After studying architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Catherine Ebert “took a detour” when she discovered the field wasn’t for her. She eventually enrolled in the Corcoran’s design program while her husband was in law school in DC—and never looked back.

They moved to New York, where Ebert launched her own firm. In 2014, the couple returned to Washington—this time with one-year-old twins in tow. Though they chose DC for its kid-friendly lifestyle, most of Ebert’s work so far—from a 6,500-square-foot Manhattan duplex to a modern Connecticut retreat—has taken her back north.

The designer infuses projects with functionality and a dose of surprise. “I encourage people to push their boundaries with the unexpected,” she explains. “But I also want to design enough function into each space so every area gets used.”

Having completed a redo of her own home, Ebert looks forward to spreading her wings in DC. “I hope I can find people who have the excitement factor to try new things,” she says.

Interior Design: Catherine Ebert, Catherine Ebert Interiors, Washington, DC. Renovation Architecture: Mark Kaufman, AIA, RA, LEED AP, GTM Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Thorsen Construction, Alexandria, Virginia. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.