Home & Design

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

Our Experts:

Howard Cohen, PLA Surrounds, Inc.  |  Jennifer Horn, RLA Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture  |  Kevin Kurdziolek, PLA, ASLA Pristine Acres  |  Stephen McHale, RLA McHale Landscape Design


What salvaged materials do you like to repurpose outdoors?

“We like to create reclaimed-wood accent walls around a fireplace or in a pavilion. Such an element becomes a conversation; it has a story.” — Kevin Kurdziolek

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“We like reinterpreting found objects. We recently encountered two large granite millstones embedded in a site and repurposed one into a fountain.”  — Jennifer Horn

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“We work old granite curbs into patio steps. Old lumber can be used as mantels or beams on outdoor structures and fireplaces.”  — Steve McHale


Best practices for an eco-friendly landscape?

“Focus on pollinators such as hydrangea and coneflower that are attractive both to insects and bees. Herbs, fruiting plants and trees are also important.”  — Howard Cohen

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“The most important thing is stormwater management—so much water can move quickly during an intense storm, we need to make sure landscapes are responsive and adaptive.”  — Jennifer Horn

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“Our best practice is creating our own soil amendments by recycling and composting all organic matter that is returned to our facility.”  — Steve McHale


What new pool elements or materials are making a splash?

“Porcelain-tile decking. The tiles are cool underfoot and their printed surfaces create different looks and styles.”  — Howard Cohen

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“People are putting pools with body-jet systems in small spaces so they can swim against a current for fitness.”  — Jennifer Horn

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“We’re seeing infinity edges and beach entries where the walk into the pool is gradual, as a person walks into the water at a beach.”  — Steve McHale

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“Homeowners are looking for related elements; we caNtilevered a pool house roof over the pool and installed a rainwater feature in it.”  — Kevin Kurdziolek

 

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.”

EXPERT INSIGHTS: Advice from architect Mark McInturff
  • When selecting a material palette, each choice in the design process limits the next. You get to the point where the building tells you what you can do.
  • When planning a home, pay attention to when and where the light will be in every room. Computer models can show the sun’s progress.
  • One way to keep a large home’s scale manageable is to bury one story. I might also break it into parts and proportion those.

 

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.

 

 

 

GRAND AWARD ARCHITECTURE

Donald Lococo Architects

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.

"I admire the fusion of modern elements to highlight the natural environment of sun, waves and dunes.”
—Barbara Hawthorn, jurist

 

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


 

Meet Bonnie

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

Meet Dennese

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

HOME&DESIGN, published bi-monthly by Homestyles Media Inc., is the premier magazine of architecture and fine interiors for the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

The company also publishes an annual H&D Sourcebook of ideas and resources for homeowners and professionals alike. H&D Chesapeake Views is published bi-annually and showcases fine home design and luxury living in and around the Chesapeake Bay.

The H&D Portfolio of 100 Top Designers spotlights the superior work of selected architects, interior designers and landscape architects in major regions of the US.

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