NEW TRADITIONAL  Josh Hildreth of Josh Hildreth Interiors kept a traditional Bethesda dining room fresh with eclectic antiques and a decorative wall finish. “I often prefer decorative finishes to wallpaper because you can tweak them to specific lighting conditions ,” he says. Tawny beige walls complement a painting by Philip Morsberger and Penny Morrison drapes by Everett Design, Inc.  Photo: Kip Dawkins

WINDOW SEAT  Shannon Bieter of Interiors by Shannon Bieter made a statement in a Potomac breakfast nook with a banquette upholstered in Kravet fabric. She dressed up the space with a Chelsea House mirror. “I tend to go with bigger accessories and don’t over-decorate,” notes Bieter. Photo & Styling: Stylish Productions

WELCOME HOME  Contractor Scott Taylor asked Christie Leu to update his Rockville home. The designer, principal of Christie Leu Interiors, selected a brighter palette, enlivening the entry door with Benjamin Moore’s Patriot Blue. “Painting a front door in a contrasting color takes relatively little time, money and effort for huge impact,” says Leu. Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

KID-FRIENDLY FABRIC  Sharon Kleinman of Transitions by Sharon Kleinman is a big fan of performance fabrics. “The industry has made great strides in producing luxurious yet durable velvets, wovens, faux leathers, linens and jacquards that are easy to maintain, stain- and sun-resistant and environmentally safe,” she says.  Pictured: KravetArmor fabric; kravet.com.

SUITE DREAMS  Mike Molesky, principal of Michael Molesky Interior Design, is smitten by Vanguard’s Dune Nightstand. “Its clean lines, angled edges and white-bronze feet make it a stand-out,” he says. “It comes with either an abaca-wrapped or white-bronze pull.” vanguardfurniture.com

SCULPTED SILHOUETTE  The Charming Chair recently caught the eye of Jamie Merida, principal of Jamie Merida Interiors. “I love the exposed silhouette of this piece designed by Peter Jacobs for Wesley Hall,” he enthuses. “It’s elegant and traditional, yet fresh and current at the same time.” wesleyhall.com

“Ralph Lauren’s sophisticated Karlie Large Hanging Shade chandelier is on point with the current trend of brown leather and brass combinations. It’s timeless. ” —Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, LEED, AP, CAS, Purple Cherry Architects

RIVER VIEW  Jodi Macklin of Jodi Macklin Interior Design floated a low-slung Holly Hunt chaise near the windows of a Georgetown condo overlooking the Potomac. Ethereal sheers fabricated by Everett Design, Inc., don’t distract from the panoramic views. Says Macklin, “We love sheer drapery panels to add softness to vast amounts of glass.” Photo: Gordon Beall

ALL THE TRIMMINGS  Navy-blue accents lend punch to a neutral Annapolis bedroom conceived by Gina Fitzsimmons of Fitzsimmons Design. She enhanced fabrics and drapes with playful trim, from Vern Yip navy banding on pillow shams to nail head by Fabricut. “Whether it’s embroidered banding, brushed fringe or cording,” Fitzsimmons avers, “it’s all in the details.” Photos: Gwin Hunt

DISAPPEARING ACT  Bonnie Ammon, Allied ASID, of Bonnie Ammon Interiors, has fallen for Forbes & Lomax’s transparent light-switch plates featuring simple metal toggles. “They allow a room to shine without an ugly switch in the middle of the wall,” she notes. “They’re the final jewel that finishes a space.” forbesandlomax.com

HIDDEN GEM  Charlene Kennerknecht of MONARCH got creative with a dark basement in Alexandria. “We used reverse psychology,” she recalls. “Instead of trying to lighten the space, we chose wood and stone to make it warm, hidden and wonderful.” Matching A. Rudin loveseats and sconces by Gregorius | Pineo flank the fireplace. Photo: Lydia Cutter

DRAMATIC EFFECT  Designer Kori Keyser, ASID, of Keyser Interiors, Inc., reports that her current go-to wall-covering collection is Phillip Jeffries’ Metallic Ombre II. ”It adds drama and elegance to a space,” she says. “I just used the Pewter colorway in a powder room and it looks amazing.” Pictured: Metallic Ombre II Gold; phillipjeffries.com

ROOM TO BREATHE  Designer Paul Corrie, who curates vintage finds such as the 1920s French side tables (above) through his own PCI Home Collection, advises clients to combine antiques judiciously. In a recent project brimming with family heirlooms (right), he says, “I focused on the scale of the furniture and what I call the ‘breathability factor’ to make the space feel fresh and open.” Left: Denis Largeron

MOODY BLUES  Barbara Hawthorn of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd., sounded vibrant blue notes in a chic Bethesda pool house, with antique glassware on a Plexi-Craft bar cart and a Blue Agate Caesarstone countertop. “Blue is always a favorite,” Hawthorn observes. “It has timeless appeal, evoking both sky and water.” Photos: Kenneth M. Wyner

Interior designers know where to shop.
We asked for favorite off-the-radar sources where they discover furnishings and accessories beyond the ordinary.

“EVOLUTION HOME in Alexandria is off the beaten path, but has an enormous amount of inventory to select from in all types of design styles and looks. You’ll even find pieces worth your while to refurbish.” —Lynda Griffin, IDDP, IDS, ASID, Creative Interior Designs

“I love the selection of European antiques, hard-to-find traditional accessories and beautiful artwork at THE SHAGGY RAM in Middleburg. I treated myself to a set of antique, hand-painted French dessert plates recently.” —Andrea Houck, ASID, IFDA, A. Houck Designs, Inc. 

“My favorite DC source for antiques is FRANK MILWEE in Georgetown. Whenever I go shopping for a client there, I get a history lesson, which makes me appreciate each piece so much more—and in turn makes each piece special to my clients.”  —Elizabeth Gill, Elizabeth Gill Interiors

“DOMAIN BY LAURA HODGES STUDIO in Catonsville, Maryland, carries an array of unique pieces that will brighten up anyone’s home, no matter the style. It is a treasure trove of good finds!” —Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas, Interiors by Design, LLC