“Your outdoor space should be an extension of the lifestyle and aesthetic choices you make inside your home,” avers Andrew Ross, a design and construction manager at Wheat’s Landscape. “And one of the most important elements of any home is the kitchen, which represents a space for coming together.” Below, Ross offers insights into the ways an outdoor kitchen can offer the best of both worlds: the peace of nature with the warmth and familiarity of the kitchen.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Two important considerations are size and budget. For some families, a grill with built in-cabinets and storage space may be all they need. Others may want a massive extension of their indoor kitchen—a full-fledged eatery. Which of these options best suits your needs? Outdoor kitchen installation is not a one-size-fits-all operation; professionals customize plans to fit your budget and space. Consider the following to help make your decision:
WHAT WILL YOU NEED?
An outdoor kitchen should be a one-stop shop for all your kitchen needs—conveniently located outside. Myriad types of equipment and amenities are available to you. The following are worth considering:
”Unlike bluestone, which can heat up to 100 degrees or more, porcelain tile stays cooler. It comes in many colors and textures, some mimicking wood, concrete or stone.” —Joseph Richardson, ASLA, Joseph Richardson Landscape Architecture
“Nighttime safety is essential, especially at steps and paths. We always incorporate outdoor lighting to create depth and layers in a composition while minimizing distracting bright spots.” —Richard Arentz, ASLA, Arentz Landscape Architects, LLC
While preparing to redo the landscape of his 1970s Great Falls contemporary, a client visited Indonesia and came home with an idea: to create an expansive water installation that would occupy the whole backyard. “His goal was to hear and view water from all parts of the house,” relates Don Nesmith of Land & Water Design, who spearheaded the project. “He requested a contemporary look and a calming, Zen-like feel.”
Inspired by pictures of serene Asian water features that the client brought back from his travels, Nesmith conceived a 500-square-foot scheme that fits within the home’s L-shaped backyard. The project was constrained by many mature trees on the four-and-a-half-acre property; limited access to the backyard meant that materials had to be brought in and built by hand on site.
“The water feature is anchored by multiple planters, each with two sheer-descent waterfalls,” Nesmith explains. “The planters are fitted with drip systems for irrigation; measuring in at five-by-five-feet, they are deep enough to support a mix of annuals and perennials.” A floating bridge spans the oasis and a pavilion with seating beckons on the far side. Sculptures selected by the owner—including one by Alexander Calder—dot the water on custom pedestals, along with a bubbling granite boulder by Stone Forest.
The canal-like waterways, all two-feet deep, are surfaced with river rock and topped with a layer of black Mexican beach pebbles that create reflectivity. The planters are made of Techo-Bloc, while Turkish travertine paves the walkways and bridge. Accent lighting emphasizes the sculptures at night. Nesmith notes that the finished hardscape maintains a low profile. “It’s only two-and-a-half-feet at its highest,” he says, explaining, “We didn’t want to lose the views out to the property.”
Landscape Architecture: Don Nesmith, RLA, Land & Water Design, Haymarket, Virginia. Landscape Installation: Santana’s Design & Build, Jefferson, Maryland. Photography: George E. Brown.
“The house is almost totally surrounded by water,” says McHale’s Sandra Moffatt, who collaborated with Mike Miller on this Crownsville, Maryland, project. Located on the low-lying tidal ground of Peninsula Point, the property required wetland, native and ornamental plantings that would withstand flooding. Boulder outcrops and native blooms retain the site’s slope and create space for a fire pit; summersweet and bayberry buffer the shoreline.
| Then | Now |
| The circa-1970s house was rundown and the adjacent, ramshackle pool cabana needed an overhaul. | McHale rejuvenated the property while the house was being renovated. The cabana was replaced with a new, modern pool house featuring a folding NanaWall, mahogany accents and clerestory windows. |
| The pool was dated, with a concrete surround and a crumbling brick patio adjoining it. | An infinity-edge pool lit by LEDs boasts a spillway clad in mosaic-glass tile. The pool surround and patio are made of quartzite. |
| The property was bare and there wasn’t enough deck space from which to enjoy the amazing water views. | McHale designed and built ipe decks that terrace the waterfront slope and connect the home and outdoor-living spaces via pathways and boardwalks. |
Landscape Design & Contracting: Mike Miller, Sandra Moffatt, McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
 | KITCHEN KARMA Industrial designer Karim Rashid has teamed with Italian kitchen manufacturer Rastelli to create Karan, a versatile, modular collection of islands, peninsulas, tables, wall systems and more that can be installed in various configurations. Materials include aluminum, glass, composite wood, stainless steel, ceramic and oak. rastellicucine.it |
 | ANCIENT CRAFT Bond, a new bath-fittings collection, represents a collaboration between Waterworks and New York design firm Gachot Studios. The minimalist line encompasses three designs that have been engraved using an Old World technique called guilloché, commonly employed on jewelry and clocks. waterworks.com |
 | BY THE SEA The luminous, iridescent allure of mother-of-pearl inspired Native Trails’ Lido collection of glass vessel sinks. Though they conjure beach walks among the seashells, each basin is fashioned of spun Murano glass. Available in four finishes; Abalone is pictured. nativetrailshome.com |
 | COLOR FORWARD KitchenAid’s Commercial-Style Range Collection makes a statement with nine distinctive hues including soft pastels such as Avocado Cream and Misty Blue (pictured) and bolder shades like Scorched Orange and Yellow Pepper. A KitchenAid Handle Medallion kit makes changing out the handle colors a cinch. kitchenaid.com |
 | BEHIND CLOSED DOORS Scavolini’s new Box Life system creates an uncluttered profile by concealing sleek kitchens (above), wardrobes and even beds behind retractable, sliding or folding doors. Designed in conjunction with Rainlight Studio to bring style and functionality to small spaces, Box Life modules come in linear, corner or U-shaped configurations. scavoliniusa.com |
 | VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE Wilsonart’s new Connected Collection of high-pressure laminated surfaces encompasses 16 coordinated abstract and wood-grain looks designed to work together or alone. Available through the company’s Virtual Design Library, which allows customers to visualize the surfaces in their own space, in any combination. wilsonart.com |
 | NEXT GENERATION Miele’s new MasterCool lineup—which includes column, bottom-mount and French door options—brings innovation to refrigeration. Dual condensers cool each compartment separately and patented AirClean technology prevents odors from recirculating. Users also enjoy smart-phone connectivity and easy access via a Door Assist feature. mieleusa.com |
 | RETRO CHIC Perfect for small spaces, Big Chill’s Mini Fridge conceals modern conveniences—for instance, a wine rack, temperature-management system, crisper drawer and glass shelving—inside a vintage exterior sporting snazzy retro colors (Pastel Turquoise is pictured) and chrome trim. bigchill.com |
 | FLEX TIME Hastings Tile & Bath introduces Urban, a collection of minimalist vanities, storage, sinks and mirrors with an emphasis on design flexibility. Vanities can be wall- or floor-mounted with front or side cabinets. Pedestal and vessel sinks come in multiple finishes and storage options abound. hastingstilebath.com |
 | MEMORY LANE Karndean Designflooring recreates the tiled floors found in Victorian and Regency-era homes in vinyl with the Heritage Collection. Individual geometric pieces are assembled into panels and glued. Two designs, Mayfair and Clifton (pictured), are available in monochromatic and bold colorways. karndean.com |
 | ON A CURVE Bath faucet manufacturer Franz Viegener has unveiled its first kitchen collection, encompassing solid-brass standard and pro-sized faucets with curved, modern lines and a range of finishes—including the just-debuted PVD Satin Black (pictured). franzviegener.us |
A Great Falls family who had updated their house turned to Surrounds, Inc., to revive their rundown property accordingly. “It was an opportunity to create a gorgeous new environment,” recounts principal Howard Cohen, who designed the project.
The owners’ wish list began with a picturesque koi pond “that they could look at from their porch,” Cohen says. They also wanted a built-in grill, a patio for dining and gathering and new hardscape. Surrounds was tasked with improving the grade and circulation; removing and trimming trees to let in more sunlight; and renovating the existing pool and hot tub. The screened porch turned out to be structurally unsound, so Cohen and his team replaced it with a new one that accesses the pool scape via a staircase.
Concrete pavers now surround the pool, with stone steppers leading past the rehabbed hot tub to the koi pond. A stone fireplace anchors the patio, which flows into the outdoor kitchen with its built-in grilling station. Carderock stone was used for the retaining walls and the fireplace, while the patio is laid with Pennsylvania bluestone. Boulders sourced in Tennessee embellish the koi pond, which is lined with Gunite like a swimming pool. “I’m not a fan of rubber liners, as they tend to have issues,” Cohen notes. The pond is four feet deep with straight sides to discourage predators from perching or wading in to feast on fish.
Evergreens such as Alaskan cedar and cryptomeria provide privacy along the edge of the property. “The clients wanted as much color as possible,” relates Cohen. Lush mondo grass is punctuated with drift roses, hydrangea and vibrant perennials.
Landscape Architecture & Installation: Howard Cohen, RLA, Surrounds, Inc., Sterling, Virginia.
What’s the best approach to a new project?
Vocalize your wants specifically. Are you casual or formal? Do you entertain? Do you want to spread out during gatherings? Also, what are you comfortable spending? If the estimate is twice what you budgeted, consider phasing the project.
How do you define outdoor rooms?
I design each space in a landscape with its use in mind. Plantings and changes of materials can set spaces apart. In this project, the patio flagstone is tailored while irregular stone by the koi pond looks more casual. Passageways also delineate areas.
How do you approach the design of a water feature?
I ask what the clients want its purpose to be. And I warn them there will be a lot of maintenance.
What are some of your favorite outdoor products?
Porcelain pavers, which complement contemporary spaces, are low-maintenance and very durable—but they are hard to work with. Natural stone is still best, as it comes in any size or shape.
For many designers, a small, nondescript powder room equals an opportunity for drama and creativity. According to designer Elizabeth Reich of Jenkins Baer Associates, the powder room in a Frederick, Maryland, home was already ahead of the game. “It had beautiful marble floors in a chevron pattern,” she recalls. “And the architecture and moldings were already there—they just needed to be enhanced.”
A hand-painted Gracie wall covering in a botanical motif became Reich’s jumping-off point for the room. “It was made in the company’s French studio,” she recounts. “We gave them the full dimensions of the room and they drew the design in panels that work together.” The millwork is painted Benjamin Moore’s deep, glossy Polo Blue, which blends seamlessly with the wallpaper field.
The marble-topped Waterworks vanity tucks into a niche flanked by Kallista sconces. A custom Roman shade hangs high above the window to convey a feeling of height in the room. A starburst chandelier by Circa Lighting lends a glamorous touch.
The owners of a row house in Northwest DC’s Shaw neighborhood were ready to update its dysfunctional kitchen, which was dingy and dated with a dearth of storage. “They host friends and family constantly,” notes principal Nancy Harper, who spearheaded the change while also reworking other areas of the home. “We redid the layout of the kitchen to accommodate their lifestyle.”
Budget and space constraints drove the design, which stayed within the footprint of the original kitchen. Housed in a previous addition, the kitchen and family room share an open plan; an airy seating area is located beyond the island. “The clients chose to spend on materials, fixtures and hardware rather than on structural changes,” the designer explains.
However, though the kitchen’s relatively small size was fixed, Harper and her team still managed a dramatic alteration. They began by relocating the cooktop from its exposed spot on the island to an interior wall. “The wife wanted the island for gathering, serving and making drinks,” Harper recounts, “and she wanted to get the cooktop out of the way to avoid cooking in the middle of her guests.” The designer incorporated a number of smart kitchen-storage solutions within ceiling-height Yorktowne cabinetry.
Bold, geometric Ann Sacks backsplash tile in black-and-white marble set the tone for the new kitchen, which feels fresh, youthful and fun. Durable Caesarstone countertops impart the marble look the husband requested. Pendants from Circa Lighting feature gold interiors that pick up the tones of the hardware and Waterstone faucet. Stools by Article complete the look.
Kitchen Design: Nancy Harper, Studio Miel, Washington, DC. Contractor: Expertiers Design & Build, LLC, Rockville, Maryland.
A couple who purchased a McLean spec home during construction fell in love with the plans for the kitchen, conceived by Lobkovich Kitchen Designs. They asked principal J. Paul Lobkovich and his team to adapt them to suit their needs. “They liked the navy-and-wood concept,” Lobkovich notes. “It’s on-trend right now yet feels timeless.”
The central island accommodates a beverage sink, storage and seating for four. The fridge and freezer are inset on one wall, concealed behind cabinet panels. On the same wall, Lobkovich installed a sideboard leaving space above for art. Above the Thermador range, a custom hood of blackened steel with polished-brass accents creates a focal point.
The navy cabinetry is offset by hickory cabinets in a peppercorn finish. They house the sink; the same wood crops up as a base for the island and a frame for the appliance wall. “Hickory is a very versatile wood,” Lobkovich observes. “It creates a rustic, casual touch.”
The clients requested a breakfast room that would tie in with the kitchen. Lobkovich designed cabinetry to match the kitchen cabinets on either side of the chevron-patterned, marble fireplace wall; one side holds a breakfast bar while the other combines a wet bar with open shelving for display.
Throughout the kitchen and breakfast area, interior designer Andrea Maaseide injected color and pizzazz through lighting, fabrics and art. “It was very important that the space feel cozy and inviting,” she says. “The owners are all about color—particularly jewel tones—and eye-catching pieces like custom lighting. It’s a space where everyone can kick their feet up.”
Kitchen Design: J. Paul Lobkovich, Lobkovich Kitchen Designs, Tysons Corner, Virginia, and Miami, Florida. Interior Design: Andrea Maaseide, ASID, Studio 320 Interior Design, Vienna, Virginia. Builder: Artisan Builders, McLean, Virginia. Photography & Styling: Stylish Productions.
How do you begin a project?
I start from the ground up: floor, cabinetry, countertops, then backsplash. The flooring is important because it’s usually everywhere. And it can be a canvas itself; my floor has a herringbone pattern and I love it.
What trends are you spotting in cabinetry?
Dark-neutral combinations are popular. I’m seeing brown-black, blue-black and blue-brown.
Compare painted versus stained-wood cabinetry.
I lean towards painted cabinets because they don’t fight with the wood floors. A kitchen I did with yellow cabinets is still one of my favorites.
What design element do you tend to repeat?
Kitchens can be too cabinet-centered; you need to find a balance. I plan for a sideboard when I can because it creates wall space for art, which is nice.
How do you decide on countertop materials?
Nothing is more beautiful than natural stone, but it can be impractical. I like to combine stone with an engineered surface in work areas.
“The existing design lacked function and aesthetics and created a lot of dead space,” says Case project developer Gizem Ozkaya. By demolishing the original spaces, upgrading fixtures and introducing a fresh, streamlined sensibility, the design team was able to deliver on the clients’ vision of a modern master bath that would feel like an airy, streamlined retreat.
| Then | Now |
| The original bath was hampered by a layout that divided it into separate spaces: A hallway leading to the bedroom was bordered by closets flanking a vanity; another area housed a bidet, additional sink, shower and tub. | Case gutted the two spaces to create one expansive bathroom encompassing a roomy shower enclosure, soaking tub, toilet, bidet and wraparound vanity offering copious storage. |
| The bath was dated and dysfunctional, with drab ceramic tile on the walls and floor. | Large-format, marble-look porcelain tile on floors and walls sets a modern tone. A double-basin vanity in a wood-look, horizontal-grain laminate adds warmth. |
| The mundane bathroom had no special features and lacked visual appeal. | A freestanding BainUltra tub is enhanced by wall niches that create a focal point; they are embellished with 3D porcelain-tile panels and integrated LED lighting. |
Bath Design & Contracting: Gizem Ozkaya and Michael Sass, Case Architects & Remodelers, Bethesda, Maryland.
As Barbara Hawthorn avers, “Art is a focal point, introducing color, form and visual excitement. Without it, a home will lack soul no matter how beautiful the furnishings.” Below, the designer reveals her carefully curated steps to finding and placing fine art.
STEP 1.
We provide resources for purchasing or commissioning art for clients who have already established their taste.
STEP 2.
For those who aren’t sure what they like, we visit galleries, auctions, museums, studios and vetted art fairs, in person and virtually, to identify genres that elicit a visual and emotional reaction and sense of connection.
STEP 3.
With taste and preferences established, we find the works that resonate most.
STEP 4.
We specify frames to best showcase art, weighing aesthetic, technical and preservation concerns. The right frame can make a modest piece look great.
STEP 5.
We recommend the best placement for each piece of art.
STEP 6.
We install the art so it will withstand an earthquake—or a room full of exuberant kids.
Several years after a major renovation, many of my clients think it’s time for another redesign. However, it often turns out all their spaces need is a little TLC to keep them fresh. After that special attention, homeowners may find they’re no longer craving an overhaul—and in fact have fallen in love with their homes all over again. Follow these simple tips to refresh your interior spaces:
LET THERE BE LIGHT—An easy trick to make your home look more polished is incorporating unique and interesting light fixtures. Think of lighting not only as a necessity but also as a way to accessorize your space. Look for a fixture with an interesting shape, design or finish. Also, consider the type of light bulb you use. Some LED bulbs give off a blue-tinged light that can make a home feel cold. Make sure your bulbs have a color temperature of 2700k or less; the higher the number, the bluer the tint.
LESS IS MORE—Minimalism is key to making your home feel put together. Choose furniture and accessories you need versus items you like. Don’t go overboard; your space should be customized with small pieces like coffee table books and artwork that make it yours.
COMFORTABLE + COZY—You can create an inviting feel simply by adding a few throw pillows and a beautiful blanket in your seating area. These items can be easily swapped out for changing seasons and holidays.
HANGING AROUND—Hanging curtains near ceiling level will create a luxurious and upscale look, and long swaths of fabric give the illusion that a room is larger than it is. In addition, by extending the curtain rod past the width of the window (so that just an inch or so of the curtain hits the window itself) you can make the window appear larger and increase the amount of light coming in.
DON’T FORGET TO LOOK DOWN—Area rugs impart color and character. They can make a space feel cozy and inviting and can be the final touch that pulls a room together. It is important to make sure that the size of your rug is proportional to the space you are using it in; too small a rug will make your space feel smaller than it really is. Also, when placing furniture on a rug, remember to leave enough space for the piece being used; for example, an area rug should extend at least two feet behind the dining room chairs.
Pro Tips
“Function comes first when picking window treatments: Consider light, climate, privacy and noise. The first layer should support your needs. The style enhances the view and design scheme.”
—LISA TULLAI, ASID, Annapolis Interiors
“When you’re seeking the perfect eclectic look, antiques and modern pieces can be a winning combination if you pay attention to balance, scale and proportion.”
—Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID, NKBA, Fitzsimmons Design Associates
Fresh from a stint living in Palo Alto where she was surrounded by modernist spaces, designer Raji Radhakrishnan of Raji RM & Associates was standing amidst the grandeur of Versailles on holiday when an idea struck her. “I was in a moment of flux about classical versus modern design,” she recalls. She imagined juxtaposing a grand, classical room with modern furnishings—but how to recreate the sumptuousness that characterizes those Old World European spaces?
Her own photographs supplied the answer. “It was the details I had captured in the ceiling frescoes and paintings on the walls,” Radhakrishnan reveals. “I realized I could blow up these photographs almost to room size to create classical backdrops.”
Thus, Raji RM Murals was born. The collection currently comprises 17 classical scenes—whittled down by the DC designer from hundreds of digital photographs and adjusted for light, shadows, color, cropping and content. The room-sized images are printed on panels and installed by a wallpaper hanger. Says Radhakrishnan, “The interplay between styles tells a new story, evoking the best of history and modern life.” rajirm.com
“My clients purchased their home in Northwest DC, then hired me to overhaul the traditional rooms in fresh, kid-friendly and transitional style,” says Erin Paige Pitts. “The dining room was an important component because it connects to the living room, kitchen and family room, which makes it a hallway of sorts. Even though we wanted to be able to seat 10 to 12 at the dining table with extensions, we had to keep the flow open.”
| Then | Now |
| The dining room was dark and drab, with deep-red walls and not much natural light. The centrally located space connecting other main-floor rooms needed to make an impact. | Pitts enlivened the dark room with a strong shot of color “to make it memorable,” she says. Sherwin Williams’ turquoise-blue Open Seas inspired the color palette in the adjoining rooms. |
| Boring, dark-stained furniture contributed to the feeling of stodginess, as did a classic Oriental rug with strong primary colors. | Pitts exchanged wood-framed dining chairs for light velvet-upholstered seating by Mr. & Mrs. Howard for Sherrill. A creamy Kravet rug now covers the floor, with matching drapes in Romo fabric. |
| The room had no stand-out features. | Original artwork, including an abstract canvas by Deborah Barlow, adds interest. A Currey & Company chandelier imparts sparkle. |
Interior Design: Erin Paige Pitts, Erin Paige Pitts Interiors, Annapolis, Maryland.
When a Georgetown homeowner enlisted Christopher Boutlier to guide the redesign of her newly purchased vintage row house, the project began as a simple paint job. As is often the case, however, the scope of work grew until Boutlier found himself overseeing a whole-house makeover in bold, contemporary style.
“My client had lived in a fussy, overdone space for years and was ready for something new,” he relates. “I said, ‘let’s paint everything white’—and it snowballed from there. We started with a paring-down process, stripping the baseboards and adding a modern staircase.”
Boutlier envisioned a black-and-white palette, which his client embraced. “I think I brought out the minimalist in her,” he quips. A stacked-stone fireplace replaced a traditional one in the living room, while strongly veined Statuario marble backsplash and countertops direct attention away from traditional kitchen cabinetry, now painted white. In the master bath, large-format porcelain tile clads the floor and shower enclosure. Clean-lined furnishings combine white upholstery with dark-stained wood pieces. Bold, abstract artwork chosen by the homeowner pops on the walls. Pine floors throughout the house are stained dark.
A defining element in the home is a lush living wall rising from the dining area to the master bath above it. Installed by the previous owner, it experienced a rebirth in the hands of Boutlier and his client, who replaced its ferns and small sculptures with greenery that seems to burst out into the room. “We thought about putting it behind glass,” Boutlier says, “but there is something nice about being able to touch and interact with it.”
Interior Decoration: Christopher Boutlier, Allied ASID, Christopher Boutlier, LLC, Washington, DC. Contractor: Vicente Pro Handyman LLC, Arlington, Virginia.
How do you make a monochromatic space sing?
The key is tonal variations. The space should be quiet and restrained, but layered and complex. Form is also really important. Color brings visual interest and can make clumsy or uninteresting shapes and proportions acceptable; without it, if things aren’t scaled correctly, you’ll notice instantly.
Describe a design shift that you favor.
I love highly patterned and dramatic stone. It’s been plain white marble for so long, it’s nice to see people branching out.
What is your furniture-selection process?
It’s form, color, pattern, then texture. We create a furniture plan with design boards that show us how pieces interact. Then we move on to rugs and fabrics, then accessories and accents to finish off the design.
Advice for clients embarking on a design project?
Be bold and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Fear is the antithesis of creativity. Besides, most things are fixable. I think it’s better to make mistakes than to play it safe.
