits a child’s chair that Meyer’s great-grandfather had made for her grandfather more than 100 years ago. Books that once belonged to that same grandfather fill the library’s bespoke, black-painted shelves.

“I prefer a space that feels collected,” says Meyer. “That summarizes my aesthetic perfectly. It is more organic and authentic, and fundamentally reflects the people who live there. This house is very reflective of us.”

Opposite the living room, an “impactful” Farrow & Ball wallpaper envelops the dining room, where guests often gather. “Michael loves to cook, and I love to dress kind of a ridiculous table, so we both get to express ourselves,” the designer reveals. “Grayson says that I put more plants and objects on the table than food.”

Those creative inclinations led Meyer to study fine arts at the University of Maryland and, in 2007, to start her namesake firm. While handling a range of projects, Marika Meyer Interiors also specializes in consulting on construction. That expertise came in handy two years ago as the designer reimagined her own kitchen/breakfast area and improved other spaces.

The casual-dining zone, family room and part of the kitchen sit in an “unusual” 1970s addition at the back. One of the first steps in Meyer’s redo was to remove a dropped ceiling in the breakfast area, which gained nearly five feet of height in the process and now mirrors the family room’s vaulted effect. Freshly installed, V-groove ceiling panels bring vintage charm to both spaces. The dining area’s bay window boasts a new bench seat with concealed storage under its flip-top.

In the kitchen, an upper cabinet that obstructed the view into the adjacent family room came down. The remaining dark-wood cabinets received a coat of off-white paint. As Meyer explains, “The main objective was to make the space feel more open and expansive.” Softly veined granite countertops and a glazed-subway-tile backsplash “bring the aesthetic forward a little bit.” White oak flooring with an ebony stain replaced white tiles throughout the addition (the original hardwood floors in other spaces were refinished to match).

Meyer dialed up the color and pattern in the family room’s recently refreshed scheme. She reupholstered a Lee Industries sofa in a spritely, green-hued indoor-outdoor fabric from Thibaut. “This side of the house definitely goes bolder,” she notes. “I wanted it to be more playful, more fun. It matches the energy of our family.”

The chair and pillow fabrics, as well as the rug, are from the designer’s own collection, Marika Meyer Textiles, which launched in 2016. The impetus for the customizable line was twofold: to solve sourcing challenges for tricky color combinations; and to feed Meyer’s craving for “a new creative outlet.” Fabric options expanded last September with the introduction of the Dumbarton Collection, which draws its name from Georgetown’s historic property and offers three gardenesque designs.

“For me, inspiration is everywhere,” the maker reveals. “I’m always looking at things with a critical eye toward pattern. That’s the blessing and the curse.”

Meyer sought “visual quiet” in the upstairs owners’ suite, where she bathed the walls in warm-gray paint. A cherished portrait that depicts the designer’s great-grandmother, grandmother and mother—all of whom shared the name Marika—hangs in the space. The boys’ rooms, on the other hand, brim with exuberance. For proof, look no further than the wallpaper lining Colin’s pad.

The word “fun” pops up often as Meyer describes both her handiwork and approach. The designer’s sage advice for those embarking on a new build or renovation serves as illustration. “Have fun,” she encourages. “It’s a luxury to be able to do it, so there is no reason that the process shouldn’t be as enjoyable as the end result.”

Renovation & Interior Design: Marika Meyer, Marika Meyer Interiors, Bethesda, Maryland.

RESOURCES

LIVING ROOM
Front Door Paint: finepaintsofeurope.com. Rug: mattcamron.com. Sofa: custom by meyerinteriors.com. Sofa Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com. Pillow Fabric: kravet.com. Drapery Fabric: marikameyertextiles.com. Drapery Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com. Round Table: vintage. Table Lamps: vintage through misspixies.com. Wall Paint: Manchester Tan by benjaminmoore.com. Mirror Over Mantel: johnrosselli.com. Mirror Over Sofa: meyerinteriors.com. Side Chair: vintage through hickorychair.com. Side Chair Fabric: marikameyertextiles.com. Arm Chairs: vintage. Arm Chair Fabric: cowtan.com. Chest: vintage.

DINING ROOM
Table & Chairs: vintage. Chair Seat Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com. Chair Back Fabric: fschumacher.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Chandelier: circalighting.com. Wallpaper: farrow-ball.com. Drapery Fabric: fschumacher.com. Drapery Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com. Ceiling Paint: Iceberg by benjaminmoore.com. China Closet: vintage. China Closet Paint: billetcollins.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinet Paint: White Dove by benjaminmoore.com. Countertops: unitedstatesmarbleandgranite.com. Backsplash: mosaictileco.com. Stove: kitchenaid.com. Lamp: vintage. Sink Fixture: perrinandrowe.co.uk through fergusonshowrooms.com. Runner: vintage.

BREAKFAST AREA
Table: allmodern.com. Chairs: serenaandlily.com. Chandelier: vintage. Window Seat Fabric: thibautdesign.com. Window Seat Pillow Fabrics: clarencehouse.com; galbraithandpaul.com. Roman Shade Fabric: China Seas through quadrillefabrics.com. Roman Shade Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com. Wall Paint: Pale Oak by benjaminmoore.com.

LIBRARY
Wall Paint: Manchester Tan by benjaminmoore.com. Bookshelves: custom by meyerinteriors.com. Card Table & Chairs: vintage. Chair Fabric: China Seas through quadrillefabrics.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Light Fixture: circalighting.com.

FAMILY ROOM
Wall Paint: Pale Oak by benjaminmoore.com. Rug: marikameyertextiles.com. Pink Table & Table Lamp: vintage. Sofa: leeindustries.com. Sofa Fabric: thibautdesign.com. Lucite Table: ballarddesigns.com. Photograph: Slim Arons. Sculpture on Wall: custom.

BOY’S ROOM
Animal Wallpaper: scionliving.com. Desk: westelm.com. Desk Chair: amazon.com. Desk Lamp: vintage. Blue Dresser: vintage through misspixies.com. Dresser Lamp: homegoods.com. Bed: crateandbarrel.com. Pillow Fabric: kravet.com. Mirror: vintage. Roman Shade Fabric: lucyrosedesign.com.

OWNERS’ BEDROOM

Wall Paint: Pale Oak by benjaminmoore.com. Bed: custom. Headboard Fabric: fabricut.com. Bedding: matouk.com. Pillow: marikameyertextiles.com. Armchair & Drink Table: vintage. Rug: coecarpetandrug.com. Roman Shade Fabric: Lee Jofa through kravet.com. Art & Night Table: vintage. Table Lamp: circalighting.com.

As the couple, owners of an international management consulting firm, soon gleaned, the property held some surprises. Among them: the discovery that the original owner had tapped landscape architect Brian Katen, a professor at Virginia Tech, to design a 33-acre arboretum on the grounds—and that it showcased thousands of specimen trees imported from all over the country. “We had no idea,” marvels the wife. “When we moved in, you literally couldn’t see through the beds. It was a matter of cleaning them out and rediscovering the landscape.”

Meanwhile, the house also had a story to tell. Taking inspiration from the cottage-style Arts & Crafts estates of English architect and designer C.F.A. Voysey (1857-1941), local architect Kevin Ruedisueli devised the 6,600-square-foot, five-bedroom, eight-bath structure atop a hill with panoramic views of the mountains and Catoctin Creek. He embellished the interiors with built-ins, extensive millwork and six fireplaces; floors of dark-stained, hand-scraped oak still unify the main-level rooms.

Despite its great bones, however, the residence had become dated. “It was kind of frozen in time, with red-velvet wallpaper, heavy drapes and valances,” relates the wife. “Our vision was to simplify the spaces and let the outdoors in. Because we’ve traveled a lot, we’ve collected art and other items that we wanted to incorporate. And we also wanted to acknowledge Voysey’s influence.”

When it came to implementing their ideas, though, the couple found the scale of the rooms and size of the house overwhelming. “It became a hodgepodge very quickly,” the husband says. “We needed harmony and cohesiveness across rooms that have visibility to each other. So, we backed up and said ‘okay, we need an assist.’”

Enter designer Erika Bonnell, who was tasked with pulling it all together while guiding opinionated clients who worried about cookie-cutter results. “The project happened in a piecemeal way because they enjoy collecting and curating and didn’t want to be removed from that process,” Bonnell says. “They both have strong individual aesthetic styles that lean different ways. I needed to stay respectful of both.”

The owners’ eclectic preferences include Victorian antiques, mid-century and Scandinavian furniture and bold, modern art. To integrate such disparate elements, Bonnell established a neutral backdrop throughout that also achieved the goal of enhancing the views. “The outdoors is such a big part of the visual experience of this house, we wanted to connect with it at all times of year—from gray winter to full-blown summer,” she says. Understated rugs, upholstered seating in beige linen and pale, solid-hued draperies created the foundation she wanted.

Visitors enter the large foyer, which sets an eclectic tone for the interior spaces by combining vibrant Mexican art, a modern console and a pair of reproduction Voysey chairs inspired by originals on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum. To the right, the airy living room is grounded by a neutral sectional and swivel chairs that bring colorful paintings by Spanish artist Eduardo Arranz-Bravo to the fore. To the left, the dining room is a statement-maker, clad in teal Schumacher wallpaper. “Even though it’s a busy pattern, there’s not a lot of contrasting color in it to compete with the summer views,” Bonnell notes. The husband commissioned an artisan in Newport News to craft a live-edge walnut table to the designer’s specifications; she paired it with Wishbone chairs and a dramatic Regina Andrew chandelier.

The open-plan kitchen/family room spans the back of the house, flowing out to a screened porch and a renovated stone patio. A few deft changes updated the kitchen, where dark granite countertops made way for white quartz slabs and a glazed, ceramic-tile backsplash. The island base was painted a fresh blue-gray and an eye-catching Hubbardton Forge fixture was installed overhead. “That oversized, sculptural chandelier made a big difference,” observes Bonnell, who selected dynamic, modern lighting throughout the interiors.

A wing off the kitchen features a solarium and the owners’ suite on the ground floor, with a guest apartment above. Four upstairs bedrooms are accessed via the main stair in the foyer, which showcases an extensive gallery wall, masterminded by Bonnell, of the owners’ art and artifacts.

While improving the residence, the couple also revived the landscape, upgrading the pool and implementing English, perennial and vegetable gardens as well as an apiary and a fruit orchard. Says the wife, “We have been thrilled to be able to bring this property back to life.”

Interior Design: Erika Bonnell. Erika Bonnell Interiors, Sterling, Virginia.

RESOURCES

FOYER
Console Table: madegoods.com. Voysey Reproduction Chairs: nrhillerdesign.com. Painting over Console: Rufino Tamayo.

LIVING ROOM
Sofa & Swivel Chairs: kristindrohancollection.com. Rug: greenfront.com. Demi-lune Console: antique. Artwork above Console: Eduardo Arranz-Bravo. Wall Paint: Elmira White by benjaminmoore.com. Floor Lamp by Sofa: circalighting.com. Twin Stools: antique. Drapery Fabric: fabricut.com. Skirted Console Table Fabric: Lee Jofa through kravet.com. Lamps on Skirted Console Table: curreyandcompany.com. Wood-Framed Chair & Ottoman: thosmoser.com. Floor Lamp by Chair: owners’ collection. Hide Rug: trophyroomcollection.com.

KITCHEN
Island Base Color: custom through byerswallpaper.com. Countertops: silestoneusa.com through sky-marble.com. Backsplash: architessa.com. Light Fixture Above Island: hubbardtonforge.com.

DINING ROOM
Wallpaper: fschumacher.com. Sideboard: lumens.com. Lamps on Sideboard: vintage. Mirror Over Sideboard: madegoods.com. Wishbone Chairs: roveconcepts.com. Rug: greenfront.com. Chandelier: reginaandrew.com. Drapes: fabricut.com. Swan Picture Frame: framemasters.com.

However, that’s only part of the story. The Montross dwelling was actually built in the 1980s as an easy and affordable shared getaway for Judy and Dusty, a couple who live in Arlington and originally shared the property with a friend. The trio had found the perfect lot with Potomac River views after vacationing in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and Judy and Dusty decided to put skills they’d previously developed flipping houses to good use by building their own.

The duo—Dusty was a teacher and Judy worked in publishing—conceived a Cape/Colonial hybrid with simple lines and 2,600 square feet spread over three stories. “We wanted to give a nod to history,” Judy says, noting the nearby birthplaces of George Washington and James Monroe.

The modest façade masks three full levels, with the lower floor built into the hillside behind the house. The main floor encompasses the kitchen, half-bath, sitting and dining rooms and rear deck. Four bedrooms are divided equally between the upper and lower floors; each pair of bedrooms enjoys a river view and a shared hall bath.

With construction completed, Judy focused on the interiors, keeping budget and practicality at the fore. “We didn’t want a fussy house where you couldn’t sit down with a wet bathing suit,” she explains.

Her scavenger-hunt approach yielded items found during past renovation projects and at nearby vintage shops. She clad the walls in rough-hewn exterior siding, painted in Shell White by Sherwin-Williams. White oak flooring is the perfect backdrop for jute, sisal and woven rugs, easily moved for cleaning. Oversized windows dressed in pleated shades let in the view. Pops of color come from accent pillows, bright rugs and cuttings from Judy’s flower garden. Furnishings rarely change, she says, except for the upholstered pieces “because they do take a beating.”

Eventually, Dusty earned his contractor’s license while Judy left her job and began taking design courses. An internship introduced her to designer Melanie Whittington, who became a close friend and—after Whittington launched her own firm and hired Judy—a colleague for 10 years. When Whittington and her husband purchased their own Northern Neck property, the designers began consulting each other. “We always collaborate on our houses down there,” Whittington says.

With help from her friend, Judy (who has since retired) continued to develop the cottage’s collected aesthetic. “The house is a mix of old and new with lovely greenery and a balance of found objects with things that are modern and sleek,” Whittington relates. “It always looks fresh.”

The mix is evident in the foyer, where an antique cabinet and table share space with bamboo chairs from Kenian Fine Rattan Furniture. The dining room features a vintage cabinet and farmhouse table surrounded by mid-century-style chairs—plastic for practicality.

Found objects abound. One of the upstairs bedrooms showcases a headboard Judy fashioned out of foraged wood, while a stack of vintage suitcases serves as a de facto table. Another bedroom has a modern metal bed frame with stools that double as seating and storage. Every bedroom, in fact, is a quasi-public space. “Judy and Dusty rotate rooms,” says Whittington. “There’s no room that’s theirs.”

Thanks to its thoughtful floor plan, the house has never needed an addition or renovation, though the kitchen has been updated with new Ikea cabinets and bright chartreuse walls. Seat cushions, rugs and pillows are replaced as they become worn from regular use. “The house is loaned out all the time to friends; there’s always somebody coming and going,” Whittington explains. “There are dogs running in and out and wet feet. It’s a well-used house. Nothing is fragile.”

But there are surprises. The figure of a woman about to dive perched atop a coffee table. A floor lamp with a base of ship’s rope. A metal pig in the foyer welcoming guests. An antique iron bench in a bathroom. “In your own home, you get to choose things that make you happy,” Judy observes. “This is a house where you don’t have to take things too seriously.”

Interior Design: Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio, McLean, Virginia. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.

The sixth-floor entry foyer opened onto a pair of guest bedrooms plus a full bath. A curved staircase led down to the main living level including the kitchen, which was completely enclosed save for a doorway to the dining room and a pass-through to the living room. Another wall between the staircase and dining room partly obstructed the Potomac panorama.

Three months before the actual purchase in 2018—also the year the owners married—they consulted designer Vincent Sagart of Poliform | sagartstudio in Georgetown, who agreed that demolishing nearly all the walls, floors and systems would be required.

The couple wanted clean lines and a palette that evoked Mid-Century Modernism. They also craved storage, lots of storage. After culling furnishings and accessories, they sold their prior condo and rented a nearby apartment to wait out, and check in on, the renovation. They told Sagart they wanted their remaining possessions—including dual wardrobes, bulky linens, beloved Christmas decorations and prized cooking gear—stored close at hand yet out of sight.

After the covid lockdown, they welcomed the designer’s conversion of one upstairs bedroom into the lawyer’s office complete with a sleep sofa that splits into twin beds for visiting nieces and nephews. A renovated full bath serves both rooms, and the former hall closet is now a coffee bar.

“We clicked on color, styles and materials,” recalls the lawyer of their ongoing dialogue with Sagart. “We wanted something modern that is also warm. What Vincent has done is create what feels like a home.”

Architect Andreas Charalambous prepared drawings of the new infrastructure and architecture that would support Sagart’s vision, which the latter defines as “a clean, contemporary and uncluttered interior that does not compete with the view and does not read ‘design.’ It reads as warm because there are also sentimental pieces from their families.” The residence feels seamless with all-white walls and ceilings and ceramic floor tile indoors and out. Most of the comfortable, stylish furnishings are by Poliform.

For the cabinetry, the couple chose walnut, favored by many important 20th-century furniture designers whose pieces they’d collected for more than 25 years. Today, a number of these treasures add a dose of history to the 21st-century décor.

Demolition and construction began in late 2019, culminating in what Sagart calls “a natural progression of spaces from the foyer toward the dramatic spectacle beyond the wall of glass, as if it were a church altar or the prow of a ship.” He designed the striking metal fireplace enclosure in the living room, rising 12 feet to the ceiling. Dancing “flames” on the raised hearth are actually hot water vapors drifting above fire-colored lights that do not generate heat. On the opposite wall, a large television faces an inviting sectional sofa and a pair of contrasting dark chairs. Glass doors lead outside to the furnished terrace, where guests and owners delight in the view. Gleaming surfaces—glass-fronted cabinetry, the TV screen and multiple glass-and-metal doors—further reflect interior and exterior vignettes, whatever the season, the hour or the weather.

The kitchen and dining room are unified by gray-veined white Carrara marble covering the countertops, the backsplash and a curved rectangular table that seats eight. An “enthusiastic amateur cook,” the lobbyist wanted comfort and order in what he calls his “first real kitchen.” Miele refrigerator and freezer units now bookend the appliance-and-coffee station; an induction cooktop set into the island faces an attached wooden bar to encourage chitchat during food prep.

Likewise, the lawyer, who cherishes memories of doing homey things with his mother and grandmother, is delighted by the full laundry room with a dog-grooming station and a repository for canine paraphernalia that replaced the mishmash of a stacking washer-dryer, an old shower and a linen closet.

The couple’s serene primary suite is anchored by an upholstered platform bed. And, oh, those ultra-organized dressing rooms. “There is a place for everything, from ties, belts and shoes to glasses, shirts and suits, which simplifies getting ready each morning,” enthuses the lawyer.

Gone is the elevator that once conveyed the apartment’s previous owners between floors—but Sagart left space for a new lift should today’s dream digs morph into their forever home.

Although pandemic-era entertaining has been intimate and socially distanced, the couple anticipates many more gatherings come summer. As both like to say, “It’s all about the view, which never gets old.”

Renovation Architecture: Andreas Charalambous, AIA, IIDA, Forma Design, Washington, DC. Architectural & Interior Design: Vincent Sagart, Poliform | sagartstudio, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: CMG Construx, Washington, DC. Home Automation: SmartTouch USA, Columbia, Maryland. 

RESOURCES

THROUGHOUT
Sliding Doors: rimadesio.it through poliformdc.com. Lighting: deltalight.com through poliformdc.com. Home Automation: smarttouchusa.com.

MAIN LEVEL
Flooring: landmarkceramics.com through architessa.com. Stair Rail Fabrication: cmgdc.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinetry, Countertop & Backsplash: poliformdc.com. Sink Faucet: ceadesign.it through poliformdc.com. Hood Insert: mieleusa.com. Hood Design: poliformdc.com; Hood Fabrication: akmetalfab.com. Cooktop: mieleusa.com through poliformdc.com. Island & Bar Stools: poliformdc.com.

DINING
Dining Table & Chairs: poliformdc.com.

LIVING AREA
Sectional & Sectional Fabrics: poliformdc.com. Ottoman & Ottoman Fabric: poliformdc.com. Tray Table: poliformdc.com. Chairs: flexform.it through poliformdc.com. Pedestal Tables: poliformdc.com. Fireplace Design: Custom by poliformdc.com. Fireplace Burner: customfireplacedesign.com. Fireplace Surround: akmetalfab.com. Rugs: starkcarpet.com. Drapery Fabric: romo.com. Drapery Fabrication: yardstickdesign.info. Floor Lamp: vintage. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.

TERRACE
Divan, Ottoman, Table & Chairs: royalbotania.com through poliformdc.com. Pedestal: Clients’ collection.

OWNERS’ BEDROOM
Bed, Bed Upholstery & Chairs: poliformdc.com. Pedestal Table: Clients’ collection. Bedside Drum Table: poliformdc.com. Drapery Fabric: pindler.com. Drapery Fabrication: yardstickdesign.info. Art: Paule Marrot. Rug: kravet.com. Floor Lamp: louispoulsen.com through poliformdc.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Wardrobe: poliformdc.com.

OWNERS’ BATH
Vanity: cmgdc.com, agapedesign.it. Sink & Shower Plumbing: agapedesign.it through poliformdc.com. Countertop: agapedesign.it through poliformdc.com. Flooring: landmarkceramics.com through architessa.com. Mirror & Lighting: robern.com. Toilet: agapedesign.it through poliformdc.com. Shower Flooring & Walls: landmarkceramics.com through architessa.com.

GUEST ROOM
Rug: kravet.com. Bed, Wardrobe & Bench: poliformdc.com. Drapery Fabric: kravet.com. Drapery Fabrication: yardstickdesign.info. Art: Clients’ collection. Nightstand: vintage.

There’s always a balancing act in interior design, and this project is no exception. On a recommendation from their real estate agent, the home’s new owners enlisted designer Edith Gregson to reimagine the space. The couple—one works in finance and the other in media—wanted their retreat to be comfortable and homey, modern and fresh, while paying homage to its past. It also needed to be upscale and sophisticated to align with the casual and cultured aspects of their personalities.

Although the 4,245-square-foot, four-bedroom, five-bath home showed well, upon closer inspection some details begged for a facelift, including millwork (a mishmash of brown and black), built-ins and outdated lighting. Before embarking on furnishings and décor, Gregson and her clients assessed the home’s architectural details and considered which should stand out and which ones should recede. “It was all about determining what historic parts of the home were most special,” says the designer. In addition, she decided on a palette in which deep blues would pop against crisp black and white and tones of silvery gray.

The main level is wide open from the foyer through the living room and into the dining space. After deciding to paint the walls white to offset accessories and plants, textures and fabrics, Gregson opted to finish the crown molding in a high-gloss white, so the detail would be evident on close inspection. In contrast, the homeowners loved the original bay windows, so Gregson chose black paint and oversized café shutters to draw them to the forefront while grounding the space with black base moldings.

The designer called attention not only to traditional elements but also to modern features that she introduced. She devised sleek, white built-ins for the fireplace wall in the living room and employed black trim to accentuate their modern lines. Opposite the living room, black underscores the foyer’s traditional banister and ornate stringers.

While the millwork and clean-lined fireplace gave the living room a refined feel, the homeowners—after some trepidation—chose a sectional to serve as the main seating. “My concern was that it would be too casual and would not necessarily fit with the design we were going for on the first floor,” says the finance pro. Ultimately, Gregson found just the right sectional at Design Within Reach that delivered comfort with tailored styling; its curves, alongside those of the accompanying club chairs, temper the room’s geometry.

“There’s a lot of structure, and I felt a need to soften it with furniture and textures,” Gregson explains. “Our fear was that the space would come off as too harsh, too modern. We made sure it felt inviting, cozy, layered and ready to welcome friends and family.” Even the vibrant blue Made Goods coffee table adds warmth with its faux-linen texture.

The adjoining dining space conveys elegance and whimsy. The chandelier in black and brushed bronze is reminiscent of an Alexander Calder mobile, while a tucked-away wet bar occupies a space the homeowners speculate was once a dumbwaiter. The newly fashioned cabinetry preserves a vertical pass-through to the kitchen from a previous remodel but enhances it with glass shelves that display the couple’s fine glassware.

Taking leave of the bright-white main level, the second floor, which includes the primary bedroom and bathroom and a home office, transitions to a rich, moody palette of Yale blue and gray. In the bedroom, Gregson called out the millwork with high-gloss black paint to enrich the darker palette. Floor-to-ceiling windows with full-length draperies accentuate the room’s 14-foot height. Serena & Lily grass-cloth wall covering and a canopy bed tighten the scale, creating a sense of coziness. Layered rugs and facing Lulu and Georgia chairs in blue leather look right at home in front of the hearth. “One of the things that stands out is the existing faux-painted marble fireplace. It’s original, as far as we can tell, and really detailed,” says Gregson. “We gave it space to hold its own since it’s a unique element.”

In the office across the hall, deep blue hues blanket walls via grass cloth and a painted custom bookcase with a built-in desk. House of Hackney wallpaper in a dark but lively floral print backs up the desk in a bold and playful twist. Leather drawer pulls and brass light fixtures speak to the antique library theme.

“We’ve never lived in a home like this, and we’ve never gone through a renovation in such detail,” observes the media expert. “One thing Edith said to me that resonated: ‘Don’t be afraid to go large.’ In selecting some pieces, she encouraged us not to be afraid to use the spaces in a way that ended up being very impressive.”

Interior Design: Edith Gregson, Edith Gregson Interiors, Washington, DC. Contractor: Kevin Delgado, DelgadoBuild, Columbia, Maryland. Home Automation: American Automation, Bowie, Maryland.

RESOURCES

GENERAL
Home Automation: americanautomation.com. Art Consultant: addisonripleyfineart.com.

STAIR & VESTIBULE
Bench: rousehome.com. Art: Clients’ collection. Paint on Staircase: Black by benjaminmoore.com.

DINING AREA
Table: arhaus.com. Chairs: rousehome.com. Chandelier: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Mirror: rh.com. Sideboard: rousehome.com. Painting over Sideboard: frankhday.com through addisonripleyfineart.com. Sculptural Lamp on Sideboard: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Rug: mcgeeandco.com.

BEVERAGE BAR NICHE
Cabinetry Design: edithgregson.com. Cabinetry Fabrication: Custom Millwork Design Group; 703-915-8954. Countertop & Backsplash: marblesystems.com. Sconces: schoolhouse.com.

LIVING AREA
Sofa & Fabric: dwr.com. Barrel Chairs & Fabric: burkedecor.com. Coffee Table: madegoods.com. Rug: nourison.com through georgetowncarpet.com.

BLUE ROOM
Built-in Design: Custom by edithgregson.com; Fabricated by delgadobuild.com. Wallpaper Behind Shelves: houseofhackney.com. Wallpaper on Wall: serenaandlily.com. Paint: Chantilly Lace and Black by benjaminmoore.com. Lamp on Desk: vintage. A-Frame Wood Chairs: roomandboard.com. Sofa: Clients’ collection. Pillows: rh.com; crateandbarrel.com. Roman Shade: theshadestore.com.

PRIMARY BEDROOM
Wallpaper: serenaandlily.com. Bedstead & Bedding: rh.com. Bedside Lamps: vintage. Nightstands: rh.com. Poufs: article.com. Rug: mcgeeandco.com; stantoncarpet.com. Chairs by Fireplace: luluandgeorgia.com.

The two-bedroom, two-bath residence on the seventh floor had plenty to recommend it, with light-filled rooms, 1,800 square feet of living space and panoramic views—one of which captures the National Cathedral. However, the building dates back to 1975—and the unit in question looked like it hadn’t been touched since about that time. Before even putting his row house on the market, the owner reached out to designer Pamela Black, whom he had known for years, and her frequent collaborator, Don Love, to bring the abode up to speed.

Black and Love first addressed the apartment’s worn infrastructure. Out went warped, cherry-hued laminate flooring and popcorn ceilings in favor of wide-plank, medium-stained oak floors and smooth drywall overhead; the designers lowered the new ceiling enough to accommodate a system of recessed and accent lighting. “That was a big request,” recalls Black. “Our client wanted lots of light. And different levels of light, too.”

Replacing the unit’s hollow, builder-grade doors with solid, custom versions and changing out grilles and hardware also made an impact. “All the little upgrades really elevated the space,” Love observes. wwAmong the improvements: a custom, red-painted swinging door connecting the entry foyer and kitchen that features a quaint oval window harkening back, says Black, to “the Park Avenue apartments” of yore.

With a shortage of closet space, the designers tapped Pennsylvania-based Timeless Creations Furniture to fashion built-ins for nearly every room (the company also fabricated the new doors). The cabinetry not only added much-needed storage, it also imparted a high level of craftsmanship and character, embodied in elegant lines and whimsical detailing. For example, a wall of built-ins in the living room incorporates shelving, a graceful fold-out desk and a niche that frames a favorite sofa; a row of decorative balls near the ceiling adds a visual flourish. “They’re actually wooden dresser knobs painted to match the woodwork,” reveals Love. “They make it unique.”

When the time came to furnish and decorate the refurbished dwelling, the designers took cues from their client’s row house around the corner, which elegantly showcased his style—and a lifetime’s worth of collecting. “It helped us see how he lives, that he’s a bit formal. We made sure we kept to that level,” Love says.

“I’d say my taste is eclectic,” muses the owner. “I like to mix in some Asian influences—but I don’t go completely in any direction.”

Love adds: “We embraced a worldly theme, sort of ‘Chinoiserie meets African elephant.’ Our client has done extensive traveling and we wanted to reflect that.” Case in point: A wall-sized mural in the dining room depicts an Indian palace while elephants dance across grass-cloth wallpaper in the guest bedroom/library.

Throughout the apartment, Black and Love painstakingly layered fabrics and finishes, conjuring a rich, sumptuous vibe. Soft colors embellish the walls while stronger hues make a statement on the ceilings—including a dark eggplant shade on the library ceiling that the owner had his doubts about. “They had to talk me into the ceilings,” he laughs. “I thought ceilings were always white.”

About 15 percent of the existing furniture made the move to the condo, much of it reimagined with fresh upholstery. Plush new sofas and chairs joined the mix, ranging from a diminutive Billy Baldwin slipper chair to a luxurious custom sofa bedecked in delicately patterned linen and fringe. Other striking pieces include a commanding Chinoiserie console table in the living room and a coffee table faux-finished to resemble gesso that showcases a decorative grass-cloth panel topped with glass. Lamps are paired with custom shades and a blend of new and existing artwork adorns the walls.

Even the kitchen, which retained its original cabinetry and countertops, has been dressed up with vibrant, striped wallpaper and a new tile backsplash; the run-of-the-mill tile floor got a new lease on life via bold squares of faux-painted color.

Now complete, the apartment is a haven that its owner thoroughly enjoys. “It took me about two days to feel at home and forget about my other house,” he avers. “It feels elegant, but you can also plop down on a chair and be comfortable. It’s a wonderful mix of things I never would have been able to find on my own.”

Interior Design: Pamela Black and Don Love, Pamela Black Interiors, Washington, DC. Architectural Design: Robert C. Black, AIA, Robert Black 5 Design LLC, Silver Spring, Maryland.

RESOURCES

DINING ROOM
Table: Custom through timelesscreationsfurniture.com. Chairs: highlandhousefurniture.com through centuryfurniture.com. Chair Fabrics: virginiawhitecollection.com through evansandsheldon.com. Light Fixture: urbanelectric.com. Light Fixture Fabric: cowtan.com. Drapery Fabric: suzannetuckerhome.com. Drapery Fabrication: Potomac Draperies; 240-676-3642. Sconces: urbanelectric.com. Sconce Fabric: berminghamfabrics.com. Wallpaper: iksel.com for fschumacher.com. Wall Color: iksel.com through farrow-ball.com. Sideboard: Custom by timelesscreationsfurniture.com. Lamps on Sideboard: vaughandesigns.com. Lamp Fabric: namaysamay.com. Lamp Trim: samuelandsons.com. Lamp Fabrication: lampshadesbydesign.net.

LIVING ROOM
Sofa in Niche: Custom through ohenryhouseltd.com. Sofa Fabric: guell-lamadrid.grupolamadrid.com through castelmaison.com. Sofa Trim: samuelandsons.com. Paint: Hague Blue by farrow-ball.com. Wallpaper inside Shelving: monicajames.com. Art in Niche: marstonluce.com. Desk Chair: chelseatextiles.com. Desk Chair & Pillow Fabric: shop.ninacampbell.com through osborneandlittle.com. Red Lumbar Pillow Fabric: sandrajordan.com. Paint on Built-Ins: Pigeon by farrow-ball.com. Slipper Chair: billybaldwinstudio.com. Slipper Chair Fabrics: elizabetheakins.com; sandrajordan.com. Slipper Chair Trim: hollandandsherry.com. Twin Ottomans: ferrellmittman.com. Twin Ottomans Fabric: suzannetuckerhome.com. Sisal Rug: starkcarpet.com. Rug atop Sisal: Custom through galleriacarpets.com. Red Sofa: Custom through ohenryhouseltd.com. Red Sofa Fabric: scalamandre.com. Pillow Fabrics: Lee Jofa for kravet.com; pennymorrison.com; pindler.com. Swivel Chair: Custom through ohenryhouseltd.com. Swivel Chair Fabric: raoultextiles.com. Pillow Fabric on Swivel Chair: chelseatextiles.com. Bamboo-Framed Chair: Lee Jofa for kravet.com. Bamboo-Framed Chair Fabrics: peterdunhamtextiles.com; sandrajordan.com. Coffee Table: Custom through timelesscreationsfurniture.com. Wallpaper beneath glass in Coffee Table: cowtanandtout.com. Faux Finish on Coffee Table: billetcollins.com. Foot Stool: scullyandscully.com. Stool Fabric: osborneandlittle.com. Round Occasional Table: Custom through timelesscreationsfurniture.com. Occasional Table Lamp: circalighting.com. Lampshade Fabric: decorsbarbares.com through lampshadesbydesign.net. Overhead Light Fixture: urbanelectric.com. Overhead Light Paint: Hague Blue by farrow-ball.com. Chinoiserie Table: johnrosselli.com. Twin Ottomans: jconnscott.com. Wood-Framed Chairs: bungalow5.com. Chair Seat Upholstery: peterdunhamtextiles.com. Art: chesapeakeframing.com. Wall & Ceiling Paint: Light Blue & Skylight by farrow-ball.com. Painted Wall Pedestals: Clients’ collection. China on Pedestals: dennisandleen.com.

KITCHEN
Faux Floor Paint: robsonworldwidegraining.com. Wallpaper: Jasper through michaelsmithinc.com. Pendants: circalighting.com. Island Stools: serenaandlily.com. Stool Cushion Fabric: rogersandgoffigon.com. Swinging Door Paint: Picture Gallery Red by farrow-ball.com. Backsplash: renaissancetileandbath.com.

LIBRARY
Sectional: Custom through ferrellmittman.com. Sectional Fabric & Trim: sanderson.sandersondesigngroup.com; Jasper by michaelsmithinc.com; hollandandsherry.com. Sofa Pillows: Jasper by michaelsmithinc.com. Sofa Pillows Trim: samuelandsons.com. Ottoman: Custom through hickorychair.com. Ottoman & Leather Fabric: Jasper by michaelsmithinc.com; hollyhunt.com. Art over Sofa: naturalcuriosities.com. Wallpaper: johnrobshaw.com. Sisal & Rug: starkcarpet.com. Tiered Side Table: vaughandesigns.com. Side Table Lamp: Clients’ collection. Side Table Lamp Shade Fabric & Trim: vaughandesigns.com; samuelandsons.com.

BEDROOM
Bed: Custom by pamelablackinteriors.com. Bed Fabric: peterfasano.com. Nightstands: Custom by timelesscreationsfurniture.com. Pillows: marstonluce.com; peterfasano.com; fermoie.com. Bedding: serenaandlily.com. Round Mirror above Bed: noirfurniturela.com through styleconnectionltd.com. Sofa & Armchair Fabric: sanderson.sandersondesigngroup.com. Coffee Table: Clients’ collection. Stools: wisteria.com. Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Draperies & Shades: fermoie.com; kerryjoyce.com; samuelandsons.com. Drapery & Shade Fabrication: Potomac Draperies; 240-676-3642. Bench: existing. Fabric: lewisandwood.co.uk

“I know these spaces well,” he says. “It was exciting and challenging to bring a new direction to this home—not to fall back on what had worked before but rather create a whole new look.”

While the bones of the apartment remained the same, Jenkins was tasked with updating and lightening the feel of the home. He employed a mix of the homeowners’ existing furnishings and newer pieces throughout. “My clients asked me to create a beautiful environment that would feel current while using antiques, paintings and accessories from their prior home,” he explains. “It was a huge editing process.”

A long foyer hall introduces visitors to the residence. To the right lie two en-suite bedrooms and a library, while the powder room, kitchen and dining room are on the left. The passageway culminates in a grand salon large enough to accommodate two sitting areas.

All these spaces are embellished with architectural flourishes which Jenkins calls “classic Old World proportions and detailing.” Dentil moldings cap 10-foot-tall walls, complemented by faux-finished woodwork and original walnut floors. “These pre-War apartment buildings are few and far between in Baltimore—the gracious apartments that attracted people from their big houses,” the designer observes. “This building is Baltimore’s answer to a Park Avenue home.”

Jenkins’ challenge was to enhance the interior architecture while improving the flow of natural light in what is essentially a compartmentalized space. He added new lighting where it was needed, and introduced lighter palettes or reflective finishes. For example, the deep-red library walls are coated in shiny lacquer while the dining room ceiling is framed by new track lighting that highlights the owners’ artwork. Most of the original moldings are painted in shiny gold leaf.

To balance the homeowners’ dark-wood antiques, Jenkins went with light carpets in the living and dining rooms, along with textured walls in pale, neutral colors. Reupholstering existing pieces went a long way toward refreshing and integrating them with the newer furnishings—like the living room’s cocktail and side tables—that are sprinkled throughout. “In the dining room, I selected a reverse-painted, glass-topped dining table,” says Jenkins. “The last thing this room needed was a heavy mahogany table.” The dining chairs are dressed in embroidered cream silk with chic Greek Key nail head trim.

In the formal spaces, the couple’s museum-quality silver collection adds sparkle to every nook and cranny. These treasures are on display against a striking array of contemporary and period art. “It’s a truly great project when you have this high a level of quality art to work with—from stunning historical portraits to contemporary masters by the likes of Grace Hartigan and Pablo Picasso,” Jenkins enthuses.

Taking décor cues from the owners’ diverse art collection, the designer effortlessly layered in old and new, with art often serving as inspiration. Above the sofas in the living room, he juxtaposed a traditional portrait, Queen Catherine of Braganza by Sir Peter Lely, with a contemporary abstract. He selected rich and sumptuous upholstery fabrics but for the most part kept the furniture forms clean-lined. “We worked hard to give the spaces an eclectic, not-so-formal look,” he notes. “The higher ceilings and larger rooms helped, as did the mix of elements.”

A highlight of the space is an ebonized Art Deco-style fireplace, original to the dwelling, that anchors one end of the living room. Jenkins accentuated this striking architectural feature with a contemporary, gold-framed mirror and modern sconces. The library pays homage to the living room’s color-rich Grace Hartigan oil painting by way of deep-red lacquered walls, blue chenille sofas and a cocktail table with a black wrought-iron base. Jenkins animated the kitchen’s existing sleek, black cabinetry with bright-orange leather chairs atop a vermillion-and-teal rug. A series of vivid color studies by artist Daisy Craddock inspired the room’s bold palette.

The owners’ bedroom is a quiet retreat reminiscent of a luxe hotel. Walls in the window bay are upholstered in the same soft, striped silk as the window treatments, with bedding and furnishings in complementary neutrals. “Ultimately, comfort was key,” Jenkins avers. “We edited and curated to create a space that looks gallery-esque—but with all the comforts of home.”

Interior Design: Jay Jenkins, Jenkins Baer Associates, Baltimore, Maryland.

RESOURCES

THROUGHOUT
Painting: felikspainting.com. Light Fixtures: jones-lighting.com.

LIVING ROOM
Wallpaper: thibautdesign.com. Mirror: interludehome.com. Chair by Fireplace: Owners’ collection. Ottoman near Fireplace: bunnywilliamshome.com. Chair Fabric: patrickgallagherdesign.com through johnrosselli.com. Ottoman Leather: Duralee through robertallendesign.com. Window Treatment Fabric: Beacon Hill through robertallendesign.com. Window Treatment Fabrication: draperycontractors.com. Settee between Windows: leeindustries.com. Settee Fabric: ralphlaurenhome.com through Folia. Pillows on Settee: pillowsalon.com. Pillow Fabric: kravet.com. Pillow Trim: samuelandsons.com. White Chair near Settee: bunnywilliamshome.com. White Chair Fabric: Beacon Hill through robertallendesign.com. Side Tables by Window: Owners’ collection. Lamps near Windows: jones-lighting.com. Painting: Owners’ collection. Abstract Painting: Owners’ collection. Chair Near Painting: Owners’ collection. Striped Sofa: Owners’ collection. Striped Sofa Pillows: pillowsalon.com. Striped Sofa Pillow Fabric: Beach Hill through robertallendesign.com. Striped Sofa Pillow Trim: samuelandsons.com. Side Tables: Owners’ collection. Brass Lamps: jones-lighting.com. Wooden Armchairs: Kevin Perry; 803-432-5427. Coffee Table: hickorywhite.com. Fluted Drum Table: globalviews.com. Abstract Art: bensoncobb.com.

DINING ROOM
Wallpaper: weitznerlimited.com. Table: mclainwiesand.com. Chairs: leeindustries.com. Chair Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Rug: sennehknot.com. Sideboard, Mirror, Console & Clock: Owners’ collection. Window Treatment Fabric: grovesbros.com through michaelclearyllc.com. Window Treatment Trim: fschumacher.com. Window Treatment Fabrication: draperycontractors.com. Stool: Owners’ collection.

BREAKFAST AREA
Table: Owners’ collection. Chairs: bernhardt.com. Chair Leather: kravet.com. Rug: Owners’ collection. Art: daisycraddock.com.

HALLWAY
Console Table & Bench: Owners’ collection. Rug: alexcooperrugs.com. Art: tammrasigler.com. Mirror: theodorealexander.com.

POWDER ROOM
Painting: Owners’ collection.

GUEST BEDROOM
Bed Re-Upholstery: ibelloupholstery.com. Bed Upholstery Fabric: legacylinens.com. Bench: Owners’ collection. Rug: Owners’ collection. Red Nightstand: oomphhome.com. End Table: theodorealexander.com. Table Lamp: jones-lighting.com.

DEN
Rug & Coffee Table: Owners’ collection. Ottoman: hickorychair.com. Ottoman Fabric: osborneandlittle.com. Sofa: hickorychair.com. Sofa Fabric: romo.com. Sofa Pillows: pillowsalon.com. Sofa Pillows Fabric: hollyhunt.com; fschumacher.com. Sofa Pillows Trim: samuelandsons.com. Shade Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Shade Fabrication: draperycontractors.com. Corner Lamp & Sconce: jones-lighting.com. Art: art-vista.com.

OWNERS’ BEDROOM
Bed: Custom through ibelloupholstery.com. Bed Upholstery: Sahco through kvadrat.dk. Bedding: williams-sonoma.com; Penny Green Ltd; 410-484-0996. Bed Pillow: pillowsalon.com. Chairs: mrandmrshoward.sherrillfurniture.com. Chairs Pillows: pillowsalon.com. Chairs Pillow Fabric: scalamandre.com. Chairs Pillows Trim: estout.com. Drapery Fabrication: modified by draperycontractors.com. Bedside Tables: bennetthome.com. Bedside Lamps: jones-lighting.com. Chest: Owners’ collection. Lamps Near Window: jones-lighting.com.

That is, until recently, when the couple decided they were ready for an update. They pictured a renovation in keeping with the home’s idyllic setting on the banks of picturesque Saint Jerome Creek. The reimagined dwelling would be equal parts warm, rustic, sophisticated—and, above all, fresh. They tapped British-born designer Kate Abt to help them achieve their vision.

Like most major renovation projects, however, the execution didn’t go exactly according to plan. After consulting several builders, the Whittleses discovered the house was in a worse state of disrepair than they’d thought, so they opted to scrap the whole thing and start from scratch. With the help of Abt and Colony Builders, Inc., they razed the structure in favor of a brand-new custom home on the same footprint. “There wasn’t a lot we could do to save the cottage, so we decided to build the clients exactly what they wanted instead,” Abt notes.

The result? A contemporary take on a classic farmhouse. Measuring in at 4,700 square feet, the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath structure fronts pristine pastureland, while the back offers 180-degree vistas of the creek. The plan incorporated open sight lines so visitors can view the water from the moment they arrive at the framed-glass front door.

The completed residence encompasses an entry flanked by a home office on one side and a powder room on the other. The foyer opens to the expansive family room and kitchen at the back. The owners’ bedroom suite occupies the lower level, accessible via stairs down from the family room, while two additional bedrooms await upstairs. A cozy dining room, occupying a spacious nook off the kitchen, leads into a serene sunroom boasting two window walls overlooking the creek. It is intentionally devoid of electronics. “The idea was to prioritize the amazing views,” Abt explains. “It’s a quiet room for reading or playing board games—the living room, kitchen and dining room are all nearby, but the sunroom is away from all of the noise and commotion.”

Indeed, with family members all living on the same sprawling property, the home is frequently full. The inspiration behind the easygoing look and feel of the space was, in fact, the high-energy group that would be dropping in often: the Whittleses’ grown sons and young grandchildren. “We wanted to create something quite laid-back,” Abt relates. “Nothing is very precious. The home is designed to be enjoyed and well-loved.”

Front and center in the new dwelling is the kitchen—Sherry’s favorite room in the house. “We pretty much built our home around the kitchen because we have such a large family and love to entertain,” she observes. “I wanted a big island so that I can be on one side prepping appetizers and pouring drinks while everyone else is on the other side—but we can all still talk and see each other.”

Answering the couple’s desire for a classic white kitchen, Abt kept the whole space clean and light, letting a sense of airiness set the mood. “We added black window frames because the all-white space needed a surprise element,” says the designer, who teamed up with Leonardtown-based Woodburn Cabinets on custom cabinetry that establishes the modern-farmhouse theme. She enhanced the vibe with vintage cutting boards, utensil holders and more.

Abt and her clients were keen on outfitting their new home with materials and hues that felt appropriate to the pastoral landscape. “We wanted a clean and simple palette,” she says. “It’s not meant to be a very fussy space.”

Crisp-white walls, shiplap siding and rustic beams provide the backdrop for locally crafted furnishings throughout. “The concept was to use as many local craftsmen as we could. That’s what I loved so much about this project,” Abt enthuses. “Most of it isn’t retail; it’s totally catered to the client.” In addition to custom kitchen cabinetry, she enlisted Mennonite craftsmen to build tables, a bathroom vanity, a rustic pantry ladder and built-ins. A favorite custom piece: the extendable hickory dining table, which seats six but can be enlarged to accommodate big gatherings.

The Whittleses’ finished abode effortlessly mixes old and new to create warmth and a layered, collected sensibility. And, of course, this was Abt’s goal. Says the designer, “The home sits along a waterfront, surrounded by charming old stables and barns. It had to fit in without losing that contemporary edge.”

Architectural & Interior Design: Kate Abt, Kate Abt Design, Leonardtown, Maryland. Builder: Colony Builders, Inc., Valley Lee, Maryland.

RESOURCES

GENERAL
Flooring: hallmarkfloors.com. Window Treatment Fabrication & Beams: Custom.

SUN ROOM
Chairs & Chair Fabric: arhaus.com. Rug: greenfront.com. Round Coffee Table: Owners’ collection. Chandelier: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Pillows: etsy.com. Throw: Owners’ collection.

ENTRY
Console: Custom. Lantern Chandelier: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Rugs: vintage.

DINING ROOM
Table & Chairs: Custom. Chandelier: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Rug: custom. Hutch: Custom through Woodburn Cabinetry; 301-475-5680.

KITCHEN
Cabinetry: Woodburn Cabinetry; 301-475-5680. Pendants: vintage. Sconces: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Stools: arhaus.com.

PANTRY
Ladder & Countertop: Custom.

MUDROOM
Bench: Antique. Rug: Custom.

POWER ROOM
Sink: us.kohler.com. Mirror: rh.com.

OWNERS’ BATH
Clawfoot Tub: signaturehardware.com. Chandelier & Sconces: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Curtains: Custom. Vanity: Custom through Woodburn Cabinetry; 301-475-5680.

OWNERS’ BEDROOM
Bed: arhaus.com. Bedding: Owners’ collection. Throw: etsy.com. Drapery: Custom. Slipper Chair: Owners’ collection. Rug: greenfront.com. Overhead Light: visualcomfortlightinglights.com.

KIDS’ ROOMS
Beds, Shelving & Ladder: custom. Bedding: etsy.com; potterybarn.com.

A main-floor renovation, completed in 2020, reaches its apex with a dramatic, orange-painted ceiling rising over exposed rafters to a double-skylit roofline. This architectural focal point hovers over a light-filled gallery. From front to rear, original walls were removed. In their place, entry, living, dining and kitchen spaces are signaled by varied ceiling heights—flat, sloped, low and high—accompanied by broad swaths of color. KUBE calls the combination “three-dimensional space within otherwise simple block volumes.”

A desire for big change topped the owners’ wish list. Empty nesters transplanted from Venezuela decades ago, the couple had raised two sons in the Wood Acres house. But working increasingly from home—he as an economist, she in real estate—both felt hemmed in by a dated layout, low ceilings and—for two Latin spirits—a lack of pizzazz. “We always wanted a more modern home,” the husband explains. “We were held back by the floor plan.”

Historically, the abode’s defining characteristic was its “split foyer” entrance, featuring a landing with half a flight of steps up to a 1,256-square-foot main floor and half a flight down to a similarly sized lower level. On the main level, the floor plan squeezed in formal living and dining rooms, a corner kitchen and a short hall to three bedrooms and two baths. (The lower level, which was not part of KUBE’s brief, includes a family room, more bedrooms and a bath.)

Today, visitors enter a loft-like space brightened by five skylights and a mostly glass rear wall offering a clear view past a new deck to a lush garden. The project added just 423 square feet across the back—enough to expand the kitchen with a generous island and enhance the owners’ bath. It also provided room for a nine-by-16-foot office. “They had enough space,” Loosle-Ortega explains. “It’s just that it was chopped up by walls.”

Max Sposito of New Era Builders handled the construction, while KUBE’s Matthew Dougherty worked with Loosle-Ortega on the design. Their collaboration ensured the presence of details that elevate what could have become a long box. Original oak flooring was refinished and matched, extending a unified ground plane. A long wall of Italian laminated woodgrain storage cabinets provides warmth while blurring the demarcation between the kitchen and pantry and the dining area. For the office, added to the southwest corner, Loosle-Ortega designed large glass exposures on two sides.
“I wanted to see the four seasons,” says the husband. “In Venezuela, it’s spring all year.”

By angling an interior wall shared by the office and dining area, Loosle-Ortega created a more interesting backdrop for the dining table. Glass insets are strategically placed at the top and edge of the angled wall; they allow light but not sound to flow through.

If the practical need for an office sparked the project, it was the bold use of color that energized the owners. “Colors are very Latin American,” says the wife simply. “I love that sort of thing.”

So does Loosle-Ortega, a longtime educator at Catholic University’s School of Architecture, who has personal ties to Latin America. He counts among his influences the work of Mexico’s celebrated architect of color, Luis Barragán. The result here is a foyer glowing with sun-infused yellow. Beyond the electric-orange skylight well, a deep blue “wall” of sliding doors to the office is balanced by a splash of blue grounding the kitchen’s glossy white cabinets and counters. Only the living area has white walls, one of which fades to pale gray.

“What surprises me is that when people see color, they like it—but they don’t do it,” the husband observes.

Multiple lighting sources, including pendants and up-lights, add complexity. Colored LED strips on the ceiling mark the threshold between old and new spaces while emitting streaks of blue, white or pink.

If the bi-level’s original rigid floor plan has fewer fans today, furnishings from the same era retain their appeal. With their architect’s counsel, the clients traded traditional furniture for mid-century flair with such pieces as a Noguchi coffee table and an Eames lounge chair in the living area.

The owners are thrilled with their dynamic new dwelling. “We decided the next years are going to be the best years of our life,” the husband avows. “Many people invest in a house to sell. We wanted to make sure we have enough time to enjoy it.”

Ticking away over the front door is a classic Ball Clock by George Nelson, its multi-color hands suggesting that this was the right time for change.

DRAWING BOARD

Once you’ve taken down walls, how do you build back better?

Richard Loosle-Ortega: Just tearing out all the walls to open up rooms is not enough. An understanding of how to differentiate the spaces from one another is important. I use a full range of tools: vertical changes (ceiling heights); horizontal (sliding doors and wall heights); texture and color (flooring materials and paint); and transparency and light (glass, skylights and reflective materials).

How important is lighting?

The right lighting creates the ambience. This is so important. We use lots of LED lighting in our projects, all on dimmers.

Color can be magical. What are the rules?

Blues and greens and warm oranges are some of my favorite colors. We’ll use whatever the client is willing to use. The key is to make sure the palette works together. Count on testing lots of different paint samples. For this project, we tried three or four oranges and yellows and four or five blues on the wall.

Renovation Architecture: Richard Loosle-Ortega, RA, principal; Matthew Dougherty, design associate, KUBE Architecture, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: Max Sposito, New Era Builders, LLC, Washington, DC.

“What attracted me were the amazing views of the Washington Monument, as well as the wide-open spaces that are ideal for entertaining,” recalls the engineer/patent attorney. “The apartment has an amazing rooftop deck with a perfect view of the Fourth of July fireworks!”

She purchased the property, which 10 years earlier had been tricked out by the DC firm of Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect. Starting with a raw space boasting double-height windows, Gurney and his team accentuated views throughout open living spaces cleverly demarcated by millwork. Their plan created an upper level complete with a primary suite, a glass catwalk and access to two separate roof terraces.

Though the owner loved the modern lines and airy spaces perfect for entertaining, she wanted to recast the home’s masculine tones and overhaul its primary bath. So she enlisted DC designer Joe Ireland to help craft interiors that would reflect her penchant for color and sense of joie de vivre. “I’m an engineer, so design is not my forte,” she quips. “I gave Joe full rein.”

A quick study revealed that Ireland had inherited a gem. “We were excited that Robert Gurney had worked on the apartment before us. I tried to respect what was there,” he recalls. “He made such good use of the space and there was plenty of storage, so we kept the layout but just freshened it up. I wanted it to feel feminine without going overboard.”

Ireland set out to create a “happy, eclectic” vibe that, like his client, doesn’t take itself too seriously. To achieve the right look, he orchestrated a mix of custom, vintage and artisanal pieces—from hand-carved dining room chairs to a bespoke bed upholstered in soft velvet.

One challenge was accommodating his client’s two cats, along with others she occasionally fosters. Not only did Ireland ensure that furnishings and finishes could withstand pets, but he also designed a creative alternative to the carpeted cat “castles” he encountered on his first visit: a bank of geometric walnut cabinetry that greets guests when they enter the apartment. While some shelves in the unit are used to display collectibles, others harbor beds for the lucky felines, who can also play hide-and-seek in tunnels that traverse the millwork interior.

The kitchen and dining room await to the left of the foyer, with the living room, office and guest room located on the right. The designer employed colorful, oval-shaped rugs from Galleria Carpets to delineate areas in the open plan. “Because everything is at an angle in the apartment, I threw in some curves to give it balance,” Ireland explains. “The carpets make the spaces feel more organic.”

He reinforced the concept in the living area with a curvaceous sofa and ottoman of his own design. “I wanted furniture to float in the space and not feel constrained,” he adds.

Gurney’s oak floors were left intact. But in lieu of other wood finishes that dominated the existing apartment, Ireland softened the palette with creams and pastels. He painted the kitchen’s base and side cabinets in Benjamin Moore’s Alaskan Skies, while a whitewash muted upper cabinets in zebrawood.

A library Gurney created behind pivoting, steel-framed glass doors is used by the current owner as a gym and guest room, thanks to a Murphy bed. There’s also a home office tucked behind bookshelves housing a TV in the living room.

Strategically placed wall coverings animate the interiors. Case in point is a hand-painted Fromental floral motif that brings to mind a work of art near the living room’s suspended fireplace. And upstairs in the owner’s suite, a niche papered in a botanical mural conjures dreams of an exotic garden.

Ireland’s overhaul of the primary bath elevated the glam factor. He designed the vanity in bird’s eye maple, its rich wood tones offset by a Calacatta Retro marble countertop and a backsplash of marble tile inset with brass accents. Glass sconces by Waterworks add shimmer.

Now that the dust has settled, the owner is delighted with the apartment’s décor and custom accoutrements. Ireland affirms that its many bespoke furnishings solve issues of color and scale—but they also inject the project with meaning and lasting allure. “With every project we do,” the designer reflects, “we try not to repeat anything. And we try to make every single space a destination.”

Interior Design: Joe Ireland, JD Ireland Interior Architecture and Design, Washington, DC. Contractor: Winchester, Millersville, Maryland.

RESOURCES

DINING AREA
Table: Custom by robertgurneyarchitect; modified by jdireland.com. Chairs: 1stdibs.com; jonathanfield.co.uk. Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Chandelier: Owner’s collection. Wallpaper: phillipjeffries.com. Sconces: 1stdibs.com; jeanmarcfray.com. Art: paulabarragan.com. Millwork Fabrication: Refinished and painted by jdireland.com; winchesterinc.com. Fireplace: Refinished and painted by jdireland.com; winchesterinc.com. Paint: Alaskan Skies by benjaminmoore.com. Window Shades: owner’s collection.

KITCHEN
Countertop: stoneaction.net. Hood & Cooktop: Owner’s collection. Tile Backsplash: architessa.com. Cabinetry: Refinished and painted by jdireland.com; winchesterinc.com. Faucets: deltafaucet.com. Bar Stools: jakewhillans.com. Lights: circalighting.com. Paint: Alaskan Skies by benjaminmoore.com.

LIVING AREA
Floating Fireplace: Owner’s collection. Rugs: galleriacarpets.com. Ottoman: Custom through jdireland.com. Ottoman Fabric: jimthompsonfabrics.com. Curved Sofa: Custom through jdireland.com. Curved Sofa Fabrics: arabelfabrics.com. Pillow Fabrics: zakandfox.com; jimthompsonfabrics.com. Drink Table: michaelclearyllc.com. Leaf Art & Tapestry: fromental.co.uk; samuelandsons.com. Tapestry Installation:  installation by Michael DiGuiseppe; 202-731-2634.

WORKOUT ROOM
Glass Door Design: Color film added by jdireland.com.

ENTRY
Chest: 1stdibs.com; tomrobinsonmodern.com. Table Lamp: Jean Pierre Antiques; 202-337-1731. Mirror: krbnyc.com; corbincruise.com; marynelsonsinclair.com. Walls: winchesterinc.com. Art: otlpets.com.

ROOF TERRACE
Chairs, Tables & Chair Fabric: dedon.de.

BEDROOM
Bird Wall Covering: themuralsource.com. Bed: custom through jdireland.com. Headboard Fabric: jiunho.com; Great Plains through hollyhunt.com. Bedding: christopherfarrcloth.com. Lumbar Pillow Fabric: caryncramer.com. Chest: centuryfurniture.com. Lamp: artisanlamp.com. Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Bench: wayfair.com. Bench Fabric: misia-paris.com. Paint: Alaskan skies by benjaminmoore.com. Chair: mgbwhome.com. Side Table: michaelclearyllc.com.

OWNER'S BATH
Vanity: Custom through jdireland.com; fabricated by michaeljamesfurniture.com. Hardware: schoolhouse.com. Tile & Countertop: marblesystems.com; stoneaction.net. Sconces: waterworks.com. Mirror: cb2.com. Sink Faucet: waterworks.com.

Her furniture plan reflects its modern farmhouse style yet embraces the owners’ penchant for mid-century furnishings. One challenge: The wife wanted everything neutral while her husband was hungry for color. Ultimately, “both ended up being very happy,” says the designer. “The house is not one single look, but it’s so them.”

When did your clients realize they needed help from an interior designer?
BCN has a great team and they spent a lot of time getting to know the couple. But the owners were overwhelmed with their choices and that’s when they brought us in. We worked with BCN to complete sourcing and design furniture plans.

How did you resolve the couple’s love/hate relationship with color?
We kept the larger furniture pieces quiet and let them speak through texture. Then we brought in color through pillows in the great room and on the porch and through elements like paintings and area rugs. A tiny bit of color goes a long way.

What drove the dining chair selection?
By nature, there are a lot of rectangular shapes and straight lines in the kitchen; the ceiling beams are also strong and geometric. We needed something to loosen things up a little so we chose the sculptural host chairs and dining chairs with the circular backs for contrast.

Explain the benefits of the quartzite island countertop.
Quartzite is a natural stone that has the beautiful veining of marble and is as hard and durable as granite.
.
What are smart ways to ensure durability?
We’re using as much indoor/outdoor performance fabric inside as we are outside. Fabrics in the Great Outdoors collection through Holly Hunt, for example, have the most gorgeous hand to them. In this project, the great room sofa is covered in a Pindler performance fabric that feels like suede. If something gets on it, a damp washcloth takes it off. We also selected wool carpets because they’re easy to clean. And the dining chairs are leather-wrapped and easy to wipe down after use.

Share the most serendipitous furniture find you made during the planning stage.
My colleague and I were antiquing in Culpeper and each spotted a Mid-Century Modern end table at Country Shoppes. When we saw there were two, we had to buy them. They were unfinished but great structurally. We hired artist Martha Leone to give them a new life. She painted the frames black and left the drawers natural wood. For a family-friendly vibe, we topped them with marble remnants; the stone finish is indestructible.

Explain how you created flexibility in the lower-level living area.
We placed little C tables so that the owners have a place for a drink or a laptop. We didn’t want a giant cocktail table that would lock them in. The leather ottoman and wood coffee table are also easy to move around so if they have a movie night, they can scoot the tables out of the way and put pillows on the floor for the kids.

How did you repurpose the clients’ existing furniture?
We help clients re-use what they have if it’s right and if it’s smart. In this project, we had our furniture finisher put a coat of marine-grade varnish on their original walnut dining table for use on the screened porch. And their previous dining room chandelier and Room & Board buffet ground the area at the bottom of the stairs on the lower level.

What makes the owners’ bedroom feel so tranquil?
Our local upholsterer created wall panels in a gorgeous smoky-gray fabric with a little bit of lavender in it. The Roman shade is motorized and there’s a sun shade behind it. We like to do a rug in a bedroom that’s room-size to soften up the space. And we selected crisp, white bedding in organic cotton. At the end of the day, it’s quiet and clean—and not fussy.

Interior Design: Kelly Holland, KPH Studio, Arlington, Virginia. Kitchen Design: Amanda Smith, BCN Homes, Arlington, Virginia. Builder: BCN Homes.

ASK KELLY

Do you have a designer good luck charm?
In my wallet, I keep a plastic cockroach that Mario Buatta gifted to me at a dinner in DC. It makes me smile and is a solid reminder to keep things light and fun.

What trend has run its course?
I want to break out in hives if I see another Chair and a Half.

What’s a new style you embrace?
I love that tight-backed upholstered pieces are more common now so we don’t have to fluff the back cushions on sofas and chairs any more.

Name a piece of furniture you treasure most?
My late mother-in-law showed up one Easter holding a primitive farm bench painted my favorite color, Kelly green. She picked it up at a consignment shop in Reston—and she nailed it. “This is your Easter basket,” she said. It was a coffee table in our prior home and now serves as a console. That super-simple piece means so much to me.

Set on a bluff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, the home of Jason Claire and his husband tells a tale of evolution. Originally built as a weekend retreat from the couple’s DC-based life, it now serves as their primary residence—yet a sense of escape prevails. “We’ve created a relaxing space that almost makes us feel like we’re on vacation,” reveals the designer. “So much of it is the view. We’re fortunate to have a beautiful natural environment.” That panorama provides a pristine backdrop for Claire’s clean-lined, layered aesthetic.

After searching for a property with, as Claire puts it, “some sort of water situation,” the couple purchased the one-and-a-half-acre parcel in Chestertown, Maryland, in 2006. Five years later, they replaced a tired home on the site with a 2,300-square-foot modern cottage. “We wanted the interior space to be open and light, to have both glass for the views and walls for art,” he states. The kitchen, living and dining areas, and library flow in an L shape on the main floor; the owners’ suite lies to the left of the entry. Upstairs sit two guest bedrooms and a bath.

The pair also added a detached, two-story garage/guest house, originally leaving the upper floor unfinished. Not long after, Claire’s husband, a physician who specializes in global health, accepted a position in Switzerland. So they sold their house in DC and moved abroad, with the commitment to make Chestertown their full-time base upon their return.

While overseas for four years, Claire remotely orchestrated several improvements that, he discloses, “amped up some things we didn’t spend money on in the first round because it was a second home.” First, he asked architect Cathy Purple Cherry to devise a plan to finish the above-garage space. Her layout includes an open office, kitchenette, guest bedroom and bath. Downstairs, the architect also shaped a welcoming entryway. “We opened up that vertical space so light can shaft down through the stair to the first-floor foyer,” she explains. “That lower level engages the upper floor.”

Next, South Fork Studio enhanced the somewhat stark landscape, employing an array of native plants to add privacy and definition, as well as color and texture. The existing pool lying between the house and garage presented the biggest challenge. “The unique part of this project is that the pool is basically in the front yard,” notes principal Miles Barnard. “Anybody who comes to the house has to come through that area.” He devised a new bluestone path that fosters circulation around the renovated pool. A cedar pergola, installed after the couple’s return, offers shade and architectural interest. “It’s a really neat little oasis,” Barnard says of the finished spot.

Upgrades within the house included re-facing the kitchen cabinets, switching out some earlier lighting choices and installing a home-automation system. “We did those tweaks to make it feel more like a primary home,” explains Claire. “We wanted the spaces to be a little more sophisticated and less ‘beach house.’”

Claire also used the time in Europe “to feed my design curiosity and plant the seeds for whatever would come next.” Vastu, the DC furniture showroom he previously co-founded, closed in 2014 after both owners relocated. “In my head, I was collecting designs of hotels, restaurants, food, art—all the things that I was experiencing,” Claire recounts. “I was primed when I came back to start something new.”

That “something” turned out to be Interior Matter, the design business he launched in 2019 with former Vastu colleague Sarita Simpson. “We’re a modern firm,” Claire states. “We like clean lines and lightness, though the unexpected mixing of materials and periods is also a through line in our work.”

His aesthetic has evolved over the years from minimalism to a more layered approach, which he applies at home. White walls, warm woods and unfussy furnishings provide a timeless base, Claire maintains, for both “physical layers and layers of history, of experience.” He treasures “the stories behind the objects” gathered on the couple’s world travels. Original art plays a starring role in his meaningful tableaus. Along the guest-house stairway, for example, a charred-wood accent wall dramatically showcases pieces collected around the globe, plus one grade-school painting by Claire that won first place in a student art competition.

The designer works from home, thankful for the separation that “a one-minute walk down the path” to the guest house provides. He and his husband happily embrace the region’s low-key, outdoor lifestyle—lounging by the pool, dining on the deck and hosting crab feasts on the dock.

“When this was a second home and we’d come out for the weekend, our shoulders would relax once we got onto the Bay Bridge,” recalls Claire. “We’d be in the zone of being on the Eastern Shore. We’ve been very fortunate to make our lives work around that full-time.”

Interior Design: Jason Claire, principal, Interior Matter, Washington, DC. Renovation Architecture: Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, LEED, AP, CAS, Purple Cherry Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Taylor Loughry Construction, Chestertown, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: D. Miles Barnard, ASLA, RLA, South Fork Studio Landscape Architecture, Chestertown, Maryland.

Modern Evolution - RESOURCES

EXTERIOR
Chaises & Table: knoll.com. Sconces: flos.com. Water Feature Vessel: lunaform.com.
FOYER
Wall Covering: phillipjeffries.com. Rug: perennialsandsutherland.com. Light Fixture: alliedmaker.com. Umbrella Stand: vintage through 1stdibs.com.
LIVING AREA
Paint: Simple White by benjaminmoore.com. Bar Cabinet: custom through klein.agency. Buddha Sculpture: owners’ collection. Floor Lamp: custom through danieldonnelly.com. Sofa: dellarobbia.com. Sofa Fabric: romo.com. Coffee Table: Gio Ponti through molteni.it. Matador Photo: joanlongas.com. Sculpture above Fireplace: vincentbeaurin.com. Rug: harcourtcollection.com.
DINING AREA
Chandelier: mattermatters.com. Table: knoll.com.
KITCHEN
Backsplash Tile: waterworks.com. Cabinetry: Signature Custom Cabinetry through kitchencreations.net. Hardware: rockymountainhardware.com. Stove & Cooktop & Range Hood: Wolf through adu.com. Light Pendants: tomdixon.net. Recessed Lighting: contrastlighting.com. Sink Faucet: Blanco through afnewyork.com.
GUEST HOUSE
Bench Below Stair: gebruederthonetvienna.com. Flooring: porcelainsource.nyc.
OFFICE
Wooden Desk: vintage through Reform Vintage Modern; 215-485-6698. Desk Chair: knoll.com. Desk Chair Fabric: designersguild.com. Desk Lamp: andtradition.com. Leather Lounge Chair & Ottoman: hermanmiller.com. Shelving: Dieter Rams through vitsoe.com. Rug under Chair & Ottoman: vintage. Rug under Sofas: custom through kylebunting.com. Sofas: Playground through theodores.com. Sofa Fabric: eilersen.eu. Floor Lamps: koncept.com. Coffee Table: rivoltahome.it. Credenza: bddw.com. Paint: Silver Satin by benjaminmoore.com. Sconces: circalighting.com.
OWNERS’ BEDROOM
Bed: custom through danieldonnelly.com. Bedding: matouk.com. Pillow Fabric: Zak + Fox through hollyhunt.com. Pendant: roostco.com. Night Chest: molteni.it. Rug: vintage. Bench: olystudio.com. Paint: Simple White by benjaminmoore.com.
MASTER BATHROOM
Countertop: inhomestone.com. Mirrors: Robern through afnewyork.com. Sconces: schmitz-willa.com. Sink & Shower Faucets: Grohe through afnewyork.com. Floor & Wall Tile: annsacks.com.
GUEST BEDROOM
Bed: Nathan Anthony through theodores.com. Bedding: sferra.com. Pillow Fabric: knoll.com. Pendants: vintage through 1stdibs.com. Night Tables: westelm.com. Art: vintage.

Or the thrill of an indoor, in-person meet-up after a year of virtual connections. But a visit to designer Tom Preston’s new digs felt like a moment suspended in time, where furniture from many eras and contemporary art forge an unexpected camaraderie.

Just before the pandemic hit, Preston settled into Liz, a new building on 14th Street designed by New York architect Annabelle Selldorf. Located on the former site of Whitman-Walker Health’s Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center, the mixed-use building pays homage to Taylor, an ardent supporter of the non-profit’s HIV care and LGBTQ-focused advocacy. As a partner in Liz, Whitman-Walker now has offices and a cultural center on-site.

Preston was drawn to the building for its legacy, its sleek architecture—and its world-class public art collection. “Art and design have always been in my blood,” he muses.

A promising art student in high school, Preston was accepted into the fashion program at Parsons, but quickly pivoted to earn a fine arts degree at Bennington College and later, a master’s in graphic design at MICA. While working as a freelance illustrator in the late ’90s, he landed a job at David Bell Antiques in Georgetown—an auspicious entrée into the world of interiors.

“David Bell was a catalyst to forming my aesthetic and developing my love for antiques,” says Preston, who eventually became a partner in the business and remains involved today. “David is so connected with designers that I learned to think like an interior designer early on.” He later spent 10 years working as a principal designer at a DC firm before launching Thomas Preston Interiors in 2017.

Preston’s new apartment is a testament to his keen eye and penchant for unearthing vintage treasures. “I started with a clean slate and identified new pieces I would need,” he says. “Most of the items in my place are vintage or antique.”

A deft mix of furniture, art and decorative elements in the one-bedroom flat merges styles and centuries. The living room assembles diminutive 1980s Minotti chairs in red leather, a bronze coffee table handmade by the late Joe Niermann and a contemporary teak-and-rush chest that channels a French 1940s look. Circle motifs on two 18th-century Italian side chairs play off a modern mixed-media work by DC artist Stephen Benedicto in graphite and concrete. And behind the sofa, bronze finials salvaged from an 18th-century bridge in Japan stand watch atop pedestals acquired in the Hamptons.

“I like to bring in something old and make it look 21st century,” Preston reflects. “The harder you can push the juxtaposition between items from one century and another, the more electric the outcome will be.”

The designer notes that even though the apartment is small, many of the items in it are not. He traces the ability to play with scale to his graphic design days. “I tend to do edited layouts and compositions,” he remarks. “It’s all 100-percent related.”

Equipped with lacquered Scavolini cabinets and top-flight appliances, the kitchen is open to the living area; Preston tempered its sleek veneer with organic touches like rattan pendants and an antique African stool repurposed as a fruit stand. Floor-to-ceiling windows also bring in nature, with views of the building’s expansive green roof.

Crisp, white walls in the living area give way to saturated color in the bedroom, where the ceiling and walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Willow Creek. “I wanted a cocoon,” says Preston, who furnished the space with a 19th-century ebonized Campaign chest, a vintage Turkish rug and a modern portrait in social realist style.

Preston has filled his home with art that resonates. “To me, one’s art collection is a form of self-expression,” he avers. His personal favorites include an orange abstract by Washington Color School painter James Twitty that hangs in the living room and a 1960 portrait by a Belgian artist in the entry hall. “The quality of the rendering blows my mind,” says Preston of the latter, which depicts a man seated on a mid-century chair smoking a cigarette. “I’m captivated by him to this day.”

Now that it’s complete, the designer views his new apartment as a calling card of sorts. “Using vintage is important to my aesthetic; it gives clients a one-of-a-kind product as opposed to mass-produced furniture,” he explains. “When buying vintage, you increase what’s available to source exponentially. It makes it a lot harder—but also lot more fun and fascinating.”

Interior Design: Thomas Preston, Thomas Preston Interiors, Washington, DC.

Time Travel - RESOURCES

LIVING ROOM
Sofa: roomandboard.com. Sofa Pillows: fortuny.us. Throw: hermes.com. Floor Lamp (left): corbinbronze.com through hollyhunt.com.  Rattan Stool: mgbwhome.com. 1980s Minotti Chairs in red leather: from 1stdibs.com. Teak-and-Rush chest: noirfurniturela.com. Graphite-and-Concrete Artwork: stephenbenedicto.com through hemphillfinearts.com. Antique Bronze Finials salvaged from an 18th-century bridge in Japan: Withington Antiques; 603-498-4778. Paint: Super White by benjaminmoore.com. Drapes: theshadestore.com.

KITCHEN
Antique African Stool: rayonroskar.com. Frank Gehry Bench: kartell.com. Cabinets: scavolini.com. Range: bosch.com.

BEDROOM
Bed: mgbwhome.com. Paint: Willow Creek by by benjaminmoore.com. Drapes: theshadestore.com. Mirror & Light Fixture (customized): westelm.com.