The Excellence in Landscape Awards, sponsored by the Landscape Contractors Association of Maryland, DC and Virginia, recognize exceptional garden design throughout the region. This annual competition is judged by industry experts who vote in more than a dozen residential and commercial categories. Features on four winning projects follow; all 2018 residential winners are listed below.
Formal ApproachMcHale Landscape Design creates a commanding welcome for a stately abode
Party TimeSurrounds, Inc., transforms a mundane backyard into a mecca for entertaining
Grand EntranceA design team conceives an elegant yet family-friendly landscape in Potomac
Garden VarietyWheat's Landscape makes the most of a diminutive lot with style and function
DECADE AWARDS
McHale Landscape Design, Inc.
Easton Waterfront Estate for Residential Maintenance; A Davidsonville Residence for Outdoor Living Area; Eastern Shore Waterfront Estate for Total Residential Contracting; Edgewater Residence for Total Residential Contracting; Oxon Pond Residence for Total Residential Contracting; A Bethesda Residence for Front Residential Planting & Entranceway.
HERITAGE AWARD
McHale Landscape Design, Inc.
Avenel Residence for Residential Maintenance.
GRAND AWARDS
Colao & Peter Outdoor Environments
McLean—Modern for Craftsmanship; McLean—Tennis Court and Pavilion for Craftsmanship.
Fine Earth Landscape, Inc.
The White Flower Garden for Total Residential Contracting; Swett Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Live Green Landscape Associates
Pollokoff Residence for Outdoor Living Area.
McHale Landscape Design, Inc.
Great Falls Residence for Outdoor Living Area; Peninsula Point for Total Residential Contracting; Vienna Residence for Front Residential Planting & Entranceway; Kenwood Project for Total Residential Contracting; Galesville Residence for Total Residential Contracting; American Meadow Garden for Total Residential Contracting.
Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes
Price Residence for Craftsmanship.
Planted Earth Landscaping, Inc.
Potomac Residence for Residential Maintenance; Alexandria Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Scapes, Inc.
Old Man Creek Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Shorb Landscaping, Inc.
A Residence in Bethesda for Total Residential Contracting.
Surrounds, Inc.
Difficult Run Residence for Front Residential Planting & Entranceway (Design/Build); Lakefront Living Residence for Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build); Hunting Crest Residence for Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build); Foxhall Residence for Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build); Falconhurst Residence for Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build); Wessynton Residence for Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build).
Wheat’s Landscape
Bethesda Outdoor Living for Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build); McLean Residence for Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build); Falls Church Oasis for Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
DISTINCTION AWARDS
Colao & Peter Outdoor Environments
Alexandria Waterfront Modern for Craftsmanship (Design/Build).
McHale Landscape Design, Inc.
Oakton Residence for Outdoor Living Area.
Planted Earth Landscaping, Inc.
Northwest Washington, DC, Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Scapes, Inc.
Whitehall Creek Residence for Outdoor Living Area; Resort Style Living for Outdoor Living Area.
Surrounds, Inc.
Red Barn Residence for Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Colao & Peter Outdoor Environments
Great Falls—European Entry for Front Residential Planting & Entranceway (Design/Build).
Rossen Landscape
Clifton Residence for Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build).
McHale Landscape Design, Inc.
Kane Landscapes, Inc.
Walnut Hill Landscape Company
Groff Landscape Design
Wheat’s Landscape Design + Construction
Fine Earth Landscape
State of the Art Landscape
Scapes, Inc.
Ed Ball Landscape Architecture
Shorb Landscaping, Inc.
Live Green Landscape Associates, LLC
Michael Nash Design Build & Homes
Planted Earth Landscaping Inc
Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC
- https://www.laurafoxinteriordesign.com
- @laurafoxinteriordesign
Laura Hildebrandt, Interiors by LH, LLC
- https://www.interiorsbylh.com
- @interiorsbylh
- 571-334-6476
A master bedroom should be a respite from a harried world. I like to give my clients a space that is elegant but still approachable and functional for their lifestyle. I rely on beautiful, luxurious fabrics that feel amazing next to the skin but also can be laundered and are easy to maintain. Lots of pillows and room-darkening shades help to ensure that the space recharges its owners.
— Laura Hildebrandt, Interiors by LH, LLC
Purple Cherry Architects
- http://purplecherry.com
- @purplecherryarchitects
- 410-990-1700
The first and most important selection is the room’s color scheme. Soft, calming colors like pale blue, warm gray and classic ivory will keep the room quiet. It should all come together to let the mind rest in a serene yet confident setting.
—Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, LEED AP, CAPS, Purple Cherry Architects
Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors
- https://barbarahawthorninteriors.com
- 703-241-5588
In a restful retreat, I choose soft colors, with bright accents on trim, pillows, fresh flowers or a throw. Luxurious bedding. A cocoon of soft fabric around the bed. A bench at its foot. Romantic lighting. Family photos on the nightstand along with a favorite book or magazine.
—Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd.
Bountiful Interiors
- https://jamiemerida.com
- facebook.com/bountifuldecor
- 410-763-8500
A soothing color palette is essential for a restful retreat—but that doesn’t mean you’re limited to neutrals. Fabrics in soft colors create a sense of calm. Layering pops of color and interesting patterns keeps the overall feel relaxed but never boring. It personalizes the space so it feels truly special.
—Jamie Merida, Bountiful Interiors
Kori Keyser, ASID, Keyser Interiors, Inc.
- http://keyserinteriors.com
- #KeyserInteriors
To create a restful bedroom, I gravitate to subdued colors and soft, inviting finishes. I prefer to have several options for lighting as well, so the client can use as much or little as they like to create the ambiance.
—Kori Keyser, ASID, Keyser Interiors, Inc.
Gina Fitzsimmons, Fitzsimmons Design Associates
- http://www.fitzsimmonsdesign.com
- facebook.com/fitzsimmonsdesign
- instagram.com/fitzsimmonsdesign
- 410-269-1965
I believe details are what elevates bedding to that level of high-end sophistication we are always striving for. I love having enough pillows to create the luxurious sensibility you’d find in a grand hotel suite.
—Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID, NKBA, Fitzsimmons Design Associates Inc.
Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio
- http://www.whittingtondesignstudio.com
- instagram.com/whittingtondesign
- 703-533-3705
Home & Design partnered with the Washington Design Center for its annual Holiday Fete on December 13th.
During the festive evening, guests enjoyed holiday treats and perused tabletop displays created by more than 20 top local designers, on view in the Center's showrooms. Proceeds of the event benefited Children's National Foundation.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE TIDEWATER STYLE AND WHAT MATERIALS AND ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH IT?
As is the case with many American vernacular styles, the Tidewater style found in the Chesapeake Bay region is characterized by simple geometric shapes, uncomplicated rooflines, windows that are typically double-hung and walls clad in one dominant material: brick, wood-lap or vertical-board siding, or cedar shingle. Paired chimneys often accompany these simple forms. Other common architectural elements include deep porches and balconies—which, far from being truncated, actually facilitate indoor-outdoor activity and blend inside and outside living.
Tidewater style draws deeply on the historic richness of the region in its vernacular forms, and on its roots in both farming and maritime building traditions. Precedents can be drawn from Colonial to early 20th-century farm buildings, many of which are still standing. Materials and architectural elements can be traditionally reproduced or abstracted into modern forms. For instance, the project pictured here drew the form of the main house from early 20th-century farmhouses in the area and modeled the other buildings on farm structures that would have been related to it. We simplified and modernized these familiar forms through materials, varied windows and glass hyphens. —Devin Kimmel, AIA, ASLA, Kimmel Studio Architects, Annapolis, Maryland
When designing a large, Tidewater style house on the Wye River, Kimmel Studio Architects reinterpreted the vernacular language of the Chesapeake Bay area with a modern edge. Builder: Lynbrook of Annapolis, Annapolis, Maryland. Photography: Pete Albert.
HOW DO HOMEBUYERS ENSURE THEY ARE PURCHASING A HOUSE THAT'S BUILT TO WITHSTAND A WATERFRONT CLIMATE?
When purchasing a waterfront home in the Chesapeake region, buyers should ask about past issues. Waterfront houses experience more extremes than those that are land-locked; window, door, roof flashing and chimney leaks tend to be the main areas of concern—and while home inspections may reveal some of these issues, my experience is that nuisance leaks usually present themselves in hard, wind-driven rains.
Bayfront homes are typically sited with large, unobstructed views, which allows lateral rains to batter their vertical surfaces. The hardiest homes will have stout windows installed using modern techniques; any watermarks or warping will definitely be a red flag. Ask about the age of the roof and the window-and-door package, and look for tell-tale watermarks under windows or by the chimney. When was the home last painted? Painting and caulking are essential to maintaining the watertight integrity of the exterior. Does the house have gutter guards? Overflowing gutters can cause leaking due to water sheeting down the face of the home.
Waterfront homes provide much enjoyment, but vigilant maintenance is required to keep them dry and worry-free. —Matt Long, Gate One Builders LLC, Annapolis, Maryland
A historic Murray Hill home on Spa Creek was renovated in 2007, with a contemporary addition by Gate One Builders. Renovation Architecture: Fourth Street Design Studio, Annapolis, Maryland.
Photography: The Annapolis Photographer.
WHAT TIPS CAN YOU OFFER FOR DECORATING OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES BY THE WATER?
When selecting furnishings and fabrics for outdoor spaces, homeowners should first consider how long they expect their purchases to last and look good; rain, wind and dirt in the atmosphere all take their toll on both fabrics and frames. It might be worth investing in higher-quality furniture, as it will always wear longer and better.
If you choose to go with light, fresh-colored fabrics, visible dirt is unavoidable—it will settle in corners and within cords. As a result, lighter fabrics will always require more maintenance to keep clean than darker ones.
When it comes to decorating outdoor spaces on the water, be sure to consider the views and any other elements that are focal points—fire pits, for example. Choose fabrics for your furniture that blend with the frames rather than contrasting, and ensure that they also blend with the natural environment. Use small accents of color if needed. —Arlene Critzos, Interior Concepts, Inc., Annapolis, Maryland
ABOVE: Arlene Critzos and her team at Interior Concepts, Inc., decorated the living area on a slate patio overlooking Harness Creek in Annapolis. She chose comfortable rattan seating from Woodard, with muted gray fabric that blends with the surroundings, making the view center stage. The furniture is grouped around a custom gas fire pit. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY ADDRESS FLOODPLAIN AND SLOPING ISSUES WHEN LANDSCAPING ON THE WATER?
Projects within floodplains and on steep slopes require a calculated approach—especially those located on waterfront properties. When working within the critical-area buffer, we coordinate our efforts among the homeowner, engineer and state and local county representatives. The goal is to ensure the completion of a properly permitted, built and sustainable project—one that is constructed and installed correctly the first time. To control erosion in problem areas, we use biodegradable materials such as Curlex blankets, jute matting and coir-fiber logs. Complementing these materials with a mixture of native and naturalized plantings, we are able to create permanent, non-structural solutions that address site issues yet are in harmony with the surrounding environment.
The key to any successful landscaping project is experience, which enables our team to determine creative, practical solutions for any situation. —Matt Rhoderick, ASLA, McHale Landscape Design,
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
ABOVE: A weekend retreat at the mouth of the Choptank River and Broad Creek. Designed by McHale Landscape Design, the 20-acre property features a pool, spa, and volleyball and tennis courts, all overlooking the water. Builder: Winchester Construction, Millersville, Maryland.
Project of the year
Runningdog Architects
Runningdog Architects was asked to remodel a circa-1900, Federal-style row house in DC’s Kalorama neighborhood. The owners requested updated, cohesive interiors in a contemporary style that would reflect their personal taste while creating better flow, access to more natural light and a stronger connection between spaces— including those outdoors.
The most dramatic transformation was to the rear of the house, where French doors now open onto expanded decks off of the new kitchen and a guest room above it. The favorite architectural element is the new stair, which is the home’s core unifying all four floors. With light filtering in through an enlarged skylight, the language of the stair sets the tone, both inside and out.
FACTS + STATS
Runningdog Architects executes 12 to 15 projects a year ranging in price from $500,000 to $5 million. The firm has been in business for five years and employs a staff of four.
4208 Maple Terrace, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
301-654-1800 • runningdogarchitects.com
Project of the year
Claude C. Lapp Architects, LLC
The aim of this project was to create a forever home for a young family. Taking advantage of a large, private lot, Claude C. Lapp Architects designed the residence with a garage wing set at an angle to emphasize the front façade. A formal layout and an informal vibe make the interiors great for entertaining yet cozy and welcoming.
Built by M&M Builders and Contractors, LLC, the home includes such details as a built-in wine display in the dining room and a barrel-vaulted ceiling in the foyer. Traditional design elements and modern features impart transitional flair. “The owners don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style,” says principal Claude C. Lapp. “The finishes will last for years without losing their appeal.”
FACTS + STATS
Claude C. Lapp Architects, LLC, has been in business since 1992 and has seven employees on staff. The firm completes 50 to 75 projects a year starting at about $300,000.
11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, Maryland 20852
301-881-6856 • cclarchitects.com
Project of the year
Purple Cherry Architects
Purple Cherry Architects was hired to renovate a turn-of-the-century, waterfront abode, tripling its size to 14,000 square feet. The owners wished to live in just one part of the house, but to be able to open the rest of it up for use when kids and grandkids are visiting.
Principal Cathy Purple Cherry and her team designed a harmonious plan that maximizes water views by retaining the home’s one-room-deep footprint and adding windows that look straight through upon approach. Highlights include an octagonal bedroom above a screened porch on the corner of the existing house. Chicago brick floors, built-ins and furniture made from reclaimed wood from trees removed during construction are a nod to the history and age of the site.
FACTS + STATS
Purple Cherry Architects has been in business for 22 years. Its staff of 15 executes 40 projects a year ranging from $1 million to $25 million.
1 Melvin Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21401; 410-990-1700
701 Water Street E., Charlottesville, Virginia 22902; 434-245-2211
Project of the year
McNeill Baker Design Associates
When McNeill Baker was tapped to renovate a dated, Cape Cod-style brick home, project goals included improving traffic flow on the main level; enlarging the kitchen with laundry and pantry areas; designing a master suite with a large soaking tub; updating the existing hall bathroom; and adding a fourth bedroom on the upper level. A rec room replaced a storage area in the garage, while the remaining basement space was reconfigured as a fifth bedroom and another bath.
Zoning regulations limited the footprint of the addition, so the architects reorganized the existing space. They retained the home’s hallmark wainscoting, built-ins and tile work, ensuring that its vintage charm remained intact.
FACTS + STATS
McNeill Baker’s staff of eight to 10 maintains 10 to 15 projects a year in various phases of design and construction. Renovations, additions and new homes span $250,000 to more than $5 million.
1401 Chain Bridge Road, Suite 202, McLean, Virginia 22101
703-992-9707 • mcneillbaker.com
