Share rules of thumb for positioning an outdoor fireplace.
Fireplaces can be a big commitment—proper siting is imperative. We take care to anchor a fireplace into a project’s overall design, integrating the structure into adjacent walls, pergolas or topography. Functionally, fireplaces should be easy to operate; wood-burning ones need storage nearby. Finally, we plant species with fall or winter interest in close proximity so people can enjoy a fire as the last leaves turn red or the first snowdrops begin to bloom. —Jennifer Horn, PLA, Horn & Co.
What trending hardscape material do you find game-changing?
Porcelain has become a paving material we use more and more frequently. Its wide variety of sizes and colors allows us to create an array of paving patterns and looks. Porcelain’s ability to stay cool in the sun makes it an excellent choice for pool decks and its consistency in quality also gives us confidence in the material. That said, our designers still have a deep appreciation for Old World materials. Granite, with its rich colors, varied patterns and enduring strength, has a timeless quality that continues to inspire us. —Steve McHale, McHale Landscape Design
Explain the most crucial elements of an outdoor lighting plan.
Spotlights are not the answer. A great lighting plan combines many sources and types of light to create an overall well-lit space. Incorporate path lights, step lights, landscape lights, strip lights and wall lights to illuminate walkways and key aspects of a property. Also think about indirect light provided by fire features, the glow of a swimming pool and even the ambient light spilling out through windows on the home. Take things a step further and introduce dimmable lights to dial in the perfect glow. You can use 2700K color temperature to provide warmth, or get creative with the latest color-changing bulbs. —Kevin Kurdziolek, PLA, ASLA, PPA, Pristine Acres
Detail the do’s and don’ts of designing an outdoor kitchen.
One of the most common mistakes I see is poor placement. A kitchen should be positioned so whoever is cooking can still be part of the conversation, whether that is near the pool, the dining area or under a covered porch. Too often, outdoor kitchens end up tucked away in a corner, which disconnects the host from their guests and takes away from the experience. Homeowners often underestimate how much space an outdoor kitchen needs. Beyond the grill, you have to plan for refrigeration, trash storage, drawers and prep space. Without that, a beautiful setup can quickly become frustrating to use.
The groundwork—including gas, electric and plumbing—needs to be planned from the start. If you’re building a new home, this should be coordinated early with the landscape team and builder so utilities can be positioned correctly. That level of planning prevents rework once drywall is installed and ensures everything aligns as it should. When done right, the finished space functions seamlessly and feels like it was always meant to be there. —J.R. Peter, Colao & Peter
How do you define the ideal outdoor gathering space?
A successful outdoor gathering space is comfortable and inviting. It should serve as an extension of the house and a respite from the complexities of everyday life. Whether sitting down and relaxing or enjoying a pleasant fireside chat with close family and friends, an outdoor living space should blend the homeowners’ wishes and the expertise of the designer. With cooler nights and incredible displays of color from our favorite plants, fall can be the best time to enjoy a well-designed outdoor space. —The team at Rolling Acres Landscaping, Inc.
What are mistakes to avoid when planning a firepit and seating area?
When designing and constructing a firepit, several pitfalls can compromise both aesthetics and function. Poor placement—ignoring wind direction, circulation or views—can render the space uncomfortable or under-used. Selecting materials that aren’t durable enough for heat and weather often leads to cracking or staining. Hiring contractors who cut corners risks safety and shortens the firepit’s lifespan. Scale is also essential: too large overwhelms the landscape, while too small feels insubstantial. —Ed Ball, Ed Ball Designs
Icons explore materiality and form
If you’ve ever thought a piece of wood furniture would be perfect for the patio if only it were a more durable material, Warrenton, Virginia-based designer Barry Dixon has a solution. He has teamed up with Maryland’s Iatesta Studio for 10 handmade pieces based on familiar forms, including several of his essential wood-based designs—rendered anew in steel and mesh for indoor/outdoor use. Among the offerings are a pedestal cabinet with woven-mesh panels that mimic cane; the striking Magnolia light, which features a zinc finish that resembles the well-worn patina of antique garden ornaments; the Victorian-inspired Nettie Darr table, named for Dixon’s grandmother; and the Santorini chaise, a curvaceous lounger influenced by Greek and Roman forms, executed in aluminum by the studio’s highly skilled artisans. iatestastudio.com
A beloved trade showroom gets a new look
Tucked away in a charming Georgetown carriage house, Evans & Sheldon has long been a jewel-box for designers to source bespoke fabrics, wall coverings, lighting and furniture. Founded in 2013 by Kate Evans, the showroom just underwent a redesign that transformed it into an enchanting wonderland of pattern, texture and color. The updated space showcases 40 internationally renowned boutique lines, including Fermoie and Lewis & Wood, among others. evansandsheldon.com
Every stitch tells a story
Regan Billingsley has always loved textiles—especially handmade ones imbued with cultural significance. When her mom and sister returned from a trip to build homes in Guatemala’s remote highlands, the Maryland designer was inspired by their stories of local weavers, so she set out on a mission to help preserve their craft through RB Curated. This line introduces blankets, pillows and throws handwoven by craftspeople in Latin America to a new audience while creating economic opportunities for the makers. rbcurated.com
Thomas Pheasant covers new ground with a rug collaab
The new Thomas Pheasant for Ben Soleimani rug collection reflects the notable Washington designer’s clean-lined, refined aesthetic. Informed by DC and Paris—he has homes in both capitals—Pheasant drew on architectural grids, French gardens and favorite haunts such as the Louvre and The Phillips Collection. The line captures a sense of balance and movement in soft neutrals. bensoleimani.com
Share a trend you’ve spotted in decorative lighting. Why do you find it inspiring?
Many lighting designers are embracing organic forms, creating one-of-a-kind fixtures that double as sculpture in a space. Take, for example, one of Romanian artist Andreea Braescu’s bespoke light installations. Made from 100-percent handcrafted French porcelain, it’s a break from everyday lighting fare. Inspired by the beauty of nature, it brings harmony into our surroundings. —Sami Garshoni, Lights of Venice; lightsofvenice.com
Reveal new, exciting developments in lighting and automation.
Lutron continues to lead the way in innovation, especially through its Ketra, Rania and Lumaris lines. Adaptable lighting that mimics natural cycles can help people feel more aligned with their environment. From an automation perspective, the experience has never been more seamless. Voice control, motion-based triggers and integration across platforms like Crestron and Lutron now work in harmony with more intuitive user interfaces and elegant keypads. These improvements make technology fade into the background so that clients can enjoy their home without thinking about the system itself. —David Greenberg, A.B.E. Networks; abenetworks.com
Describe a game-changing innovation that brings new functionality to the home.
The LED-Integrated Wine Rack System by MP Lighting merges elegant wine display with high-performance architectural lighting. Each rack features built-in, linear LED fixtures, providing glare-free illumination for every bottle while emitting minimal heat or UV radiation. Users can adjust brightness and integrate the system into broader automation platforms for scene control. This flexibility allows for dynamic lighting effects, from a soft, ambient glow for intimate tastings to accent lighting that draws attention to featured vintages. —Mike Wilson, Bethesda Systems; bethesdasystems.com
Favorite hangout at home?
The living/family room of my 1945 center-hall Colonial in Silver Spring. It’s the first space I see when I walk in—and holds the piece I love most: the Hallings Secretary by Thomas O’Brien.
Go-to spot for high tea in DC?
The Henley Park Hotel. Its English manor feel creates the perfect setting, especially during the holidays.
Current fabric obsession
Designer Guild’s Rose de Damas Velours in Cranberry is everything I love—an earthy background with a riot of color and pattern. Bold and unapologetic.
Dream winter escape?
I’d return to The Dipping Lugger in Ullapool, Scotland. It’s charming and beautifully appointed without being stuffy. The restaurant is surely on its way to a earning a Michelin star (the best porridge I’ve ever had!).
Holiday hostess gift?
This year, I’m planning to give jars of winter fruit shrubs that can be added to liquor or mocktails. They’re bright, festive and unexpected.
If you could pick the next paint color of the year, what would it be?
Benjamin Moore’s Dragonwell—a rich, timeless shade that feels both grounding and fresh.
These awards, presented by the Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA), honor custom-building and remodeling projects located throughout the county and recognize excellence in interior and exterior design as well as craftsmanship. Listed here are all awardees, along with photos of a number of winning projects.
Custom Contemporary Home, 3,000 to 4,000 square feet
Classic Homes of Maryland, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Architecture/Interiors: Carib Daniel Martin Architecture and Design.
Custom Contemporary Home, 4,000 to 5,000 square feet
Sandy Spring Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: GTM Architects.
Interiors: JWS Interiors.
Custom Contemporary Home, 9,000 to 10,000 square feet
Elie Ben Architecture, LLC, Fulton, Maryland.
Builder: Cairn Custom Homes. Bethesda, Maryland.
Custom Traditional Home, 3,000 to 4,000 square feet
Colonial Design & Build, Rockville, Maryland.
Custom Traditional Home, 4,000 to 5,000 square feet
Douglas Construction Group, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: Claude C. Lapp Architects.
Custom Traditional Home, 6,000 to 7,000 square feet
Studio Z Design Concepts, Bethesda, Maryland.
Builder: Dwell by Dunmire.
Custom Traditional Home, 7,000 to 7,500 square feet
Mid-Atlantic Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: Wesley Li.
Interior Design: Wendy Shapiro.
Custom Traditional Home, 7,500 to 8,000 square feet
Laurence Cafritz Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: GTM Architects.
Custom Traditional Home, 8,000 to 9,000 square feet
Sandy Spring Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: GTM Architects.
Interior Design: Purple Cherry Interiors.
Custom Traditional Home, 9,000 to 9,500 square feet
Claude C. Lapp Architects, Clarksburg, Maryland.
Builder: M&M Builders & Contractors.
Custom Traditional Home, 9,500 to 10,000 square feet
Studio Z Design Concepts, Bethesda, Maryland.
Builder: Sandy Spring Builders.
Renovation, 6,000 to 7,000 square feet
Sandy Spring Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: GPS Designs.
Interior Design: WD Studio Interiors
Renovation, 7,000 to 8,000 square feet
Elie Ben Architecture, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland.
Builder: Chesapeake Custom Homes.
Speculative Home, 4,000 to 4,500 square feet
Douglas Construction Group, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: Claude C. Lapp Architects.
Speculative Home, 4,500 to 5,000 square feet
Classic Homes of Maryland, Bethesda, Maryland.
Speculative Home, 6,000 to 6,500 square feet
Mid-Atlantic Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: Wesley Li.
Interior Design: Wendy Shapiro.
Speculative Home, 6,500 to 7,000 square feet
Tilden Signatures Quintana, LLC/A Haverford Homes Company, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: Tiritandi Architect.
Interior Design: Sarah Goldfarb.
Speculative Home, 7,000 to 7,500 square feet, Floor Plan and Layout
Avatar Design Build, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: Claude C. Lapp Architects.
Speculative Home, 7,000 to 7,500 square feet
Foxhall Homes, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Architecture: GTM Architects.
Speculative Home, 7,500 TO 8,000 square feet
Studio Z Design Concepts, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Builder: Chase Builders.
Speculative Home, 8,000 To 8,500 square feet
Francis Development, Bethesda Maryland.
Architect/Designer: Claude C. Lapp.
Speculative Home, 8,500 To 9,000 square feet
Mid-Atlantic Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
Architecture: Wesley Li.
Interior Design: Wendy Shapiro.
Home & Design unveiled its Fall 2025 issue with a soirée at Ferguson in DC on September 18th. Guests enjoyed drinks and hors d’oeuvres while exploring the showroom’s stylish lighting, kitchen and bath displays.
Home & Design announced the winners of its 2025 Excellence Awards on October 6th during a gala celebration at Bethesda’s Round House Theatre. The annual, juried competition recognizes outstanding work in residential architecture, interior design, custom-building, kitchen-and-bath design, landscape design and remodeling. Award-winning projects appear in H&D’s Idea Book and online at homeanddesign.com.
On August 21st, local designers donned gold and white for a lively networking event. The fete took place at AjMadison’s Tysons showroom, which is full of the latest kitchen appliances. Home & Design was the media sponsor.
 | A sleek primary bathroom renovation combines modernity and warmth. |
 | Wrapped in swaths of blue onyx tile, the wet room of this luxe Maryland bath evokes ocean waves. |
 | Ann Gottlieb, IIDA, LEED AP, ID+C, Ann Gottlieb DesignAn heirloom or vintage piece has to tie in with the design, even in a vague way. Perhaps there’s a color, texture or pattern that complements the piece. Testing and trial and error are my secrets! anngottliebdesign.com, 571-771-9357 Photo: Angela Newton Roy Photography |
 | Hannah Goldberg, Hannah Charlotte InteriorsMixing new and old is all about balance and intention. I always begin by listening to the story behind the object. If a piece carries deep personal resonance, it becomes part of the dining room’s narrative. My role is to balance sentiment with design integrity. Sometimes a beloved piece becomes the anchor. Other times, if the scale or style feels at odds, we’ll honor it in a quieter way. Photo: Jenn Verrier Photography |
 | Sarita Simpson, Interior MatterWe like for decorative objects and artwork to feel collected rather than plucked out of a catalog. For a collected, soulful space it’s important to include one-of-a-kind family pieces and older finds. We encourage clients to think outside of the box about pieces they already own, allowing us to get creative as we incorporate them. interiormatter.com, 202-900-3818 |
 | Suzanne Manlove, Manlove And Company InteriorsWe love working with beloved heirloom pieces. Reupholstering dining chairs with contemporary fabric is a great way to give new life to treasured pieces. If an heirloom is too worn, we may tap a restoration expert to refinish, paint or replace the hardware to make it feel current and sit seamlessly alongside new furnishings. manloveandco.com, 703-520-2125 |
 | Catherine Troxell, Grace Thomas DesignsSome clients want to actively use an heirloom while others want it purely for display. We discuss the significance of the piece and talk through the options. We don’t want to force an heirloom into a design unless it makes sense. Photo: Stacy Zaring Goldberg |
 | Joyce Pearl, Interior Concepts, Inc.interiorconceptsinc.com, 410-224-7366 PHOTO: Stylish Productions |
 | Laura Hildebrandt, Interiors by LH interiorsbylh.com, 571-334-6476 PHOTO: Angela Newton Roy Photography |
 | Bonnie Ammon, Bonnie Ammon Interiorsbonnieammoninteriors.com, 703-778-5755 |
 | Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiorsbarbarahawthorninteriors.com, 703-241-5588 PHOTO: Kenneth M. Wyner Photography |
 | Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiorsjamiemerida.com, 410-819-8666 |
 | Rebecca Penno, Penno Interiorspennointeriors.com, 703-859-9749 PHOTO: Angela Newton Roy Photography |
 | Laura (Fox) Wolff, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC |
When the clients first purchased the property, it consisted of a four-story, end-of-row townhouse and a three-story carriage house apartment connected by a simple wooden deck. Part of South Baltimore’s Harbor Walk redevelopment in the early 1980s, the structures were in desperate need of an update.
EastWing Architects’ first move was to unify the two existing buildings with a light-filled addition containing a double-height library. Next, they carved out distinct living spaces within the tight constraints of the townhome and added a roof terrace. The updated contemporary residence reflects its new owners’ personal style while conforming to local historic district guidelines. The result is a light-filled urban oasis with warm wood finishes and an overall feeling of Scandinavian simplicity.
Architecture & Interior Design: Evan Wivell, AIA, principal; Ryan McCloskey, AIA, project architect, EastWing Architects. Builder: Apex Builders Group.
Enlisted to restore a Victorian row house in DC after extensive fire and water damage, Balodemas Architects returned the front façade to its former glory. But inside, only the staircase and living room fireplace could be salvaged.
Principal Lou Balodemas took the rebuilt interiors in a modern direction. His plan opened the rear to the backyard via walls of windows on three levels. An addition enlarged the second level and created a third-floor primary bedroom. A three-story rear structure comprising a deck and pergola provides privacy and space for al fresco time. A new kitchen and bathrooms were outfitted by Porcelanosa. David Zein of Ligne Roset furnished the home with clean-lined modern pieces. Bold artwork collected around the world takes center stage.
Renovation Architecture: Lou Balodemas, AIA; Romina Zevallos, Associate AIA, Balodemas Architects. Interior Design: Ligne Roset. Contractor: Heb-N-Co Construction, LLC.
A 1992 Bethesda tract house lacked curb appeal. The garage ate up most of the facade; meanwhile, the front entry was completely hidden. Inside, spaces were compartmentalized, and finishes included outdated 1990s “colonial” trim. Its owners wanted a modern, light-filled home that felt more connected to nature. Enter architect Robert Gurney, whose plan retained the basement, garage, fireplace and utility infrastructure, while adding 2,720 square feet.
A contemporary sensibility now defines the home’s new look, most notably in the projecting overhang that articulates the entrance. Simple forms in dark hues allow the building to blend into the landscape. Primary color accents dot both the exterior and interiors, where walls of double-height windows bathe the spaces in natural light.
Architecture: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, principal, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect. Interior Design: Baron Gurney Interiors, LLC. Builder: DAKS Builders. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects.
A retired architect tapped McInturff Architects to update his 1920s DC home with an addition that forges a connection to the outdoors. Principal Mark McInturff extended the existing plan with a three-bay structure—two exterior and one interior—incorporating a sun room and porch. Built without drywall or cladding, the building employs louvers to mediate and filter light. “Aesthetically, if not literally,” McInturff notes, “we provided the wraparound porch the house never had, but always wanted.”
Renovation Architecture: Mark McInturff, FAIA, McInturff Architects. Renovation Contractor: Cassell Construction.
A custom, 15,000-square-foot new build in Potomac was conceived for a multi-generational family of six who like to entertain. Designed to host large-scale gatherings as well as more intimate get-togethers, the seven-bedroom abode packs in plenty of function, too: It contains a dedicated office, a library that doubles as a piano practice space, and a 2,500-square-foot in-law suite. A large kitchen and adjacent family room act as the heart of the home with two oversized islands—one for family meals, the other offering additional seating for guests. A dramatic floating staircase inspired the material palette and the overall aesthetic.
Throughout, designer Sandra Meyer curated bespoke furnishings with a focus on elevated design, tactile warmth and comfort. With both children and pets under the roof, performance fabrics were incorporated to imbue the spaces with a practicality that matches the home’s level of sophistication.
Architecture: GTM Architects. Interior Design: Sandra Meyer, principal designer; Roshni Lelinwalla, lead designer, Ella Scott Design LLC. Builder: Rembrandt Builders.
