HOME & DESIGN - Home & Design Magazine

Case Study Floors + Windows + Doors The owner of a DC rambler overlooking Rock Creek Park was frustrated by the obstructed views she had of her beautiful backyard, where she had planted several blossoming cherry trees. She asked architect Reena Racki to create more functional interiors with garden views. “The idea was to reach out into the landscape,” Racki says, “and bring nature indoors.”

Leaving the original structure intact, the architect designed a two-story addition off the back with floor-to-ceiling windows providing a connection to the outdoors. It houses a master bedroom loft overlooking an open-plan kitchen/family room.

Racki sited the addition to take advantage of light from the north and east while protecting the new spaces from the hotter western exposure. The north- and east-facing window walls are supported by vertical steel beams, but horizontal wood frames draw the eye and “extend the sightline to the horizon,” Racki observes. The west-facing wall is two feet thick and punctuated by small cutouts that bring in natural light but protect the interiors from the warmest rays. The cutouts “act as a filter, appearing illuminated,” the architect explains. Above the fireplace, one cutout holds a mirror that reflects the opposite wall.

In the kitchen area, Racki eschewed a backsplash in favor of operable windows that create more views. She combined fixed and operable windows throughout to promote air circulation, and selected energy-saving, double-glazed Weathershield glass, custom fabricated for space. “It efficiently retains heat in winter and keeps it out during the summer months,” Racki says.

Renovation Architecture: Reena Racki, AIA, LEED AP, Reena Racki Associates, Washington, DC. Builder: Acadia Contractors, Bethesda, Maryland.

Reena Racki’s Trade Secrets:

Light is one of the most important elements of architecture. Be cognizant of where the sun is; it is crucial to good design.
I love having light from different directions, but you must understand the nature of different types of light. In summer, you want to block the harsh southern sun, but in winter you want the opposite. Light from the west is always hot; light from the north and east is much milder.
Pay attention to how your windows are fabricated. If they are double-glazed, there should be a seal to prevent condensation between the layers of glass.
The harsh climate in the mid-Atlantic region puts windows under stress. If you have wood-clad aluminum windows, buy them with factory-painted exteriors, which are much more durable than if you have them painted yourself.

Drawing Board Interior Design A Cleveland Park home had become dilapidated over time. The owner contacted designer Rachel Dougan to update the house with style and character—a task that included the total transformation of a small sitting room located off the master bedroom.

Then	Now
Seldom used by the owner, a drab spare room had become a cluttered catch-all space.	It's now a cozy sitting room/library with comfortable seating by A. Rudin and a custom desk designed by Dougan.
The tiny room felt closed-in and cramped.	A band of vibrant blue painted around the perimeter of the ceiling and bordered by added molding accentuates its height. Built-in shelving created a niche for a wall mirror that makes the room feel larger.
A mishmash of window and door heights made the room visually chaotic and unappealing.	The blue paint treatment de-emphasizes the random door and window heights. A neutral sisal rug keeps the space from feeling busy.

Interior Design: Rachel Dougan, ViVi Interiors, Washington, DC.

Drawing Board Kitchen + Bath A McLean couple hired Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes to transform their dated, poorly functioning bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Principal Sonny Nazemian designed a light-filled, contemporary master bathroom that offers functionality, relaxation, and style.

Then	Now
The bathroom was small and cramped. There was no room for a separate shower, which was on the couple's wish list.	An adjacent linen closet was converted into a walk-in shower. The original tub was replaced by a lavish soaking tub with a micro-bubble system.
A single vanity with one sink made it difficult for husband and wife to use the bathroom at the same time.	Two custom vanities provide his-and-her sink areas. Though the closet is gone, the vanities now provide ample storage.
A dated look made the bathroom unappealing. The owners found the lines of the room harsh and uninviting.	The new bathroom is clad in large-format porcelain tile, with glass-tile accents in the shower. The curved lines of the pebble-tile surface around the tub soften the look of the space.

Renovation Construction & Bath Design: Sonny Nazemian, CID, CR, CKBR, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, Fairfax, Virginia.

A Fredericksburg, Virginia, couple was dissatisfied with their flat, boring backyard and large yet unappealing patio. They hired Daniel Robey of McHale Landscape Design to integrate a pool and water feature into space and to provide much-needed shade for outdoor gatherings.

Then	Now
From the expansive patio, the yard offered little visual interest.	A 12-by-50 foot pool was installed beside the patio; it's bordered by a stone wall with copper scuppers that channel flowing water.
There was no respite from the direct sun, which "really hammered the yard," says Robey.	A cedar pergola that provides shade complements the home's architecture. A row of evergreens was moved closer to the pool to block the sun.
There was no place for the grill that didn't block views or get in the way.	The grill is tucked away on a small grilling patio at the end of the pool.
Plantings were sparse, which left the back of the house looking bare.	Rows of boxwood and colorful seasonal plantings enhance the house and landscape.

Landscape Architecture: Daniel Robey, PLA, ASLA, McHale Landscape Design, Inc., Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Pool Installation: Town & Country Pools, Springfield, Virginia.

Drawing Board Remodeling Clients with a modern sensibility hired Natascha Folens to transform the traditionally styled family room of their Reston home into a clean-lined, serene space with a contemporary edge. Folens created a fireplace wall as a focal point, conveying the sleek vibe the couple desired.

Then	Now
A dated, traditional fireplace looked small and out of scale on the long wall of the two-story room.	The three-foot opening didn't change, but Folens replaced the fireplace with a gas one from Spark Modern Fires. A band of hot-rolled metal extends to the end of the wall to reflect the scale of the space.
The wall was cluttered with shelves and a TV cabinet was tucked haphazardly in a corner by the window.	A TV now recessed in the fireplace wall provides visual balance with the fireplace. The niche by the window showcases art.
A small, tiled ledge below the fireplace was not particularly useful.	A foot-wide drywall ledge spans the wall, creating an uninterrupted line that unifies the room.

Interior Design: Natascha Folens, NF Interiors, Great Falls, Virginia. Contractor: Raul Martinez, RGE Group, LLC, Centreville, Virginia. Photography: Caitlyn Cartlidge.

Remodeling Case Study When a couple with a toddler purchased a vintage house in DC’s historic Cleveland Park neighborhood, they contacted architect Carmel Greer to update the dingy interiors for better flow, function, and light. She paid particular attention to the dark, cramped galley kitchen, which was accessible only through the dining room.

Greer’s plan removed the wall between the family room and kitchen to improve circulation. By reconfiguring a small room off the kitchen, she managed to create a new mudroom, powder room and exit to the backyard.

The new design admits plenty of natural light. In the open family room/kitchen space, white walls, pale cabinetry, and quartz countertops keep things bright and airy. New casement windows over the sink look out to the landscape.

Greer relocated existing appliances—including a Viking stove that adds a pop of vibrant blue—and introduced a contemporary aesthetic with flat-panel, inset cabinet doors. She ensured that the sleek kitchen would “still be in keeping with the language of the house,” she says, with a board ceiling that echoes “the cottagey feel” of the abode and schoolhouse-style lights that don’t block the views outside.

Throughout the home, white walls contrast with dark-painted doors and walnut-stained oak floors. The arched passage between the family and living rooms is wallpapered, while clean-lined furnishings complement older-home touches such as existing moldings, fireplace surrounds, and new radiator covers. “The goal was a modern kitchen that felt natural in the existing house,” says the architect. “We made it work.”

Renovation Architecture: Carmel Greer, AIA, LEED AP, principal; Ashley Adams, designer, District Design, Washington, DC. Builder: Justin Sullivan, Impact Construction and Consulting, LLC, Washington, DC.

Carmel Greer’s Trade Secrets:

Consider the existing house as you plan a remodeling project. You don’t have to match your new space with the existing one, but there should be harmony between them.
I don’t like to remove elements that are in good condition; I think it’s wise to keep what you can and respect it. In this house, for example, we kept the existing fireplace but spruced it up.
Look for ways to connect kitchens and baths to other spaces. Here, we used traditional cement tile in the bathrooms, but with modern, geometric patterns.
If you want to mesh a modern kitchen with a traditional space, paint the wood cabinets for material continuity.
If you prefer trendy hardware, choose it in a standard size so it will be easy to replace down the line—it’s less of a commitment.

The owner of an unremarkable tract home in Alexandria had an ambitious wish list for his triangular, quarter-acre lot—including a 50-foot-long lap pool, a separate spa for year-round use, an outdoor shower structure, a fire pit patio, a deck, a screened porch, a grilling station and abundant plantings. He hired Brian Hahn of Botanical Decorators to tackle the project, which was made more challenging by a steeply sloped backyard and problematic easements.

Hahn designed a 50-by-10-foot pool, citing it at a 45-degree angle from the house to meet the easement requirements. The angled pool helped orient views away from the rear neighbor’s house and toward an adjacent park; it also made the yard feel bigger and added visual interest to the landscape. “Everything then followed the angle, including the screened porch and the roof deck above it,” explains Hahn. In addition, he created a large, triangular bed between the house and hardscape where lush plantings now soften the home’s faux brick foundation.

Hahn designed terraced outdoor rooms to accommodate the sloped yard, delineating each with plantings. The grilling station, outside the screened porch, features a built-in grill, five-foot countertop, and fridge. The adjoining fire pit patio is made of Pennsylvania flagstone and mini cobbles.

Near the pool, an attractive shower enclosure is made of weather-resistant cellular PVC composite painted to look like wood. The spa nestles in a private spot beside it; a dedicated operating system makes it functional year-round, even when the pool is closed. The travertine pool surround keeps the surface cool underfoot, while cedar fieldstone retaining walls add visual warmth throughout.

Landscape Architecture: Brian Hahn, Botanical Decorators, Olney, Maryland.

Brian Hahn's Trade Secrets:

When orienting a pool or sitting area, it’s very important to work with and emphasize whatever views exist. Capturing the best views on the property, then framing them with trees such as evergreens, creates a sense of elevation.
We like to design at 45-degree angles off the house because it makes a property feel larger and adds visual interest.
When planting, I try to work with a terraced look, establishing “structure” plants first, then shrubs like boxwoods. These are the anchors for the space. Perennials and ground cover are filler, providing color and softness.
The most successful projects are the best maintained ones. People often get their projects installed but overlook maintenance, which should take place monthly throughout the season.

Case Study Kitchen + Bath An Annapolis couple with two children wished to transform their inconvenient kitchen into a comfortable space that would accommodate everyone while giving the adults room to cook without little ones underfoot. They hired Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens to create a more practical layout as well as a timeless, inviting style.

The new plan expanded the kitchen into the adjacent dining room, which now occupies the seldom-used formal living room. The wife “wanted a separate island where the kids could gather,” designer Hedy Shashaani explains. In the enlarged space, a central island houses a prep sink and dishwasher while a smaller one, where the children hang out or do homework, holds a microwave and an under-counter beverage fridge.

Shashaani positioned the GE Monogram appliances, including a professional range and double ovens, near the central island, and recessed the 42-inch refrigerator in the spot where the pantry closet used to be; a wall of cabinets now provides necessary storage.

The couple, who loves to entertain, wanted “as many seats as possible in different areas,” Shashaani says. Stools pull up to both islands, while a breakfast area beyond the kids’ island has a built-in banquette. A bar near the dining room boasts a wine cooler and shelving for glassware.

Working with interior designer Kristin Peake, the wife honed in on a transitional aesthetic with white cabinetry, granite countertops, and a glazed ceramic-tile backsplash. An improved lighting plan includes recessed lights and drum shade pendants that create a focal point.

Kitchen Design: Hedy Shashaani, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, Maryland. Interior Design: Kristin Peake, Kristin Peake Interiors, Rockville, Maryland. Builder: David Carlisle, Bayview Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.

Hedy Shashaani’s Trade Secrets:

While the refrigerator should be easy to reach for everyone, it should not impede traffic. Take accessibility and flow into consideration during the planning stages.
Appliances should be accessible to the cook but not interfere with his or her movement.
A custom or professional-grade hood will provide much better ventilation—and if you’ve selected a professional gas range, a pro hood is a must.
If possible, it’s nice to have separate prep and cleanup zones. I also recommend two dishwashers, especially for people who entertain frequently. They will prevent you from having to wash things by hand.
Think about lots of drawers for storage. They are easier to access than shelves and are more functional.

Case Study Interior Design Ten years ago, Lorna Gross-Bryant designed the interiors of a Bowie, Maryland, home for a couple with teenagers. Recently, the same clients—now empty nesters—called on her again, this time to decorate their new townhome in National Harbor. They desired something completely different to reflect this fresh, new phase of their lives.

“They wanted an edgier look,” Gross-Bryant observes. “Fashion-forward elements and bling—not practical for kids, but livable for them.”

The couple requested all new furniture and a palette of grays. Gross-Bryant selected both colors and pieces carefully to ensure a unified look throughout the open-plan home. “Grays can be sterile unless you incorporate texture and pattern,” she explains. She used a charcoal base with creams to keep it light; metallic silver finishes and saffron accents add zest and interest.

Furnishing the rectangular great room was a challenge. Gross-Bryant split it into two areas she calls “his and hers”—one with a custom sectional where the wife, who owns two area salons, can relax and watch television, and one with four chairs centered around a coffee table for the husband, who is retired and likes to invite friends over for drinks.

Gross-Bryant softened the monochromatic, contemporary areas with a Global Views rug in a swirling pattern, hair-on-hide chairs, a faux-shagreen coffee table and accent wallpaper in both the dining and great rooms. A chandelier by Regina Andrew in the dining room exemplifies the home’s glamorous style: Made of lightweight resin, its “leaves” look like layers of glass.

Interior Design: Lorna Gross-Bryant, ASID, Lorna Gross Interior Design, Bethesda, Maryland.

Lorna Gross-Bryant’s Trade Secrets:

Contemporary spaces tend to have a lot of geometry to them, so it’s important to soften their lines with textiles, which prevent interiors from reading as sterile. A room should not feel too structured.
Don’t try to force one big seating area in townhomes with long, rectangular rooms. Better to make separate seating areas that look different but connect visually—maybe one for reading and one for TV or drinks.
Open spaces have to be unified in a condo or townhome. You can do this through color and feel. Everything should have the same vibe and should continue the same concept—in this case, it was the element of glam and bling. If one room has an elegant or casual sensibility, the other rooms should share the same sensibility.

A one-story brick rambler in McLean’s Franklin Park was cramped and unattractive. The owners hired architect Dwight McNeill to design a spacious, light-filled renovation that would better complement the mid-century neighborhood’s bungalow-style homes.

Then	Now
The front façade of the house was nondescript and sat low on its site.	A charming addition to the front encompasses a porch, foyer, and office.
The garage conspicuously took up the lower level, which the owners hoped to utilize as living space.	McNeill relocated the garage under the porch addition, freeing up the former garage for use as a bedroom. Windows replaced the garage door.
The one-story house lacked sufficient bedrooms and natural light.	A second floor now houses additional bedrooms. Dormers admit plenty of light.
The house was clad in unremarkable red brick.	A combination of stone, clapboard and cedar shingles evokes the Craftsman era.

Architecture: Dwight McNeill, AIA, McNeill Baker Design Associates, McLean, Virginia. Builder: MBC Design/Build, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia. Landscape Design: J. Mark White, GardenWise, Inc., Arlington, Virginia.

2017 Designers’ Choice Awards Each year, Home & Design polls hundreds of area professionals to discover their picks for leaders in the innovative, ever-evolving home-design industry—as well as their votes of confidence in rising stars on the local scene. We also ask architects and designers to vote on their favorite industry resources, in categories ranging from audio/video and appliance showrooms to lighting dealers and art galleries. The list below covers the complete survey results for 2017.

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Hall of Fame Architect

Bulent Baydar, AIA, NCARB
Harrison Design
Washington, DC
harrisondesign.com
[/column][column]

Hall of Fame Designer

Mary Douglas Drysdale
Drysdale, Inc.
Washington, DC
marydouglasdrysdale.com
© Abby Greenawalt

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Hall of Fame Landscape Designer

J. Mark White, ASLA
GardenWise, Inc.
Arlington, Virginia
gardenwise.co
[/column][/columns_row]

[columns_row width="half"][column]

Local Modern Architect

Alan Dynerman, FAIA
Dynerman Architects
Washington, DC
dwarchitects.com
[/column][column]

Local Traditional Architect

Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, LEED AP
Purple Cherry Architects
Annapolis and Charlottesville
purplecherry.com
[/column][/columns_row]

[columns_row width="half"][column]

Up & Coming Architect

Jonathan Kuhn, AIA, LEED AP
Jonathan Kuhn Architect
Washington, DC
kuhnarchitect.com
[/column][column]

Up & Coming Designer

Andrew Law
Andrew Law Interior Design
Washington, DC
andrewlaw.net
[/column][/columns_row]

[columns_row width="half"][column]

Custom Builder
Horizon Builders
Crofton, Maryland
horizonbuildersinc.net

Kitchen Design Firm
Lobkovich Kitchen Designs
Tysons Corner, Virginia
lobkovich.com

[/column]
[column]

Design/Build Firm
Pagenstecher Group
Kensington, Maryland
pagenstechergroup.com

Landscape Firm
Chapel Valley Landscape Company
Woodbine, Maryland
chapelvalley.com

[/column]
[/columns_row]

INDUSTRY AWARDS

[columns_row width="half"]
[column]

Appliance Dealer
Appliance Distributors Unlimited
area locations
adu.com

Art Resource
Torpedo Factory Art Center
Alexandria, Virginia
torpedofactory.org

Audio/Video Specialist
Electronic Home Environments
Annapolis, Maryland, and Lansdowne, Virginia
ehenvironments.com

Cady’s Alley Showroom
Baker Furniture
Washington, DC
bakerfurniture.com

Custom Closet Company
EcoNize Closets
Falls Church, Virginia
econizeclosets.com

Decorative Paint Studio
Billet Collins
Darnestown, Maryland
billetcollins.com

Fabric Showroom
Schumacher
Washington, DC
fschumacher.com

Flooring Resource
Stark Carpet
Washington, DC
starkcarpet.com

[/column]
[column]

Home Accessories Showroom
Victoria at Home
Alexandria, Virginia
victoriaathome.com

Contemporary Furniture Showroom
Theodores
Washington, DC
theodores.com

Traditional Furniture Showroom
Sheffield Furniture
Rockville, Maryland, and Dulles, Virginia
sheffieldfurniture.com

Furnishings (to the trade)
AmericanEye
Washington, DC
americaneyewdc.net

Lighting Dealer
Illuminations Inc.
Washington, DC
illuminc.com

Local Furniture Maker
David Iatesta
Stevensville, Maryland
davidiatesta.com

Paint Brand
Benjamin Moore
area locations
benjaminmoore.com

Surface Showroom
Cosentino
Sterling, Virginia
usa.cosentinocenter.com

[/column]
[/columns_row]

Tile Dealer
Marble Systems
area locations
marblesystems.com

Our Story These four companies contributed company profiles, complete with project photos and descriptions. We hope their stories will provide a reliable resource for your next home project.

Kane Landscapes, Inc.
Kane Landscapes focuses on high-end design/build projects that improve their clients’ lives and the value of their properties—and makes their guests say “Wow!”

Bel Pre Glassworks, Inc.
Bel Pre Glassworks sets the trend in the designer glass, offering consumers quality glass workmanship at competitive prices.

Renaissance Conservatories
Renaissance Conservatories designs manufacture and installs conservatories, specialty-glass roofs, skylights and one-of-a-kind hardwood interior garden windows.

Victoria at home
Functional and beautiful describes Victoria Sanchez’s “modern traditional” design. Our firm offers preconstruction through art and accessories—and everything in between.

Kane Landscapes, Inc. Josh Kane launched Kane Landscapes, Inc., in 1986 when he was 12, after purchasing lawn mowers using the money he had saved from his paper route. He was soon maintaining his neighbors’ lawns—and as he grew, so did his company. While Josh earned a degree in landscape contracting at Virginia Tech, dedicated employees kept the business running. On his return, the focus shifted to larger, high-end design/build projects.

Today, Kane and his team shepherd clients through each project carefully. “It’s important to allocate enough time for the design process, to ensure all your hopes for your outdoor space have been explored.”

Kane Landscapes treats employees and clients as part of the family. “We help our clients make great use of their outdoor spaces,” Kane says. “Our well-considered landscaping changes enable them to take more pride in their properties, and to spend more quality time outdoors with family and friends.”

Contact:

105 Douglas Court, Sterling, VA 20166

703-803-3146 • [email protected] • kanelandscapes.com

Bel Pre Glassworks, Inc. Bel Pre Glassworks was launched in 1974 with the goal of providing customers with quality products and service at competitive prices. A family-run enterprise, it employs eight family members today. “We build on traditions in the way we work,” says August Gagliarducci. “We are truly a family business.”

Bel Pre Glassworks designs and fabricates frameless shower enclosures; custom, antique and framed mirrors; painted-glass backsplashes and countertops; glass tabletops; and glass cabinet-door fronts. Beveling, sandblasting and waterjet design is its specialties.

Bel Pre Glassworks maintains a cutting edge by expanding its fabricating capabilities through the use of specialized on-site machinery. The company recently added a state-of-the-art waterjet-fabrication machine and a tempering oven that enables the fabrication of glass-enclosed shower doors in-house.

The team at Bel Pre collaborates with customers to create the applications that will best suit their needs while guiding them towards timeless designs they’ll be able to enjoy for years to come. “Ours is a service business,” observes Gagliarducci. “It brings us satisfaction to fill the needs of our customers.”

Contact:

1050 First Street, Rockville, Maryland 20850

301-948-6003 • [email protected] • belpreglass.com

Renaissance Conservatories Renaissance Conservatories was launched nearly 60 years ago under the name The Sun Room Company. Since then, the company has evolved into a maker of ornate and elaborate high-end conservatories, serving clients all over the country.

At Renaissance Conservatories, a team of design professionals specializing in the art of glass conservatory design and construction works with clients, architects, designers and contractors on structures that bring the outdoors inside. Each conservatory space is carefully sited within the landscape and is designed to match the home’s aesthetic.

Renaissance Conservatories works directly with clients to create the conservatory addition of their dreams and strives to provide a turnkey experience from start to finish. Call and speak with one of our talented designers, who will advise you on how to create the perfect conservatory addition to your home.

Contact:

132 Ashmore Drive, Leola, PA 17540

800-882-4657 • [email protected] • RenaissanceConservatories.com

Victoria at home Victoria Sanchez first hung her shingle in 2000 as Victoria Sanchez Interiors. While she has worked as an interior designer for the past 35 years, in 2013 she was able to fulfill a longtime dream by opening an interior design boutique, Victoria at Home, in Old Town Alexandria. Sanchez offers extensive interior design services, and her store stocks furniture, accessories and more—all reflecting the casual elegance for which the designer is known.

“Being a designer is the only thing I have ever wanted to do,” Sanchez says. “My belief is that everyone deserves to surround themselves with luxury—whatever that may mean to them.”

Victoria at Home carries upholstery from the finest American manufacturers, accessories, lighting, and artwork from all over the world, and arguably the most beautiful collection of pillows in the DC area. Sanchez has participated in numerous local show houses and her work has been published in local and national publications.

Contact:

1125 King Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

703-836-1960 • [email protected] • victoriaathome.com

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