After designer Sara Swabb furnished a couple’s Nantucket getaway, she was called back to tackle their Colonial Revival-style home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. At 8,000 square feet, the newly built, six-bedroom residence conceived by Studio Z Design Concepts boasted gracious proportions and a modern take on traditional style.

Knowing the owners and their two children well, Swabb enhanced the interior architecture to accommodate the family’s lifestyle. “When a client trusts you,” she notes, “it gets the ball rolling very quickly.”

Her plan layered in design elements—from bespoke cabinetry and millwork to furnishings and textiles—in a relaxed, transitional aesthetic that reflects the owners’ fondness for New England style. Awash in soft neutrals and rich blues and greens, interiors feature a mélange of textures that add dimension and personality. “We made sure everything was comfortable, but still really pulled-together,” says Swabb.

The following Q&A sheds light on the project.

Explain the overarching goals of your plan.
My goal for every home is complete cohesion, so you never feel surprised by anything as you walk from one space to another. But there were some fun things that we played with, from unique tile to trim detail.

How did you adapt the kitchen to meet your clients’ needs?
Like many new builds, the plans called for a massive kitchen that didn’t make sense for the way the family lives. Both parents have demanding jobs and their kids have crazy sports schedules. I was afraid that the big, open kitchen would look messy and wanted to give them a place to cook, then close the door. We carved out a catering kitchen and a hidden scullery so when they entertain, the main kitchen looks nice and tidy.

Describe how the custom details you designed lend the home its unique character.
It was exciting for me to bring in elements such as the transoms over the kitchen’s pocket doors. We also created a beautiful alcove enclosing the range, which makes the room feel more sophisticated and collected. In other spaces, we jumped into a lot of crown molding and big, chunky base trim. Trim color can make a space more interesting without impacting budget. For example, we painted the powder room’s base trim in Benjamin Moore’s Sharkskin for an exciting effect.

Explain how textural layers make the home feel timeless and lived-in.
We leaned into woven materials and selected a number of vintage rugs, which instantly add age. Sisals, which are less expensive, create additional texture. And we splurged on café curtains in the breakfast room; without them, the space would fall flat.

What inspired the kids’ office?
The owners want their home to be in a state where they don’t have to clean up and can welcome guests any time. We created a dedicated space for the kids to do homework and take music lessons, outside of the kitchen.

How did the powder room come together?
I fell in love with the vintage sconces with milk-glass rods. The marble sink with its fluted edge plays nicely with them. And I had been eyeing the wallpaper—Scrolling Fern by Soane—for a while. It looks like kelp or seaweed and feels very coastal.

What drove your furniture selections?
We wanted the home to feel super-classic with clean lines. And I think that was accomplished by making sure everything was tailored—down to the slip covers in the living room.

What ingredients make a house feel like home?
Knowing your client’s priorities and understanding how they want to live and feel in their home are key. Asking the right questions is really important. Our initial process sets the foundation for a project to go in the right direction.

Ask Sara

What treasure in your home is most special to you?
An oil lamp that was my grandmother’s. My parents had it electrified and installed in their dining room. Now it’s a fixture in my foyer.

Share a favorite local haunt for vintage finds.
Daphna Peled at Pillar & Post in Georgetown is a great curator. She’s always going on trips to the UK and mostly sources pieces in England, which is lovely.

Reveal a wallpaper that you’re excited to try.
I’m obsessed with Wallflower wallpaper in Woad Blue by Morris & Co. It’s got great, modern movement to it. I’m probably going to hang it in my house.

Name a designer from any period whom you’d like to meet.
Josef Frank, the Austrian-born architect. I love his lighting designs; he really mastered the art of making functional lighting beautiful.