The owners of a property in McLean just under an acre wished to turn an unusable, steeply inclined backyard into a fun-filled outdoor oasis. To do that, Pristine Acres removed an outdated deck. The combination of retaining walls and a pool built 10’ out of ground surrounded by an expansive deck allows for one level use—all surrounded by trees and lush plantings in bright colors. A new pool house hosts a guest suite, fireplace, kitchen and full bath with large full-length sliding doors. Not only does the finished project feature lovely views from the house, the vistas from the pool house and even the driveway offer plenty of visual rewards, too.
Pristine Acres
pristineacres.com
On a 10-acre pastoral estate in Great Falls, Virginia, Fine Landscapes developed a 10,000-square-foot entertainment venue for weddings and gatherings in a glass-roofed, stone conservatory-style building. Nearby, a French-inspired Parterre Garden with mature specimens, including hydrangea, crape myrtles, Italian cypress, boxwoods and seasonal flowers, leads to a fully functioning greenhouse in a matching architectural style. Garden pathways and hedges direct the eye towards the fountain and greenhouse, then back up the stone staircase to the conservatory centerpiece. From the top of the hill, the grand stone structure provides a breathtaking view of the gardens, greenhouse, the original residence and surrounding property.
Fine Landscapes
finelandscapes.com
703-421-7441
Favorite room at home
My library—a much-used office for hand-drawing and email correspondence. I designed shelves that consolidate most of my books and serve as a great background for Zooms.
Hot spot
The zinc bar at BlackSalt for the best oysters and fresh fish, along with a great Sancerre.
Go-to couture
If I’m feeling extravagant, Paul Stuart, where I recently found an unusual, giant-scale paisley linen jacket. Sid Mashburn if I want reliable; I wear their polo shirts all summer for work or play.
Admired building
The old Penn Station in New York—a building I never saw. McKim, Mead & White’s Machine Age interpretation of the Baths of Caracalla provided a glorious way to enter the greatest city in the world.
Dream escape
The Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach. It was originally a low-rise apartment building designed by Addison Mizner around a lush, tropical courtyard.
Recent read
The Waters of Rome by Katherine Rinne—a fascinating history and entertaining tour of the complex relationship between water and the Eternal City.
Home & Design unveiled its July-August 2025 issue on June 25th with a reception at Ateliers Jacob in Georgetown’s Cady’s Alley. Guests explored the high-end Canadian cabinet maker’s stunning new flagship.
The Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) gathered at VisArts in Rockville on June 12th to celebrate the winners of its 2025 design awards. H&D sponsored the gala and competition.
Set on three serene acres in Leesburg, Virginia, this refined outdoor living space was thoughtfully designed by Kane Landscapes to enhance both beauty and usability. Lush plantings were carefully selected to complement the home’s architecture, creating a vibrant and inviting setting. A spacious pool and expansive patio offer an ideal backdrop for hosting everything from casual gatherings to family weddings. The cast concrete firepit provides a slightly modern twist that ties into the home’s interior aesthetics, offering a striking contrast to the traditional exterior. Seamlessly integrated with a newly constructed detached garage, the covered outdoor dining area offers a comfortable retreat from the sun. Remote-controlled waterfalls in the pool and spa add both visual movement and soothing sound, completing this elegant and functional retreat.
kanelandscapes.com, 703-803-3146
 | Bonnie Ammon, Bonnie Ammon Interiors“Few elements elevate a room more immediately than a stunning wall covering. Whether it’s a bold print or a textured grass cloth, wall covering creates mood, movement and depth. For me, it’s instant art for the walls.” bonnieammoninteriors.com, 703-778-5755 |
 | Suzanne Manlove, Manlove & Company Interiors“Wallpaper can create an ambiance of sophistication and luxury, playfulness or restrained elegance. We consider a room’s intended use, mood and the client when determining how far to push pattern, scale and saturation. A quieter space like a bedroom can benefit from a textural grass cloth, while a young family’s breakfast nook may allow for a bold, colorful print to start the day happy.” manloveandco.com, 703-520-2125 |
 | Rebecca Penno, Penno Interiors“When fabric is our jumping-off point, we may coordinate a woven or grass-cloth wall covering with the textile. But when we want the walls to make a statement, we’ll select a bold, colorful wallpaper pattern. Rather than only covering an accent wall, I prefer to paper an entire space, embracing the pattern and allowing it to envelop the room.” pennointeriors.com, 703-859-9749 PHOTO: Angela Newton Roy Photography |
 | Laura Fox Wolff, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC“One mistake to avoid is using a type of paper that isn’t practical in a space, like paper wall covering in a high-traffic bathroom. You can wallpaper the space, but it should be vinyl. Another mistake is overlooking scale. A super-busy pattern in a powder room, for example, can be dizzying to some.” |
 | Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors“One major benefit of wallpaper is durability. Unlike painted walls, which are prone to scuffs and chips, wallpaper is more resistant to everyday wear and tear. Many modern wallpapers are washable and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, making them ideal for high-traffic areas like mudrooms and baths, where dirt and moisture are common. With proper maintenance, high-quality wallpaper can retain its beauty and appeal for many years.” barbarahawthorninteriors.com, 703-241-5588 PHOTO: Kenneth M. Wyner Photography |
 | Megan Ligday, Interior Concepts, Inc.interiorconceptsinc.com, 410-224-7366 |
 | Laura Hildebrandt, Interiors by LHinteriorsbylh.com, 571-334-6476 PHOTO: Christy Kosnic Photography |
 | Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiorsjamiemerida.com, 410-819-8666 |
 | Sarita Simpson, Interior Matterinteriormatter.com, 202-900-3818 |
 | Catherine Troxell, Grace Thomas DesignsPHOTO: Christy Kosnic Photography |
 | Ann Gottlieb, Ann Gottlieb Design PLLCanngottliebdesign.com, 571-771-9357 PHOTO: Angela Newton Roy Photography |
 | Hannah Goldberg, Hannah Charlotte InteriorsPHOTO: Stylish Productions |
 | Classic RefugeA waterfront aerie pays homage to local history |
 | Bay ViewsAn open layout focuses on waterfront vistas |
Every year, a special feature in Home & Design spotlights local, up-and-coming designers who’ve launched firms of their own. We gathered with these rising stars and photographed their portraits in Salus Homes’ stunning Bethesda showroom, featuring high-end furniture, kitchens and bath solutions. Click to read the designers’ stories and discover their stellar work.
 | Julia LongchampsJulia Longchamps Design |
 | Jenna MorrowMorrow Design Studios |
 | Lauren CarranzaSeasons for Design |
 | Hannah GoldbergHannah Charlotte Interiors |
 | Cindy EylJefferson Street Designs |
Area designers submitted more than 105 entries to the 2025 Kitchen & Bath Awards, organized by the Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and sponsored by Home & Design. Winners were announced on June 12 during a gala celebration at VisArts in Rockville. The 2025 jury included Lindsey Britten, Allied ASID, of BOWA; James McDonald of James McDonald Associate Architects; Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas of Interiors by Design; and NKBA chapter communications chair Kirsten Gable, CKBD. Links to all winning projects are listed below.
 | Large KitchensFirst Place: ODE Design. See More... Second Place: Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. See More... |
 | Large BathsFirst Place: c|s DESIGN STUDIO LLC. See More... Second Place: Mint Interiors. See More... |
 | Medium KitchensFirst Place: Adam Greene Architect. See More... Second Place: Design: JD Ireland Interior Architecture + Design. See More... |
 | Medium BathFirst Place: Masseria Chic. See More...
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 | Small KitchensFirst Place: The Kitchen Guru. See More... Second Place: TOBE DesignGroup. See More... |
 | Small Baths + Powder RoomsFirst Place: Wiedemann Architects. See More... Second Place: Christie Leu Interiors. See More... |
 | Specialty RoomsFirst Place: Black Salt Home Design. See More... Second Place: Shea Studio Interiors Inc. See More... |
 | Before + AfterFirst Place: Bethesda Contracting. See More... Second Place: Ella Lee Interiors. See More... |
Cabinetry in walnut laminate delivers durability and style. Calacatta Imperiale porcelain in a silk finish frames the island, which is equipped with an induction cooktop, and the backsplash, featuring a handy ledge. Handmade bronze sconces cast a warm glow.
Project Team
Design & Contracting: Yuri Sagatov, Colleen Hyde, Allison Hardeman, Laura Gerber, Christine Varela, ODE Design. Photo: Dev Productions.
Get the Look
Cabinetry: adelphikitchens.com. Countertops & Backsplash: gramaco.com. Appliances: thermador.com through abwappliances.com. Sconces: blueprintlighting.com. Plumbing: weaverhardware.com.
White-painted and rift-cut white oak cabinets complement quartz countertops and wide-plank oak flooring. The island’s cantilevered wood top offers a casual dining perch while clever storage solutions abound all around. Brushed-brass fixtures and hardware add a touch of glam.
Project Team
Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD; Nancy McCarren, AIA, LEED AP, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. Contractor: Lappas Contractors, Inc. Photo: Stylish Productions.
Get the Look
Cabinetry: qcci.com. Quartz Countertops: landmarksurfaces.com. Wood Countertop: glumber.com. Appliances: abwappliances.com. Lighting: visualcomfort.com. Plumbing: houseofrohl.com.
