A couple building a custom, Nantucket-style home in McLean tapped Kristin Peake to tackle the interiors. The designer envisioned elegant but casual spaces with a sense of longevity—and her design for the dining room perfectly exemplifies this vision.
Peake worked with architect Mark Sullenberger and builder Patrick Latessa to create millwork that would convey the sensibility of an older home. “We specified the moldings and trim and applied the paint with an aged-brushstroke, striaed look,” she says. “It added an Old World, nostalgic element.” Because the owner wanted an uncluttered look, the team constructed a hidden closet by the fireplace for storage in place of a built-in china cabinet.
The highlight of the room is a custom wall stencil by Washington, DC-based Swatchroom depicting delicate branches entwined in an intricate, wispy pattern. Peake had the inspired idea of faux painting panels on the walls, which impart depth to the surfaces while adding to the room’s older-home look. She explains that the walls were otherwise left unadorned to allow “the murals to be the art.”
A palette of beige and gray enhances lightly distressed furniture in a worn patina that looks “vintage rather than country,” says Peake. The table, by Lorts, is paired with shaped Napoleon chairs sporting pewter nail-head trim; host chairs are done in a textured fabric by Lillian August. Linen draperies with an embroidered pattern by Lee Jofa soften the windows and a custom chandelier in antique glass by Dana Creath Designs adds interest above the table.
Architecture: Mark R. Sullenberger, AIA, Custom Design Concepts, McLean, Virginia. Interior Design: Kristin Peake, Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC, Rockville, Maryland. Builder: Patrick Latessa, The Galileo Group, McLean, Virginia. Photography: Geoffrey Hodgdon.
Other Rooms We Love:
In the hands of Mary Drysdale, the living room of a Bethesda home is a study in contrasts. Part of a whole-house renovation, it reflects the age and traditional style of the 100-year-old house while adding fresh, contemporary flair.
Drysdale had already designed numerous homes for the owners when she was called on for this one. The couple requested a living room for “gracious entertaining.” But measuring a massive 44 by 22 feet, space needed some architectural detailing to define it. Drysdale imparted symmetry with an extra, non-working set of doors at each end that balance the existing, functional ones. Crown moldings were also installed.
Since the living room provides access to four other rooms in the house, “it had to transition from those other rooms and work with them all,” Drysdale explains, because each room is painted a strong, vivid hue. She chose pale green walls and off-white silk drapes and linen upholstery and had the original wood floors glazed off-white with a subtle tone-on-tone stripe. Around their periphery, a floor stencil echoes the shape of the Wendell Castle coffee table that Drysdale selected to add punch to the room.
Other furnishings include the owners’ antique settees and chairs, now glazed and reupholstered; occasional tables from Hickory Chair; Louis XV chairs that flank the fireplace; and an ottoman customized by Drysdale Design Associates.
Orange-and-white abstract paintings by Donald Judd and a circular abstract over the fireplace by Linling Lu infuse the room with vibrancy and interest. Matching orange throw pillows complete the space.
Interior & Architectural Design: Mary Douglas Drysdale, Drysdale Design Associates, Washington, DC. Contractor: Jim Gibson, Gibson Builders, LLC, Washington, DC. Photography: Ron Blunt.
Other Rooms We Love:
Sponsored by the Maryland Building Industry Association, the annual Custom Builder Awards honor quality architecture, construction and remodeling projects in the Greater Washington, DC, area. Following is a list of all 2015 MBIA winners; Gold Award winners are pictured on these pages.
Custom Traditional Home
GOLD—Sandy Spring Builders, LLC. Architecture: Studio Z
Design Concepts. Photography: Michael Kress Photography.
Custom Contemporary Home
GOLD—Lang, and Company. Architecture: Cynthia Shoup
Schiffrin, AIA. Photography: A.F. Wright Photography.
Custom Transitional Home over 5,000 square feet
GOLD—Laurence Cafritz Builders. Architecture: Sutton-Yantis Associates Architects. Photography: Kenneth M. Wyner.
Custom Transitional Home under 5,000 square feet
GOLD—Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc. Architecture: Sean Mullin, AIA. Photography: Morgan Howarth.
SILVER—Sandy Spring Builders, LLC. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts.
Speculative Traditional Home
GOLD—Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Architecture: Custom Design Concepts. Photography: HomeVisit.
SILVER—Chuck Sullivan Homes. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts.
Speculative Transitional Home
GOLD—Three Brothers Land Co. Architecture: Claude C. Lapp, AIA. Photography: Scott Goodson.
SILVER—Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Architecture: Custom Design Concepts.
Custom Home under 3,500 square feet
GOLD—Douglas Construction Group, LLC. Architecture: Studio Z Design Concepts. Photography: Doug Monsein.
Custom Home between 3,500-5,000 square feet
GOLD—TailorCraft Builders, Inc. Architecture: Spire Architecture. Photography: Brian Landis.
SILVER—Three Brother’s Land Co. Architecture: GTM Architects.
Custom Home between 5,000-7,500 square feet
GOLD—Studio Z Design Concepts. Builder: Sandy Spring Builders. Photography: Stu Estler.
SILVER—GTM Architects. Builder: Gibson Builders.
BRONZE—Castlewood Consulting, LLC. Architecture: Castlewood Consulting, LLC.
Custom Home between 7,500-12,500 square feet
GOLD—Sandy Spring Builders, LLC. Architecture: GTM Architects. Photography: Michael Kress Photography.
SILVER—Battaglia Homes, LLC. Architecture: GBL Designs/
Greg Little.
Speculative Home between 3,500-5,000 square feet
GOLD—Castlewood Consulting, LLC. Architecture: James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: TruPlace.
SILVER—Douglas Construction Group, LLC. Architecture: Claude C. Lapp, AIA.
Speculative Home between 5,000-7,500 square feet
GOLD—Bethesda Builders, Ltd. Architecture: GTM Architects/Luke Olson. Photography: Cesar Olivares.
SILVER—Mid-Atlantic Custom Builders. Architecture: Custom Design Concepts.
Speculative Home over 7,500 square feet
GOLD—Castlewood Consulting, LLC. Architecture: Castlewood Consulting, LLC. Photography: Tru Place.
Institute of Classical Architecture & Art advances the practice and appreciation of classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts. This year, the chapter launched an annual design competition to recognize fine classical work in the region.
Established in 2005, the Washington Mid-Atlantic Chapter of theThe awards are named after John Russell Pope (1874-1937), a New York-based architect who also designed significant buildings in Washington, DC, including the Jefferson Memorial and the National Gallery of Art. After a Philadelphia jury of experts selected the winning projects, the chapter announced its inaugural awards at a gala held on April 17 at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. The winning residential projects are pictured, while landscape and non-residential winners are listed on these pages. For more information, visit classicist-washington.org.
NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN OVER 5,000 SQUARE FEET
Hamady Architects, LLC. A Mountain Home in West Virginia.
Honorable Mention: Donald Lococo Architects, LLC, Linnean House, Washington, DC.
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION OR ADDITION OVER 5,000 SQUARE FEET
Neumann Lewis Buchanan Architects, Badger Hill Farm, Upperville, Virginia.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Thomas Pheasant Interiors, Gardenside, Southampton, New York.
Honorable Mention: Sroka Design, Norton Manor, Potomac, Maryland.
NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN UNDER 5,000 SQUARE FEET
Anne Decker Architects, Distilled Traditional, Bethesda, Maryland.
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION OR ADDITION UNDER 5,000 SQUARE FEET
3north, Classicism Redux, Richmond, Virginia.
Honorable Mention: Jones & Boer Architects, Queen Anne Revival, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Honorable Mention: Barnes Vanze Architects, Flemish Revival Townhouse, Washington, DC.
OTHER WINNERS:
COMMERCIAL, INSTITUTIONAL & ECCLESIASTICAL DESIGN Hartman Cox Architects, American Pharmacists Association Headquarters, Washington, DC. Honorable Mention: Glavé and Holmes Architecture, Carole Weinstein International Center, Richmond, Virginia.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION Hartman Cox Architects, Francis L. Cardozo High School, Washington, DC.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, Seven Ponds Farm, Albemarle County, Virginia. Honorable Mention: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, The Cedars, Old Brookville, New York.
URBAN PLANNING Michael Watkins Architect, LLC, Union Village, Lebanon, Ohio.
ARTISANSHIP Gaston & Wyatt, Monticello Venetian Blinds, Charlottesville, Virginia.
The AIA Northern Virginia chapter gathered on June 4 for its annual Design Awards celebration at the recently completed Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon. A jury of Raleigh, North Carolina, architects judged the competition, which included 131 submissions. To view a winners’ gallery, visitAWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect, Twining Road Renovation, Potomac, Maryland.
AWARD OF MERIT
Anne Decker Architects, LLC, Distilled Traditional, Bethesda, Maryland.
AWARD OF MERIT
Shinberg/Levinas Architectural Design Inc., Woods Residence, Easton, Maryland.
AWARD OF MERIT
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect, Sharma Mathur House, Washington, DC.
JUROR CITATION
Carter + Burton Architecture, PLC, River House, Madison, Virginia.
JUROR CITATION
John Michael Day Architect, Night Watchman, Washington, DC.
NON-RESIDENTIAL WINNERS:
HERLONG AWARD AECOM, Riyadh Metro Project, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS, Woodley Wardman, Washington, DC • Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS, 11141 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland. • Gensler, Intelsat, McLean, Virginia. • Gensler, Tysons Tower, McLean, Virginia. • Shinberg/Levinas Architectural Design Inc., Kol Shalom, Rockville, Maryland.
AWARDS OF MERIT AECOM, Integrated Engineering Services Building, Hampton, Virginia. • Cunningham | Quill Architects, Charlottesville Strategic Investment Area Plan (unbuilt), Charlottesville, Virginia. • DBI Architects, Inc., Summit Consulting, LLC, Washington, DC. • David Jameson Architect, Sherber + Rad, Washington, DC. • FOX Architects, 1400 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia. • Gensler, Lynn University International Business Center, Boca Raton, Florida. • MTFA Architecture, East Feliciana Parish Courthouse, Clinton, Louisiana.
JURORS’ CITATIONS Hickok Cole Architects, CSIS, Washington, DC. • Jacobs, Modular Air Control Tower.
Throughout the Baltimore-Washington region, experienced interior designers bring a high level of expertise and innovation to the local residential-design scene. No matter what their style and budget, area homeowners are fortunate to have such a diverse talent pool at their disposal. The links below introduce some of the region’s top interior designers and share examples of their work.
Melissa Broffman, Melsissa Broffman Interior Design
Arlene Critzos & Andrea Blamphin, Interior Concepts, Inc.
Susan Gulick, Susan Gulick Interiors Ltd.
Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd.
Andrea Houck, A. Houck Designs
Kori Keyser, Keyser Interiors, Inc.
Kristin Peake, Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC
Annette Phillips, Inspired Design, LLC
Joanne Rodriguez, Joanne Rodriguez Interior Design
Skip Sroka, Sroka Design, Inc.
Melissa Broffman of full-service residential design firm Melissa Broffman Interior Design feels that a project’s success depends on how well it highlights the expertise of the designer and, more importantly, speaks to the personality of the client.
PrincipalBroffman captures a one-of-a-kind look that goes beyond the retail sameness of today’s home-furnishings market. Her clients’ ideas, photos, and family heirlooms often provide inspiration. “It’s about making a house a home,” Broffman says. “If I can realize my clients’ vision and delight them with the results, that’s a job well done.”
Melissa Broffman Interior Design
703-536-5409
melissabroffmaninteriors.com
Design visions are a way of life for Arlene Critzos (on left). When she founded her firm in 1979, she quickly realized that, by broadening its design capabilities, she and her staff could work along multiple creative paths. This approach allows Critzos and her talented, tenured design group—including senior designer Andrea Blamphin—to complete each project with professionalism and creativity. Interior Concepts, Inc., creates a broad spectrum of designs, from well-appointed family homes, beach houses and mountain retreats to large flats and prestigious estates. ICI has worked throughout the U.S. and internationally.
Interior Concepts, Inc.
410-224-7366
interiorconceptsinc.com
Annette Phillips began her career designing interiors for model homes—a virtual style laboratory. Today, her classic designs are tailored to her clients’ preferences, architecture, function and aesthetics. Phillips starts with a client’s favorite furnishings and art, and consults their lifestyle to create appropriate solutions. She draws inspiration from art and travel and her knowledge of sources adds variety to her interiors. “I love plans ending with the perfect finishing touch that makes clients smile,” she says. “My motto is: ‘Your style inspired.’”
Inspired Design, LLC
703-819-1071
yourstyleinspired.com
Joanne Rodríguez Interior Design, who runs her own full-service interior design firm, has enjoyed creating beautiful, timeless interiors since 1998. She offers her expertise in many areas, regardless of style preference, customizing her design plans for clients who require space and event planning, kitchen and bath remodeling and antique restoration. Joanne offers guidance in the selection of lighting, A/V equipment, furniture, flooring, art, accessories, paint and wallpaper, custom window treatments, upholstery, pillows, and antiques. From traditional to modern, she ensures that every interior is a true reflection of fashion and function.
Joanne Rodriguez Interior Design
301-943-8947
joannerodriguezinteriordesign.com
There’s a reassuring signature to homes designed by Susan Gulick. While some may be just off the drawing board and others imbued with years of family history, they all reveal the vision of a gifted designer who understands the power of easygoing elegance, and who brings this philosophy to life with exceptional materials, craftsmanship, and understanding of her clients’ needs. “I love a look that’s clean, a soothing retreat,” she says. “But I’m also a realist. Life is about whirlwind schedules and all kinds of lifestyles. Homes must work. Aesthetics must also yield to practicality.”
Susan Gulick Interiors Ltd.
703-674-0332
susangulickinteriors.com
Bespoke details – meaningful, beautiful and functional – set apart spaces created by A. Houck Designs. A custom stand displays a family heirloom…a handmade rug depicts Washington’s cherry blossoms…a fireplace box is elevated to eye level. Every space truly reflects its occupants. Andrea Houck helps clients articulate what they love and how they live. She guides each step of the journey, and puts clients at ease with her thoughtful presentations and process. This year, Houck celebrates her firm’s 15th anniversary and shares her passion with Creating Spaces, a blog about design.
A. Houck Designs
703-237-2111
ahouckdesigns.com
Principal Kristin Peake believes your home is where your story begins. “There is nothing quite as beautiful as a house that captures the true individuality of the family that lives there,” she says. “I lead clients on a journey of collaboration, producing their vision through my knowledge, experience, resources and design sensibility.”
Peake brings more than 20 years of experience to the table. Along with her design team, she will tend to every detail of your project, from conception to final installation. Let Kristin Peake and her team tell your story.
Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC
301-545-0441
kristinpeakeinteriors.com
Keyser Interiors is a full-service residential interior design firm serving the Washington, DC, Metro area. With 18 years of experience, principal Kori Keyser has had the pleasure of working on some of the area’s most beautiful homes. Her projects range from single rooms to whole-house makeovers, and include everything in between. By listening carefully to her clients’ wants and needs while understanding and guiding their taste and style, Keyser creates unique spaces that perfectly complement each other as well as their owners.
Keyser Interior, Inc.
240-651-5656
keyserinteriors.com
For more than three decades, Skip Sroka has been creating inspired interiors for Washington’s elite using aesthetic understanding, technical expertise, and business acumen. Sroka’s timeless designs have been published regionally and nationally; he was named a top designer by Washingtonian and a Designer of Distinction by Home & Design and received a National Capital Business Ethics award. He designed the interiors for a 47,000-square-foot palace in Potomac, which won a John Russell Pope award from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art. He is a popular speaker and also designs for charities.
Sroka Design, Inc.
202-734-3920
srokadesign.com
Barbara Hawthorn has 30 years’ experience in residential and commercial interior design, project management and urban planning. Her timeless designs mix modern, comfortable furnishings with fine art, antiques and innovative lighting. Her award-winning firm has consistently been rated among the area’s best, with designs featured on HGTV and in national and regional media. Barbara was named a 2011-2012 Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women. She serves with the Women’s Leadership Group for The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and with charities dedicated to art education and children’s literacy.
Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd.
703-241-5588
barbarahawthorninteriors.com