Home & Design

Stephanie Simmons outfitted a pretty alcove with its water view in mind. © Geoffrey Hodgdon

Ask the Pros: Interior Design

Advice on designing the perfect home by the bay

Ask the Pros: Interior Design What is your philosophy on using prints versus solid textiles when there are water views in a room?
I like to design with a combination of prints and textured-solid textiles, and this holds true for rooms with a water view as well. I take the outdoor vista into consideration when choosing the style and placement of the window treatment so that it frames, but does not obscure the view. I am also mindful of selecting prints that are not busy and incorporate colors that complement the setting.

In the breakfast room pictured here, I designed side panels from Robert Allen fabric in a blue-and-white arabesque pattern to frame the water view while adding softness to space. Walls are painted in Silver Lake by Benjamin Moore. The chair seats are upholstered in textured, light-blue Romo fabric, while the detail on the back references rippling the water. The round area rug, which follows the shape of the alcove, is a neutral wool that works well with the textiles. —Stephanie Simmons, Allied Member ASID, Karen Renée Interior Design, Severna Park, Maryland. Architecture: Thomas Davies, Jr., Architect, Annapolis, Maryland.

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HOME&DESIGN, published bi-monthly by Homestyles Media Inc., is the premier magazine of architecture and fine interiors for the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

The company also publishes an annual H&D Sourcebook of ideas and resources for homeowners and professionals alike. H&D Chesapeake Views is published bi-annually and showcases fine home design and luxury living in and around the Chesapeake Bay.

The H&D Portfolio of 100 Top Designers spotlights the superior work of selected architects, interior designers and landscape architects in major regions of the US.

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