Tapped to conjure an unexpected, not-your-typical-beach-house vibe in a client’s new custom home in Bethany Beach, Delaware, designers at Interior Concepts, Inc., got to work crafting hip, modern spaces with subtle nods to the coastal environment. “Due to the open floor plan and specific architecture, creative space-planning with unique furniture shapes was necessary,” relates principal Arlene Critzos. “We were challenged by small room sizes in our efforts to maximize multiple functions for both adults and teens.”
Critzos and her team took a playful approach when sourcing unique furniture pieces, from a triangular dining table that optimizes traffic flow (previous page, bottom) to movable nesting tables in the family room. Colorful textiles and art make a bold statement against a clean, neutral backdrop.
Interior Design: Arlene Critzos, owner and president; Joyce Pearl, senior designer; Elizabeth Parr, staff designer, Interior Concepts, Inc. Architecture: Scott Edmonston, AIA, SEA Studio Architects. Builder: Bruce Mears Designer/Builder.
While overhauling a semi-detached house in Northwest DC, KUBE partner Richard Loosle-Ortega preserved original elements that contrast with the bold, modern language of the remodeled spaces. “The existing thresholds, floors, stairs, transoms and radiators are reconfigured around a modern context,” he recounts. “Glass panes from jalousie windows were repurposed as stacked-light elements and new bamboo cabinets are attached to a frame beside the
original stair.”
Interior walls were eliminated, allowing for direct sightlines from the front to the back of the house. A rear addition accommodates an enlarged owners’ suite and deck, with increased square footage on the main floor. Color demarcates spaces: Thresholds and trim are black and white while floors and ceilings are neutral. Moments of bold color—in the kitchen, on the stair rail and in a hallway—add verve.
Renovation Architecture: Richard Loosle-Ortega, RA, principal; Matthias Arauco-Shapiro, design associate, KUBE Architecture. Renovation Contractor: Cornerstone Remodeling.
Initially, the owners of a gracious Kalorama condo simply wanted to bid adieu to an outdated whirlpool tub in their primary bath. But a consultation with Jonas Carnemark of KONST Union led to a broader discussion—and soon plans for a total overhaul unfolded. Carnemark and his clients envisioned a serene, modern space with a frameless shower taking center stage. White porcelain floor and wall tile creates a quiet backdrop for a massive slab of quartzite from Gramaco, installed as an organic focal point in the shower. A floating double vanity occupies the facing wall. Its silky, matte-glass top flows into glossy, integrated sinks and hovers above spacious drawers with matching gray glass fronts. Wall-mounted chrome faucets and a custom backlit mirror complete the minimalist tableau.
Bath Renovation Design: Jonas Carnemark, CKD, CLIPP, KONST Union.
During the overhaul of their Mid-Century Modern abode in the Hollin Hills neighborhood of Northern Virginia, the owners turned their attention to the outdoor spaces. They envisioned a landscape resembling those found on properties of its era in California. “Our goal was to fulfill that vision in a climate that is a bit more punishing,” observes Jennifer Horn, who was hired for the job. “Our hot, humid summers and cold winters limit plant selection and hardscape choices.”
Working with Planted Earth Landscaping, Horn created a plan that utilized board-form concrete retaining walls and thermal bluestone, which handles the freeze-thaw cycle well. A gravel terrace delineated by native hornbeams creates space for entertaining while up-lighting of the trees conjures a sculptural effect.
Landscape Architecture: Jennifer Horn, PLA, Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture. Landscape Contractor: Planted Earth Landscaping, Inc.
| FLEX TIME Designed for Swedish furniture maker Blå Station, the versatile BOB 52 modular system can be configured as a straight or curved sofa, or sections can stand alone as a chair (pictured). Made of FSC-certified plywood and molded foam covered in fabric or leather, in an assortment of colors. blastation.com |
| RIGHT ANGLES Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza employed crisp geometry to create his minimalist Farfallina chair, formed by a series of squares. Conceived for the venerable Italian woodworking shop Bottega Ghianda, the elegant piece is crafted in natural beechwood and leather. bottegaghianda.com/eng |
| MID-CENTURY MAGIC Artist Javier Gomez-Credidio took inspiration from New York’s 1931 Essex House in the design of his eponymous, mid-century-style collection for the Portuguese brand Sentta. Pieces in the Essex collection are handcrafted of ash and paired with cotton velvet upholstery; the Essex 2 seat sofa is pictured. sentta.pt |
| FLUID FORM The Horizonte modular seating system devised by Marcio Kogan for Minotti comprises a fabric- or leather-covered base set atop a recessed plinth for a suspended effect. Padded elements—seats, backrests and armrests—can be reconfigured or removed to create a low-slung side table. minotti.com |
| CHIC COMBO Hailing from Lisbon, furniture maker Dooq marries a range of materials, from velvet and straw to copper and marble, to create chic furnishings. Pictured: The Odisseia chair perches a plush, cantilevered seat atop a base of polished or satin brass, copper or nickel. Available in fabric or leather. dooqdetails.com |
| MEMORY LANE Zanotta has reissued the Gilda armchair, originally designed in 1953 by Italian architect Carlo Mollino. The ergonomically shaped recliner incorporates a padded seat and adjustable back, covered in fabric or leather. The frame, in oak or walnut, is embellished with nickel or brass accents in a satin finish. zanotta.com |
| SINUOUS SHAPE An asymmetrical silhouette defines Oltremare, a collection conceived by Antonio Marras for Italian maker Saba. A slim, varnished-metal base supports a polyurethane-foam seat with a host of upholstery options; the sofa is pictured here in a handmade, recycled textile designed by Marras. sabaitalia.com |
| REFINED DINING A sculptural frame with a distinctive, eyelet-style back sets the Whit Dining Chair apart. A collaborative effort between Lulu and Georgia and interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel, the chair comes in black-painted or honey-stained ash with a seat upholstered in black or gray bouclé, respectively. luluandgeorgia.com |
Howard Cohen, PLA Surrounds, Inc. | Jennifer Horn, RLA Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture | Kevin Kurdziolek, PLA, ASLA Pristine Acres | Stephen McHale, RLA McHale Landscape Design
THEN | NOW |
The home’s primary bedroom was lined with built-ins that collected dust and made the space feel cluttered. Lacking an overhead light source, the room was dark. | The built-ins were removed to create a clean slate. Unobtrusive canned bulbs and a modern crystal chandelier from Circa Lighting add much-needed illumination. |
A color scheme of creamy yellow and light-stained wood felt dated. An ornate stone fireplace with beige swirls contributed to the palette, as did similarly hued drapes and wall-to-wall carpet. | Benjamin Moore’s Collingwood, an ivory hue with hints of plum, covers the walls, trim and ceiling. A handcrafted marble fireplace takes center stage while soft, gray wool drapes with purple accents reflect the new palette. Engineered walnut floors replaced carpet. |
A mishmash of chunky, modern furniture didn’t fit the room’s style. | Furnishings include a Bernhardt bed flanked by Ferrell Mittman nightstands. Fabricut chairs and a bench from Vanguard complete the transitional aesthetic. |
Renovation Architecture: Dale Overmyer, AIA; Laura Rowland, Overmyer Architects, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Tracy Morris, Tracy Morris Design, McLean, Virginia. Renovation Contractor: Goldsborough Design Build, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
When Mark McInturff was tapped to design a bold, contemporary dwelling overlooking the Potomac River 15 years ago, he created three volumes sited to mimic a bend in the river below. According to plan, he outfitted the side volumes—or pavilions—for living and sleeping but left the center pavilion an empty shell. Eventually, his firm would complete the home’s centerpiece: a library in the central volume devoted to reading, lounging and gathering amid the owners’ extensive book collection.
In 2017, McInturff Architects launched this final phase. Today, the meticulously detailed, three-story library is the hub of the home—just as the owners envisioned. “They are patient people,” McInturff observes. “They waited until it could it be perfect.”
Architecture: Mark McInturff, FAIA, principal; Peter Noonan, AIA, LEED BD+C, David Mogensen, AIA, LEED AP, project architects, McInturff Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: Added Dimensions, Inc., Takoma Park, Maryland.
In their clever design of a custom getaway in Bethany Beach, Delaware, architects Donald Lococo and David Moore maximized sea vistas and natural light while minimizing solar heat gain. Angling the roofs up on the ocean side met local roof-pitch requirements and expanded views through walls of windows. Overhangs, porch roofs and decks screen the home from the harsh sun.
Twin stair flights, placed end to end, connect the five-bedroom, seven-bath home’s three levels. Indoors and out, slat elements reference dune fencing—a local staple that helps preserve the coastal environment. Wire-brushed shou sugi ban fins in a slat motif detail the façade while interior slats line its staircases. Daylight filters through the stair shaft from above, illuminating the interiors from this central core.
Architecture & Interiors: Donald Lococo, AIA; David Moore, Donald Lococo Architects. Builder: Shay Gallo Construction.
ABW—Appliances A BETTER WAY has retooled its 7,000-square-foot Silver Spring location, which closed during covid, to address supply-chain delays with in-stock premium brands on clearance. And in January 2022, a 5,600-square-foot showroom opened beside the company’s Jessup, Maryland, headquarters. 8951 Brookville Road, Silver Spring; 8309c Sherwick Court, Jessup. abwappliances.com
Architessa added two showrooms to its roster during the past year. Both the 3,200-square-foot Georgetown location and 1,700-square-foot Richmond showroom carry the company’s curated collections of tile and natural stone. 2212 Wisconsin Avenue, NW; 1726 East Main Street, Richmond. architessa.com
Best Tile, purveyor of stone, ceramic, porcelain, glass and metal tiles, moved from Lorton, Virginia, to a 5,000-square-foot Falls Church showroom in Spring 2022. 2916 Annandale Road. besttile.com
Brickworks Design Studio opened in Baltimore’s Fells Point in November 2021. The 3,312-square-foot shop displays brick and stone locally produced by manufacturer Glen-Gery. Both businesses are owned by Australian brickmaker and supplier Brickworks, Ltd. 600 S. Broadway. glengery.com
BSH Home Appliance corporation Experience & Design Center comes to chic CityCenterDC in early 2023. The 7,125-square-foot location will showcase Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau appliances—seen in action during live cooking demonstrations. 950 New York Avenue, NW. bsh-group.com/us/
Cambria, the high-end quartz manufacturer, is currently building a new sales and distribution center in Manassas, Virginia. The 22,750-square-foot facility will encompass a showroom open to the public. Completion is expected in April 2023. 11975 Lexington Valley Drive. cambriausa.com
Crate & Barrel and CB2 relocated in March 2022 from a stand-alone building in Tysons and a storefront in Georgetown, respectively, to side-by-side showrooms measuring 16,480 and 9,786 square feet in Tysons Galleria. 1650 and 1654 Galleria at Tysons II. crateandbarrel.com; cb2.com
Herman Miller, the iconic Mid-Century Modern brand, brings its ergonomic furnishings to DC’s hip Union Market district. A 1,560-square-foot retail store carries collections by Charles Eames, Jens Risom, Isamu Noguchi and more. 1268 4th Street, NE. hermanmiller.com
Interior Define expanded its brick-and-mortar presence in Spring 2022 with home-décor showrooms in McLean and Baltimore that feature room vignettes, introducing a residential feel to the shopping experience. 7974 Tysons Corner Center; 809 Aliceanna Street. interiordefine.com
McLean and Tircuit, helmed by designer Sheryl McLean, opened a boutique within its longtime studio in Laurel, Maryland. The practice offers private consultations for design services and home-décor shopping. 617 Main Street. mcleanandtircuit.com
NV Kitchen & Bath has opened a 3,100-square-foot showroom in Dulles, Virginia, featuring tile, cabinetry, countertops and flooring in kitchen and bath vignettes. 22000 Dulles Retail Plaza. nvkitchenandbath.com
Tyler Whitmore Interiors is a 2,000-square-foot vintage-furnishings showroom in Kensington’s West Howard Antiques District conceived by home-stagers Tyler Whitmore and Debbie Labonski, who cull estate sales, flea markets and more for their wares. The location opened in January 2022. 4208-A Howard Avenue. tylerwhitmoreinteriors.com
Rue IV moved into the Washington Design Center in November 2021. The 8,600-square-foot, to-the-trade showroom represents a range of high-end textile, furniture and lighting manufacturers. 1099 14th Street, NW; Suite 220. ruefour.com
Sanabria & Co., The Shop opened in owner-designer Melissa Sanabria’s Capitol Hill neighborhood in October 2021. The 800-square-foot boutique carries home-décor brands that embrace sustainability, charitable causes and ownership by women. 409 East Capitol Street, SE. sanabriaandco.com
Unique Kitchens & Baths has a new outpost in Georgetown. Opened in August 2022, the 1,000-square-foot showroom showcases the firm’s designer cabinetry collaborations as well as its own concepts. 1506 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. uniquekitchensandbaths.net
JANUARY 20–22, 2023
Home + Remodeling Show
Dulles Expo Center • homeandremodelingshow.com
FEBRUARY 24–26, 2023
Capital Remodel + Garden Show
Dulles Expo Center • capitalremodelandgarden.com
MARCH 3–5, 2023
American Craft Made / Baltimore
Baltimore Convention Center • craftcouncil.org
APRIL 15 –22, 2023
Historic Garden Week
Virginia, statewide • vagardenweek.org
APRIL 23, 2023
Georgetown House Tour
Georgetown, DC • georgetownhousetour.com
MAY 3–7, 2023
Smithsonian Craft Show
National Building Museum • smithsoniancraftshow.org
SEPTEMBER 22– 24, 2023
Capital Home Show
Dulles Expo Center • capitalhomeshow.com
OCTOBER 2023
Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show
Baltimore Convention Center • baltimorefallshow.com
OCTOBER 2023
Smithsonian Craft2Wear
National Building Museum • smithsoniancraft2wear.org
OCTOBER 2023
Reston House Tour
Reston, Virginia • restonmuseum.org/hometour
DECEMBER 2023
Light Up the Season
Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC • fourseasons.com/washington
