An Upper Marlboro homeowner was tired of her cramped primary bath, once dominated by an oversized, step-in Jacuzzi tub. Tapped to reimagine the space, designer Ann Gottlieb developed a roadmap to transform the layout and increase functionality while conjuring a luxurious, one-of-a-kind retreat.
The streamlined, open plan accommodates a soaking tub, a curbless shower, a vanity and a linen closet, plus a separate WC. Glazed Japanese tile drenches the spa-like space in a saturated blue; the lower walls feature a textural mix of eight varied motifs.
As Gottlieb reflects, “By thoughtfully reconfiguring the bathroom and integrating smart storage solutions, we created a space that feels open, indulgent and tailored.”
Bath Design: Ann Gottlieb, principal, Ann Gottlieb Design. Contractor: Beautiful Home Services. Styling: Kristi Hunter.
For a family in Severna Park, Maryland, designer Melissa McLay transformed a lackluster primary bathroom into a coastal-inspired retreat. First, she enlarged the space to improve function, then cloaked the room in vertical nickel-gap paneling for a nautical vibe. A dormer window alcove with a vaulted ceiling was added to give it a bright, airy feel, providing the perfect spot for a freestanding soaking tub. A double vanity addressed storage concerns and a spacious shower replaced a cramped corner model. The creation of a separate water closet improved the bathroom’s overall flow.
Luxury finishes include broken-joint Calacatta Gold mosaic tile and Taj Mahal quartzite. Heated towel bars and floors ensure a cozy start or end to the day.
Architecture: J. Gallaher Architect, P.C. Interior Design: Melissa McLay Interiors. Builder: Nielsen Development Group LLC.
For a pair of busy professionals eyeing retirement, a five-acre former horse field on a hilltop in Fairfax County provided the ideal opportunity. Starting with the curved gravel drive, landscape architect Joseph Richardson brought a rustic formality to the property.
On the front hillside, an orchard bears fruit and nut trees, while the side kitchen garden has over 200 square feet of raised beds for vegetables with a border of pollinators and herbs.
Behind the new house sits a reflecting pool with a fountain and a patio planted with boxwood and ferns enclosed by a stone wall that steps up to the lawn terrace. Beyond, an outdoor pavilion with a fireplace is set among a native array of grasses and flowering shrubs, blending into the bordering woodlands.
Architecture: Thomson & Cooke Architects. Interior Design: Melissa Colgan Interiors. Builder: Thorsen Construction. Landscape Architecture: Joseph Richardson, PLA, ASLA, principal, Richardson & Associates. Landscape Contractor: Lucas & Clark Grounds Company.
This family compound in Alexandria, Virginia, formerly the historic Collingwood Mansion, was reimagined as a waterfront oasis. Bordered by dense woods on either side, the river-facing rear of the 1859 property is defined by a Lautner edge pool and detached pool house, leading to a 300-foot-long dock in the distance. Throughout, Pennsylvania bluestone, Indiana limestone and cobbles provide hardscape contrast to perennial gardens and a diverse plant palette.
Architecture: Rill Architects. Builder: Thorsen Construction. Landscape Architecture: Joseph Richardson, PLA, ASLA, principal; Richardson & Associates. Landscape Contractor: Black Pearl Management.
Once the dust settled on the renovation of a bungalow in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, the owners enlisted FORM Garden Design to transform their urban lot into a functional, private and visually engaging outdoor retreat. The landscape architects elevated the compact site with a bluestone dining terrace, a fire pit with built-in seating and a sculptural water feature. Mitigating poor soil drainage, the team also orchestrated sunken rain gardens to manage runoff.
Layered plantings, from ferns and grasses to flowering perennials, offer texture, movement and seasonal color all year. Fencing, a hornbeam hedge and raised steel planters filled with bamboo screen views while contributing to the garden’s structure and rhythm.
Renovation Architecture: MODE4 Architecture. Builder: EET Construction. Landscape Architecture: Kevin Gaughan, ASLA, PLA, principal; Thomas Haley, landscape architect, FORM Garden Design. Landscape Contractor: Planted Earth Landscaping.
CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects was tapped to integrate two adjacent Chevy Chase, Maryland, properties—one harboring a family’s main home and the other a guest house. The ambitious master plan creates a “mosaic” that weaves the parcels together via travertine and granite terraces, carving out verdant spaces that revolve around entertaining and relaxation. A mahogany-and-steel arbor anchors the main house terrace. And lush plantings envelop the curving patio of the guest house, which contains a pottery studio.
Landscape Architecture: Kate Ries, ASLA, PLA; Dan Cook, ASLA; Emma Kerr, CLINTON+RIES Landscape Architects. Landscape Contractor: Rasevic Landscape Company.
Over the years, the owner of this home in McLean made improvements to the existing structure, which inspired the addition of an infinity pool, dining patio, secluded shower, fire pit and newly planted landscape. To complete the client’s vision, landscape architect Joseph Richardson extended the horizontality of the house, incorporating a geometric hardscape contrasted with lush plantings. Custom ipe screens frame the walkway to the backyard where a smoker, surrounded by herb planters, provides one cooking area, with another created around a fire pit that overlooks the pool and its large spa. With nearly 50 species, the mostly native plant palette features bold foliage and flowers throughout the year.
Architecture: STEHLIK design. Builder: Jose Pimenta Construction Co. Landscape Architecture: Joseph Richardson, PLA, ASLA, principal; Richardson & Associates. Landscape Contractor: Lucas & Clark Grounds Company. Lighting Design: Outdoor Illumination.
Poolside on a Potomac property, a clean-lined pavilion forms a dramatic focal point. GTM Architects conceived the 1,100-square-foot structure to create an al fresco kitchen, dining area and lounge where residents can gather, watch TV and entertain. Reflecting the main home’s architecture, the design combines a flat, cantilevered roof, a Sapele mahogany trellis wall and a fireplace. The kitchen features a grill, pizza oven and outdoor appliances. A palette of metal, concrete, stone and wood blends modern and natural elements.
Architecture: Mark Kaufman, AIA, LEED-AP, GTM Architects. Builder: FWI Custom Homes LLC. Automation: Bethesda Systems.
An abandoned DC warehouse presented an ideal canvas for Patrick Brian Jones to conjure his own urban live-and-work space. The architect updated and expanded the ramshackle, single-story brick structure into an airy, industrial-style dwelling. Exposed ductwork, black-mullioned windows and concrete floors define the ground level, encompassing a studio, living/dining area and custom kitchen. A floating staircase ascends to a new second floor, which houses an office, guest quarters and the primary suite. A roof deck above surveys the city skyline.
Preserving the building’s shell and main-floor’s concrete ceiling reduced Jones’ carbon footprint. “It’s very rewarding to repurpose a building rather than demolishing it and sending materials to a landfill,” he notes. Solar panels offset the use of electricity in this 100-percent fossil fuel-free home.
Architecture & Interior Design: Patrick Brian Jones, AIA, Patrick Brian Jones PLLC. Builder: CMX Construction Group.
Bordered by a forest reserve, an eco-friendly getaway designed by architect Amy Gardner celebrates its waterfront Annapolis locale. The 8,500-square-foot home weaves together landscaping and the built environment in a sequence of interconnected spaces. The property is organized around a garden court, with a biopool on its southern boundary. From its terraces to its retractable walls, the home bonds with nature at every turn.
Architecture: Amy Gardner, FAIA, LEED AP; Brittany Williams, AIA, LEED AP, Gardner Architects. Interior Design: ColePrévost, Inc. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects. Builder: Bayview Builders.
On a five-acre plot in Etlan, Virginia, a contemporary farmhouse stands out among the rolling pastures—not least for its bold red hue. Designed by architect Robert Gurney, the 1,700-square-foot home features three connected gabled volumes dressed in humble exterior materials, such as clapboard siding, asphalt shingles and corrugated metal. Inside, tall ceilings, large windows and quiet finishes conjure an air of monastic calm, allowing the exquisite scenery to be the main draw.
Architecture: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, principal; Matt Stephens, project architect; Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect. Builder: Fajen & Brown. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects.
A gatekeeper’s cottage with swooping gables and period details welcomes visitors to a 400-acre historic estate in Queen Anne County, Maryland. Architect Greg Wiedemann helmed the project, whose scope included the one-bedroom house and access gates which lead to a main residence designed by William Lawrence Bottomley nearly a century ago. “The overall goal was for this structure to be consistent with the period of 1930s English-inspired domestic architecture,” notes Weidemann of his desire for the cottage to blend with the existing buildings.
Thoughtfully conceived interiors nod to the Arts and Crafts movement with an emphasis on nature motifs and earthy colors. All in all, the 1,500-square-foot outpost serves as the perfect amuse bouche for what’s to come.
Architecture: Greg Wiedemann, FAIA, principal; Kathi Bogue, project architect; Wiedemann Architects, LLC. Interior Design: Shaun Jackson, Bluepoint Hospitality. Builder: Winchester.
A young family called upon architect Donald Lococo to reimagine a 1965 builder-grade home. Shifting the design language from American French Provincial to a fresh Belgian Modern look, he simplified and edited the exterior, replacing fenestration and skimming the original brick with a thin stucco-like finish. Inside, base trim was minimized and crown molding removed. Frequent design collaborator Darryl Carter handled the interiors and Jennifer Horn shaped the landscape.
Architecture: Donald Lococo, AIA, principal; David Moore, project architect, Donald Lococo Architects. Interior Design: Darryl Carter Inc. Builder: Horizon Builders. Landscape Design: Horn and Co.
A waterfront Annapolis escape immerses its residents in nature while meeting high standards of performance and design. Constructed by Bayview Builders with an eye on sustainability, the modern, 8,500-square-foot retreat is composed of three distinct volumes that capture sunlight and frame views of the lush forest canopy. In addition to two green roofs, the home features a chemical-free biopool filtered by aquatic plants and natural materials.
The team designed, reviewed and executed every detail in close collaboration. Challenges included tight site access, complex geothermal and hydronic heating systems and an intricate, commercial-grade lighting plan. “The final result,” says Bayview’s David Carlisle, “is a peaceful forest sanctuary that reflects the homeowner’s lifestyle, values—and deep connection to the land.”
Architecture: Gardner Architects LLC. Interior Design: ColePrévost, Inc. Kitchen Design: Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects. Builder: David Carlisle; Neil Thompson, Bayview Builders.
The owners of this Silver Spring home, a couple with three sons, envisioned a stylish sanctuary. Situated on a compact lot, the modest-scale dwelling built by Classic Homes of Maryland employs contemporary lines, which lend the structure a modern sensibility, while a mixed material palette complements the surrounding houses on the street.
The main level features an open-concept kitchen and family room, as well as a private office alcove. The upper level promotes quiet restful spaces, emphasizing finish details and careful window placement. Oversized fenestration bathes the interiors in natural light. Outside, a grassy backyard with a professional-grade basketball court offers a relaxing retreat from urban life.
Architecture & Interior Design: Carib Daniel Martin | architecture + design. Kitchen & Bath Design: Division 12 Design. Builder: Howard Saslow, Classic Homes of Maryland.
A couple tapped Teass \ Warren Architects and The Block Builders Group to orchestrate a classically modern home in North Chevy Chase, Maryland, where they can comfortably age in place. Designed and built on a relatively modest budget, the home can adapt as the owners’ needs change.
A second side entry, built near grade, can easily be equipped with a ramp. Spacious, airy interiors feature generous circulation areas, wide doors and appropriate framing to accommodate a future elevator. The primary suite is situated on the ground floor, while the second level houses two additional bedrooms and two offices. In all, the finished project met and exceeded the owners’ wish for a “forever home.”
Architecture: Teass \ Warren Architects. Builder: Tony Paulos, The Block Builders Group.
