When the owner of this Alexandria townhouse contacted interior designer Paul Corrie for an update, he had one stipulation—that it not look like a typical Alexandria townhouse with white walls and a traditional vibe. The client was the entertainment director for a luxury cruise line and had something a little less conventional in mind. In addition, the 1977 brick abode “looked like it was last updated in the 1980s,” shares Corrie. “Because a full gut renovation wasn’t in the cards, we focused on modernizing and elevating the overall look and feel of the space—it was a total cosmetic overhaul.”

While the bathrooms were reconfigured, smaller changes yielded impactful results throughout the rest of the home: Fresh paint brightened the kitchen’s mahogany cabinets, wallpaper enlivened walls and a moody palette with menswear-inspired fabrics gave the home a sophisticated, masculine feel. A Q&A chronicles the transformation.

Describe the details that make this home unique.
Starting at the front door, the cubic flooring from Ann Sacks was a modern flourish that we used to update the space and set it apart. The geometric wallpaper in the kitchen, the dining room mural and the lighting choices throughout the house, which feel like unexpected jewelry, all seem atypical for the neighborhood.

How did the client’s personal style inspire the palette?
Sometimes if you look at a person’s wardrobe or what appears to be a color story within their lifestyle you can translate that in terms of interior design. This client has a very tailored, consistent aesthetic, yet his work environment was incredibly colorful. We brought in a lot of charcoal gray paired with some beiges and camels, then layered in some fun pops of color to reflect that.

What was the key to creating continuity throughout this home?
We always tell potential clients that a great designer is able to weave elements from room to room so that when you look at a project in its entirety, all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together. In this particular home, we were very mindful of either carrying particular color stories forward, or finding a nice balance where we interject something modern and then pair it with some traditional patterns so it feels like a collected, cohesive story as you move through the space.

How did you build drama in the dining room?
The existing space was quite challenging. We were constrained by the fact that it awkwardly overlooks the living room and has a traditional railing and chair rail. We wanted to pump up the overall visual so we brought in the Iksel decorative mural from Schumacher, which we were able to scale perfectly to the wall dimensions. The table and chairs were existing, but the chairs had a dated mid-century fabric so we reupholstered them in a plaid.

What role did antiques and vintage pieces play in this project?
Antiques are one of the best ways to add character and patina to any room. They tell an unusual story that can’t really be replicated with store-bought mainstream furnishings from places like Restoration Hardware, which sometimes are too oversized for a project like this. Antiques are reminiscent of a time when there was more of an appreciation for scale. Also, this was a collaborative process with a client who has exceptional taste, so searching for these particular items and having him appreciate them was truly wonderful.

Finally, talk to me about the elephant, er, giant bust in the room.
I love interjecting things into interiors that are whimsical or that stoke conversation. I want to create comfortable environments that reflect the client; a space should never feel fussy or unrelatable. This particular piece resonated with the owner. It came from a local antiques dealer, and reminded my client of his travels. We felt like it made a statement and added a level of unexpectedness and fun to the living room.

Ask PAUL

Spring is upon us! Where do you like to travel?
I’m always partial to Provincetown, where I have a home. I’m inspired by its coastal vibe and artistic environment.

Tell us about your most treasured heirloom.
Anything from my grandmother, whether it be dishes or sterling silver. She included little notes with stories about their provenance. It’s really special seeing her handwriting and knowing that she took the time to document these things for me.

What’s your favorite local place to score unique accents?
Federal & Black in Middleburg has elegant home accessories and one-of-a-kind pieces.