Spectacular workmanship abounds in a venerable Dupont Circle townhouse. American walnut doors and cabinetry feature the species’ pale heartwood, formerly the bane (and detritus) of a woodworker’s studio. Decorative plaster applied in subtle layers brings an inner glow to every wall. And distinctive furnishings, woven like jewelry through the rooms, reflect the owners’ regard for the hand of the artist at work.

The house was built in 1910 in the Romanesque Revival style characterized by the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall. The 21st-century improvement plan for its three floors—formerly chock-a-block with seven bedrooms on one level—didn’t start with a craft-oriented aesthetic. The owners bought the property for the building’s age, authenticity and convenient location. They deliberated for nine months before deciding on a renovation scheme that would channel their taste and lifestyle.

The initial wish list included “relocating electrical outlets, moving some old built-ins and taking out the back stairs to improve circulation,” says the wife, a photographer. She and her husband, an affordable-housing developer from a Maine lumber family, hired architect Michael Lee Beidler, who eventually devised a concept that would address those issues—and more. The final plan expanded the house seven feet into an adjacent alley, then gutted the interiors and started from scratch. The first floor now features an entry foyer, study and great room encompassing sitting and dining areas as well as a generous kitchen. The second floor accommodates a billiard room, guest suite and the wife’s office. The third floor is reserved for the master bedroom suite.

The renovation began with painstaking repairs to the exterior. Since the house is located in a historic district, Beidler employed traditional restoration methods—for example, tasking craftsmen from R. Bratti with meticulously tooling red limestone replacement blocks for the front façade. Inside, the clients replaced oak millwork and doors with walnut and built new walnut-paneled cabinets. Collaborating with woodworkers at Gaston & Wyatt in Charlottesville, Beidler issued a directive: “Don’t cut out the knots or the heartwood. They tell a story that honors the life of the tree.” He also opted for walls made of plaster and lath rather than sheetrock. Pale hickory floors replaced oak flooring throughout and the ceiling moldings were made from hand-cast plaster.

Beidler had created “a cohesive canvas” when designer Michael Hampton joined the team to finesse final finishes and furniture plans. To develop a clear vision for the interiors, Hampton says, “I looked to the house for clues—not to recreate a historical period but to be inspired by its level of handcrafted detail. I saw early how the owners appreciated historical integrity and craftsmanship and didn’t take shortcuts,” he explains. In turn, he set out to create a classic aesthetic with quality furnishings and elegant art against a neutral backdrop of beige hues.

Hampton experimented with paint washes and tints on the walls before he, Beidler and the clients found a more dynamic solution: a selection of Venetian plaster finishes applied by Lenore Winters Studio. Layers of limestone wash deliver a depth of light and movement that paint couldn’t match. The rich finishes, in shades of beige, required 10 months to dry.Sconces by French designer Hervé van der Straeten make a statement by the front door.

In the study, a set of calligraphic paintings purchased on a trip to Japan is cleverly mounted on two folding frames set into the plaster walls, a feat of engineering that hides the TV. Hampton custom-designed the fireplace surrounds out of limestone and marble.

The wife, whose photographic work is printed on metal and displayed over the great-room fireplace, found the modern Holly Hunt chandelier that hangs above a dining table for 12. She credits Hampton’s influence with her choice: “Michael introduced me to a whole world of beautiful design,” she reveals.

The four-year transformation of this Washington townhouse honors a level of workmanship that its collaborators cite with pride. Beidler ranks it “a legacy house,” while Hampton notes the new detailing as “unique but true to its roots.”  As for the owners, they have found a home that they meticulously helped to create—and that they will never leave.

Renovation Architecture: Michael Lee Beidler, Trout Design Studio, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Michael Hampton, Michael Hampton Design, Washington, DC.  Renovation Contractor: ILEX, Washington, DC.

RESOURCES
FOYER
Light Fixture: jeankarajiancollection.com. Chest of Drawers: romanthomas.com. Sconces: vanderstraeten.fr. Stools: Michael Hampton for salvationsaf.com. Stool Fabric: dessinfournir.com. Wall Treatment: lenorewinters.com.
STUDY
Leather Tufted Sofa: arudin.com. Coffee Table: davidiatesta.com. Top Rug: mattcamron.com. Bottom Rug: Custom through carpetimpressions.com. Chandelier: fuselighting.com. Chair, Chair & Pillow Fabric: dessinfournir.com. Round Side Table: keithfritz.com. Round Side Table Lamp: stephengerould.com. Corner Chest: romanthomas.com. Corner Chest Lamp: Thomas Pheasant for bakerfurniture.com. Custom Fireplace Surround: michaelhamptoninc.com. Calligraphy Painting Frames: broadwaygalleries.net.
FAMILY ROOM
Sofa: arudin.com. Chairs: maisongerard.com. Sofa Fabric: hollandandsherry.com. Chair Fabric: markalexander.com. Floor Lamp: phoenixday.com. Rug: carpetimpressions.com. Coffee Table: paulferrante.com. Console: hollyhunt.com. Console Lamps: gregoriuspineo.com. Drapery Fabric: dessinfournir.com. Drapery Fabrication: knightsbridgeinteriors.com. Wall Treatment: lenorewinters.com. Windows/Doors: brombalusa.com.
DINING AREA
Table: rosetarlow.com. Chairs: arudin.com. Chair Fabric: markalexander.com.
KITCHEN
Cabinets: gastonwyatt.com. Hardware: rockymountainhardware.com. Countertop Soapstone: vermontsoapstone.com. Backsplash & Plumbing Fixture: waterworks.com. Pendants: hollyhunt.com. Refrigerator & Microwave: subzero-wolf.com. Range:  thermador.com. Stools: maxinesniderinc.com. Stool Fabric: hollandandsherry.com.
BILLIARDS ROOM
Rug: mattcamron.com. Bottom Rug: carpetimpressions.com. Game & Billiards Tables: blattbilliards.com. Game Table Chairs: kerryjoycetextiles.com. Chandelier & Light Fixture: charlesedwards.com. Drapery Fabric: rogersandgoffigon.com. Drapery Fabrication: knightsbridgeinteriors.com. Fireplace Surround: michaelhamptoninc.com. Mirror: geraldblandinc.com. Sconces: jonathanbrowninginc.com. Millwork/Cabinetry Fabrication: gastonwyatt.com.

MASTER BEDROOM

Bed: David Iatesta davidiatesta.com

Bedding: Sferra sferra.com

Night Table: Thomas Pheasant for Baker bakerfurniture.com

Night Table Lamp: Thomas Pheasant for Baker bakerfurniture.com

Hand plastered walls: Lenore Winters Studio lenorewinters.com

Bench: George Smith georgesmith.com

Bench Fabric: Jim Thompson jimthompsonfabrics.com

Vanity Table: Gerard maisongerard.com

Vanity Stool: Madeleine Stuart madelinestuart.com

Drapery Fabric: Pindler pindler.com

Drapery Fabrication: Knightsbridge Interiors knightsbridgeinteriors.com

Chairs: Kerry Joyce kerryjoycetextiles.com

Chair Fabric: Place Textiles placetextiles.com

Pillow Fabric: Jim Thompson jimthompsonfabrics.com

Round Table: Salvations Architectural Furnishings salvationsaf.com

Fireplace Surround: Authentic Provence authenticprovence.com

Art Above Fireplace: Clients personal artwork

Sconces: Vaughan vaughandesigns.com

MATER BATH

Wall Tile: Waterworks waterworks.com

Floor Tile: Waterworks waterworks.com

Tile Source: Waterworks waterworks.com

Tub: Antique copper tub

Tub Source: Architectural Accents architecturalaccents.com

Ceiling Treatment: Silver leaf finish Lenore Winters Studio lenorewinters.com

Chandelier: Circa Lighting circalighting.com

Stool: Kellogg Collection kelloggcollection.com

Cabinets: Custom

Countertops: Calcutta Marble