Wheat’s was tasked with designing a lush garden and hardscape to surround a centerpiece pool. After masterminding the addition of a stormwater management and drainage system, landscape designer Mark Finlayson, CPH, and his team took cues from the home’s modern architecture, devising a stream-lined backyard oasis centered around the 15-by-30-foot pool. Thermal bluestone stepping-stones are separated by Mondo grass joints and polished pebbles to convey a clean, contemporary look that complements the house.
The landscape palette features holly and Green Giant arborvitae for privacy, softened by ornamental Japanese maples, fastigiate hornbeams and crape myrtle. Flowering shrubs and perennials such as oakleaf hydrangea, hypericum, Virginia sweetspire, Amsonia, and grasses enhance visual interest via texture and color contrast.
Highlights
Wheat’s Lawn and Custom Landscape
703-641-4790 — wheats.com
1. While masterminding a modern addition to an historic 17th-century, log-and-stone dwelling, its owner, an architect, tapped Colao & Peter to overhaul the landscape. “We created a private entrance gate with a circular driveway; renovated the swimming pool; devised a Japanese garden; and added masonry walls, steps and walkways, as well as plantings throughout the property,” recounts partner and landscape architect JR Peter. He and his design team employed stone in the landscape plan that complements both the addition and the original structure, creating a visual bridge between old and new.
Highlights
Colao & Peter began as stone -and-masonry company Colao Stone. Partner Joe Colao comes from a long line of stone masons, while partner JR Peter is a landscape architect who creates complex projects featuring pools, spas, decks, carpentry, masonry, hardscape and landscape. In business for over two decades, Colao & Peter maintains a client-first, no-ego approach, from consultation to completion.
2. When creating a landscape to complement a lodge-style abode in Winchester, Virginia, Colao & Peter conjured the right look with a natural-look stone veneer and boulder accents. The finished project includes a pool, spa, pool deck, fire pit and hardscape.
3. Hired to renovate a dull, outdated pool in Oakton, Virginia, Colao & Peter replaced cracked concrete decking with imported limestone bordered by bluestone. Lighting and firebowls atop masonry walls add interest.
Colao & Peter
703-553-0123 — colaopeter.com
Clients hired Michael Prokopchak of Walnut Hill to transform an aging property in Annapolis. The project entailed renovating a pool; creating a deck; reorienting and replacing the driveway to improve parking and incorporate lush plantings to complement the architecture of the home.
“The design was conceived to have the least impact on the local waterway,” says Prokopchak. “Native plantings offset the increase in lot coverage, while hardscape is designed to meet impervious requirements. Having a firm grasp of the local permit requirements ensured that we could stay one step ahead.” Plantings provide year-round color and texture. Pennsylvania bluestone crisply defines the front stairs, walkways, pool coping and wall caps.
Highlights
Walnut Hill Landscape Company
410-349-3105 — walnuthilllandscape.com
Homeowners with an estate situated on extensive acreage tasked Kane Landscapes with reimagining the approach to the house on a grand, yet intimate, scale. The list of requirements for the project included guest parking; a focal water feature for visual and sound interest; and a strong connection between the drive, the adjacent five-car garage and the front door.
The design team created a new driveway approach and parking areas, including an extension that accommodates the garage and is screened by holly and crape myrtle. A fountain encircled by shrubbery aligns with the front door; walkways are clad in the same stone that trims the house. Plantings such as boxwood, hydrangea, laurel and cat mint are pruned to compliment the home’s formal architecture. Evergreens along the property lines conceal the neighboring houses.
Highlights
Kane Landscapes, Inc.
703-803-3146 — kanelandscapes.com
A project implementing a local landscape architect’s plan snowballed for McHale Landscape Design when the owners requested additional fresh ideas for their 12-acre waterfront property. The ultimate scope of work included masonry, irrigation, drainage and extensive landscaping in which abundant mature plant material found on the property was transplanted and integrated with new shrubs and trees. A 40-foot-tall willow oak was transferred from McHale’s nursery via an 18-wheeler and found a new home near the home’s front entry.
Spectacular water views highlight the completed landscape, which boasts visual interest conveyed year-round via colorful flowers and foliage. The landscape also acts as a wildlife habitat, providing food sources and nesting materials.
Highlights
McHale Landscape Design, Inc.
301-599-8300 — mchalelandscape.com
 | Wooded WonderAn expert team conjures a welcoming forest reverie in Great Falls |
 | Shore RefugeMcHale Landscape Design transforms a prime property on the South River |
 | Garden RevivalPros update a Baltimore gem with lush plantings and elaborate hardscape |
 | Party CentralSurrounds overhauls a Great Falls property with inviting outdoor spaces |
On January 18th, Home & Design marked the publication of its January/February 2023 issue with a festive event at ADU—Your Appliance Source in Gaithersburg. Guests mingled and enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres while exploring the showroom’s stylish, cutting-edge installations.
More than 20 local designers partnered with showrooms to conceive inspiring tabletop creations for the Washington Design Center’s 2022 Holiday Fete. Displays were unveiled at a festive reception on December 6th and remained on view through December 16th. Home & Design sponsored the event, which benefitted Children’s National Hospital.
The Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) of AIA-Capital Area held its 2022 holiday party on December 8th at Architessa in DC’s Friendship Heights. Guests celebrated the season and browsed the chic showroom’s latest tile, stone and surface offerings. Home & Design was the media sponsor.
Each year, a panel of building-industry professionals chooses nominees for the Great American Living Awards. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, the GALA Awards—held last October at the Marriott Hilton Tysons Corner—honor excellence in new-home architecture, interior design, sales and marketing in the Mid-Atlantic region. The 2022 contest reviewed 293 entries; those pertaining to architecture and design included single- and multi-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, and custom-home and remodeling projects. Following is a list of Grand Awards and Winners in residential design, architecture and custom building.
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
Home of the Year—Regency at Belmont–Dylan; Toll Brothers.
Custom Home of the Year—Towlston; James McDonald Associate Architects.
Community of the Year—Amblebrook Gettysburg; Crown Community Development.
Innovative Land Planning—The Townhomes at Reston Station; EYA LLC | VIKA | Sutton Yantis Associates Architects | STUDIOS Architecture.
Green Building—On the Green at 20th; Arlington Designer Homes Construction.
FreeStanding Clubhouse
(under 6,000 square feet)—Westside at Shady Grove Metro Clubhouse; KTGY | EYA LLC.
(over 6,000 square feet)—Rock Creek Club at Amblebrook; Sutton Yantis Associates Architects.
Detached Home (lots under 7,000 square feet)
$700,000 to $849,999—The Sutton Model at Tapestry; Miller & Smith.
$850,000+—Rockingham II at N. Underwood Street; Evergreene Homes.
Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over)
$700,000 to $849,999—Finley; KTGY | Atlantic Builders.
$1,000,000 to $1,399,999—Belmont II; Van Metre Homes.
Attached Home
$400,000 to $499,999—Sienna; Atlantic Builders | KTGY.
$600,000 to $699,999—Bluemont Model Home; Lennar | Mangan Group Architects.
$700,000 to $849,999—The Christopher; Drees Homes.
$850,000 to $999,999—The Lily; Drees Homes.
$1,000,000 to $1,399,999—The Townhomes at Reston Station–Baker Model; EYA LLC | Sutton Yantis Associates Architects | STUDIOS Architecture.
$1,400,000+—Naylor Court Manse; OPaL, LLC.
MULTI-FAMILY
New Construction, High-Rise—The Edge; CBG Building Company.
New Construction, Mixed-Use—Bryant Street (Coda and The Chase); MRP Realty | SK+I Architecture | CBG Building Company.
Renovation or Conversion, High-Rise—RiverPoint; CBG Building Company | Antunovich Associates | Orr Partners.
CUSTOM BUILDING
Design & Architecture—Custom Home, Single Lot
3,000 to 5,000 square feet—Spencer Road; James McDonald Associate Architects.
5,001 to 7,000 square feet—Altoona Custom; James McDonald Associate Architects.
Over 7,000 square feet—Towlston; James McDonald Associate Architects.
Design & Architecture, Renovations or Additions
Over $1,000,000—Naylor Court Manse; OPaL, LLC.
The winners of the 2022 Maryland Building Industry Association Awards of Excellence were honored in November during a ceremony at Busboys and Poets in Columbia, Maryland. Sponsored by the MBIA’s Remodelers & Custom Builders Council, these annual awards celebrate residential and commercial work. Projects were submitted in 21 residential categories; a jury of industry professionals evaluated each one based on quality of construction, difficulty, value and cost effectiveness, creative design approach and sensitivity to the existing structure. The winning residential projects are listed below.
BATHROOM REMODEL
Sunnyfields Cabinetry; Wooden Accents, Baltimore, Maryland.
CUSTOM HOME 4,000 to 4,999 SQUARE FEET
Bayview Builders; Golden Views, Annapolis, Maryland. Architect: Purple Cherry Architects.
CUSTOM HOME 5,000 to 5,999 SQUARE FEET
Mueller Homes; Mill Creek Waterfront, Annapolis, Maryland. Architect: Purple Cherry Architects.
CUSTOM HOME 6,000 to 6,999 SQUARE FEET
Mueller Homes; Pine Brook, Eldersburg, Maryland. Architect: Alexander Design Group
CUSTOM HOME 7,000 to 7,999 SQUARE FEET
Delbert Adams Construction Group; Playful Spaces, Owings Mills, Maryland. Architect: J.E. Schram Architect.
CUSTOM HOME OVER 15,000 SQUARE FEET
Bethel Regency Homes; Kelly Residence, Bowie, Maryland.
KITCHEN REMODEL/ADDITION 300 to 399 SQUARE FEET
FineCraft Contractors, Inc.; Benoit, Washington, DC.
KITCHEN REMODEL/ADDITION 3,000 to 3,999 SQUARE FEET
FineCraft Contractors, Inc.; Pollock, Arlington, Virginia.
KITCHEN REMODEL/ADDITION 600 to 699 SQUARE FEET
Bayview Builders; Elegant Entertaining, Annapolis, Maryland. Architect: ABS Architects.
KITCHEN REMODEL/ADDITION 700 to 799 SQUARE FEET
Sunnyfields Cabinetry; Modern Sheen, Baltimore, Maryland.
OWNER’S SUITE 400 to 499 SQUARE FEET
Owings Home Services; Mid-Century Modern Owner’s Suite, Pikesville, Maryland.
OWNER’S SUITE 800 to 899 SQUARE FEET
Owings Brothers Contracting; Clairmoor Custom Owner’s Suite, Lutherville, Maryland.
FIRST-FLOOR REMODEL
Owings Brothers Contracting; Columbia First Floor Interior, Columbia, Maryland.
SPECIALTY AND/OR DETAILS
FineCraft Contractors, Inc.; Wallace-Boggs, Arlington, Virginia.
WHOLE HOUSE 3,000 to 3,999 SQUARE FEET–DC MARKET
FineCraft Contractors, Inc.; DiMaggio, Washington, DC.
WHOLE HOUSE 3,000 to 3,999 SQUARE FEET
Parker Design Build Remodel; Severna Park Modern, Severna Park, Maryland. Architectural Design: RB Home Design.
WHOLE HOUSE 4,000 to 4,999 SQUARE FEET–DC MARKET
FineCraft Contractors, Inc.; DeLucio, Bethesda, Maryland.
WHOLE HOUSE 4,000 to 4,999 SQUARE FEET
Mueller Homes; Severn River, Annapolis, Maryland. Architect: Purple Cherry Architects.
WHOLE HOUSE 4,000 to 4,999 SQUARE FEET
The Block Builders Group; Mid-Century Modern, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
WHOLE HOUSE 5,000 to 5,999 SQUARE FEET
Delbert Adams Construction Group; Wooded Retreat, Baltimore, Maryland.
WHOLE HOUSE OVER 16,000 SQUARE FEET
Pyramid Builders; Childs Point, Annapolis, Maryland.
The owners of a 1978 home in Locust Grove, Virginia, wished to modernize their kitchen with better functionality and storage. Their goal? A “modern cottage” feel with Craftsman features and improved views of their surrounding property.
Reico Kitchen & Bath brought their vision to reality. Together with Cristifulli Custom Homes, they created an open plan that flows into the adjacent family room, adding windows and an island for additional storage. Merillat maple cabinetry is combined with Emerstone quartz countertops and a ceramic subway-tile backsplash. A Kohler farmhouse sink, reclaimed woods and mixed metals convey a vintage vibe.
reico.com
800-734-2611
KONST SieMatic combined charming period elements with a luxurious, modern aesthetic in a Northwest DC row house kitchen. The owner requested improved flow, increased storage and a strong “wow” factor as the centerpiece of the main floor. Matte black lacquer cabinetry from SieMatic now conceals a hard-working integrated appliance wall. Matching cabinets, with illuminated bronze channels to spotlight the quartz-topped prep island, create copious storage in a convenient footprint. A custom under-stair wine room features glass-panel entry doors, pullout wire wine shelves and a triangular pegboard that displays additional bottles in style.
konstsiematic.com
301-657-3800
The owners of a cramped kitchen in Springfield, Virginia, tapped Capitol Design Build for an overhaul. In addition to enlarging the space, they requested improved function and flow, and an airy, farmhouse aesthetic.
A design team headed by Capitol Design Build’s Rosa Flores removed a wall separating the kitchen and dining area from the family room, got rid of an obtrusive peninsula in the kitchen and shifted a closet by 10 inches. These structural changes created space for a large central island. Storage now abounds, with an appliance wall that integrates double ovens and pantry storage; a sink wall that affords plenty of space for food prep on expansive countertops; and a wall anchoring the dining area that combines further storage and counterspace.
A palette of gray-blue and white with rustic wood accents conveys the farmhouse sensibility the owners wanted in a kitchen that easily accommodates cooking for a crowd. Ceiling-height white subway tile with gray grout and white quartz countertops add a clean-lined, modern edge.
Project Highlights
capitoldesignbuild.com
703-436-6919
As part of a whole-house renovation in Ruxton, Maryland, Eisenbrandt Companies transformed the outmoded kitchen in a warm classic style. The design team introduced an airy, open plan that flows into the adjacent living/dining area. Perfecting the details, handcrafted inset cabinets topped with Taj-Mahal quartzite counters are dressed with Bronze-finished hardware bringing an upscale contrast to the stainless appliances. A frosted pocket door in the butler’s pantry can be closed to conceal clutter, sinks and dishwashers in both the kitchen and pantry make for easy entertaining.
eisenbrandtcompanies.com
410-925-6749
