Home & Design

Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio

Laura Hildebrandt, IFDA, NKBA, Interiors by LH, LLC PHOTO: Robert Radifera

Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd. PHOTO: Kenneth M. Wyner Photography

Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC

Andrea Maaseide, Allied ASID, Studio 320 Interior Design

Bonnie Ammon, Bonnie Ammon Interiors

Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiors

DuVäl Reynolds, DuVäl Design, LLC

Sarita Simpson and Jason Claire, Interior Matter

Cathy Purple Cherry, Purple Cherry Architects

Working with Eco-Nize, DuVäl Reynolds of DuVäl Design, LLC, created cabinetry in a Vienna home. White wood matches existing trim and the walnut countertop blends with the floors. “Built-ins should help create peace, not stand out,” he says. PHOTO: STYLISH PRODUCTIONS

Customize Your Cabinets

Q+A with our design partners

Designers shed light on creating beautiful—and functional—millwork


“The most important thing to consider is permanency. You are adding an expensive detail to your home, so it’s essential that built-ins add value to the physical structure. The rest is classic design decision-making. How will the space be used? Are we featuring art and accessories or hiding clutter? Client needs change over time, so versatility is key.”

—Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio
whittingtondesignstudio.com, 703-533-3705


“One of the most important factors is determining what will be stored inside and displayed on the outside. A built-in needs to be beautiful, functional and timeless since it is adding to the architecture of the house.”

—Laura Hildebrandt, IFDA, NKBA, Interiors by LH, LLC
interiorsbylh.com, 571-334-6476


“A built-in should integrate and complement existing architectural details. Avoid designing doors that are too large and cumbersome to open and close easily.”

—Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd.
BarbaraHawthornInteriors.com, 703-241-5588


“The most important things to think about when having custom cabinetry designed and installed are function and aesthetics. If you are paying to have something more custom created, then make sure you are working with someone who can really create or capture that for you. If you are working on a budget but want a more custom look, there are a lot of ways to achieve this through small modifications like hardware or paint.”

—Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC
laurafoxinteriordesign.com


“Our favorite benefit of built-ins is the way they can make an eyesore in a space, like a bulky soffit, disappear as we blend it seamlessly with a new built-in.”

—Andrea Maaseide, Allied ASID, Studio 320 Interior Design
studio-320.com, 571-459-2136

 


 

Bonnie Ammon
Bonnie Ammon Interiors
bonnieammoninteriors.com
703-778-5755

 


 

Jamie Merida
Jamie Merida Interiors
jamiemerida.com
410-819-8666

 


 

DuVäl Reynolds
DuVäl Design, LLC
duvalreynolds.com
703-989-0521

 


 

Sarita Simpson and Jason Claire
Interior Matter
interiormatter.com
202-900-3818

 


 

Cathy Purple Cherry
Purple Cherry Architects
purplecherry.com
410-990-1700

 


 

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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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