Principal 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.
Broffman 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
Photographer Geoffrey Hodgdon captured this image of the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore on a steamy summer day. On assignment to photograph a log cabin on the property, he framed the shot overlooking Shaw Bay, with Bruff Island visible on the right. “Just upstream from here,” Hodgdon reflects, “is my all-time favorite spot to drop anchor when cruising in my sailboat.”
What factors determine whether a waterfront site near the bay is viable for new construction?
The first factor is utilities. Does the property have a private septic system? Does the soil pass health department perc testing? Test results will help define the size of a potential home.
Next, it’s important to determine the critical-area buffer location. Along with zoning setbacks, this will help define the buildable area on the lot.
And finally, what is the allowable lot coverage as defined by critical area law? Does it align with the client’s desired program? Lot/impervious coverage includes improvements such as parking areas, patios, swimming pools, walkways, stone fire pits, structures and more. It is important to work with a professional well-versed in critical area law as it applies to each lot.
—Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, LEED AP, Purple Cherry Architects, Annapolis, Maryland.
On a stunning five-acre estate overlooking Aberdeen Creek, Purple Cherry Architects combined Shingle-style and Tidewater architecture to create a four-story, 14,000-square-foot custom home, and large timber-frame barn. Photo © Jay Stearns.
What challenges do you face when building on the water and how do you overcome them?
Corrosion and weathering from driving wind and salt spray is one challenge. We use modern door and window systems, welded copper flashing, rot-resistant materials such as PVC, stone, and îpe, and other specialized water-resistant finish systems.
Another challenge is critical area, floodplain and buffer management. We retain and protect steep slopes, minimize runoff and build sustainably. Because we often build below the water table, we use extensive de-watering and waterproofing systems as well as large-scale sheeting and shoring.
Storm-water management and flood protection are another challenges. We carefully plan grading, drainage, and drywells, and use integrated flood vents where required. In every project, our success is achieved through the collaboration of homeowner, architect, and builder. —Bret Anderson, Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.
This Mediterranean-influenced home was constructed by Pyramid Builders on Whitehall Creek in Annapolis. Its European-style flat-tile roof, stucco walls and stone terrace and retaining walls create a timeless, rustic look.
How do you ensure that interiors complement, rather than compete, with water views?
I don’t believe in sacrificing personal style and interior design because you live on the water. However, when designing for a waterfront home, I do feel it’s important to be smart about the proportion and placement of the furniture in the rooms that face the water. The view should always be an automatic center point. The eyes should be drawn right to it when one enters the room.
Once that criteria is established, I am a firm believer in creating interiors that reflect the homeowner’s personality regardless of the location of the home. Styles and colors in a waterfront room will not change the view itself—they will only change the feel of the room’s interiors. —Katalin Farnady, Farnady Interiors, Annapolis, Maryland.
The owners of a waterfront home wished to celebrate their remarkable view: Annapolis’s picturesque harbor and the U.S. Naval Academy beyond. Katalin Farnady created a minimalist bedroom in which they can wake up every morning to this special vista.
How do you create a landscape plan that best takes advantage of water views?
A water view is a splendid asset, one that changes seasonally or even hourly. In my plans, I want the water to have the lead role and the landscape design to serve as the supporting cast—both are vital to the story, but the water is the real headliner.
I choose low-maintenance plants that integrate with the home’s architecture and don’t compete with the view. When siting components like fire pits, shade structures or outdoor kitchens, I consider the direction of the prevailing wind, how space will feel in different seasons and whether it will communicate effectively with the water.
A successful waterfront landscape harmonizes with all other features. Stepping outside should feel as delightful as being in any other room in your home. —Jan Kirsh, Jan Kirsh Studio, Bozman, Maryland.
Jan Kirsh landscaped a waterfront property, citing the pool with long views of the Miles River. She installed stonework and planted gardens throughout. A stepping-stone walk flanked by hydrangea leads to the water. Photo © Jan Kirsh Studio.
What are best practices for selecting plant material for a project that’s in a critical area near the bay?
Successful landscapes often use native plants. In the project pictured, all new plantings within 100 feet of the water are species native to Maryland. Deer-proof plants are also advisable.
Maintain a planted barrier—the wider the better—between any lawn and the bay or creek. Farther from the house, we use meadows instead of lawn because they are sustainable and attract wildlife. If the shoreline needs repair, plant a living shoreline. Keep in mind that native grasses in full sun will mitigate the tide action. Above the tideline, several species of grasses and shrubs can be used to shape the landscape.
Note wind patterns. Some plants are buffers for wind while others may be damaged by it. And test the soil prior to plant selection. —Jay Graham, FASLA, Graham Landscape Architecture, Annapolis, Maryland.
On a property that was once home to a 19th-century wharf on the Choptank River, Jay Graham designed a kitchen/cutting garden around an outbuilding that’s the oldest structure on the site. Photo © Eric Kvalsvik.
