Will McGovern, who grew up outside of Pittsburgh, loved to comb the city’s architectural relics with his parents. He studied the history of art and architecture at the University of Pittsburgh and eventually enrolled at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he earned master’s degrees in both interior design and historic preservation. The combination could not have been more appropriate for this young designer, who is as much at home restoring centuries-old national treasures as he is designing cutting-edge contemporary lofts in DC’s hippest neighborhoods.
During a summer internship with The Hillier Group in DC, McGovern worked on the restoration of the Virginia Capitol, originally designed by Thomas Jefferson. After graduating he landed a job with Forrest Perkins, where he was named lead designer on the multi-million-dollar restoration and renovation of Washington’s venerable Jefferson Hotel. As such, he was responsible for all of the interior architecture and design facets of the project down to the tiniest detail.
When the Jefferson was complete, McGovern took the leap and opened his own firm in 2010. “I always knew I wanted to be on my own,” he explains, “and because of how involved I was in almost every aspect of the Jefferson’s restoration, it seemed like a natural breaking point for me to leave when it was done.”
Today McGovern keeps busy with residential work and multi-family and hospitality projects that range in style from modern to traditional. “I like to switch gears and design styles to keep things fresh and exciting,” McGovern says. “A lot of my clients say, ‘You really have a diverse portfolio, but even your most traditional projects have a clean, modern eye.’”
INTERIOR DESIGN: WILLIAM M. MCGOVERN, ASID, McGovern Design Studio, LLC, Washington, DC.
Other Hot Talent:
ELIZABETH REICH
Jenkins Baer Associates
Baltimore, Maryland
JUILE DASTVAN, ALLIED ASID
Dastvan Designs, LLC
Darnestown, Maryland
DARLENE MOLNAR, ASID, LEED AP
Darlene Molnar LLC
Washington, DC
J. ALLEN
Perceptions Interiors, LLC
Washington, DC
Darlene Molnar always wanted to be an interior designer. When she was growing up in New Jersey, she shared a room with her sister. “Her side was a typical kid’s room, but mine would be perfectly staged as if a photographer were coming in,” she recalls. Her first design decision was to pick out a pedestal sink from Home Depot for the family bathroom. “My parents were the first clients who trusted me,” she says.
Molnar has an adventurous streak that has taken her around the globe to study, work and travel. After earning a degree in communications in Honolulu (where she interned for a design firm), Molnar enrolled in the graduate interior design program at DC’s Corcoran College of Art + Design. She has studied contemporary design at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, took a furniture design course in Copenhagen and attended Parsons New School of Design in Paris. She also spent three months living in Kenya. “It’s always influential to get out of the city you’re in and see how people live. Travel has opened my mind up to a lot of different styles,” says Molnar. “It makes me more educated when I talk to my clients.”
Molnar is now an adjunct professor at the Corcoran. She launched her own design firm in Georgetown in 2011 and is currently working on a number of residential and commercial projects, including Quench, a new restaurant in Rockville.
Molnar’s mission is to avoid settling into one particular look. “I never want to get locked into one style or be a one-trick pony,” she says. “One of my best qualities is that of listener and observer. It allows clients to speak.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: DARLENE MOLNAR, ASID, LEED AP, Darlene Molnar, LLC, Washington, DC.
Other Hot Talent:
ELIZABETH REICH
Jenkins Baer Associates
Baltimore, Maryland
JUILE DASTVAN, ALLIED ASID
Dastvan Designs, LLC
Darnestown, Maryland
WILLIAM M. McGOVERN, ASID
McGovern Design Studio, LLC
Washington, DC
J. ALLEN
Perceptions Interiors, LLC
Washington, DC
J. Allen hails from Los Angeles, but crossed the continent in 1997 to attend Howard University. She never went back. “I liked the pace of living here,” she says. Most of all, however, it was the city’s history and the architecture that fascinated her. As she explains it, “We don’t have much of that in L.A.!”
Amid pressure from her parents to pursue a law school track, Allen began taking electives in design. She knew right away this was what she wanted, but it took her parents a little longer to get on board. When she’d finished school with a major in political science and a minor in interior design, they cut a deal: Allen would take a year “to see if she could get work” as an interior designer.
“I’ve been doing it ever since,” she says. It wasn’t always easy; her first job was the overhaul of a basement condo unit for a single mom with a total budget of $3,000. “I was willing to take anything,” Allen recalls. “It required me to be creative!”
Today, Allen’s projects run the gamut from a classic Kalorama Colonial to a sleek Reston condo. She also appeared in season six of HGTV’s “Design Star.”
Despite her success, Allen remains an equal opportunity designer. “I believe everyone should have access to a great space to live in, no matter what their budget,” she explains.
In any price range, Allen stresses the importance of “getting creative.” For example, on a recent project she grouped magnolia-shaped plates from Arhaus Furniture on the walls to create eye-catching, decorative art. “Sometimes,” she says, “you have to think outside the box.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: J.ALLEN, Perceptions Interiors, LLC, Washington, DC.
Other Hot Talent:
ELIZABETH REICH
Jenkins Baer Associates
Baltimore, Maryland
JUILE DASTVAN, ALLIED ASID
Dastvan Designs, LLC
Darnestown, Maryland
WILLIAM M. McGOVERN, ASID
McGovern Design Studio, LLC
Washington, DC
DARLENE MOLNAR, ASID, LEED AP
Darlene Molnar LLC
Washington, DC
Nestled in the bucolic Northwest DC neighborhood of Spring Valley, this year’s DC Design House was a classic brick center-hall Colonial built in 1956. Twenty-three area design teams transformed this stately residence into a showcase of 21st century design, both inside and out, using innovation, creativity—and the paints and wall coverings of sponsor Farrow & Ball (with a strong emphasis on shades of gray). In case you missed it, the remarkable results of their efforts are shown on the following pages; proceeds from the month-long event benefited Children’s National Medical Center.
To see before and after photos CLICK HERE.
L’Orangerie
Kelley Proxmire (Kelley Interior Design) dubbed her room L’Orangerie, and her choice reflects one of her strong suits as a designer: the ability to use color fearlessly. “I’ve always loved color, even as a child,” she says. “It’s second nature to me.” In this room, Proxmire contrasted the orange hues of a Manuel Canovas toile table skirt, linen draperies and upholstery with walls painted in Farrow & Ball Cornforth White (actually pale gray).
Foyer & Reception Hall
John Matthew Moore (John Matthew Moore Fine Art & Home) designed the foyer and reception hall in a traditional style, but sleek gray walls and a striking Mid Century-inspired chandelier by Rick Singleton lent the space a contemporary flair. “When the entrance respects the architecture, the transition from the outside in is smoother,” Moore says. “Here there’s a balance of traditional and modern so the interiors feel at ease with the house itself.”
Entry Garden
Blake Dunlevy and Gina Benincasa (D&A Dunlevy Landscapers, Inc.) placed mature arborvitae at either end of the home’s front façade, effectually bookending the design of the front garden. Newer, seasonal plantings flanked the graceful split stairway leading to the main entrance, and azaleas and large containers of flowers added color. Manicured boxwood hedges bordering the front entry provided structure. All year round, textures and shades of green will impart interest to the horticultural design.
Parlor
Annette Hannon (Annette Hannon Interior Design, Ltd.) defined the parlor with a coffered ceiling and wall moldings, then grouped together comfortable chairs and a settee, which she terms “acquired pieces.” She explains, “These were a driving force of the design. We have four different chair styles and a sofa, one-of-a-kind Swedish chairs (shown) and custom accent pieces.” Hannon expertly balanced the furniture and color palette: Farrow & Ball Stony Ground, Slipper Satin and Light Gray.
Family Room
The family room by Daniel K. Proctor (Kirk Designs, Inc.) was intended as a multipurpose room, the center of family activity. Architectural panels faux-painted by The Valley Craftsmen concealed a doorway and grounded the seating area. Traditionally styled upholstered pieces were generously sized. A coffee table with pull-out stools served various functions, from dining to card playing. “Comfort does come with style,” says Proctor. “A family can relax in a space that’s aesthetically pleasing.”
Formal Dining Room
Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey (SCW Interiors) designed the dining room as a glamorous but versatile space. Custom banquettes and tea tables occupied the corners of the room, and a console divided the conversation and dining areas and served as a buffet. Upholstery in hues of coral and blue provided an energizing backdrop, and as Cavin-Winfrey says, the distinctive Lewis & Wood marbleized wallpaper on the ceiling “took the space to a whole new level.”
Teenager’s Getaway
Victoria Sanchez (Victoria Sanchez Interiors) designed the Teenager’s Getaway with her own children’s aesthetic in mind. She tapped Missoni Home to help her create the bold, colorful look she was after, ultimately combining the company’s brightly patterned fabrics on furniture and window treatments with a pouf, striped carpet and a large, globe-shaped fixture—all of which were also by Missoni. Hip, kid-friendly furnishings included a desk for tackling homework and plenty of room to lounge.
Back Hallway
A simple back hallway became a destination in itself in the hands of Christopher Boutlier (Boutlier Design, LLC). To emphasize the length of the hall, the designer used the space as an art gallery, showcasing the work of a variety of DC-area artists, including a triptych by Lisa Tureson. “This allowed me to use a space that could have easily been dismissed as a non-space,” he says, “and to make it functional and beautiful.”
Guest Bath
In updating the guest bath, Brian VanFleet (BVF Design Consulting) traded old plumbing and lighting for a modern look. Farrow & Ball Down Pipe and Railings—both shades of gray—added drama to a room that deftly combined old and new elements. “Make sure what you keep is in good condition,” VanFleet advises. He recommends artwork that will withstand high humidity. “I put photos printed on aluminum in this bath because they can take the moisture.”
Kitchen
Designed by Nadia Subaran (Aidan Design), the kitchen married classic and modern style. She chose slate gray-painted cabinetry from Wood-Mode and a walnut island, paired with quartzite counters and a white shell mother-of-pearl backsplash that the designer says “feels like great jewelry.” In the breakfast area, a built-in bar area included laminate cabinetry and a hand-carved marble backsplash. “I want kitchens to be living spaces that flow with the surroundings,” Subaran says.
Morning Room
An Oushak rug with punches of indigo and pale citrine provided inspiration for Marika Meyer’s (Marika Meyer Interiors, LLC) morning room. “I fell in love with the palette,” Meyer recalls. She created two conversation areas: one with a round table before a bookcase flanked by wing chairs and another with a tufted settee upholstered in natural linen with vintage bamboo chairs. Floor-to-ceiling drapes in Quadrille linen offered a serene backdrop.
Patio Terrace
The patio terrace was a two-fold challenge for Stephen Wlodarczyk (Botanical Decorators—Landscape Architecture, Design-Build): to integrate the outdoors with the interiors and to refurbish the plantings around the house. “The bones were there, but there were overgrown trees and mismatched azaleas,” Wlodarczyk says. He and his team constructed a stone fireplace and a flagstone seating area, and fabricated cushions to draw on colors from inside. A metal sculpture on the hill above the seating area added interest.
Second-Floor Foyer
Carolyn Wilson and Elizabeth Boland (Design in a Day) opted for dramatic black, white and yellow in the second-floor foyer. It was the smallest room in the house, so they removed an adjacent linen closet to enlarge the space, then boldly hung black alligator-stamped wallpaper by Thibaut. “Most people are afraid to go bold, especially in a small space,” says Wilson. “But by using [reflective] wallpaper instead of black paint we kept the space bright.”
Study
In the study, Lorna Gross (Savant Interior Design) created a sophisticated yet cozy retreat. She installed silk window treatments featuring teal Suzani medallions as a focal point, then hung artwork with teal accents to tie it all together. “The drapery and artwork are ‘bookends’ in the room,” she says. An iron sunburst mirror above a tufted velvet sofa reflected light and a sisal carpet was paired with a silk damask rug to convey a lush, welcoming vibe.
Master Deck
Shanon Munn and Amanda Welch (Ambi Design Studio, Inc.) wanted the deck off the master bedroom to feel like an extension of the interior. “We used furnishings that are comfortable and generously scaled,” Munn says, “then added softness through bright pillows, rugs and planters.” Munn designed a “feature wall” of pedestals and benches as a focal point. Art panels adorned the side of the house and draped fabrics created a sense of intimacy.
Master Bedroom
Sharon Kleinman (Transitions) used the nearby garden as inspiration for the master bedroom. Brown and green fabrics and framed leaf etchings echoed nature, while a mix of modern and antique furnishings appeared to have been acquired over time. Kleinman painted the walls in Farrow & Ball London Clay to convey a cocoon-like ambiance. “People can’t decide if the walls are brown, charcoal gray or purple,” she says. “I call them bittersweet chocolate with an undertone of aubergine.”
Master Sitting Room
The awkward layout of the master sitting room turned out to be a positive, according to Tricia Huntley (Huntley & Co. Interior Design), the room’s designer. “Contending with three entrances drove the decision to put a sofa in the corner,” Huntley says. The curved sofa allowed for traffic flow while also directing visitors toward the carved marble fireplace. Huntley chose Mid-Century furnishings and muted fabrics to “relax the formality of the room and create a casual vibe.”
Guest Room
“Dreams evoke feelings of serenity,” says Wendy Danziger (Danziger Design, LLC), who in her serene guest room chose gray and white bedding embroidered with an Italian quote about dreams. She concealed asymmetrical windows behind a hand-painted, six-panel screen, and removed the door and interior of the closet to create a display niche. Restful shades of gray throughout—the walls were painted in Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone—were punctuated with red and crystal accents.
Third-Level Bath
For the small, third-level bath, Christopher Patrick (Christopher Patrick Interiors, LLC) wanted “to embrace the existing vintage details” while upgrading the space. With the original pinwheel tile floor as inspiration, he covered the walls in The Ranelagh Papers by Farrow & Ball to bring out burgundy accents in the tile. He added classic, white subway tile and a custom vanity with a Carrara marble top. Teak accents abounded, from the shower tray to the medicine cabinet, unifying the space.
Modern Nursery
Elizabeth Krial (Elizabeth Krial Design, LLC) designed the nursery for a baby girl, “but made it a space that she can grow into,” the designer says. She selected Farrow & Ball Peony and Petal Stripe wall coverings in Churlish Green, then incorporated vibrant pink in the window treatments and fabric around the crib to give the room an unexpected pop. White painted furnishings, light pink poufs and bleached wood floors kept the room bright and cheerful.
Nursery Bath
In the nursery bath, Allie Mann (Case Design/Remodeling) chose to replace the old pink tile and silver wallpaper with a white color scheme and green accents. The walls were decorated with crisp, vertical white and green stripes in Farrow & Ball Pointing and Green Ground. The shower was clad in white subway tile and the vanities were painted white and topped with marble counters. An old bidet by the window was replaced with a window seat.
Little Boy’s Room
Nancy Twomey (Finnian’s Moon Interiors, LLC), who specializes in children’s rooms, devised a calm, cool palette of blues and neutrals in the little boy’s room. She selected a forest theme with a whimsical tree bookcase and window treatments sporting a deer motif. “My favorite touch is the striped legs,” Twomey says of the fully upholstered platform bed that revealed striped legs beneath the linen duvet. The wool rug was “reminiscent of a cable-knit sweater.”
Daughter’s Bedroom
A love of color and pattern contributed to Susan Nelson’s (Susan Nelson Interiors, LLC) vision for the daughter’s bedroom. She chose a faux bamboo daybed as the focal point, topping it with a floral coverlet and patterned pillows. A club chair in a confetti print played off a background of Farrow & Ball Vermicelli wallpaper. A lavender and cream rug covered the floor.
Writer Jeanne Blackburn is based in Montgomery Village, Maryland.
A captivating view of American craft today marks the 40th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Encompassing works by 40 artists under the age of 40, the exhibition opening July 20th recognizes the boundless ingenuity, expanded boundaries and future direction of today’s evolving craft world.
Javier Martin Muriel, who founded the high-end contemporary Spanish furniture company Baltus, designs all its furniture—including the curvaceous Picasso chair, pictured here. Beech wood legs are hand-painted to look like rosewood; the upholstery comes from Casamance, a European fabric company. Fully customizable. baltuscollection.com
Light and Airy
Designed by Jean-Marie Massaud for Poliform, the Paris-Seoul line of coffee tables recently debuted at the 2012 Milan Furniture Fair. While they are generously proportioned, the tables are made of thin bronze sheets that give them a light and airy look. The metal is covered in hide or in a spessart oak veneer. poliform.it
Oh, Canada
Designed by Dan Sunaga, the Itomaki coffee table from Karl Andersson & Söner is made of interlinked lengths of wood that fold ingeniously. The glass-topped table comes in four heights and diameters, in a choice of stained oak, birch or walnut. Available exclusively through Apartment Zero. apartmentzero.com; karl-andersson.se
Quilting Party
Designed by Inga Sempé for Ligne Roset, the Ruché sofa series consists of a simple, solid wood frame draped by an upholstered piece of quilting. With 35 fabric and leather choices, hundreds of color options and four frame variations, it is highly customizable. The collection also includes beds and tables. ligne-roset-usa.com
An Uncommon Vision
Known for his use of nontraditional joinery, award-winning furniture designer Peter Harrison recently debuted a reinterpretation of the classic Zig Zag Chair, originally created by Gerrit Rietveld in 1934. Called Zig Zag Redux, it is made of maple and reveals its aluminum joints; available in a black or red lacquer finish. peterharrison.com
Framed in Steel
Designed by Berry & Clark for Hancock & Moore, the Flexx Metal Oval Chair features simple, clean lines executed in steel. This
lounge chair, pictured in purple leather, is part of the company’s contemporary collection. Available through Baker Furniture.
bakerfurniture.com
X Marks the Spot
Designer Philip Jackson used an angular, X-shaped base to convey the geometry of his Spyder dining table for Cattelan Italia. The base comes in a choice of matte-white or matte-graphite varnished steel; stainless steel; or Canaletto walnut or wenge. The glass-topped table is available through Theodores in Georgetown. theodores.com
Coming Home
Industrial designer Karim Rashid was inspired by the stark, natural landscape around his hometown when he conceived the Ottawa collection for BoConcept. The Minimalist line includes a dining set featuring a table, chairs (pictured), sideboard, cabinet and more. The chairs are available in multiple fabric and leather choices. boconcept.ca
Spanish Style
Pure lines and glossy finishes characterize Event, a new collection of case goods from Spanish furniture manufacturer Hurtado. Pictured here, a media unit is finished in high-gloss lacquer with cross brackets of polished steel and leather handles. Available through IMI Furniture; for more information, contact [email protected]
Nestled on Ayios Yiannis, one of Mykonos’s most stunning beaches, the Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort is home to 107 guest rooms and suites, a luxurious spa and even a stone amphitheater where yoga sessions for everyone take place. Executive suites boast a private roof terrace with daybed. Rooms from $290. mykonosgrand.gr
Living History
Housed in a former monastery dating back to the 14th century, the Mandarin Oriental, Prague makes a perfect base from which to explore the Czech city’s rich history. The hotel’s tile-roofed buildings overlook the famous Prague Castle, while its Monastery Lounge is housed in a former cloister. Rates from $370. mandarinoriental.com
California Dreaming
Located in Yountville in the heart of the Napa Valley, Bardessono Hotel, Restaurant and Spa pampers guests with spa treatments indoors and out, local farm-fresh cuisine and eco-friendly guest rooms complete with private courtyards or balconies and en suite massage tables. The hotel has received LEED Platinum certification for its sustainable practices. Rates from $550; bardessono.com
Taste of Spain
The original Jaleo in Penn Quarter has undergone a dramatic makeover. Expect a visual feast of products from Spain that nearly rivals the restaurant’s tapas menu, from a custom mosaic-tile floor to beaded curtains hanging above banquette seating and cutting-edge furniture and art. 480 7th Street, NW; 202-628-7949. jaleo.com
West End Debut
Ashok Bajaj has opened a second Rasika in DC’s West End. Designed by Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates, it boasts a natural anigre ceiling to evoke India’s national Banyan tree, plus a glass-topped bar and plush seating. 1190 New Hampshire Ave, NW; 202-466-2500. rasikarestaurant.com
Top Toque
Chef Brian McPherson recently took the helm at Jackson 20 and The Grille at Morrison House, both Kimpton restaurants in Old Town Alexandria. At the latter, teatime brings an assortment of house-made scones and sandwiches and seasonally inspired petit fours. thegrillealexandria.com; jackson20.com
Battle of the Rosés
Proof invites guests to sample the summer’s top rosés, available for $35 per bottle on the restaurant’s patio and in the bar and lounge through Labor Day. The wines hail from Spain, Italy, France, Argentina and more. 775 G Street, NW, 202-737-7663. proofdc.com
Though the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 (above) is two inches longer and wider than the previous model, its aluminum body is more than 200 pounds lighter. Top-down driving has never been easier: With the touch of a button, its fully retracting hardtop opens or closes in less than 20 seconds. A Harmon/Kardon audio system is standard. From $106,375; mbusa.com
Power Phone
Porsche and BlackBerry have partnered on the Porsche Design P’9981 smartphone from BlackBerry. The sleek device boasts a forged stainless-steel frame and leather back cover; a 1.2 GHz processor; HD video recording; a five-megapixel camera; and eight gigs of memory. $2,000; blackberry.com
Surf's Up
Noted fashion designer Paul Smith has teamed up with British surfboard maker Swami’s to create a line of clothing and complementary boards. Made to order in a limited quantity of 50, each board is signed by Sir Paul himself. From $3,440; swamis.com
Outdoor Entertainment
Toshinaer’s outdoor HDTVs are designed to resist the elements and their screens can adjust to changing light conditions. The company recently unveiled 42- and 52-inch LCDs and a 60-inch LED screen model. All three feature 1080p high-definition resolution and marine-grade speakers. From $4,600; toshinaer.com
Made to Fit
Dupont Circle’s Alton Lane makes classic bespoke apparel for men. The shop uses a state-of-the-art 3D body scanner to take accurate measurements, leaving the guesswork out of suiting up. 1506 19th Street, NW, third floor; 646-896-1212. altonlane.com
Off the Cuff
Paul Smith’s Half-stripe Cufflinks for Bloomingdale’s are the perfect complement to a summery suit and tie. $95; bloomingdales.com
Smooth Moves
The Art of Shaving’s Power Shave Collection includes a “smart” razor with built-in spotlight by Gillette, an automated brush and customizable stand. From $400; theartofshaving.com
Fresh Fragrance
Lacoste’s newest scent for men, Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Rouge is a spicy blend of black pepper, ginger and cardamom—designed to energize. $62; lacoste.com
The newly built Residences On The Avenue in Foggy Bottom at Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, is a mixed-use development. Owned by Boston Properties, this 72,000-square-foot complex of four buildings contains bustling retail, office and residential spaces. It also boasts cutting-edge landscape design that is both sustainable and beautiful.
Designed by Mark Delaney of Sasaki Associates, Inc., the elaborate landscaping plan encompasses sidewalk promenades, terraces and courtyards. The two office buildings have green roofs that form a microclimate to reduce heat, provide an avian habitat, insulate the buildings and minimize runoff. The rooftops of the two residential buildings focus on recreation, particularly the West Tower (pictured), which offers a lap pool bordered by decorative gravel and arborvitae. The pool area shelters guests beneath a removable metal shade structure: a perfect perch from which to enjoy the DC skyline.
DESIGN ARCHITECTURE: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, New Haven, Connecticut. EXECUTIVE ARCHITECTURE: Hickok Cole Architects, Washington, DC. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: Sasaki Associates, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts. CONSTRUCTION: Clark Construction Group, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Jim Tetro.