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
 | Barbara Hawthorn |
 | Josh Hildreth |
  | Arlene Critzos & Joyce Pearl |
 | Erika Bonnell |
 | Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas |
 | Bonnie Ammon |
What room in your home is most relaxing and why?
My breakfast room. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow a full view to the outdoors. I love being able to watch the wildlife playing outside while sipping my coffee.
Name a vintage or antique piece you pine for.
I swoon over antique English biscuit barrels—doesn’t matter if they’re crystal or silver, each is unique. I imagine the stories they could tell.
Describe wallpaper you’ve recently used and why it’s special.
I just installed Phillip Jeffries Burled Chevron. It’s a wood veneer with a hint of metallic throughout.
What patterns—or solids—define your personal aesthetic?
I love neutral, textured solids as a backdrop for bold geometrics and plaids. My aesthetic is livable luxury, with pops of color and touches of glamour and drama throughout.
TOUCH OF GLAM
A tranquil master bath is outfitted with a French Bateau soaking tub that occupies a marble-clad niche. Moody, textured-grass-cloth walls impart serenity to a primary bedroom where pops of pink and a bubble chandelier add a dose of drama.
bonnie Ammon Interiors
bonnieammoninteriors.com - 703-778-5755
Name an heirloom you’d never part with.
Two white porcelain poodle figurines from my childhood home sit watch on my fireplace hearth. Childhood treasures are irreplaceable.
I obsess over...
The scale of furnishings relative to room dimension. Scale impacts room flow and lifestyle, influencing seating, lamp and table selections.
Favorite design trend or movement?
The trend toward timeless designs that are functional, luxurious and embrace each client’s lifestyle. Neutral colors, proper lighting and quality furnishings are the underpinnings. Clients appreciate transitional, sustainable home designs.
Favorite color combination?
There is a distinct elegance associated with rich beiges and cool grays. My signature designs build upon a neutral palette and are punctuated with pops of color such as crimson, purple or orange, etc.
SERENE STYLE
Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas created an elegant, neutral piano room for a baby grand, utilizing soft, tranquil grays, taupes and blues. An accent wall clad in textured wallpaper adds dimension to a soothing, Zen-inspired bedroom (right) enlivened by small pops of color.
Interiors by Design LLC
interiorsbydesignmd.com - 301-933-7723
Color palette you love?
I gravitate toward strong, saturated color. I want my surroundings to stimulate my senses and provide an inspiring dose of energy.
Celebrity designer crush?
I love Summer Thornton for her fearless use of color and pattern; Kelly Wearstler for her avant-garde eye; and Martyn Lawrence Bullard for his details and layered, dramatic approach.
What elements would you combine if a client with no budget restraints asked for a “collected look?”
Amazing architectural elements; original art; statement lighting; a few antique rugs and furnishings; unique fabrics and wall coverings; and modern, iconic upholstery.
What patterns—or solids—define your personal aesthetic?
I’m very much drawn to abstract patterns that were created with a modern, artistic approach.
VIBRANT PALETTE
Clockwise from opposite: Scenic wallpaper and statement art welcome visitors. Bonnell created a cushy window seat in a family room for reading or taking in garden views. A mom and her two kids share a chic and organized home office.
Erika Bonnell Interiors
erikabonnell.com - 703-468-1049
What color palette do you love?
Joyce: Warm neutrals on a light base. I add pops of color for fun or black and charcoal for contrast. The palette is timeless and the pops keep it current.
Name a vintage piece you pine over.
Arlene: I like working vintage architectural elements into new construction.
What exciting art work did you recently acquire for a client?
Arlene: Hand-painted panels on antique rice paper.
What patterns—or solids—define your personal aesthetic?
Joyce: My personal preference is solids and interesting textures, adding subtle patterns or soft geometrics.
Describe your favorite sofa.
Arlene: My living room sofa allows comfort with style. It’s clad in mohair and layered with textured pillows.
URBAN AERIE
Clockwise from opposite: A light-filled living room juxtaposes sleek lines with organic elements; bold architectural elements are softened by organic patterns and sheer draperies. A colorful rug grounds a restful bedroom, accented with complementary pops of color.
Interior Concepts, Inc.
interiorconceptsinc.com - 410-224-7366
Color palette you love?
I am a nature lover and I love the magnolia tree’s palette: glossy green, golden tobacco, ivory white, buttercream, silvery gray and blush pink.
Describe a special wallpaper you recently used.
Sandstone by Victoria Larson is a fantastic digitally printed grass cloth with a watery ombre design. Wallpaper can be a game-changer, and it doesn’t have to be bold to be impactful.
Celebrity designer crush?
Michael Taylor is a favorite. Very ahead of his time; he lightened things up with sunshine, plants and breezy palettes and was the original mixer of antique and modern.
Favorite chair in your home?
We have an odd Jacobean chair that looks like it came out of “The Munsters.” Found on a sidewalk in my 20s, it follows us from house to house.
ECLECTIC MIX
Clockwise from opposite: Josh Hildreth conjured a grand yet relaxed living room for a showhouse in Potomac. A cheerful sunroom beckons in a Northwest DC home. Deep-toned walls are a cozy backdrop to a bold, painted screen and antique furniture in a stylish foyer.
Josh Hildreth Interiors
joshhildrethinteriors.com - 571-449-3508
Color palette you love?
Color resonates with me—vibrant, subtle, even neutral. I try to be a “color ambassador” and find a palette that resonates with each client.
Name an exciting work of art you acquired for a client.
A home without art has no soul. Recently, I introduced clients to the paintings of iconic DC artist Sam Gilliam. They now own six.
Describe a recent project you’re most proud of...
I created bespoke interiors that interpret classics in fresh, timeless style for a 2010, Tudor-style estate.
What elements would you combine if a client with no budget asked for a “collected look?”
As exemplified by the project above: major artworks; silk rugs threaded with silver and gold; Murano glass sconces; and a sumptuous sofa inset with silvered-eucalyptus tables.
BESPOKE FLAIR
Barbara Hawthorn made a statement in a grand entry with art and custom furnishings. Built-ins incorporate woven shades, an entertainment center and an onyx-and-glass fireplace surround. A cozy grouping around a custom designed layered-stone fireplace.
Barbara Hawthorn Interiors
barbarahawthorninteriors.com - 703-241-5588
