 Bonnie Ammon | McLean Sunroom with Wanderlust VibesBonnie Ammon Interiors | 703-778-5755 | bonnieammoninteriors.com |
 Barbara Hawthorn | A Grand Art-filled EntryBarbara Hawthorn Interiors | 703-241-5588 | barbarahawthorninteriors.com |
 Wendy Danziger | Luxurious Master Bathroom in Chevy ChaseDanziger Design | 301-365-3300 | danzigerdesign.com |
 Jodi Macklin | Beach House Retreat Dining RoomJodi Macklin Interior Design | 301-656-0009 | jodimacklin.com |
 Andrea Blamphin | Modern Mountain RetreatInterior Concepts, Inc. | 410-224-7366 | interiorconceptsinc.com |
 Todd Howard Ezrin | Artistic Splendor in Chevy Chase RemodelTOBE DesignGroup | 301-656-6600 | tobedesigngroup.com |
 Melissa Broffman | A Dining Room with Vintage AppealMelissa Broffman Interior Design | 703-536-5409 | melissabroffmaninteriors.com |
 Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas | Cozy Gathering Room For Drinks and ConversationInteriors by Design | 301-933-7723 | interiorsbydesignmd.com |
 Skip Sroka | Reinventing the Living RoomSroka Design Inc | 202-734-3920 | srokadesign.com |
 Christie Leu | Peaceful Window Seat in the AtticChristie Leu Interiors | 301-335-3379 | christieleuinteriors.com |
“There is something to be said for collecting as you go along, but unless your style is naturally eclectic, I recommend treating a vintage object as you would a piece of art. Allow it to inform the room rather than trying to make it work with an already established visual rhythm.”
—Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, CAS, LEED AP, Purple Cherry Architects
“Combine items in unexpected ways, like antiques in a modern vignette. Blend texture and finishes and incorporate different heights and scale. Edit yourself and don’t fill every inch of space. It is most meaningful to incorporate objects from your home, family or travels.”
— Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio
“The clients’ personalities should come through in their accessories. I first shop clients’ homes, building on what they have before purchasing items that mesh with what they already love.”
—Laura Hildebrandt, IFDA, NKBA, Interiors by LH, LLC
“Too many items in a small space means you don’t see the individual pieces; you just see clutter. Accessories should reflect clients’ interests and personalities. A mix of old and new is always good. More contemporary pieces feel fresh, while antiques feel warm and personal.”
—Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiors
“We accessorize with unexpected finds, mixing in clients’ sentimental belongings with appropriate scale. We avoid incorporating too many pairs or triples of similar objects.”
—Samantha Sopp-Wittwer and Courtney Griffin, Interior Concepts
Bonnie Ammon, Bonnie Ammon Interiors
Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors
Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC
Sarita Simpson and Jason Claire, Interior Matter
Mattress heights have increased, so using too many shams can hide a beautiful headboard. I like Signoria bedding, which is luxe with a quiet sophistication. Legacy Home has extensive variety, while Amity Home’s bed coverings are more casual, come in sophisticated textures and are well-priced.
—Joyce Pearl, Interior Concepts
We love doing custom bedding because it’s truly the best way to give clients the luxurious retreat they need and deserve. Matouk is one of our favorite bedding brands; their quality and attention to detail allow for a “less is more” approach that keeps things clean, sophisticated and restful.
—Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiors
Everybody loves softness in their
bedrooms; we often use coverlets
combined with a turned-down duvet at the foot of the bed for fullness. The most impact comes from a large lumbar pillow in a beautiful fabric that pulls design elements together.
—Melanie Whittington,
Whittington Design Studio
I love a bunch of throw pillows, but there’s usually one partner who doesn’t get it. So I try to meet in the middle with one to three throw pillows max.
—Laura Fox,
Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC
My favorite bedding line is Frette—there is nothing like slipping into bed with crisp, Italian linen sheets.
—Laura Hildebrandt, IFDA NKBA, Interiors by LH, LLC
Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors
Cathy Purple Cherry, Purple Cherry Architects
Bonnie Ammon, Bonnie Ammon Interiors
Sarita Simpson and Jason Claire, Interior Matter
Name an heirloom you’d never part with.
I will never part with my family photographs. I have over a century of captured moments in time and I love looking at them with family and friends.
I live in...
The same home where I raised my children. Twenty-four years later, it still has a traditional exterior, but the interior has gone through many transformations as my personal style has evolved. I feel at home every time I walk through the front door.
I obsess over...
Beautiful stone and marble tiles. There are so many varieties and ways of using them. I believe good design comes from nature.
Name a favorite design trend and why you like it.
I love that wall covering has made a major comeback. Grass cloth provides texture that paint can never achieve, while patterns can bring a room to life.
Bonnie Ammon Interiors
bonnieammoninteriors.com
703-778-5755
I live in...
A 20-year-old, transitionally styled home with distinctive, welcoming doorways and well-manicured yards. Design begins at the curb.
My design pet peeve is...
Designers who under-quote the cost of a project. Realistic budget quotes reflect well on the entire design industry. Over-budget is too often synonymous with
under-quoted.
What famous person’s home would you love to design?
Naomi Osaka. She is young and multi-cultural. I envision her home reflecting the tranquility and minimalism of Japanese design with the vibrant colors of her
Haitian heritage.
What’s your favorite go-to dish to cook at home?
My family and friends love my Trinidadian macaroni pie (a.k.a. mac and cheese).
Interiors by Design LLC
interiorsbydesignmd.com
301-933-7723
Interior Concepts’ principal Arlene Critzos and her colleague, Samantha Sopp-Wittwer, design stunning spaces in every style.
I live in...
ARLENE: A complex balance of European traditional and clean transitional styles.
I obsess over...
SAMANTHA: All things beautiful and how they are designed. No time period is excluded. Each yields endless inspiration.
What famous person’s home would you love to design?
SAMANTHA: Marie Antoinette’s. I am completely enamored with the grandeur of the past, from the clothes they wore to the homes and gardens they built. They are nothing short of wondrous.
Name a favorite design trend.
SAMANTHA: Wallpaper and its ability to add impact, drama and depth to any given space.
What is your favorite color combination and why?
ARLENE: All natural colors with punctuations of bolder colors.
What’s your favorite go-to dish to cook?
ARLENE: As an Italian, of course, pasta prepared 100 different ways.
Interior concepts, Inc.
interiorconceptsinc.com
410-224-7366
Name an heirloom you’d never part with and why.
A still life painted by my grandmother. Her creativity inspired my love of art and design.
I live in...
A cozy and welcoming 1939 Cape Cod that has been countlessly reworked. I love the fact that we’ll never need to downsize!
I obsess over...
Fresh flowers beautiful, fragrant and always the star of any room.
My design pet peeve is...
Too many accessories. Keep it simple, curate carefully and let a few things shine.
What is your favorite color combination and why?
Blue and white— it’s simple, elegant and timeless.
Favorite go-to dish to cook at home?
Tomato sauce with turkey mango meatballs. Both savory and sweet and always in demand!
MELISSA BROFFMAN INTERIORS
melissabroffmaninteriors.com
703-536-5409
Name an heirloom you’d never part with and why.
There is nothing I own that I would not be willing to give away if I knew it would be cherished.
I live in...
A 1970s redwood contemporary in the woods with lots of glass to let in natural light and connect with nature.
I obsess over...
Everything. I am a perfectionist and it translates into every area of my life.
What famous person’s home would you love to design and why?
I like to make all my clients feel like celebrities. Even if you can’t be a celebrity, live like one!
What is your favorite color combination and why?
I have never met a color I didn’t like. I look for colors that resonate with clients and have techniques to establish what they will find most joyful and satisfying.
Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd.
barbarahawthorninteriors.com
703-241-5588
Since 2008, Home & Design has published an annual feature that spotlights up-and-coming designers who’ve launched firms of their own in DC, Maryland and Virginia. The talented 2021 pros bring a fresh eye and a singular perspective to their work.
In the links below, we share their stories and their projects, along with portraits photographed in Ligne Roset’s stunning Upper Georgetown showroom. Portraits by Michael Ventura.
When creating a furniture plan, we ask how clients will use their space and what will make them feel comfortable. Proper scale and functionality are essential, and we like to mix styles and materials for interest. —Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio
We like furniture plans that provide flexibility, with upholstered coffee tables and ottomans doing triple duty as footrests, surfaces and additional seating. —Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiors
We focus on form and function. How many need to sit comfortably? Is there a focal point? We like mixing styles, but proportion and scale need to be compatible. Seat and arm heights should be similar, and there should be passageways between pieces. —Jason Claire & Sarita Simpson, Interior Matters
The most important components of a furniture plan are functionality, aesthetics and scale. We discuss clients’ desires and how they will use their space; these are keys to creating a layout tailored for their lifestyle. —Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC
Balance, comfort and function are the first considerations. Tips: Start with a focal point and never push your seating up against the wall. For multiple seating areas, I like mixing a large sofa with different-sized chairs so the design feels collected. —Bonnie Ammon, Bonnie Ammon Interiors
