The owners of a McLean property purchased an adjacent lot on which to build an upscale, barn-like retreat for the wife’s use. Pondering what else to do with the one-acre site, they hired McHale Landscape Design to help formulate and carry out their vision while the building was under construction.
“We suggested a greenhouse and a sustainable garden for the family,” says McHale president Phil Kelly, who spearheaded the project. The clients embraced the idea, and a collaborative effort between the McHale team and Alabama-based Gothic Arch Greenhouses ensued. The result is an elegant, glassed-in structure sited at an angle from the wife’s “she shack.”
Using the retreat and greenhouse as reference points, McHale constructed an extensive, terraced vegetable garden close by, complete with quadrants separated by pathways. “The client challenged us to make a kitchen garden that’s super-functional yet enjoyable to look at,” Kelly says.
Landscape Design, Installation & Maintenance: McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Photo: Erin B. Bogan
It was a real find,” enthuses Julie Geyer, referring to a spacious, 100-year-old Capitol Hill row house her clients recently acquired. The newly renovated abode lacked character, so the owners tapped her to inject personality and a fresh, clean-lined sensibility into the main-floor spaces. “They wanted to honor the home’s history while making it feel new,” the designer recounts. “And they wanted to be pushed a little.”
Geyer embraced a palette of strong and distinctive colors—from the saturated blue of the dining room to accents of rust that embellish the bright and airy living room and foyer. Among the details that elevate each space: picture frame moldings, Black Edition wallpaper on the foyer ceiling and a moody, evocative mural on the dining room wall.
Interior Design: Julie Geyer, Julie Geyer Studio, Bethesda, Maryland.
Shawna Dillon, ASID, NCIDQ, Snaidero DC Metro | Taha Gursoy, Boss Design Center | Madison Scanlon, LXRY | Hedy Shashaani, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens
“Brands like Fotile and XO make hoods that are concealed
above the range but lower at the touch of a button to suck up fumes.
They’re great in an open-concept kitchen.”
—Madison Scanlon
“We’re seeing a lot of plaster and hand-finished looks.
The hood is still a focal point but not in a contrasting
material, so it looks more architectural.”
—Taha Gursoy
“I’m doing housings around a box-shaped hood
covered by marble or stone. We’re really not seeing
chimney hoods anymore.”
—Hedy Shashaani
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“Tulip Cooking has an induction cooktop that is invisible,
sitting under a counter of three-quarter-inch porcelain
and natural stone. It works with particular pots and pans
via magnetic heat.”
—Taha Gursoy
“Soil-sensor, auto-dose (DOS) technology in Miele
dishwashers senses the right level of cleaning.
Sub-Zero fridges can adjust humidity to keep foods
fresh while eliminating waste.”
—Shawna Dillon
“There’s a move in open-concept spaces toward
concealing appliances with paneling and
using push- doors instead of handles.”
—Madison Scanlon
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“Limit selections to two or three kinds of tile—maybe
the same one in different sizes. Large-format tiles provide
fewer visual breaks and allow you to add other elements
without the look getting too busy.”
—Taha Gursoy
“Our motto is less is more. If you are mixing stone, wood
or metal, stay with the same hues and finishes. We use
wood-grain marble without much veining for a clean look.”
—Madison Scanlon
“Bathrooms are a great place to be creative with tile.
When it comes to metals, stay purposeful if
throwing finishes together—select lighting all in
one finish, fixtures all in another.”
—Shawna Dillon
“In a modern bath, keep it simple and clean.
I like a large slab of stone or engineered stone
as a focal point on a shower wall and large-format tiles
with narrow grout lines.”
—Hedy Shashaani
Phil Leibovitz, Sandy Spring Builders | Brad Pryor, Horizon Builders | Maryam Tabrizchi, AIA, NCARB, Elie Ben Architecture, LLC | Greg Wiedemann, FAIA, Wiedemann Architects
“A thermally controlled, wood-clad or aluminum product
is best for our region. Ideally, there will be a
screened area outside so that you can control insects.”
—Maryam Tabrizchi
“The advantage of pocket doors is that they can
disappear visually. Robust hardware and a system
that controls water are musts; pocket doors can bring
water inside the wall. Folding doors tend to be more expensive
because the mechanism is complicated.”
—Greg Wiedemann
“It used to be only NanaWall made expansive,
glass folding doors, but now all manufacturers make them.
Sierra Pacific and Western Window Systems do a modern,
minimal look; aluminum profiles may be thinner than wood ones.”
—Phil Leibovitz
“We’re using a lot of Accoya, a wood-siding product
that’s treated for rot-resistance and has unique coloration—
a silvery tint that gives it a weathered, beachy feel
but looks a bit modern.”
—Brad Pryor
“We predominantly work with Hardie siding—shiplap,
battens, nickel gap. We also like real stucco
and painted brick with stone accents.”
—Phil Leibovitz
“Less costly than Accoya is Boral, a poly-ash material
that creates custom looks on siding and trim.
We’re using Boral nickel-gap siding on two new homes now.”
—Greg Wiedemann
“The building envelope; an initial outlay will return investment
over time. I prioritize quality windows and good insulation.
Next would be an upgrade to the home’s mechanical systems.”
—Greg Wiedemann
“The kitchen, because it’s the heart of the home.
People are also spending heavily on indoor-outdoor flex spaces.”
—Brad Pryor
“Splurge on getting a good architect who can make you
a beautiful and efficient design. Builders and subcontractors
are also very important; some say ‘spend
on the finishes,’ but I believe in getting it all installed correctly.”
—Maryam Tabrizchi
After purchasing an 1890 row house on DC’s 14th Street Corridor, the owners tapped Patrick Brian Jones for a much-needed remodel. “The place had been carved up into mini-apartments,” Jones recounts. “There were oddly placed bathrooms and doorways. We kept to the original footprint but moved a lot of plumbing around and opened up walls.”
An extra-long rear dogleg allowed Jones to shift the kitchen from the back of the house to the center and add a family room where the kitchen had been. Upstairs, small, compartmentalized rooms became a primary suite overlooking the front of the house. “The owners wanted a modern aesthetic but also to retain the original character,” Jones says. “We struck a balance between traditional and contemporary.”
Renovation Architecture & Interior Design: Patrick Brian Jones, AIA, Patrick Brian Jones, PLLC, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: ART Design Build, Bethesda, Maryland.
 | POP ART Inspired by the work of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, Markilux has debuted Pop-Art Edition awning covers in 10 bold colors and patterns. Crafted from the maker’s textured weave in Sunsilk fabric that has been treated for sun-, water- and light-resistance. markilux.com |
 | VINTAGE STRIPE SunSetter’s popular awnings come in a hand-cranked or remote-controlled, motorized version. The product can be installed onto any siding and is made of water-repellent, woven performance acrylic. Shown in Villa Stripe. sunsetter.com |
 | VERY VERSATILE Conceived by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba for Ethimo, the powder-coated aluminum Eivissa pavilion sets the scene for a stylish al fresco soirée. Buyers can choose among a range of sizes, colors and options for flooring (teak or stone-look ceramic) and roof style (fixed, louvered or polycarbonate). Sides of woven rope, sliding glass or fabric (shown) complete the picture. ethimo.com |
 | SLEEK STYLE A steel frame supports the Sarasota Louvered Pergola from Backyard Discovery, which boasts a sleek, modern design. An easy-to-operate wand cranks the louvers open and shut; when they’re closed, rain is channeled through a drainage system in the posts. backyarddiscovery.com |
 | SPACE SAVER Its folding structure allows the MrX gazebo, designed by Marco Acerbis for Talenti, to open from two legs to four, creating a square, shaded area. Extruded-aluminum posts in a choice of graphite finishes support a weather-resistant canvas top. en.talentispa.com |
 | THROW BACK With mid-century style in mind, designer Vincent Van Duysen devised Kettal’s V Pavilion with aluminum louvers and a cantilevered canopy. Openings between columns can be customized with glass, louvers, curtains or solid panels. Climate-sensitive elements include solar panels and heat-insulation. kettal.com |
 | LIVING COLOR Miguel, a metal pendant from Linea Light Group, brings vibrant hues to the fore by combining a colorful shade with a white, light-reflective interior. Available in black, gray, red, blue and green. linealight.com |
 | GAME DAY A pick-up-sticks game inspired pic-a-stic by Ingo Maurer for Foscarini. The fixture comprises more than 50 colored wooden rods that can be gathered into different configurations with a rubber ring. Find in black and white or red and blue. foscarini.com |
 | BRASS BAND The Halo Pendant by Castro Lighting assembles plated-brass tubes banded together at the center, encircling six bulbs that provide both up- and down-lighting. Choose between gold (shown) and nickel finishes. castrolighting.com |
 | UNDER GLASS Contrasting glass globes and a bronze-plated frame form the hourglass silhouette of Elodie, a fixture by Mitzi, part of Hudson Valley Lighting Group. Finishes include Aged Brass (shown) and True Bronze. hvlgroup.com |
 | SLENDER SILHOUETTE Formaminima’s Single Suspension pendants feature a ceiling rose of satin brass supporting a rectangle of stone or wood from which light glows through Limoges porcelain sheets. Seen in Polished Green Alpes marble. formaminima.com |
 | FLOWER POWER Vintage Scandinavian design inspired L&D + Huey, a collaboration between Light & Dwell and Huey Lightshop. Pictured: The Flora Pendant’s pleated or flat, linen shade resembles a flower; brass rod-and-ball finial details complete the look. hueylightshop.com |
 | VINTAGE VIBE Maxim Lighting’s Rockport 1-Light Pendant features a hammered-metal dome in glossy enamel paint for a nostalgic sensibility. Find in a 10- or 12-inch diameter, in Sage Green with a white interior (shown) or Glossy Black with Antique Copper. maximlighting.com |
 | WOVEN WONDER Two shallow shades woven of abaca fiber are stacked to create the Landry 1 Light Bronze Leaf Pendant by Troy Lighting. A chunky, vintage chain of gold leaf supports the fixture, which comes in 20- and 30-inch widths. troylightinglights.com |
Howard Cohen, PLA, Surrounds Landscape Architecture + Construction | D. Blake Dunlevy, D.A. Dunlevy | Paulo Trindade, Grow Landscapes | Chris Vedrani, Planted Earth Landscaping
“Use native plants that have not been treated
with insecticides: lavender, coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans.
They are most resilient.”
—Paulo Trindade
“What pollinators do you want to attract? Anything that has berries will attract birds,
and Monarch butterflies lay eggs in milkweed. We tend
to overlook bats, which like wet areas where mosquitoes are prevalent. ”
—Chris Vedrani
“A pollinator garden starts with trees—they are the magnets.
Consider natives like oaks, river birch and
maple as well as cherry trees, black gums and beeches.”
—Howard Cohen
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“People are taking cues from indoor kitchens
with islands and waterfall countertops. Modern looks great
in stainless steel or aluminum. And Dekton is a popular
countertop surface, as it doesn’t retain heat.”
—Paulo Trindade
“Seating for a few friends is key. We try to make
the cooking space social with a counter and bar stools.”
—D. Blake Dunlevy
“Stone countertops and veneers are invincible.
We typically run gas from the home, not from a separate tank.
And remember to install an electrical outlet so you have power.”
—Chris Vedrani
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“Hire someone familiar with local conditions who will
do soil tests to avoid surprises; for instance, Alexandria may
have marine clay while Loudoun County will be rocky,
which is costly to work with.”
—Paulo Trindade
“Choose an open area with lots of sunlight
and accessibility to the house. Overhanging trees
will drop seeds and leaves in the pool.”
—Howard Cohen
“If you site a pool too far away from the house and
it becomes a destination, you won’t want to use it as much.
And your equipment shouldn’t be kept under mature trees
because of root systems.”
—Chris Vedrani
“Excited owners installing a pool may
forget to maximize the rest of the property. Think of the pool
as one piece of a much larger landscape puzzle.”
—D. Blake Dunlevy
Suzanne Manlove, Manlove and Company Interiors | Kristin Peake, Kristin Peake Interiors |
Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas, Interiors by Design | Becky Wetzler, Allied ASID, Haus Interior Design
“Once we have fabrics, wallpapers, finishes
and rugs laid out in our studio, we start to build
a story with texture and pattern. It’s a gift
when you have a blank canvas so you can pick
just the right balance.”
—Kristin Peake
“We’ll choose texture for a sofa and patterns
for chairs or pillows. My current favorite is
Peter Dunham, who makes fabrics with
a hand-painted look.”
—Suzanne Manlove
“I prefer texture over pattern. I love the tactile
sensation that’s connected more with how it feels
versus how it looks.”
—Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas
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“To be able to couple a woven shade for privacy
with a beautiful decorative drapery is the desired goal.”
—Kristin Peake
“I’m seeing more bold patterns and intense colors
in window treatments. I like a slubby linen panel
dressed up with accent trim.”
—Suzanne Manlove
“I prefer a triple-layer treatment: small-stack cellular
shade for privacy, white matchstick shade
on top for organic texture and tailored panels.
Without these layers, a window doesn’t feel done.”
—Becky Wetzler
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“Lounge chairs from Verellen sit perfectly,
no matter the model or upholstery. I like that
the company is family-owned and the furniture
is American-made.”
—Kristin Peake
“My dream chair is one you never want to get out of.
We love the Jules by Hickory Chair;
it has a loose-back pillow with goose-down fill.”
—Suzanne Manlove
“Lexington’s Beach Club Chair works on every project.
We put it in our office so clients can try it out
when they come in.”
—Becky Wetzler
“A chair should sit well but also think
outside the box in terms of design.
Chaddock’s Benjamin Johnston chairs do that.”
—Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas
Lindsey Britten, Allied ASID, BOWA | Jonas Carnemark, CKD, CLIPP, Carnemark design+build | Tom Gilday, Pinehurst Design Build | Danielle Steele, Marks-Woods Construction Services, LLC
“The looks are cleaner these days; we’re seeing a lot
of stone or precast profiles with a simple surround.
Nickel gap, tongue-and-groove and shiplap
are go-to materials in oak or white paint.”
—Tom Gilday
“We use different types of steel panels or we’ll install a small mantel
of Dekton with art above it. Dekton and porcelain
withstand heat but quartz surfaces do not.”
—Jonas Carnemark
“We highlight millwork In a vintage home. In a transitional house,
I might point clients to a book-matched,
natural-stone slab wall. This can be a showstopper.”
—Danielle Steele
“The fireplace is a focal point, so I like stone
with a lot of contrast or color that will pop.
A more transitional surround can layer woodwork
with a limewashed surface—but beware of texture
as it can be hard to clean.”
—Lindsey Britten
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“I like an earthy, organic palette in a mudroom,
since it’s a space for transitioning from the outdoors.
Think stone floors—and closed cabinets that keep everything tidy.”
—Lindsey Britten
“We incorporate light through transom windows
placed above a typical mudroom wall
of tall cabinets, cubbies and a bench.
Since they’re so high, the windows
don’t compromise function.”
—Danielle Steele
“We recently installed an Ikonni system
of slatted wall panels that snap together.
Made of MDF with a walnut or oak veneer,
they have an organic look but are durable.”
—Jonas Carnemark
“We like to use heavy, thick Belgian blue
marble floors to create the sense of an older space,
and to differentiate it from the kitchen.”
—Tom Gilday
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“When we punch the parameters of a project
into an AI design program, it will be able
to produce a choice of design options in seconds.
It will be an incredible time-saver.”
—Tom Gilday
“I’d use AI first for code analysis; it can
be a lot of work to decipher whether
a building plan is up to code. AI could
analyze the codes easily.”
—Jonas Carnemark
“AI will speed up proposal turn-around time
and be a tool for project management.
It will never eliminate the human element
of the process.”
—Danielle Steele
THEN | NOW |
| A compartmentalized, single-story interior plan on a tight lot was cramped and dark. | StudioMB added on a second floor to accommodate bedrooms, making way for an airy, open-plan main level. A second-story lightbox, visible in back, illuminates the interiors. |
| The front door was centered in a niche that felt like wasted space. Windows in the wrong locations left the house overly exposed to close-by neighbors on two sides. Traditional, slanted rooflines were boring. | The front door shifted to one side, creating room for a walled center garden; a new, glass-framed front door conveys a modern sensibility. Flat, contemporary rooflines complement tall windows that let in light but maintain privacy. |
| The red-brick façade and contrasting white trim were uninspiring. | The red brick was freshened up with creamy white paint; the second story is clad in vertical cypress panels in a light finish that reinforces a connection to the outdoors. |
Renovation Architecture: Adam McGraw, AIA, StudioMB, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: WWK Construction LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland.
THEN | NOW |
| The kitchen felt closed-off and cramped. A problematic layout included a knee wall and peninsula that divided the kitchen and adjacent living room, making socializing a challenge. | The knee wall and peninsula were scrapped and space was borrowed from the adjacent dining room to create a sense of openness; the dining room door has been widened. |
| A narrow island and separate breakfast nook contributed to the lack of flow. Appliances, including the stove, were not conveniently located in the space. | A generous, L-shaped island incorporates a walnut table for four with a waterfall side. Appliances were relocated; the range, enhanced by a marble-mosaic backsplash, is a focal point facing the living area. |
| Orangey-stained cabinetry and black stone countertops created a dated look. Carpet in the living area and wood flooring in the kitchen made the rooms feel disjointed. | Glossy-white upper cabinets contrast with dark-stained lower ones. Porcelain countertops mimic Calacatta marble. Oak flooring clads all the rooms. Pablo Designs pendants light the island. |
Kitchen Design: Meghan Browne, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Llaveroes Services LLC, Germantown, Maryland.
THEN | NOW |
| An empty backyard took advantage of pastoral views but offered little in terms of space for gathering or recreation. The screened porch and sunroom opened to an area of lawn that went unused. | A swimming pool and elevated hot tub provide a gathering spot with easy access to the house; an adjacent waterfall feature was crafted from boulders. |
| The backyard sloped away from the house and needed a drainage system to efficiently channel water. | The backyard has been shored up, creating a flat area between the pool and the house and a gentle slope away from the pool. Hidden drains were installed. |
| While the surrounding pastureland was beautiful, there were no plantings or hardscape areas on the property to enhance the immediate views—or the owners’ outdoor lifestyle. | A full-range Pennsylvania bluestone patio accommodates poolside dining and lounging. A Carderock stone seat wall holds a profusion of flowers, including hydrangea, hibiscus, coneflowers, Knockout roses and butterfly bushes. |
Landscape Architecture & Contracting: Bernie Mihm, ISA Certified Arborist, Fine Earth Landscape, Inc., Poolesville, Maryland. Pool Installation: Alpine Pool & Design Corporation, Annandale, Virginia. Photo: Hilary Schwab.
THEN | NOW |
| The dining room reflected the home’s traditional aesthetic. The owners requested a cozy sensibility that would invite guests to linger— in keeping with the vernacular but with a softer edge. | Traditional style merges with comfort and function in the revamped room, where Reynolds evoked a pub-style atmosphere via a dark and moody palette. |
| The room was all beige, with no distinguishing features. Generic architectural elements such as crown molding and a chair rail did nothing to enhance the space. | Wainscot below the chair rail complements a textural vinyl wall covering by Momentum that sports a modern sheen. The woodwork and ceiling are painted in Sherwin-Williams’ saturated Rosemary hue, conjuring a cozy feel. |
| A mishmash of nondescript furniture and lighting conveyed a dated, thrown-together look. A lack of window treatments made the space feel cold. | A Hooker table and upholstered Rowe chairs sit atop a Loloi rug. Draperies from Greenhouse fabrics lend softness and warmth. A simple chandelier from Rejuvenation completes the look. |
Interior Design: DuVäl Reynolds, DuVäl Design, Fairfax, Virginia. Contractor: DMV Brothers, Alexandria, Virginia. Photo: Markus Wilborn.
 | WIDE PLANK Riva Max engineered hardwood flooring by Riva Spain comes in 10-inch-wide planks. A birch plywood core is clad in a four-millimeter layer of European white oak. Available in select or character grade and in 10 hues; Earth is pictured. rivaspain.com |
 | STONE LOOK Pietra di Bilbao, a new line of stone-look porcelain tile from Iris Ceramica, offers an array of flooring options. Choose among four neutral shades, two finishes and formats that range from four-by-two-foot slabs to mosaic sheets. Shown in Bilbao Ice. irisceramica.com |
 | ZEN VIBE Dubbed Tamashi (meaning “soul” in Japanese), a wood-inspired, porcelain-tile collection by Refin Ceramiche conveys a refined, Asian sensibility. In addition to planks, the line includes Leaf (shown), a series of six distinctive motifs offered in three color combinations. refin-ceramic-tiles.com |
 | IN A PICKLE Statale by Walker Zanger captures the look of pickled wood in a six-by-47-inch porcelain tile that mimics the dusky grays and variations found in rift-cut wood grains. Color options include Fumo, Vapore above, Aria and Paglia. walkerzanger.com |
 | CIRCLE OF LIFE With sustainability in mind, Listone Giordano repurposes graphite, a by-product of industrial plants, in its engineered-wood fabrication process. Graphit below is part of the Circular collection, which embraces the idea of giving new life to post-production materials. listonegiordano.com |
 | LUXE VINYL Karndean’s Korlok Select line of luxury vinyl tile features Texas White Ash, a light neutral with a straight grain that conveys a contemporary aesthetic. Pictured in six-by-24-inch herringbone planks; an acoustic backing reduces noise transfer to rooms below. karndean.com |
 | ROYAL TREATMENT Named for the famed palace where parquet flooring is said to have originated, Havwoods’ Versailles conjures an Old World feel. The engineered-oak panels, interwoven in a parquetry pattern, come in a variety of colors and finishes; Antique Rustic is pictured. havwoods.com |
 | SOPHISTICATED STONE Nemo Tile + Stone’s Park Avenue Collection recreates the look of natural sedimentary stone in five sizes of field tile and two mosaics. Find in four classic hues: Pearl, Onyx, Brownstone and Hedge above. nemotile.com |
 | LUXE LOOK The Kindred Collection from Duchateau is a line of luxury vinyl flooring that mimics hardwood with nine-inch-wide planks and a minimal repeat. Available in 10 color options, it is water- and scratch-resistant and boasts a triple-lock system. duchateau.com |
THEN | NOW |
| The vintage abode was renovated in 2002; the front façade had lost its charm and historical integrity in the process. An outmoded back deck did not provide useful living space for the owners. | A thoughtful facelift restored the front façade’s historical essence. A screened back porch extends the living space. |
| The plain front façade was underwhelming, with few architectural features to give it visual interest. A trellis-cum-fence along the driveway side of the house hid the deck, making it feel closed off. | A projected gable with decorative corbels and a new copper awning over the front door add dimension, enhanced by custom millwork, shutters and window boxes. The new porch is open and accessible to the driveway. |
| Unattractive, dated siding covered the house. The stoop, walkway and retaining wall needed refurbishing. | Composite, cedar-look shingles and cementitious siding are both durable and appealing. The existing stonework was revived and meticulously matched. Low-maintenance materials equip the porch for year-round use. |
Renovation Design & Contracting: Michael Winn, Winn Design+Build, McLean, Virginia.
