A two-bedroom unit in The Representative, a 1970s-era high-rise in Arlington, checked all the boxes for Ken Kero-Mentz and Neil Cannon. Downsizing from a home in DC’s Mount Pleasant, the couple sought a roomy pied-à-terre in a building with a 24-hour concierge, pool, gym and prime location near Metro and the airport.

Icing on the cake were “amazing views of the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the Potomac,” says Kero-Mentz, a retired foreign service officer.

But a less than optimal floorplan and outdated interiors cried for help. Despite enviable views, the apartment’s front door deposited guests at a dark, dead-end wall. Meanwhile, six-foot-wide French doors exposed the guest room directly to the living area. In the lackluster kitchen, a secondary entry door dominated one wall. And as for overhead lighting, there was none.

The owners acquired the property and soon enlisted architect/interior designer Charles Almonte to remedy the layout and refresh its dated aesthetic. He devised a plan that would largely gut the 1,600-square-foot home and instill it with better flow and functionality, lighting and storage. “Ken and Neil like to entertain and envisioned an open-concept scheme that would make the condo feel more spacious,” says the designer. “I wanted to go with a ‘Mad Men’ vibe in a nod to the modern architecture of the Brutalist structure.”

After investigating which walls could be altered without affecting building utilities, Almonte made some sweeping changes. “We removed a partition separating the entry and living area, which brought in daylight and views,” he explains. “We also closed off the doorway between the guest quarters and living room and took out a wall between the dining area and kitchen, creating the illusion of a larger space.”

Interior architecture and material selection also did the trick, establishing a clean slate where the owners’ furniture and art collections could shine. Old wall-to-wall carpet and glossy tiles gave way to pale, cork floors. “Cork makes the interiors feel brighter and more spacious—and provides sound insulation,” Almonte observes. Slatted-wood panels embellishing walls in the dining area and kitchen also reduce ambient noise; interior doors were stained to match the panels. “I chose these warm, natural elements so the apartment wouldn’t feel too stark,” says the designer.

Clever lighting solutions preserved crisp, new drywall ceilings that replaced passé popcorn. “We didn’t want extensive overhead lighting and since the building is concrete construction, we couldn’t really drill through the ceilings anyway,” Almonte reasons. “On walls and ceilings, we opted instead for recessed or embedded linear LED lights that only needed one inch of space.” Inlaid LED strips animate new hallways leading to the bedrooms. The system allows the owners to control lighting levels and colors to match their mood and even connects with their Spotify account to sync lights with their music playlists.

The redo also upped the ante in the now-sleek and efficient kitchen. German-made FORM cabinets in deep green and white rim the U-shaped space. Three-dimensional backsplash tiles reminiscent of tiny fish add playful movement. “The kitchen is a dream to work in—highly functional with everything just where it needs to be, whether we’re cooking meals for friends and family or just the two of us,” says Cannon, a retired attorney. A perch on the far-right countertop serves as a mini-office, with computer gear concealed behind closed cabinet doors.

In the nearby powder room, shades of green spring up on Farrow & Ball wallpaper that marries geometric and bamboo motifs. “We picked up the green from the kitchen and then found a sculptural, contemporary-looking vanity online,” says Almonte, who also revamped the home’s primary and guest baths.

Sleek, low-slung furniture helps realize the ‘Mad Men’ vision. An iconic Warren Platner table for Knoll and vintage Saarinen Tulip chairs make a statement in the dining room. In the living area, mid-century-style pieces from the clients’ previous residence, mostly sourced at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, create several conversation vignettes. “I wanted to convey a loungey feel in the living room,” Almonte explains. “Color-wise, we kept it neutral because they have a lot of artwork.”

The residents, who also share a second home in Europe, are thrilled with their Arlington aerie. “Charles was instrumental in helping us accomplish our goals, particularly because we have divergent styles,” Cannon admits. “Ken’s take was traditional and eclectic, while I preferred a minimalist, modern approach. Charles was able to integrate those visions, helping us create welcoming interiors with some groovy, ’70s Mod influences.”
Kero-Mentz concurs, “It’s the place we look forward to returning to every time we’re away.”

DRAWING BOARD
Q&A with architect/designer Charles Almonte

How do you determine if a condo is a good candidate for renovation? 
Condo units have shared duct chases, plumbing walls, etc., so moving and reconfiguring walls needs to be carefully considered. We typically ask for blueprints so we can trace where utilities are located.

What’s your secret to narrowing down tile selections? 
I tell clients to visit brick-and-mortar stores to see and feel tiles and take lots of photos. Then I help narrow down the options based on their style, preferences and lifestyle.

Identify amenities you recommend splurging on in a makeover. 
The architect in me says find the best general contractor you can afford. With a skilled, creative and communicative contractor, everything will fall into place. The interior designer in me says well-made cabinets, appliances and plumbing fixtures are always worth a splurge.