Arlene Critzos, ASID, & Cathy Belkov
Since 1984, Barbara Hawthorn has been creating award-winning, timeless designs that reflect her clients’ personal visions. Her firm’s services encompass all aspects of the design process, from new construction to all types of renovation. “We believe that regardless of style or period, good design is harmonious, welcoming, functional and inspiring,” Hawthorn says. “Our greatest reward is the happiness our clients experience in the spaces we have created for them.”
Arlene Critzos, ASID (right) & Cathy BelkovFounded in 1979, Interior Concepts is a full-service design firm with 50 employees and a tenured Sr. design team. Projects range from family homes, beach getaways and mountain retreats to prestigious estates and flats. The process begins with an understanding of the client’s needs, financial scope and timing. “Our goal is to exceed expectations,” says Critzos. “We emphasize creativity and professionalism while creating what we believe is the most valuable facet of a person’s life: their environment.”
Melissa BroffmanMelissa Broffman designs interiors with character, comfort and timeless appeal. “We address matters of form and function—with a focus on personal style,” Broffman says of her full-service residential design firm, which combines creativity and balance to achieve success. “Whether it’s a whole house renovation, a single-room makeover or a new home,” she notes, “our goal is to capture a one-of-a-kind look that goes beyond the retail sameness of today’s home furnishings market.”
Jamie MeridaBountiful Interiors began in 2000 as a home-décor store on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, later adding a design studio to meet client’s needs. Founder Jamie Merida leads a team of 18, including three interior designers. His Tidewater Collection for Chelsea House features furniture, lighting and home accents. Bountiful’s “traditional made modern” aesthetic reimagines classic designs with modern colors and textures. Inspiration from Eastern Shore waterways and landscapes, creates elegant, comfortable coastal style.
Paula Grace, MBA, MSW, Allied ASID, Allied AIA, IFDA, IDSAfter earning degrees and working in social work and business administration, Paula Grace discovered a new passion: interior design. The epiphany came when she was decorating her own house. “I really enjoyed what I was doing,” she recalls. She switched gears and went to design school, launching her firm in 2004. Today, in addition to a thriving design practice, she has a furniture line, Signature Grace, which has been frequently featured in print, online and in showrooms.
Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID, NKBAFitzsimmons Design has been servicing clients in the Chesapeake Bay area for more than 25 years. Gina Fitzsimmons and her team of three designers specialize in waterfront homes, offering services that include design, procurement and accessorizing. The firm operates in conjunction with Fitzsimmons’s home-decor boutique, Details of Design. Says Fitzsimmons, “We maximize the impact of each space by carefully analyzing each component for the best results.”
Sandra MeyersIn 2003, Sandra Meyers translated her passion for design into a career with Sandra Meyers Design Studio LLC. Fifteen years later, she and her staff of three help clients navigate their projects, getting to know their personal styles and needs and welcoming each challenge as a great design opportunity. Projects by Meyers range from small renovations to custom homes—always with the goal of achieving a design that is both beautiful and comfortable.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this fall, Inspired Design was founded by Annette Phillips with the idea that every client has a unique story—and that their home should reflect it. Considering special possessions, client requests, entertaining styles and living habits helps Annette ensure that every design is personal: “Your Style, Inspired!” Phillips is a member of ASID and a DC license holder.