Lured by gracious proportions, luxury amenities and an enviable position on Annapolis’ Spa Creek, a business executive acquired his three-bedroom pied-à-terre while the condo complex was still under construction. The corner unit boasts wraparound views of shimmering water, elegant yachts in their moorings and the Maryland capital’s charming skyline.

Baltimore designer Patrick Sutton was enlisted to enhance and complete the interiors, gracing the home with custom cabinetry and millwork, stylish furniture and refined finishes throughout. No doubt, the iconic maritime setting inspired his approach. “The whole idea of being surrounded by water and boats made us feel like we wanted a nod to a nautical, yachty kind of vibe,” remarks Sutton. “My client likes things that have clean lines but are comfortable. You can put your feet up on the coffee table without having to worry about it. The best way to describe it is ‘warm modern.’”

The resident’s admiration for impeccable men’s apparel also swayed the aesthetic. Tailored details—from upholstered walls to leather trim—elevate every room.

Visitors arrive via a private elevator, which whisks them into the foyer of the second-level apartment. From here, an open, airy living/dining area and kitchen unfold. Neutral furnishings and a textural rug reminiscent of velvety sand let marina views steal the show, though splashes of blue—the owner’s favorite color—enliven the palette. Plush sofas in Romo fabric and woven RH chairs embrace a sculptural cocktail table of Sutton’s design; its bronze base supports a square top of chiseled limestone. Quartz table lamps add a luminous touch.

“Light, bright and happy was the goal in this particular space,” notes the designer. Wide doors on two sides of the living area open to breezy balconies—one of which features a built-in fireplace for cooler weather.

Decked out in navy blue, a six-burner La Cornue range and matching hood anchor the kitchen. Sutton designed the hood, as well as all of the cabinetry and millwork in the kitchen, dressing room and primary bath. “I made refinements and customized the apartment while the building was going up,” he explains.

The kitchen’s ship-shape cabinetry, luxe marble countertops and backsplash and beadboard ceiling create a richly layered effect. Near the island, two handcrafted Wendell Castle stools appear to float atop their bases of steam-bent wood.

Another conversation piece awaits in the adjacent dining area: a bespoke bar of Sutton’s design, dressed in blue embossed leather and fitted with brass hardware. “My client loves the ritual of making drinks for guests,” observes the designer. “When you open its doors, the beautiful, wood-appointed bar inside is very James Bond.”

The glassy chandelier suspended above the dining table, he adds, “makes you think of sparkles on the water.” A corridor off the dining area leads to a guest room, den and two baths, while a hall on the opposite side of the kitchen accesses the primary suite.

The bedroom décor was inspired by Brunello Cucinelli menswear. As Sutton recalls, “When we’re trying to drive a material and color palette for a project, we ask a lot of questions. In this case, the client mentioned he was a fan of the Italian fashion designer. So we leaned in on recent Cucinelli collections, and fully upholstered the walls in a wool herringbone that feels like men’s suiting.” Drapes made in the same fabric achieve a tone-on-tone look.

“The nice thing about an upholstered room is it absorbs sound so there’s dead silence. It’s like a cocoon,” notes Sutton. A velvet headboard, leather bench and braided-leather trim on the walls complete the understated tableau.

A made-to-order sensibility also prevails in the primary bath and dressing room. In the latter, rosewood cabinets—including a generous island complete with copious drawers and a marble countertop—neatly stow belongings.

In addition to the ensuite guest room, an intimate den accommodates visitors on a pull-out sofa. Wallpaper in a subtle stripe, a Tibetano rug with a linear pattern and a circular chandelier forge a geometric interplay. The nearby hall bath doubles as a powder room; its bespoke walnut vanity is topped with a thick slab of creamy quartzite.

Ocean scenes and a dreamy blue palette are common threads unifying the owner’s artwork. Not surprising when you consider that both his primary home in Florida and his getaway in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware—now in the process of a makeover by Sutton—also enjoy waterfront locations.

Delighted with the finished project, the resident frequently hosts weekend guests in his new Annapolis retreat. “Everything is tidy and in its place,” reflects Patrick Sutton, “but it still feels welcoming and comfortable.”

Interior Design: Patrick Sutton, Patrick Sutton, Baltimore, Maryland. Building Architecture: Jay Schwarz, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP; Sarah Favrao, project architect; David Ferara, project architect; Peter Tokar, project architect, ABS Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Builder & Developer: Bret Anderson, Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.