In boating terms, Little Round Bay on Maryland’s Severn River is what’s known as a “gunkhole”—a protected spot for anchoring overnight. The picturesque cove is perfect for day outings, too. No wonder architect Alan Dynerman and his wife, Nancy Seybold, owners of a classic Cape Cod Marlin, chose a perch above its shore as the site for their new weekend retreat. “We bought the property for the view, the water access and a place to put our sailboat,” reveals Dynerman.
Seybold first spotted the lot online. Undeterred by its existing 1970s split-level, she made a scouting trip to Crownsville, just outside Annapolis. The easy drive from the couple’s primary residence on Capitol Hill checked one box from the get-go. “I saw the view and thought, ‘This is what we’ve been looking for,’” says Seybold, a website consultant, and nonprofit COO. “I knew right away.”
With the site secured, Dynerman began designing the modern escape he would build to replace the outmoded home. His goal was to create a house that works well for two empty nesters but also comfortably accommodates visiting friends and family (Dynerman has a grown son who recently married).
One of the couple’s annual New Year’s celebrations served as the prosaic impetus. Dynerman wanted the young children of overnight guests “to have room to make a mess,” away from the main gathering area. “It’s not very poetic,” he confesses. ”That’s how I think about architecture: You start by asking ‘What are the issues I want to address?’ and you buy into those and make something beautiful from that.”
As he explains it, the house is “a simple assembly of boxes,” organized into three volumes—two programmatic structures connected by a stair tower. It combines open space for entertaining with privacy for owners and guests while taking advantage of views. A raised entry opens onto the second-floor living/dining/kitchen area. To the left are the stairs and library. Below are two bedrooms, a TV/playroom and Seybold’s office; above is the master bedroom suite.
“The plan is amazingly simple and works for the way we live,” asserts the architect. “The house is meant to support the dance that’s life.”
Careful planning and construction processes minimized impact to the critical-area terrain and protected waterway. Dynerman, who envisioned a modern cabin tucked into preserved trees, introduced rusticity by way of weathered cedar siding, for posts and beams and wide-plank pine floors. His updated interpretation of a cabin-style kitchen includes bamboo cabinets, open shelves, and concrete countertops.
Bold and subtle moves throughout capitalize on natural light to varying effect. A dominant skylight suffuses the kitchen with sunshine, while open risers stream bright rays onto the stairway wall. Glass blocks, set randomly into the front walls, create a dynamic glow—inside by day and outside by night. “I tend to play randomness against the hard geometry of building,” Dynerman notes.
The great room celebrates its surroundings thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors. “This space is imagined as an enclosed porch, an outdoor space that’s not outdoors,” the architect explains. “The view becomes the character of the home, giving it a sense of place.”
A deck off the great room, a flagstone terrace, and a roof deck offer outdoor-living options. Together, Dynerman says, they “allow for a range of experiences that work with and are informed by the site but also are particular to the house.” Under Dynerman’s site plan, developed with input from landscape architect Lisa Delplace at Oehme, van Sweden, river birch lines the flagstone path connecting the driveway to the slate front stoop.
The couple retreats to Little Round Bay most weekends year-round. Friends often join them for sailing jaunts, informal dinners, and overnight stays. “The house absorbs extra people well,” says Seybold. “We can have six people spending the weekend, and it feels just the right size.”
Before long, plans will get underway for the New Year’s Eve bash. “Last year I made a leg of lamb,” recalls Dynerman. “It’s usually a heavy winter dish—a get-out-the-big-red-wine dish.” One thing is for sure: Guests roll up their sleeves and participate. “Everyone gets involved. Some are shucking oysters or making this or making that. It’s just fantastic.” It’s a dance, indeed.
Architecture & Interior Design: Alan Dynerman, FAIA, Dynerman Architects, Washington, DC.
Writer Catherine Funkhouser is based in Arlington. Paul Burk is a photographer in Baltimore.
A long driveway winds through woods before emerging to unveil a stone house nestled into the pastoral landscape of White Post, Virginia. The big reveal, though, happens at the home’s threshold.
“The front door is centered on a peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains,” says the husband, a retired business owner. “When you walk in, your eyes go straight back to the mountain view. It pulls you in.”
That view proved irresistible when the then-Winchester residents were searching for an idyllic site on which to build their retirement home. The couple purchased 155 acres in Clarke County, land once belonging to Long Branch, a 200-year-old house, and farm. They then reassembled a team—architect Page Carter, designers José Solís and Paul Sherrill and landscape architect Richard Arentz, all of whom had collaborated on a nearby renovation project for friends—to create a home that would take full advantage of its bucolic surroundings.
Simplicity served as the guiding principle. An image of a restored convent in the South of France, with a plain façade and repetitive window openings, started a conversation about the exterior look. The traditional, rectangular-structure farmhouses dotting the local terrain influenced the design too. As Page Carter reveals, “We morphed French Country with the architectural firm of Clarke County.”
Removing an existing house made way for the spacious new abode, clad in locally sourced limestone. “Many historic houses here are stone,” notes Carter, whose firm Carter + Burton Architecture is based in nearby Berryville, Virginia. “We wanted to connect to the vernacular of the county.”
Capitalizing on the southern panorama of fields and mountains was the primary goal. Carter’s asymmetric plan, laid out on an east-west axis, maximizes the light and views in spaces the owners use the most. The breakfast area, family room (or “keeping room” as the team dubbed it) and kitchen—lined with windows and French doors—extend across the scenic, south-facing rear. The grand living room stretches from front to back. The dining room and office overlook the woods in front. “We considered the natural landscape elements and tied the plan to what was there,” explains Carter. “We worked from the outside in and from the inside out.”
Arentz’s landscape plan enhances the site’s natural beauty with an allée of hawthorn trees on one side of the house, a pool bordered in stone on the other and gardens teeming with flowers and herbs.
Upstairs along the back of the house, the master suite and another bedroom—claimed by the couple’s 25-year-old daughter when she’s back from school in California—offer stunning mountain views. A study and two guest rooms line the front. The lower level includes recreation spaces, a home gym, a catering kitchen and a guest suite, the preferred roost of another grown daughter and her family.
Carter, Solís, and Sherrill put their heads together on the interior-architecture details. The floorboards and wall planks were milled in part from walnut trees cleared from the property prior to construction. The windows are unpainted sapele. “There is a bareness, almost a monastic quality,” says Solís of the finishes. “The materials feel very honest.”
For the couple, the move from a Georgian-style abode in Winchester to a bright country house meant the chance to start fresh with furnishings. “They had a traditional home and wanted to move into a more timeless style, with very simple lines,” explains Solís.
Sherrill adds, “The landscape is a powerful thing. We didn’t want the interiors to compete with it.”
Taking a pared-down approach, the design duo chose low-profile furnishings that do not obstruct the views and covered them in richly textured fabrics, within a serene, monochromatic scheme. “The interiors are country with a refined elegance,” notes Sherrill. “You definitely don’t feel like you’re on Park Avenue, but there’s a modern elegance about them.”
The dining room teeters between the two style worlds. Paneled walls and a bare floor mix with a dramatic glass-droplet-and-bronze chandelier. The metal repeats throughout the house, from the entry hall’s hanging lanterns to the master bedroom’s window-treatment rods. “Each room has its own feel, but the overall look is very uniform,” notes Solís.
The architect and designers worked with Poliform | sagartstudio to execute their vision for a sleek, open kitchen. Windows won out over upper cabinets, while lower drawers fill the storage void. A walnut feature wall adds visual warmth and conceals a bar on its reverse side.
The couple now delights in sharing their home’s spectacular setting. “The view is why we have this house,” says the wife, who says she “cooks all the time” for visiting family and friends. “We have dinner parties and open the French doors. It brings the outside in—which was our whole emphasis.”
ARCHITECTURE: Page Carter, AIA, Carter + Burton Architecture, PLC, Berryville, Virginia. INTERIOR DESIGN: José Solís Betancourt and Paul Sherrill, Solís Betancourt & Sherrill, Washington, DC. KITCHEN DESIGN: Poliform | Sagart Studio, Washington, DC. BUILDER: Horizon Builders, Crofton, Maryland. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Richard Arentz, ASLA, Arentz Landscape Architects, LLC, Washington, DC, and Marshall, Virginia.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT Home Automation: imsva.com. Windows & Doors: tradewoodindustries.com. Walnut Floor Finishing: classicfloordesigns.info. Stand-seam Copper Roofing: tomlinsoncoinc.com. Custom Cabinetry: ivancdutterer.com.
LIVING ROOM (CLOSEST TO FIREPLACE) Sofa: interiorcraftsinc.com. Sofa Fabric: romo.com. Chairs & Ottoman: michaelbermanlimited.com. Chair Fabric: romo.com. Round Table: dessinfournir.com. Table Lamp: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Wall sconces: profilesny.net, paganistudio.com, and portaromana.com. Rug: edwardfields.com. Coffee Table Near Fireplace: hollyhunt.com.
LIVING ROOM (CLOSEST TO WINDOW) Sofa: interiorcraftsinc.com. Sofa Fabric: romo.com. Chaise Lounges: interiorcraftsinc.com. Fabric: zinctextile.com. Table Lamp: barrygoralnick.com. End Tables: Custom through mlfcoinc.com.
LIVING ROOM (BAY) Sofa: jrobertscott.com. Sofa Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Chairs: hollyhunt.com. Fabric: rogersandgoffigon.com. Reading/Floor lamps: christian-liaigre.us.
DINING ROOM Table: Custom by dessinfournir.com. Dining Chairs: dessinfournir.com. Fabric: edelmanleather.com. Chandelier: ochre.net. Artwork On Wood Panel Wall: by Jason Gubbiotti. Drapery Fabric: leejofa.com. Sconce: hollyhunt.com.
ENTRY HALL Cushions & Pillow Fabric: elizabethdow.com. Light Fixture: Custom by mclainwiesand.com. Chair: Custom by gregoriuspineo.com. Chair Fabric: delanyandlong.com. Table: Owners’ Collection.
KITCHEN Kitchen Design, Cabinetry & Hood: poliformdc.com. Perimeter & Island Countertop: silestoneusa.com. Bar Countertop: stonesource.com. Pendants: dwr.com. Cooktop, Oven, Dishwasher & Stools: mieleusa.com.
BREAKFAST ROOM Table: bermanrosetti.com. Bench: desiron.com. Bench Fabric: majilite.com. Dining Chairs: janusetcie.com. Host Chair & Light Fixture: gregoriuspineo.com. Host Chair fabric: delaneyandlong.com.
FAMILY ROOM Sofas: interiorcraftsinc.com. Sofa Fabric: gretchenbellinger.com. Ottoman: lonadesign.com. Armchairs: hollyhunt.com. Fabric: huttoncollections.com. Window panel fabric: coraggio.com. Art above Fireplace: numarkartadvisory.com. Floor Lamps: phoenixday.com.
MASTER BEDROOM Bedding: ef-lm.com. Bed Fabric: rodolph.com. Bed linens: matouk.com. Rug: rugs-direct.com. Drapery Fabric: villanova.co.uk. Light Fixture: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Chaise Lounges: Custom through hollyhunt.com. Chaise Fabric: kirkbydesign.com. Nesting Tables: custom by solisbetancourt.com. Fabrication: mitchellyanosky.com. Floor Lamps: thomaslavin.com.
The potent trifecta of character, greenery, and location lured a couple to DC’s picturesque Cleveland Park in 2007. “We’re both native Washingtonians and have always enjoyed the cozy charms of the neighborhood,” the husband says. “It has a country feel, yet is in walking distance to everything.”
For the chance to own a quaint 1905 Dutch Colonial Revival home in the desirable hamlet, the pair initially overlooked some shortcomings—namely dark, carved-up interiors that lacked present-day functionality. Years later, though, they were ready for a change and asked architect Anne Decker and designer Nestor Santa-Cruz to orchestrate a transformation.
The first order of business was to generate more breathing room for a family with two now-preteen daughters. Also a top priority: instilling an airy Scandinavian aesthetic. “Our goal was to give a house with small, choppy spaces a flow that worked for a modern living,” explains the husband, a writer. “We wanted openness and to create a look that resembled a Swedish farmhouse.”
Given the lot size, a major addition to the 3,610-square-foot abode wasn’t feasible. So Decker devised a plan to gut the rear of the house and bump out the lower level on one side by 166 square feet. These moves, which required city and neighborhood historic-preservation approvals, expanded the tight kitchen and created a continuous great room along the back. As the architect recalls, “Before, the layout was compartmentalized. Now it’s a shotgun space, with the great room, breakfast area, and kitchen. It’s a great gathering spot.”
Two sets of French doors flood the back of the house with light, pulling the outside in. The reimagined kitchen—with white cabinets, a natural-walnut island, marble countertops and open shelves—is “a clean-lined, distilled version of a Swedish farmhouse,” notes Decker. Brass lighting and hardware add a subtle sheen.
The powder room and side entry are contained in the addition, which also houses a mudroom. Toward the front of the house, walls have been shifted to establish a proper hallway and an unimpeded sightline from the main entrance to the great room. At the door to the great room, an existing fireplace “provides a nice moment as you’re walking down the hallway toward the breakfast table and the French doors beyond,” says Decker.
The owners’ colorful trove of abstract art called for a crisp backdrop. “We dipped the whole house in white to create a gallery feel and to celebrate the artwork,” the architect explains. A whitewash over the original pine floors “speaks to the homeowners’ desire for an airy Swedish look.”
So do unfussy furnishings. For his part, Santa-Cruz fleshed out the Nordic narrative with re-editions of Danish Modern designs by such masters as Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, and Hans J. Wegner. Santa Cruz's collected, classic-meets-modern scheme combines many of his clients’ existing pieces. In the living room, an updated take on Jacobsen’s Mayor sofa joins an 18th-century Swedish stool, two Barcelona chairs and an American drop-leaf table from the 1940s.
That’s not to say anything goes. Santa-Cruz employed his “curating eye” to edit the mix. “Sometimes when you curate furniture pieces—especially when they come from famous designers of any period—the décor can become a little too museum-like or showroom-like,” he notes. “This house doesn’t have a feel of perfection.”
Family-driven function and meaningful touches prevail in the dining room. The wife, a TV producer, envisioned a multi-tasking space—inspired by “a classic college library”—where the girls could do their homework, explains the designer. Favorite books fill newly installed, built-in shelves. For intimacy, Santa-Cruz specified a slightly moodier neutral—Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone—for the walls (the only ones on the first floor not painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove).
Memories of a visit to the library at the Austria’s University of Graz, where long tables boast tall, glass-domed lamps, spurred the designer to suggest a table lamp over a traditional chandelier. “It’s a simple, compelling gesture that’s not typical,” he says. “I’m always looking for elements that are whimsical or objects that have a different scale.”
When family members aren’t reading or writing in the space, they are entertaining. “We love Friday night dinner there with friends,” reveals the husband. “The library has a calming effect on everyone.”
By contrast, the family room is a “more loungy, bring-your-iPad-and-watch-Netflix place,” as Santa-Cruz describes it. Its arrangement co-mingles easygoing, slipcovered seating with minimalist Danish designs including a coffee table by Poul Kjærholm. “For me, it’s about visual and physical comfort,” Santa-Cruz observes. “I’m not furnishing and I’m not decorating. I’m translating and advising. I bring completion to my clients’ aesthetic lifestyle.”
The second floor’s two bedrooms and office didn’t change with the renovation, but the master bedroom, located in the previously converted attic, got an update. Removing a couple of partition walls created a sense of roominess. Santa-Cruz maximized the quirky space with a Design Within Reach bedstead and integrated nightstands. A Wegner chair picks up the Nordic thread.
The designer’s signature blend of style and ease is evident throughout. As he explains, “It’s a wonderful balance of European sophistication and American casualness.”
Catherine Funkhouser is an Arlington writer. Gordon Beall is a photographer in Bethesda.
ARCHITECTURE: ANNE Y. DECKER, AIA, principal, and LORI APFEL CARDELLI, AIA, project manager, Anne Decker Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. DESIGNER: NESTOR SANTA-CRUZ, IIDA, Nestor Santa-Cruz Decoration, Washington, DC. BUILDER: Potomac Valley Builders, Bethesda, Maryland. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: LILA FENDRICK, FASLA, Lila Fendrick Landscape Architects, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT Flooring: classicfloordesigns.info/contact/. Built-In Cabinetry & Shelving: custom by annedeckerarchitects.com. Fabrication: ivancdutterer.com.
FRONT HALL Gustavian Chair by Stairwell: toneontone.com. Art in Stairwell: mayahayuk.com.
LIVING ROOM Sofa: Arne Jacobsen through furniturefromscandinavia.com. Sofa Fabric: Kvadradt.dk. Sofa Pillows & Rug: timothypaulhome.com. Barcelona Chairs: Mies van der Rohe from Knoll through dwr.com. Chair Leather: spinneybeck.com. Rug: Acrylic Coffee Table: cb2.com. Small Lacquered Table: jonathanadler.com. Lamps on Bookshelves: Bill Soffield for bakerfurniture.com. Art over Bookshelf: Sam Messer. Drop-Leaf Table: Owners' collection. Gustavian Ottoman beneath Table: toneontone.com.
DINING ROOM Vintage Walnut Parsons Dining Table: Owners' collection. Hans Wegner Wishbone Side Chairs & Salto $ Sisgaard Council Chair: furniturefromscandinavia.com. Table Lamp: Azucena Arenzano a Tre Fiamme by Ignazio Gardella through 1stdibs.com/dealers/rewire. Walnut Lectern: Designed by Nestor Santa-Cruz, fabricated by mitchellyanosky.com. Triptych on Wall: Sam Gilliam.
KITCHEN Cabinetry: Custom by annedeckerarchitects.com. Fabrication: ivancdutterer.com. Countertops & Backsplash: marblesystems.com. Countertop & Backsplash Fabrication: rbratti.com. Sink: rohlhome.com through ferguson.com. Finn Juhl Wall Clock, Jaime Hayon Dining Table, Arne Jacobsen Drop Chairs: furniturefromdcandinavia.com. Eames Eiffel chairs:dwr.com. Light Fixture over Table: Vintage Italian through artisanlamp.com.
FAMILY ROOM Belgian Linen Sofa & Armchairs: rh.com. Poul Kjaerholm Coffee Table, Finn Juhl Sideboard, Frits Henningsen Signature Chair: furniturefromscandinavia.com. Rug: Custom design by Nestor Santa-Cruz, made in India. Abstract Painting: Leon Berkowitz.
MASTER BEDROOM Bedstead: dwr.com. Pillows: timothypaulhome.com. Throw usa.hermeshome.com. Rugs & Hans Wegner Chair: furniturefromscandinavia.com. Light Fixture: noguchi.org. Rustic Table: Owners' collection. The basket by Window: Antique Japanese, owners' collection.
Situated along the Potomac River in the shadow of Mount Vernon, Jeff and Amiya Veatch’s home is a study in contrasts. And that was precisely the plan. Outside, every detail—from handmade bricks to wings that appear to have been added on over the years—conveys a sense of a modern history home. Inside, however, the look is classic, but certainly not colonial. “The goal was to make the exterior feel old, like the house has been here for 200 years, and to make the interior more youthful and comfortable,” Jeff explains. “I didn’t want it to be my grandmother’s house.”
An entrepreneur and philanthropist, Veatch purchased the Alexandria property in 2011 and donated the lot’s existing house to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue for a training exercise. With the site cleared, he convinced his then-neighbor Larry Hirsch, a speculative-home developer and builder, to accept a rare custom project and to guide the design and construction of his new Georgian-style abode.
A fluid collaborative process ensued, with the owner involved every step of the way. “Jeff was very hands-on, but he trusted my design sense,” recalls Hirsch. “We wanted to do it right.”
The program and exterior detailing evolved over time. “Nothing was set in stone,” says Veatch. “We didn’t have one vision; we had lots of little visions. One by one, we made decisions, and many times we made them standing on site. It definitely wasn’t the most efficient way to do it, but it was fun.”
Function, however, was paramount from the get-go. Jeff has three kids ages 10 to 15; he married Amiya while the project was underway and they are expecting their first child together. With their young family, the Veatches knew a formal living room would see little use. They opted instead for a modern floor plan, with an open family room and kitchen. “This is where everyone gravitates when they come in,” says Amiya, an equestrian who keeps horses on the family’s Maryland farm, just across the river.
The couple wanted “every room to have a purpose,” adds Jeff. The first floor features a home theater and office, both adjoining the family room, and a dining room to the left of the entry. Upstairs, there are five bedrooms, and the lower level includes a hangout space, guest room, and sports court.
Orienting the house to maximize the riverside setting was a priority. French doors and picture windows along the back capture unobstructed views. Upper and lower terraces, designed by Colao & Peter, also provide perfect vantage points for enjoying the scenery.
With the home’s shell and layout taking shape, the owners tapped designer Andy Staszak to develop cohesive plans for the interior architecture and, later, the décor. Staszak added classic elements including moldings, millwork and ceiling treatments to the “blank-slate” spaces. “All the details had to be conceptualized,” he says. “For inspiration, I envisioned an old house but not a colonial—more like a 1930s Colonial Revival.” Reclaimed materials such as walnut floorboards on the main level and barn beams on the lower-level ceiling lend a touch of authenticity.
A palette of blue, white and tan echoes the outdoors while allowing the viewer to remain the focal point. “It needed to be mostly neutral with accents of blue,” explains Staszak. A tile backsplash, for instance, adds watery color to the predominantly white kitchen. Creamy paint and window panels and a sisal rug balance the dining room’s tone-on-tone blue wallpaper.
While selecting furniture, Staszak heeded his clients’ directive: Keep it comfortable and kid-proof. “They stressed all along that the house was going to get used,” he says. “No precious lamps because somebody could throw a football across the room—and there goes your precious lamp. Those considerations were part and parcel of the process.”
The furnishings are traditional yet relaxed, and durability drove upholstery-fabric choices. Heavy-duty chenille covers the family room’s two custom sofas. “The worst call I could get would be somebody telling me that the fabric is fraying,” notes the designer.
A sprinkle of antiques brings depth to the design. “It can sometimes look a little flat if everything is of the same vintage,” observes Staszak. “I like the ‘found’ quality of antiques. To me, that’s more interesting than when everything is brand new.” Two Regency chairs from the 1800s “add gravitas” to the entrance hall, while a c. 1810 French marquetry table completes a master-bedroom seating arrangement.
Other furniture pieces in the master suite, including the four-poster bed, are strategically positioned for the views. “I love to watch the sunrise with a cup of coffee,” says Amiya. The room’s muted hues blend in with the landscape.
The kids’ rooms boast nature-inspired color schemes too. Staszak used a feminine palette of soft blues and white in one and a boyish combination of tan and navy in another. A central homework station and playroom serve as the kids’ second-floor hub.
As predicted, the house does, indeed, get used—but Staszak’s specifications can handle the wear and tear. “You can throw your feet up on the furniture,” Jeff Veatch affirms. “Andy made the house very livable.”
Catherine Funkhouser is an Arlington writer. Photographer Angie Seckinger splits her time between Potomac, Maryland, and Spain.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION: LARRY HIRSCH, Federal City Group, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia. ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANTS: ROBERT SASTRO, AIA, Fairfax, Virginia; STEVE KULINSKI, AIA, Kulinski Group Architects, PC, Alexandria, Virginia. INTERIOR DESIGN: ANDY STASZAK, Andy Staszak Interiors, Inc., Washington, DC. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: JR PETER, Colao & Peter, Fairfax, Virginia.
RESOURCES
ENTRY HALL Round Center Table: Clients’ collection. Rug: carpetimpressions.com. Console: davidiatesta.com. Chairs Flanking Console: Antique through Peter Nee Antiques. Artwork above Console: kevinfitzgeraldpainter.com. Small tables by Front Door Blue & White Vase: East & Beyond, Ltd. Antique Armchairs: Late 19th C. Regency style with caned seats.
DINING ROOM Wallpaper: jimthompsonfabrics.com. Chandelier: davidiatesta.com. Dining Table: kittingerfurniture.com. Dining Chairs & Buffet Lamps: Clients’ collection. Chair Fabric: cowtan.com. Sideboard: Antique from clients’ collection. Mirror: bellacor.com. Drapery Fabric: norbarfabrics.com. Drapery Trim: samuelandsons.com. Rug: Sisal from carpetimpressions.com.
UPPER OUTDOOR LIVING AREA Furniture: rh.com. Throw Pillows: perennialsfabrics.com.
FAMILY ROOM Sofas & Marble Coffee Table: Custom through andystaszakinteriordesign.com. Sofa Fabric: Cotton and Wool Chenille through glant.com. Arm Chairs: leeindustries.com. Rug: maslandcarpets.com through carpetimpressions.com. Lamp Tables & Lamps: Clients’ collection. Wing Chairs: rh.com. Wing Chair Fabric: dessinfournir.com. Drapery Fabric: fabricut.com. Drapery Trim: samuelandsons.com. Chairs under Archway: leeindustries.com. Chair Fabric: sharris.com. Rug under Archway: Antique through domimexrugs.com.
KITCHEN Backsplash: architectural ceramics.com. Perimeter Countertops: Absolute Black granite, honed. Island Countertops: Calacatta Gold marble. Bar Stools: hickorychair.com. Stool Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com. Runner: Antique through domimexrugs.com. Pendants: visualcomfortlightinglights.com.
MASTER BEDROOM Bedstead & Armchairs: hickorychair.com. Armchair Fabric: hinesandcompany.com. Round Table by Chairs: Antique French marquetry table circa 1810 through Peter Nee Antiques. Oversized Mirror: Clients’ collection. Carpet: nourison.com through carpetimpressions.com. Drapery Fabric: leejofa.com. Settee: hickorychair.com. Settee Fabric: glant.com. Fabric for Settee Pillows: zimmer-rohde.com. Chandelier: visualcomfortlightinglights.com.
BOY’S ROOM Bedstead, Bench, Nightstands & Bedding: crateandbarrel.com. Shams: no44homeworks.co.uk. Bedside lamps: Custom through vintagestudios.com. Black Chair: roomandboard.com. Drapery Fabric: johnrobshaw.com through duralee.com
GIRL’S ROOM Bedstead: pbteen.com. Bedding: serenaandlily.com. Chaise: leeindustries.com. Chaise Fabric & Accent Pillow Fabric: tiltonfenwick.com through duralee.com. Nightstands: bungalow5.com. Lamps: lampsplus.com. Drapery Fabric: johnrobshaw.com through duralee.com. Rug: stantoncarpet.com
The stately c. 1918 mansion in Washington’s Kalorama neighborhood has no doubt, seen its share of glamorous gatherings over the years—and probably a few official dinners, given that two foreign ambassadors consecutively called it home recently while their residences were under renovation. “If these walls could talk...” quips designer Kelley Proxmire, who was tapped by the home’s new owners to ready the interiors for their own fêtes and philanthropic events.
Kristen Lund and her husband, a financier, purchased the property in 2015 with the intent of hosting frequent events. They are actively involved in many charities, and Lund sits on the Washington National Opera’s board of trustees. “We are big believers in entertaining,” she says. “We knew when we bought this house that we would have functions here to support the Opera.”
The couple, who worked with Proxmire to decorate their previous home in McLean as well as their family retreat in Paradise Valley, Arizona, trusted the designer to handle their new Kalorama home with care. “Kelley has a sixth sense for what a house needs,” remarks Lund. “She has a knack for working with older homes and maintaining their character.”
The home was designed by famed architects Clarke Waggaman and George N. Ray, known for their prolific residential and commercial work in early 20th-century Washington. The Beaux Arts residence is blessed with large rooms, 12-foot ceilings, and tall windows. And despite a full renovation in the late 1990s, its original architectural details, including refined plaster moldings, were luckily left intact.
The existing layout works well for Lund, her husband and their three-year-old son and baby daughter. While the first floor comprises a cozy family room and a kitchen with an eat-in area, the level above these family-oriented spaces boasts a formal reception hall that branches into the living room on the left and the dining room on the right. Two upper floors include five bedrooms and a library.
Proxmire touched every space in the home, making minor tweaks in some—such as new window treatments in the existing kitchen, where a full makeover is planned for the not-too-distant future—and totally transforming others. On the second floor where guests gather, her clients wanted to create a chic setting for formal entertaining.
The designer’s goal was to balance formality with freshness. “Quite honestly, it’s a more formal look than I usually do,” she admits. “I have to read my clients and see what they like and how they live. This look reflects them. It’s sophisticated and classic with a little bit of zip.”
An embroidered-silk floral fabric from Pierre Frey, which Proxmire used on accent pillows in the living room, served as a springboard for her elegant palette of cream, tan and gray. “I often start a scheme with fabric,” she explains. “When I design, I think about the sequence of color.” Pulling hues from this inspirational textile, Proxmire chose a backdrop for each space—hand-painted Gracie wallpaper in shimmering neutrals for the dining room, a silvery metallic wall covering for the hall and a textured, tan silk for the living room. “How color flows from room to room is really key. There’s a nice flow here,” she adds. Blue-tinged ceilings also visually link the second-floor rooms.
Next, Proxmire layered in a mix of furnishings, reimagining, rearranging and reupholstering many pieces from her clients’ collection. The quatrefoil-patterned rug from their previous dining room, for example, was too small for the new dining room so Proxmire solved the problem by laying a larger sisal rug underneath it. She shifted a chandelier from the family room to the upstairs hall, while an oversized screen that once embellished the couple’s McLean home is the “perfect scale” for their new living room, where it hangs above a sofa. Fresh fabrics, from a solid cotton weave to exotic animal prints, revived three pairs of existing chairs in the living room.
The homeowners’ collection also included several antiques, which Proxmire paired with new furnishings. Even extremes—a Biedermeier secretary and acrylic side tables—play nicely together in her carefully crafted arrangements. The designer also selected two classically styled sofas from Hickory Chair to round out the eclectic mix.
“I incorporate old and new,” she says. “There’s a blending of more modern pieces with traditional lines in the living room. Sometimes it’s subtle and sometimes it’s not so subtle, but I rarely do a room that’s all traditional.”
Bespoke details, such as the custom banding on the hall’s valance and draperies, are another design signature. Proxmire also enjoys “the hunt for one-of-a-kind accessories,” scouring brick-and-mortar shops as well as the online marketplace 1stdibs to find them. She uncovered the living room’s antique, sunburst wall hanging, for instance, at the now-shuttered Georgetown location of Comer & Co. “The finishing touches are almost as important as good bones,” she maintains.
The third-floor library, with its quatrefoil ceiling treatment, masculine paneling, and leaded windows, has both—exceptional bones and meticulously placed crowning touches. “We used all existing pieces,” the designer reveals.
When the interiors were ready for the show, Lund invited friends, including Proxmire, to the home for afternoon tea—and the party-
goers happily lingered. “That’s the power of the house,” says Lund. “Guests don’t want to leave, which I love.”
Catherine Funkhouser is an Arlington writer. Photographer Kip Dawkins is based in Richmond.
Interior Design: Kelley Proxmire, Kelley Interior Design, Bethesda, Maryland.
RESOURCES
DINING ROOM Dining Table & Sideboard: nancycorzine.com. Dining Chairs & Gilt Mirror over Fireplace: Clients’ collection. Dining Chair Fabric & Draperies: pierrefrey.com. Drapery Trim: samuelandsons.com. Drapery Fabricator: JK Drapery, Inc.; 703-941-3788. Chandeliers: niermannweeks.com. Wall covering: graciestudio.com. Rugs: galleriacarpets.com.
ENTRY Round Table, Lion Sculpture, Candle Holder, Silver Planter, Gilt Sconces: Clients’ collection. Chandelier: Existing. Small Ottomans: fschumacher.com. Ottoman Fabric: Hodsoll McKenzie through zimmer-rohde.com. Window Treatment Fabric: taffard.com. Drapery Banding & Wallpaper: jab.us/. Fabricator: JK Drapery, Inc.; 703-941-3788.
LIVING ROOM Wallcovering: phillipjeffries.com. Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Tufted Loveseat: hickorychair.com. Loveseat Fabric: cowtan.com. Pillows on Loveseat: cowtan.com, pierrefrey.com. Secretary, Gilt-Framed Chairs & Twin Coffee Tables: Clients’ collection. Fabric on Gilt-Framed Chairs: manuelcanovas.com through cowtan.com. Sunburst Wall Art: comerandco.com. Striped Draperies: calvinfabrics.com. Drapery Fabricator: JK Drapery; 703-941-3788. Acrylic Side Table: spectrumcollection.com. Console between Windows & Gilt Lamp on Acrylic Side Table: marstonluce.com. White Sofa: hickorychair.com. Sofa Fabric: nobilis.fr. Glass-Topped Oval Coffee Table, Side Tables Flanking White Sofa, Gilt Armchairs & Mirror above Fireplace: Clients’ collection. Gilt Armchair Fabric: cowtan.com. Marble-Based Lamps: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Art above Loveseat, White Sofa, Console & Bust on Console: Clients’ collection. Black-Framed Ottoman by Secretary: Antique. Club Chairs & Black-Stained Occasional Table by Fireplace: bakerfurniture.com. Club Chair Fabric: nobilis.fr. Pillows on Club Chairs: pierrefrey.com, samuelandsons.com. Tufted Ottoman: Custom frame by JK Drapery; 703-941-3788. Ottoman Fabric: janechurchill.com. Trim: samuelandsons.com. Fireplace Screen: salvationsaf.com.
LIBRARY Leather Chairs, Round Metal Table, Coffee Table, Rug, Bust: Clients’ collection.
Before opening her contemporary-furniture store and interior design studio, Deborah Kalkstein studied architecture in her native Peru—and it shows. Kalkstein brings an architect’s eye to everything she does, from selecting showroom lines to reimagining clients’ spaces. Naturally, her training has come in handy in the transformation of her own home, too.
The 1970s-era Potomac residence needed an overhaul when Kalkstein and Peruvian-born husband Carlos Bachrach, an asset-management advisor, bought it in 1998. Dark paneling and an avocado-and-gold color scheme prevailed—but what Kalkstein saw was the home’s “amazing bones” and generous proportions. “For me, it was like looking at an x-ray,” she explains. “The beauty of the house was in the architecture and the open spaces, not the aesthetics. I didn’t focus on the mess. I knew I could redo it to my taste.”
And she has. With the goal of creating a “livable, happy, family place” to raise their children (Camille, now 23, and Kevin, now 20), Kalkstein gradually instilled a “minimal but not sterile” sensibility throughout, putting her architectural stamp on each space while keeping the walls intact. For example, a new picture window in the living room ushers in natural light and frames the leafy view, and a dropped ceiling has been removed to expose the original wood beams, which were whitewashed for an airy look.
Kalkstein introduced other materials that took on starring roles. Using a building technique common in South America, she clad several exposed-brick accent walls and the living room’s fireplace surround in cement. She also revamped the wet bar in the living room by sheathing the laminate cabinets in black steel plate. Later, she covered the glass tops on the twin square dining room tables in steel plate too. “I use materials to complement my designs,” she explains. “I like materials to show their nature, so I like the raw look of cement and steel.”
With the ’70s detritus cleared out—or covered up—and fresh, white paint on the walls, Kalkstein began populating the spaces with furniture from her retail shop, Contemporaria, which carries such sleek European lines as Minotti, Paola Lenti, and Vitra, to name a few. (The showroom first opened in Bethesda in 1999 and moved to Georgetown’s Cady’s Alley in 2005. It offers complete interior design and interior architecture services.)
Clean-lined appointments in varying shades of gray, black and white are a hallmark of Kalkstein’s modern yet ageless design sensibility. The forms and colors, she asserts, have lasting appeal. “I’m not trendy. I’m not trying to do something that’s going to be ‘wow’ for six months and then go out of fashion.”
Bold art enlivens the neutral landscape. “I love to bring in color with art,” says the designer. “I’m a big believer that art has to be part of our lives. Every piece in our house has meaning and reminds us of a place or moment.”
One of those places in Peru. Several works in the homeowners’ collection, including an oversized painting by Fito Espinosa behind the living room sofa, were discovered on trips to visit family there. A montage presiding over the table in the recently renovated breakfast area/kitchen is sentimental for another reason: It showcases the children’s early drawings.
Kalkstein waited until both kids were away at college before tackling the kitchen upgrade, with the help of her team at Contemporaria. The reconfiguration maximizes the existing 500-square-foot area. The doorways on the walls adjoining the dining and living rooms were shifted to create long stretches of usable space. A pocket door that reaches the ceiling adds both elbow room and seamless access to the wide hall. A new skylight and sliding doors connect the space to the outdoors.
Measuring about nine by four feet, the island is the center of attention; Kalkstein drew on her architectural skills to get the size just right. “I wanted to do the largest island I could fit comfortably in the space,” she explains. “That makes space look bigger. Proportion changes everything.”
Once again, imaginative materials came into play. Burnt-oak panels were installed on the appliance wall that houses the refrigerator, freezer, and oven. Steel plate on the opposite wall connects to the living room, providing visual balance. White cabinets from Cesar, an Italian line available through Contemporaria, offset the darker materials.
Bachrach and Kalkstein share cooking responsibilities and get a kick out of testing new recipes in their shiny kitchen. In warm weather, though, they’re outside, grilling chicken or steaks on the upper deck. Both that deck and one below housing a seating area and beverage bar were expanded during a major exterior makeover in 2012. A swimming pool and outdoor lighting, installed at the same time, create a dramatic setting for al fresco dinner parties with friends. Gray stucco now covers the exterior’s original, “hideous” pebbly surface, completing the transformation.
While erasing the quirky traces of the past, Kalkstein has been careful to preserve the home’s singular spirit. “I love to take the best space has to offer and then change or reinvent the rest to make it what I want it to be,” she says. “That’s what I’ve done in this house.”
Catherine Funkhouser is an Arlington writer. Photographer Stacy Zarin Goldberg is based in Olney, Maryland.
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN: Deborah Kalkstein, Contemporaria, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: Contemporaria, Washington, DC.
RESOURCES
Throughout Concrete: through contemporaria.com. Steel Plate: metalspecialties.net
Living Room Sofa, Chaise, Coffee Table, Chairs: minotti.com through contemporaria.com. Divan: Mies van der Rohe through contemporaria.com. Painting with Mickey Mouse: Artist unknown. Other Large Canvas: Fito Espinosa; fitoespinosa.com. Nude Sculpture on Pedestal: Jacques Le Nantec; lenantec.com
Foyer Floor: Tumbled marble through stonesource.com. Low Bench: hermanmiller.com through contemporaria.com. Mirror above Bench: Antique.
Dining Room Dining Tables: contemporaria.com. Steel Fabrication: metalspecialties.net. Dining Chairs: bonacinavittorio.it through contemporaria.com. Reclaimed Wood X Pieces: michellepetersonalbandoz.com through longviewgallerydc.com. The buffet in Niche & Glass-Fronted Cabinet: Molteni.it through contemporaria.com. The painting above Buffet: jessicaschneider.net. Bird Cage: Antique.
Kitchen Cabinetry: Cesar.it through contemporaria.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com through marblexinc.com. Bar Stools: vitra.com through contemporaria.com. Oven, Hood, Coffee Maker: mieleusa.com. Range: viking.com. Refrigerator: gaggenau.com. Floor Tile: famosatile.com.
Breakfast Area Table: Paola Navone through contemporaria.com. Eames Chairs: hermanmiller.com through contemporaria.com. Light Fixture over Table: Italiana Luce through contemporaria.com.
Upper Deck Dining Table & Chairs: kettal.com through contemporaria.com. Green Sofa: paolalenti.it through contemporaria.com. Hand Railing Design: Deborah Kalkstein. Railing Fabrication: metalspecialties.net.
Lower Deck & Pool Area Sofa, Chairs & Ottomans: kettal.com through contemporaria.com. White Cubes: vondom.com through contemporaria.com. Poolside Dining Table: paolalenti.it through contemporaria.com. Dining Chairs: vitra.com through contemporaria.com. Poolside Chaises: missonihome.com through contemporaria.com. Adirondack Chairs: dwr.com. Pool Design & Installation: lewis-aquatech.com.
A childhood spent living on the water in Florida left an indelible mark on homeowner Dondi Dahlgaard. “It influenced me subconsciously,” she says. “I like open, airy spaces.” So it’s no surprise that the Sarasota native was drawn to the light-filled home she now shares with husband Mark Schoenfeld, a real-estate investment manager, and their five-year-old son, Sarek.
While searching for a new home in the District in 2012, the couple—then Bethesda residents—discovered the classically inspired, stucco-clad home in DC’s Phillips Park neighborhood. Designed by architects David Jones and Wouter Boer and built by JEFFCO Development, the brand new abode with immense windows and sylvan views had an irresistible aura.
“Walking into the house when it wasn’t furnished felt like magic,” says Dahlgaard, who works part-time as a critical-care veterinarian. “We wanted to maintain the light, open feel we experienced when we walked into the empty house. But once we bought some furniture, we realized the style didn’t match our vision.” The couple needed a sharper focus and expert advice.
Enter Potomac, Maryland, designer Jana Abel. Recruited in 2014, Abel was first tasked with teasing out her clients’ aesthetic—a bit of a challenge given their mash-up of mall-store furnishings at the time. Most of their pieces were expendable, except one special purchase—a David Iatesta cabinet used to display Dahlgaard’s cherished collection of coral and shells. As it turned out, that cabinet sparked a creative direction for the project.
“It just hit me,” says Abel. “Dondi’s from Florida. She has a shell collection and loves airy spaces. So our goal was to keep the house light, natural and casual, but still elegant.”
Abel tapped JEFFCO Development’s Jeff Robins to oversee a modest renovation of the home encompassing a makeover of the first-floor powder room and an upgrade of the lighting plan and the study’s built-in cabinets. The wood floors were also refinished and the entire house was painted.
The designer took her color cues from the outdoors, establishing a serene backdrop for the owners’ bustling household that includes two Rottweilers and a Chihuahua. “The palette is neutral, a nod to coastal nature,” explains Abel. “We also wanted the house to feel very calm since there’s a lot of chaos, with three dogs and a child running through it.” Out of boredom, sometimes our dogs display playful behavior such as whirling or tail chasing, for which we have taken potential measures. Know more about this behavior of dogs at Bored Cesar.
Organic elements and shore-inspired touches—from the foyer’s agate-adorned chandelier to the study’s mother-of-pearl cabinet door panels—complement the sand-and-driftwood tones. The living room, anchored by the David Iatesta cabinet housing Dahlgaard’s collection, pays homage to the coast. The design scheme plays up that important piece, balancing its traditional curves and weathered patina with streamlined, crisp-white sofas. Window sheers lend ethereal softness without obstructing the light or view.
While Abel turned to the Sunshine State for inspiration, she also peeked into her client’s closet for clues. Dahlgaard’s everyday wardrobe is neutral, natural and basic (think white cotton tee shirts paired with premium denim). However, her array of edgy footwear is anything but. On her shoe racks, caged gladiator sandals cozy up to towering, bejeweled heels.
Borrowing a page from her client’s stylebook, Abel punctuated the organic tableau with flirty accents, luxe for style. Take, for example, the desk in Dahlgaard’s study, conceived by the designer. Coated goatskin covers the top, yet industrial-style rivets playfully embellish the steel base.
In the dining room, the casual-chic table marries zinc and natural white oak; a metallic wall covering and glass-droplet chandelier bring the bling. “You have all these natural elements,” says the designer, “and then there’s a twist, something with a little edge.”
Upstairs in the master bedroom, Abel crafted a “cocoon-like feeling” by mixing shades of gray in the carpet and textiles. The white-lacquered finish on the nightstand and two chests—all bespoke creations—adds glossy appeal.
Dahlgaard affirms that her new home’s décor mirrors her fashion sense. “I tend toward the monochromatic side,” she explains, “but I like a little glamour in the details.”
Writer Catherine Funkhouser is based in Arlington. Erik Kvalsvik is a photographer in Washington, DC.
ARCHITECTURE: DAVID JONES, AIA, and Wouter Boer, AIA, Jones & Boer Architects, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: JANA ABEL, J. Abel Interiors, Potomac, Maryland. BUILDER: JEFF ROBINS, JEFFCO Development, Rockville, Maryland.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT Flooring: universalfloors.com. Drapery Fabricator: Agora Interiors, Ltd.; 703-823-7800. Cabinetry & Millwork: capitalcabinetry.com. Art Consultant: theartregistrygroup.com.
LIVING ROOM Sofas: kravet.com. Sofa Fabric: janusetcie.com. Draperies: brentanofabrics.com through donghia.com. Coffee Table: Owners’ collection. Mantel: Existing. Painting over Mantel: theartregistrygroup.com. Rug: Custom fabricated and installed by thefloorgallery.com. Acrylic Stools: Custom design by jabelinteriors.com. Stool Covers: Mongolian lamb through hollyhunt.com. Console Lamps: davidiatesta.com through hollyhunt.com. Console Table: olystudio.com. Sculpture & Acrylic Base: Owners’ collection. Curio Cabinet: davidiatesta.com. Slipper Chairs: stewartfurniture.com through americaneyewdc.net. Chair Fabric: Great Plains through hollyhunt.com. Art by Curio Cabinet: theartregistrygroup.com.
STUDY Desk: Custom by jabelinteriors.com. Armchair by Desk: ligneroset.com. Chair Fabric: rubella.com through donghia.com. Desk Chair: dwr.com. Art by Desk: theartregistrygroup.com. Built-In Cabinet behind Desk: Custom design by jabelinteriors.com. Millwork Fabrication: capital
cabinetry.com. Mother-of-Pearl Cabinet Panel: mayaromanoff.com. Cabinet Installation: jeffcodev.com.
FOYER Cowhide Rug, Tufted Ottoman & Acrylic and Iron Table: Custom by jabelinteriors.com. Iron Table Base: salvationsaf.com. Ottoman Fabric: brentano.com. Chandelier: marjorieskourasdesign.com. Drapery Fabric: bergamofabrics.com through donghia.com.
DINING ROOM Dining Table: Zinc in epoxy resin on white-oak base through jabelinteriors.com. Dining Chairs: Maxalto through boffigeorgetown.com. Draperies: Owners’ collection. Motorized Shades: hfshades.com through Agora Interiors, Ltd.; 703-823-7800. Rug: Custom through thefloorgallery.com. Chandelier: www.serip.com.pt. Abstract Painting in White and Purple: theartregistrygroup.com.
BEDROOM Bedstead: gregoriuspineo.com through hinescompany.com. Bedding: Sheets through frette.com; coverlet through timothypaulhome.com. Dressers & Nightstand: Custom design by jabelinteriors.com; fabricated by capitalcabinetry.com. The artwork on Dresser & Nightstand: Owners’ collection. Lamp with Glass Base: davidiatesta.com through hollyhunt.com. Chaise & Fabric: stewartfurniture.com through americaneyewdc.net. Round Resin Table by Chaise: dedon.de. Draperies: Custom fabrication by Agora Interiors, Ltd.; 703-823-7800. Motorized Shades: hfs.com. Installation: abenetworks.com. Rug: perennialsfabrics.com through hinescompany.com.
The stately Northwest DC neighborhood of Foxhall Crescent first cast its spell on Carmen and Mohammed Osman in the 1980s. As students at nearby American University, the two would drive by and dream of someday owning a home there. Fast-forward to 1997: The Osmans, by then married with three kids, were able to realize that dream.
Years later, they still loved their location in the heart of the city, and their Mediterranean Revival-style home’s curb appeal. But its interiors felt stale and out of sync with the family’s needs. “These houses were meant for formal entertaining, and we don’t live like that,” Carmen says. “We have a very casual lifestyle, and I wanted the home to reflect that but still be elegant and urban-chic.”
Like others in the neighborhood, the 4,500-square-foot house was designed in the 1980s. The Osmans, who own three other homes on as many continents, used it primarily as a summer getaway until 2007, when they decided to make it their primary residence so their children, then teenagers, could attend school in the area.
They lived in the residence for several years, developing their wish list, before turning to interior designer Basha White for help. White and her associate, Tom Preston, had just outfitted the couple’s apartment in London (where Mohammed frequently travels as a consultant on global farming) and were fully up to speed on Carmen’s aesthetic, which they dubbed “comfortable couture.”
White invited architect Christian Zapatka to collaborate on updating the layout and look of the DC home. The goal of the “near-gut” renovation was to make the house “very usable and inviting,” explains Zapatka. “It was kind of dark before. Nothing felt very generous. There were too many rooms for the footprint.”
The original floor plan included a U-shaped kitchen, a narrow dining room, a small family room and an awkwardly long living room that spilled out into the front-to-back passageway. Removing and shifting walls liberated the once-tight layout; combining the kitchen and dining room into one integrated space was a daring but appropriate first step. “We don’t need a formal dining room,” maintains Carmen. “It’s not practical for us. It’s like that room when you were a kid that you couldn’t go in. I wanted to be able to talk to people while I cook.”
Zapatka’s program included other changes that would update the home’s 1980s sensibility. Pulling back an interior wall in the family room added volume to this primary gathering spot. The opening on that wall to the kitchen/dining area was shifted and widened to seven feet to ease the flow and create a stronger connection between the two spaces. To delineate the living room and hallway, Zapatka introduced a screen of columns and limestone floor tiles, which visually separate the spaces. And at the end of the hall, where an obtrusive set of sliding doors used to be, a picture window provides a view of the rear landscape from the foyer.
“Now there are fewer, bigger, brighter rooms, but it’s by no means a free plan. There are still very defined rooms,” Zapatka points out. “One big space is sometimes hard to understand. Delineated space often appears bigger.” Pocket doors provide the option of closing off the kitchen from the family room and main hallway but disappear when open.
With the bones in place, Zapatka and White turned their attention to embellishing the home’s architectural details. They kept the original egg-and-dart crown molding with rosette accents, but added “wider, heftier door casings and taller, heftier baseboards to stand up to that crown,” explains the architect. “The paneled segments [such as those over the windows] lend gravitas.”
White then devised a scheme of harmonious hues that flows from space to space. “We used a lot of mineral tones,” she says. “The palette is light, and we mixed warm and cool grays together.” Colorful accents stand in bold relief against the largely neutral backdrop.
The client’s preference for tactile, natural materials dictated many selections. Case in point: the wheat-colored grass cloth that warms the family room walls. To capture an eclectic, urban-chic vibe, White deftly mixed marble and metals with lacquered and natural woods. “We have a careful balance, “ she says. “We pick one thing and then reevaluate how it works with other pieces in the room.” The designer incorporated many vintages finds into the mix—including the hall’s bronze and limestone sculpture. “Vintage pieces add character and create a timeless look,” she says.
However, comfort trumped all in the design. Carmen Osman personally tested all the seating before giving it a nod. The fabrics are durable and family-friendly (the chairs in the dining area are even covered in an indoor-outdoor textile). “I wanted a casual house for the kids to come back to,” says Carmen. “We’re all over the place, but this is home.”
Writer Catherine Funkhouser is based in Arlington, Virginia. Gordon Beall is a Bethesda, Maryland, photographer.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: CHRISTIAN ZAPATKA, AIA, FAAR, Christian Zapatka Architect, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: BASHA WHITE, ASID, and TOM PRESTON, Basha White Interiors, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
RESOURCES:
Hallway—Chests: henredon.com. Two Mirrors: niermannweeks.com. Sculpture, 1920s Chinese Vases on Chests: David Bell Antiques; 202-965-2355. Drapery Fabric: jimthompsonfabrics.com. Drapery Fabrication: Atelier Draperies; 301-589-0362. Flooring: architecturalceramics.com.
FOYER—Small Sculpture: David Bell Antiques; 202-965-2355. Green Settée: Custom through Basha White Interiors. Settée Fabric: duralee.com. Mirror: bashawhiteinteriors.com.
Flooring: architecturalceramics.com.
Living Room—Custom Sofas: ef-lm.com. Sofa Fabric: jacquesbouvet.com. Custom Cocktail Table: hollyhunt.com. Custom Rug: starkcarpet.com. Mirror: niermannweeks.com. Floor Lamp, Drum Table, Painting & Square Table: David Bell Antiques; 202-965-2355. Swedish Chest: 1stdibs.com. Chairs & Fabric: hickorychair.com. Pillow Fabric: leejofa.com; kravet.com. Table Lamps: carlingnichols.com.
Kitchen—Cabinets: Karen Hourigan, CKD; kitchenbathstudios.com. Light Fixture: niermannweeks.com. Pendants: unionhardware.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Table, Chairs & Chair Fabrics: hickorychair.com. Marble Countertop: rbratti.com. Backsplash Tile: architecturalceramics.com.
Family Room—Sofa: ef-lm.com. Sofa Fabric: pearsontextiles.com. Chairs: rjones.com. Chair Fabric: jimthompsonfabrics.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Drapery & Pillow Fabric: leejofa.com. Drapery Fabrication: Atelier Draperies; 301-589-0362. Stool: bakerfurniture.com. Credenza: andbeige.com. Art above Credenza: Karen Silve through callowayart.com. 1970s Cocktail Table: David Bell Antiques; 202-965-2355. Grass Cloth Wallcovering: kravet.com.
When then-newlyweds Spence and Renata Patterson purchased a century-old house in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in 2009, they planned to update the kitchen and move right in. But the project soon spiraled into something much bigger. By the time the couple took up residence two years later, they had renovated and outfitted the entire place. Through it all, their mantra remained constant: “Respect the bones of the house.”
“The home has this big wraparound porch and great street presence,” explains Renata. “We couldn’t see ourselves walking into super-contemporary spaces.”
Instead, they envisioned an old house “jazzed up a bit,” as Spence says. Modern, but respectful.
The dwelling’s past certainly warrants the tribute. In the late 1800s, DC developer Harry Martin bought land bordering Cummings Farm, the last working farm in Chevy Chase, and began selling lots. The Pattersons’ abode, built in 1916, is one of the originals in the community now known as the Village of Martin’s Additions.
1997 remodel by previous owners preserved the farmhouse-style exterior and, through a three-story addition, increased the size to 4,200 square feet. But inside, it left a legacy of chopped-up spaces and dated features. The Pattersons brought together architect Mark Giarraputo and builder Patrick Keating to reconfigure and rejuvenate the interiors while preserving the home’s architectural lineage.
Except for a small mudroom added onto the back, the project stayed within the home’s existing parameters. The design team knocked out walls to improve the flow and open up the kitchen; added and replaced windows; and relocated the great room’s fireplace to an interior wall to capture the backyard view. The kitchen and all five bathrooms underwent total transformations. And crisp architectural elements, such as new ceiling treatments in the dining and great rooms, now reinforce a modern sensibility.
The homeowners, who both work for the federal government, reached their project-management limit about six months into the design-build process. “There’s an overwhelming number of decisions you have to make,” reveals Renata. “We hit the point where we couldn’t do it anymore. It was a full-time job.”
So they approached designer Mike Johnson, formerly of DC-based Lori Graham Design + Home. One meeting convinced them to bring Johnson on board. “Mike walked around and said, ‘We could do this and we could do that.’ It terrified me, but I kind of liked it, too,” admits Renata.
Johnson helped them choose materials, finishes and fixtures that, he explains, “appreciate the older house.” The kitchen redesign, for example, features time-honored marble countertops on the two islands and hand-scraped, wide-plank oak flooring. Stacked stone replaced overpowering river rock when the fireplace shifted to its new position in the great room.
Before the dust cleared, Johnson began an interior-design plan “to play up the home’s character but reflect an updated feel,” he says. Sophisticated hues went a long way toward creating the desired look. “We suggested a neutral palette,” he continues. “The gray tones work well with the materials used in the house. The only color is from art and fabrics.”
Indeed, vibrant artwork—including a Teo González abstract commissioned for the dining room—is sprinkled throughout the house. Andy Warhol lithographs from his “Endangered Species” series hang in the repurposed living room, now a cozy, grasscloth-clad library off the foyer. “They’re perfect on the dark grasscloth,” explains Johnson. “Additional color in the room would fight with them.”
Creating an environment for guests was paramount, as friends and family visit often. “We didn’t want a cold, sterile house,” says Renata. “We like to have people over and didn’t want them to feel like they couldn’t sit down.”
Johnson’s design scheme is approachable, yet dramatic. The foyer combines a playful, geometric rug with glamorous, glass-bauble lighting. A spirited interpretation of a classic wing chair invigorates the adjoining dining room, while a shimmery, Capiz-shell pendant offsets relaxed furniture in the main gathering area. But the most dramatic space by far is the upstairs master bedroom, where the designer challenged his clients’ comfort zone with bold moves, such as marrying two fabrics on an upholstered settee. The new suite wasn’t ready when the couple moved in, so they slept in converted-attic guest quarters on the third floor for the first six months.
For the Pattersons, the long wait paid off. “We were on vacation when Mike installed the master bedroom,” recalls Spence. “The coolest part of the entire process for me was walking into that room. It looked so spectacular. I thought, ‘Okay, six months of living on the top floor? Totally worth it.’”
Writer Catherine Funkhouser is based in Arlington, Virginia. Kevin Allen is a photographer in Washington, DC.
ARCHITECTURE: MARK GIARRAPUTO, Studio Z Design Concepts, Bethesda, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: MIKE JOHNSON, Lori Graham Design + Home, Washington, DC. BUILDER: PATRICK KEATING, PKK Builders, Garrett Park, Maryland.
Thick foliage, tall bamboo and trailing wisteria envelop designer Gary Lovejoy’s knoll-top home. Vast expanses of glass integrate the structure with its natural surroundings and invite the splendor indoors. “It’s like a treehouse,” says Lovejoy of his Mid-Century abode, located just blocks from DC’s busy Foxhall Road. “I always envisioned a glass house in the woods, but I never thought I’d find it this close to Georgetown.”
A native Washingtonian, Lovejoy has enjoyed a lifelong affinity for DC’s historic environs. He fondly recalls a childhood riding Georgetown’s bygone streetcars and today relishes exploring its storied streets on foot. In 1992, he happily traded a Logan Circle condo for the light-filled aerie in this optimal location, with its captivating views, lush outdoor areas and—as a bonus—lower-level space to house his design studio. (Lovejoy purchased the home from Thomas Wright, FAIA, its original owner and notable architect, who died in 2006.)
Over the years, Lovejoy has applied his own clean, contemporary aesthetic to the residence, which he shares with his partner, manufacturer’s representative Jay Kanefsky, and their cat, Black Kitty. The home’s streamlined architectural style and open floor plan dovetail perfectly with that aesthetic. However, a six-month renovation at purchase time remedied a few quirks and 1950s holdovers that stood in the designer’s way. For example, he removed a pole in the middle of the living space, combined two upper-level bedrooms into a master suite with a dressing area and enlarged the master bath. Bleached oak replaced linoleum tiles on the floors and inconspicuous cables replaced “river-boat style” roping on the floating staircase. Lovejoy also knocked out one wall, adding a window in the living area’s left corner (he kept the right-side wall for privacy), and updated the fireplace by trading the traditional brick surround for a cantilevered hearth.
“Quality of light and a feeling of spaciousness are important to me,” says Lovejoy. “I always start with how space will work. It’s the challenge of finding an elephant in the room and then visualizing what you can do with it. I focus on the interior architecture and creating the most out of smaller spaces.”
The abundance of glass and natural light makes the 2,300-square-foot house feel larger than it is. Lovejoy employed a pale-on-pale palette, with white walls and creamy furniture, to keep the focus on the ever-changing panorama outside. “Neutrals create that feeling of space,” explains the designer. “With all this glass and the view, your eye doesn’t need to be drawn to strong colors. I wanted to show off the architecture as much as possible.” Rich textures and finishes, such as the kitchen’s tonal striped walls—created by alternating flat and high-gloss paint—accent the quiet color palette.
Extensive artwork introduces the only color to the design scheme. Lovejoy’s collection is eclectic: abstract paintings rub elbows with classical drawings, while gallery pieces mingle with thrift-store finds. And his approach to display is often just as unexpected. In the living room, for example, three divergent pieces rest against an entertainment console of Lovejoy’s own design; they move aside for TV viewing. “I love the relaxed feeling of putting a painting on a ledge or leaning it against a wall or piece of furniture,” says the designer.
One of the paintings in this casual grouping hints at a linear theme that runs subtly throughout the interiors. The graphics abstract, with rectangular forms and primary colors, is an unsigned work in the iconic style of Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. Look no further than the living room’s geometric coffee table for evidence of Mondrian’s influence. Or take Lovejoy’s unconventional approach to applying frosted window films, which provide privacy without blocking the light on the stairwell. Rather than cover the entire windowpane, the designer has left a narrow horizontal band between each block of film to mimic stonework. The theme continues in the master bedroom, where a custom media wall features Mondrian-style drawers for storage.
Lovejoy’s furnishings, like his art collection, comprise a mix of styles and provenances. “I didn’t want to create a vintage house,” explains Lovejoy. “That would have been too expected. I wanted an element of surprise and fun. Design shouldn’t be so serious.”
Many pieces are his own creations, including the dining table with a limestone faux finish and the master bedroom’s waterfall nightstands. Others date from the 1940s and ’50s (or were inspired by those eras), yet Lovejoy masterfully works them into his contemporary tableau, either by transforming them with paint or pairing them with current pieces. In the breakfast area, a Mid-Century sideboard looks fresh-stained, alabaster white, while Art Deco chairs set off the sleek table. Classical notes, such as the gilt-framed mirror on the stair landing and the plaster bust of Moses beside the baby grand piano, add interest to the composition.
As relaxed and inviting as the home’s interiors are, the outdoor spaces are just as alluring. Lovejoy and Kanefsky often have friends over for casual dinners and game nights. In nice weather, their parties spill out onto the slate terrace, where a recently restored fountain provides soothing water sounds. “It’s a wonderful feeling out on the terrace,” says Lovejoy. “I have lights on the bamboo. It’s very elegant—but simple and casual too.”
Writer Catherine Funkhouser is based in Arlington, Virginia. Stacy Zarin Goldberg is a photographer in Olney, Maryland.
INTERIOR DESIGN: GARY R. LOVEJOY, ASID; Gary Lovejoy Design Associates, Inc., Washington, DC.
When Steve and Judy Goozh bought their 100-year-old home on Southern Maryland’s Breton Bay, they knew they were facing a major renovation. Everything from weathered clapboard to choppy spaces clamored for attention. To the new owners, though, the water views were worth the trouble. They enlisted architect Paul Maarec to transform the 5,000-square-foot house into a welcoming retreat that would capitalize on its waterfront locale.
The Bethesda couple’s hunt for a second home “on this side of the bay bridge,” says Judy, led them to the Leonardtown property. The original landowners, who traced their Maryland roots back to the 17th century, had built a traditional farmhouse on the property in 1914. Then, to accommodate their extended brood, they erected a second, two-story structure and bridged the gap between buildings with a low-ceilinged entry hall.
The house clung to its past when the Goozhes found it nearly a century later. The first challenge was unifying the home’s disjointed halves, constructed 10 years apart. The upper levels remained unconnected, with no access from the bedrooms on one side to those on the other. Maarec designed a pergola-topped terrace leading to each side that joins the levels while retaining the historic home’s original, quirky structure. “There is a difference in elevation between the eaves,” explains Maarec. “The terrace creates an element to link the two without being offensive.” And it offers panoramic bay vistas.
Inside, the foyer’s ceiling was raised to a lofty 12 feet. Other architectural changes opened the floor plan and captured the views. Maarec reconfigured the first floor on the older, right side—removing two interior walls, transferring structural loads and relocating the dining room to create an airy family room and kitchen. “We kept the shell and worked within the existing walls to create larger, open spaces,” he says. “A major concern was to bring the outdoors in.”
Before, tiny windows blocked sunlight and the view; now, walls of French doors with transoms lead to a new wraparound veranda with spectacular vistas. “I can’t imagine having this property without this spot to enjoy the view,” says Steve, an orthodontist.
The waterfront dictated the décor, too. Judy envisioned a palette inspired by sea glass and a laid-back vibe. She turned to designer Amy Gudelsky of Urban Country for help. Gudelsky combined furnishings from the Bethesda retailer with family heirlooms and painted antiques. “We did a modern take on Country,” she says. “We used serene, watery colors to blend the two sides of the house and make it feel cohesive.”
Now located in the former parlor, the dining room boasts pale-blue walls that connect it to its bayside surroundings. The layout accommodates various scenarios for entertaining. With a married son and daughter and five grandchildren, the Goozhes requested seating for family gatherings, so Gudelsky installed two tables. “Turned end to end, the tables can seat a large group,” says the designer, “or just one works for smaller groups. They give you lots of options.”
The watery hue reappears in the great room on the opposite side of the house, where wood paneling and ceiling beams previously lent a dreary hunting-lodge feel. Gudelsky painted the beams white and the ceiling blue to lighten the mood, and removed the drab paneling. Furnishings are inviting and practical. “The upholstered chairs swivel, so you can watch TV or look at the view,” says Judy. “I want guests to be able to sit down anywhere and feel good.” The adjacent screened porch extends the relaxed living space.
Upstairs, six bedrooms welcome frequent visitors. Gudelsky gave each room a distinct personality, yet the quiet palette prevails. For example, the master suite is wrapped in whispering gray-blue while yellow enlivens one of the guest bedrooms.
However, the family room and kitchen amp up the color. Vibrant accessories invigorate creamy walls and a tan sofa and checkerboard wall tiles accent whitewashed cabinets and soft green granite countertops. The cheery space fits the family’s easy-going lifestyle. “The kitchen is the hub,” says Judy. “And, of course, the water’s right here.”
Indeed, weekends on the six-acre property—especially for younger guests—mean aquatic activities and simple pleasures such as fishing, kayaking, hiking and roasting marshmallows. “It’s a great retreat,” says Steve. “The grandkids love swimming in the bay. We have to ring a bell to get them out.”
For their part, the adults often celebrate the setting from the veranda. “We have friends down to visit and make all these plans, and then we sit here and do nothing,” says Judy. “It’s a place to settle down.”
Catherine Funkhouser is an Arlington, Virginia-based writer. Photographer Geoffrey Hodgdon is based in Deale, Maryland. Photographer Angie Seckinger splits her time between Potomac, Maryland, and Spain.
Renovation Architecture: Paul Maarec, North Potomac, Maryland. Interior Design, Amy Gudelsky, Urban Country, Bethesda, Maryland. Contractor: Mike Mummaugh, Paragon Properties, Leonardtown, Maryland.
On a sunny day in McLean, Virginia, artist and beekeeper Georgia Nassikas gazes out the tall windows of her second-story studio, taking in the sky, the verdant lawn and her beloved beehives. The moment encapsulates her artistic journey. “One thing that fuels my soul is a respect for nature,” she reveals. “A sense of beauty in natural space is the genesis of what I set out to do in the studio.”
While bucolic views provide creative fodder, the beeswax from her hives figures prominently in her artwork too. The connection traces back to her childhood, when Nassikas watched as honey was extracted from hives on her family’s Rhode Island farm. Decades later, when she and her husband purchased their three-acre Virginia property, Nassikas embraced the tradition and started a bee colony of her own. Before long, she began pondering what to do with their growing stockpile of wax.
The answer came to her in 2007 when, while viewing a Jasper Johns exhibit at the National Gallery of Art, a waxy interpretation of the American flag sparked an interest in encaustic painting. Soon after, Nassikas traded her oil paints for a pigmented-wax medium, using her own beeswax to create complex encaustic artwork.
This natural medium often influences the artist’s themes. Visual impressions of places and experiences, “seared in [her] mind,” ignite an organic process in which creative intentions often morph—through medium or technique—into entirely different final compositions. Nassikas resists putting too fine a point on her subject matter. Landscapes are pared down to elemental shapes; beehives are deconstructed. Through texture, depth and sheen, the artworks convey nature’s nuances. Nassikas groups her paintings into series such as “Distant Views” by the feelings they evoke, rather than precise physical locations.
“I like that middle area—the tension between abstraction and realism,” she explains. “I’m driven by the place where the two meet. There’s a fine balance between creating a beautiful composition and challenging viewers to look deeper and engage with the work.”
Painting with molten wax helps her achieve that balance. The term “encaustic” originates from the Greek word meaning “to burn in;” the ancient art form uses heat to melt, manipulate and fuse layers of wax, typically to a board. Melted beeswax is mixed with damar—the resin from fir trees—and powdered pigments to create a paint medium.
Nassikas primes a birch board and then brushes on multiple layers of the waxy paint, wielding a heat gun and blowtorch (images incongruous with the slender, blond-haired woman demonstrating in a cotton dress) to fuse each new layer to the one before. An array of tools—from kitchen spatulas to dental instruments—creates different textures. “I’m pursuing a luminescent quality, applying wax and then scratching and scoring to reveal what came before,” Nassikas says. “Again, there’s a tension between smooth and rough. It invites another kind of conversation.”
Another dialogue she hopes to encourage is one about environmental responsibility. “Using my own beeswax adds meaning,” Nassikas explains. “There are messages about sustainability and respect for the environment. It’s part of my story.”
And indeed, hers is a colorful story. The daughter of the late John Chafee, who served as a U.S. senator and the governor of Rhode Island, Nassikas experienced political life early on but admits that her “rhythms weren’t in sync with politics.” Those rhythms were oriented, instead, toward art. Nassikas says she inherited her artistic gene from her maternal great-grandfather, George de Forest Brush, an American painter who died before she was born (The National Gallery of Art exhibited his work in 2008).
“Art is something I’ve always done,” Nassikas notes. She studied classical painting in Florence, Italy, after high school and took occasional art classes throughout college and graduate school. Though her career initially took a different direction—interior design—years later she decided to “dive into” her earlier passion.
But she needed more efficient workspace than her dining-room table. The search for a property that would offer a country lifestyle as well as suitable studio space led Nassikas and her family to a McLean lot with a Civil War-era farmhouse and a board-and-batten barn, where the artist saw potential for her studio.
They bought the property in 2001. An initial bare-bones renovation of the dilapidated barn addressed immediate safety concerns, but Nassikas ultimately craved enhanced functionality and a better view, so in 2012 she called on McLean architect Michael Nawrocki to design a bright, lofty studio within the original structure. Nawrocki Architects and Bowie, Maryland-based Tobin Construction raised the roofline and installed new windows to improve the views. “I needed to see the sky without ducking down,” Nassikas says. The project also added a new HVAC system and suspended-cable gallery lighting.
Drawing on her design background, Nassikas fashioned a gracious sitting area in the space, juxtaposing refined pieces against the barn’s humble heritage. The ground floor and exterior got character-preserving updates. “We purposely kept the lower level rustic to create an element of surprise when you enter the clean, serene studio. Again, there’s that push-pull. It’s in my art and it’s in my studio space,” says Nassikas with a smile. “It’s what keeps things interesting.”
Writer Catherine Funkhouser is based in Arlington, Virginia. Georgia Nassikas’s art is on permanent exhibit and sale at Touchstone Gallery in DC; touchstonegallery.com. The gallery will feature her work in a solo show, “Raw and Pure: Encaustic Paintings by Georgia Nassikas,” October 3 to November 2. Visit georgianassikas.com
