A bachelor with contemporary taste hired Syntha Harris-Wendel to overhaul his DC condo. The update would finish his great room with modern furniture and a clean, simple color palette. Harris-Wendel overcame challenges posed by an asymmetrical layout—and her client’s two mischievous cats—to achieve the look he wanted.
| Then | Now |
| Dull wood floors, a traditional fireplace surround, and Venetian blinds didn’t reflect the owner’s style. | African mahogany floors, a stainless-steel fireplace surround, and sleek window shades create a modern vibe. |
| The owner decided to start from scratch, replacing his outdated furniture with contemporary pieces. | Clean-lined, modern furnishings, including a sofa and cocktail table from Room & Board, reflect a contemporary aesthetic. |
| The room lacked adequate lighting; lamps were out of the question because of the cats. | New track lighting with playful curves adds light out of reach of the cats. |
| There was no ideal place for the TV. | Installed above the fireplace, the TV can be pulled out for easy viewing. |
INTERIOR DESIGN: SYNTHA HARRIS-WENDEL, AIDP, IDS, Storybook Rooms, LLC, Potomac, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: All Seasons Construction, Inc., Baltimore, Maryland. AUDIO-VISUAL: Custom Systems Integration, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia. PHOTOGRAPHY: MORGAN HOWARTH.
A couple with a contemporary aesthetic moved to a traditional center-hall Colonial in Chevy Chase DC. They tapped architect Michael Bruckwick and designer Sarah Wessel to embellish their home with as many modern touches as possible—including the front façade, for which they requested a modern take on a classic covered entry.
| Then | Now |
| There was no porch area, so it felt as if the home was missing a focal point. The exposed brick façade added to the traditional look. | A covered area boasts stone pillars wrapped in stainless steel that draw the eye. The brick façade is painted to update its appearance. |
| The front door was narrow and uninviting with a traditional wood frame. | The wide door is contemporary with horizontal panes. The wood frame has been replaced by a transom and sidelights in a modern vernacular. |
| The landscape leading up to the door was uncomfortably sloped and unkempt. The driveway was narrow and overgrown. | The front yard is terraced, the path is flanked by plantings and pavers cover the driveway. In lieu of a water feature, Wessel added wire sculptures by Gold Leaf Studios. |
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: MICHAEL BRUCKWICK, AIA, Katinas Bruckwick Architecture, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: SARAH WESSEL, Sarah Wessel Designs, Ltd., Washington, DC. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: SAREENA JERATH, Tiger Lily Landscapes, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: ANGIE SECKINGER.
The owners of an outdated house were tired of their piecemeal décor. They asked designer Lori Graham to update their home’s look while giving it a more unified feel. The dining room was emblematic of the home’s problems; Graham used her furniture line, LG Place, and a fresh aesthetic to create a whole new space.
| Then | Now |
| The room was informal with a dated-looking dining set and a glass-fronted china cabinet that made it feel cluttered and busy. | The dining room is formal, with a birch-and-mahogany table and host chairs by LG Place. Dining chairs are from Holly Hunt. |
| The walls were occupied by tall furniture pieces so the owners had no wall space for their art collection, which they wished to display. | A stone-topped sideboard and a white-lacquer and dark wood console stand at the room’s periphery; both are low enough to display artwork above them. |
| Walls painted in a bland cream color, a rounded coffer on the ceiling and light-stained baseboards created a “blah” look. | Graham painted the room gray to contrast the now-dark-stained baseboards, trim and floor. The coffered ceiling is squared off and a wool-and-silk rug from Timothy Paul enhances the space. |
RENOVATION DESIGN: LORI GRAHAM, Lori Graham Design, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: ERIK JOHNSON.
A homeowner wanted to remodel her Woodley Park rowhouse to make what was a dark, inconvenient space more attractive and functional. She turned to Bruce Wentworth to enclose the sleeping porch and connect it to an adjacent bedroom. The renovation would also create a home office out of a drab internal room (above).
| Then | Now |
| The interior room was dark and uninviting with no windows and a low ceiling. It had unintentionally become a junk area. | Wentworth added a skylight to brighten the windowless space. He designed a tray ceiling that slopes up to the new skylight and adds a foot to the ceiling height. |
| The client lacked a desk area for working at home as well as storage and bookshelves. | A custom desk unit with cabinets, shelves, and corkboard was installed. It provides ample room to store items and books neatly. |
| Space was drab with scuffed paint and no effective lighting. | The new office area has been painted a bright teal hue with crisp off-white trim and built-ins. Recessed and task lighting has been added. |
RENOVATION & INTERIOR DESIGN: BRUCE WENTWORTH, AIA, Wentworth, Inc., Chevy Chase, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG.
Clients contacted Phil Kelly of McHale Landscape Design to improve their front yard, which lacked visibility from the street and offered no sense of arrival. Kelly and his team transformed the original, problematic space into a formal yet welcoming front yard.
| Then | Now |
| Tall hedges completely blocked the house from view. From the street, it was difficult to see where the front door was. | The hedges are gone and a flagstone walkway leads visitors right to the front door. |
| The hedges also limited the view from the house. A set of bay windows in the dining room overlooked a wall of shrubbery. | There’s a sense of openness to the view from the house. A water feature is a focal point. |
| The one-story house was low to the ground and needed to be more imposing. | Kelly excavated soil and built retaining walls and steps to create a sense of height. The walls are faux finished to match the home. |
| The drab front yard lacked interest. | Boxwoods, knockout roses, nandina and dwarf crape myrtle provide varied color, texture and form. |
LANDSCAPE DESIGN: PHIL KELLY, McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: KEVIN McHALE.
Clients in Chevy Chase tapped Anne Decker for a whole-house renovation that would include a new kitchen and breakfast room located at the back of their historic home.
On the wish list: an addition that would enhance the existing home; better access to the backyard; and landscaping that would complement the home’s architecture.
| Then | Now |
| A small covered area nearly concealed by large hedges led visitors sideways out of the house instead of directly into the yard. | A spacious porch allows people to sit and enjoy the view; Pennsylvania bluestone steps lead straight down into the backyard where a patio offers ample room for lounging and dining. |
| A circa-1950s kitchen was crowded into the back of the house. | A new kitchen opens into the breakfast area (the paneled structure to the right, above). It incorporates a mudroom that leads to the porch. |
| A narrow back door was set askew along the back wall, giving the rear façade a haphazard, asymmetrical look. | The back door has been widened and centered on the rear wall, creating a sense of approach and a harmonious architectural presence. |
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: ANNE Y. DECKER, AIA, Anne Decker Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: DAVID BROWN, David J. Brown Construction Company, Bethesda, Maryland. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: LILA FENDRICK, Lila Fendrick Landscape Architects, Chevy Chase, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: GORDON BEALL.
A couple wished to update the drab master bedroom of their otherwise refurbished Cape Cod-style house. They called in Andreas Charalambous, who transformed the space by combining sycamore-paneled walls and built-ins with a careful lighting plan. “If the lighting is wrong,” he says, “you can’t appreciate a beautiful design.”
| Then | Now |
| There was one light bulb above the bed, which made things difficult for the wife, who likes to read before going to sleep. | Recessed halogens are strategically placed above the bed and sconces to either side make reading in bed easy and convenient. |
| The room felt cold and uninviting, with no indirect lighting to impart warmth. | Layered halogen and LED lights create a sense of warmth and soften the mood in the room. All lights are on dimmers so the owners can control the level of light at all times. |
| The big, cluttered space was inconvenient and poorly defined. | Paneling and built-ins conceal clutter and task lighting illuminates such areas of the room as the glass display shelf and built-in desk. |
ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN: ANDREAS CHARALAMBOUS, AIA, IIDA, and JUAN MARTIN GUTIERREZ, FORMA Design, Inc., Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: MCA Remodeling, Montgomery Village, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: GEOFFREY HODGDON.
The cramped, out-of-style kitchen of a traditional house was ready for an overhaul. The owners hired designer Wesley Thompson, who collaborated with architect John Linam to create an enlarged, updated space with an emphasis on function and style that would better connect with the rest of the house.
| Then | Now |
| The kitchen was configured in a narrow “L” shape with an inconveniently angled island in the middle. | The exterior wall was extended two feet to enlarge and center the island. The room became a more functional rectangle. |
| The house was part of a development of houses with the same layout, so nothing about its interiors stood out. | A narrow doorway to the dining room was replaced with twin archways that distinguish the space. |
| Dated cabinetry, wallpaper, and colors cried out for a more current look. Old tile covered the floors. | Thompson combined seafoam, white and black. Custom cabinets are topped with honed black granite and white Cambria. Wood-like porcelain tiles unify the whole main floor. Distinctive pendants from Currey & Co. finish the look. |
ARCHITECTURE: John Linam, JR., AIA, NCARB, John Linam Jr Architect, PLLC, Reston, Virginia. INTERIOR DESIGN: Wesley Thompson, Simply Wesley Interior Design, Annapolis, Maryland. BUILDER: Courtney Camp, CT Camp Construction Co., Inc., Silver Spring, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Gwin Hunt.
Clients who were in the midst of remodeling a townhouse condominium tapped Davida Rodriguez to transform the master bath, which still retained the fixtures and look of its 1940s origins. Rodriguez envisioned an open, clean-lined space that would convey a sense of drama—without breaking the bank.
| Then | Now |
| The original bathroom was tiny and cramped with fixtures that were worn and old-fashioned. | The bathroom is now more than double its original size, with his- and her vanities and a soaking tub; faucets are by Latoscana. |
| There were no windows so the room was dark as well as small. | An opaque glass wall in the shower and tub enclosure lets in light while preserving privacy. |
| The bathroom felt claustrophobic and its stand-alone sink offered no storage. | The partially enclosed shower conveys a sense of openness, and floating vanities topped with quartz offer space for storage. |
| Dilapidated white mosaic tiles on walls and floor had a run-down, outdated look. | Marble-like porcelain tiles create a focal point while porcelain floor tiles that look like dark-stained wood provide contrast. |
BATH DESIGN: DAVIDA RODRIGUEZ, CKD, Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland. DEVELOPER: Salem Capital Development, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: BOB NAROD.
Royal Building Products is a leading manufacturer and distributor of materials for the home remodeling, building and municipal construction markets featuring an extensive line of high-quality, innovative trim, molding, decking and exterior cladding. Royal delivers long-lasting, low-maintenance curb appeal through high-performing, sustainable, energy-saving products.
A category leader in innovation, Royal Building Products is recognized for brand introductions like Celect,® Cellular Exteriors, Zuri® Premium Decking, CraneBoard® Solid CoRe Siding,® Royal S4S Trimboard, Royal Envelop® by Marianne Cusato and digital design tools such as Dream Designer® and HomePlay.TM A subsidiary of Axiall Corporation, Royal is unique in its vertical integration of raw materials to manufacturing to distribution.
Royal Building Products introduces the latest innovative decking material to the Mid-Atlantic region: Zuri® Premium Decking. Zuri® combines the natural beauty of exotic hardwood with durability and low maintenance to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor-living environment.
For sustainability-minded homeowners, Zuri® replicates the colors and textures of premium hardwoods by utilizing new technologies to preserve these natural resources. With special inlays, homeowners can easily design a high-end, custom look for their deck.
While other synthetic decks promise low maintenance, Zuri® delivers and is backed by a 25-year warranty. Homeowners never have to stain, paint or reseal Zuri,® and it is resistant to stains, scratches, moisture, and fading.
Zuri® can be used on porches, stairs, ceilings, and docks and is available in five colors.
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Cathy Carr, the owner of GreenHeart LLC, a garden design and consulting firm in the DC metro area, recently installed Zuri® on her property (left) and is delighted with the results. Carr has designed dozens of new decks for her clients and has weighed the pros and cons of all materials available on the market; she chose Zuri® for her own home because of its unique combination of beauty, sustainability, and durability.
Address
91 Royal Group Crescent Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada L4H 1X9
Contact
1-855-ROYAL85
Web address
royalbuildingproducts.com
Owner Sonny Nazemian launched Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes 30 years ago as an interior design firm. Since then, “interior design has changed drastically,” he says. “It started with window treatments, flooring, and interior decoration and evolved into space planning and architectural changes. We have adapted to the times.”
Today, Michael Nash designs and builds kitchens and baths, additions, outdoor living areas, extensions, basements and wine cellars—as well as new homes. A growing repertoire of architectural, engineering and interior design skills assures that each house will be unique: perfectly sighted, long-lasting and just right for its owner.
Michael Nash makes home improvement and custom-home building a consumer-friendly experience. The firm pledges to surpass client expectations, no matter the size or scope of the project. “Each client is unique—each project has its own challenge,” Nazemian says. “When that $50,000 client is smiling as hard as a $500,000 client, that brings us happiness.
“Everything about renovation these days is about luxury,” he continues. “I try to add an element of luxury to every job, whether it’s a $50,000 job or a $1 million job.”
Over the last 10 years, Michael Nash has received numerous awards, including National Chrysalis awards and Contractor of the Year (COTY) awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. The company’s work has often been featured in local, regional and national newspapers and magazines.
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This home’s new design eliminates walls between kitchen, family room and dining room for continuous traffic flow and openness. Ten-foot ceilings allow for decorative cabinetry and crown moldings. Quartzite counters and backsplash add brightness while high-end appliances clad in custom panels and chandeliers create elegance. Cabinetry separates the kitchen and dining room.
Address
8630-A Lee Highway Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Contact
[email protected]
703-641-9800
Web address
michael-nash.com
Meté Yilmaz has always had a passion for working with stone. After earning a master’s degree in architecture at Catholic University, he served as an architect for a stone company commissioned to oversee the restoration of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. In 1987, Yilmaz founded Marblex with the mission to fill a specialized niche by providing custom stone treatments and material for high-end residential projects.
“It is our goal to provide continuous innovation, education, quality service and products,” he says. “No project is too small for Marblex. We take pride in every project we do.” The company hires the most professional, experienced staff members available to meet its high standards in the field. Projects vary from custom kitchen countertops to full bathroom renovations and fireplace designs.
Yilmaz and his staff spend a good deal of time talking to clients and understanding their goals and design requirements. He explains that one of the most rewarding aspects of his job is “the satisfaction of being able to listen to a customer’s needs and turning that into a beautiful design. The end result fills us with pride.”
Marblex is dedicated to the local design community and recently won a Home & Design 2014 Designers’ Choice Award for Favorite Surface Showroom. The company is also accredited by the Marble Institute of America, ensuring that customers receive the highest possible level of service and expertise.
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Marblex recently took part in the makeover of a historic row house, which features a new, modern kitchen. The company created the island countertop (bottom) using Equatro marble, a striated stone from Turkey, while Caesarstone was used for the remaining countertops. In the master bath (top), Caesarstone countertops and porcelain-tile floors and walls create a sleek, clean-lined appearance.
Address
2926 Prosperity Avenue Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Contact
[email protected]
703-698-5595
Web address
marblexinc.com
After 15 years in finance, John Smith, founder, and CEO of Willem Smith was drawn to furniture-making as a career. Recognizing opportunities for innovation from initial design through manufacturing and distribution, he launched the company in the DC Design Center in 2004 with the mission of creating a collection that would be distinguished in both aesthetics and functionality.
“For every new piece,” Smith explains, “we set out to build a better mousetrap. We are decidedly not more of the same. Our objective is to design and manufacture a product that delivers a superior experience—look, scale, materials, execution and ‘sit’—at a terrific value.” You can see—and test— the collections in the company’s Merrifield showroom near the Mosaic District.
While the company prides itself on a high level of customer satisfaction, one of Smith’s greatest moments came when a designer proposed one of his chairs for a high-end, 50-room resort renovation in the Rockies. “The property’s owners disqualified us from the bid because they weren’t familiar with our company,” he recalls. “Undaunted, we built a chair to spec and sent it to them any- way. Not only did our comfort and workmanship win them over but, 18 months later, they ordered sofas and sleepers for each suite.”
Winning new clients is rewarding, but Willem Smith thrives on return business. “No matter how wonderful our pieces may be,” says Smith, “it’s particularly gratifying that such a large part of our business is via referrals.”
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We’ve expanded the options for our award-winning and super-comfortable Etesian ‘3-hour Dinner Party’ chair (left) to include crumb chutes, stretchers, and variable back heights. Dress it up with multiple stitching, nailhead trim, and button possibilities, then pair it with our never-legs-in-the-way Charla table, which is available in walnut, cherry or maple; self-storing leaves are optional. It’s an elegant, one-stop solution for smart dining.
Address
2809-i Merrilee Drive Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Contact
[email protected]
703-348-8600
Web address
willemsmith.com
Josh Desilets founded Deckscapes of Virginia in 2004. The company has since grown into a full-service construction, hardscape and landscape enterprise with a great reputation. A family business that he runs with his parents, Gary and Deborah Desilets, it now encompasses a staff of 18, including a landscape architect, three project designers and four project managers.
This steady growth has enabled Desilets to continue doing what he loves most: designing and building beautiful outdoor living spaces for clients. “Our philosophy is to work hard every day to provide the best service and craftsmanship regardless of the size of the project,” he explains. He is most proud of a recent renovation of the VIP Club at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia. The job encompassed the replacement of an old platform deck with inviting Trex deck areas featuring pergolas and seating areas. The company also re-faced the bar pavilion with stone and granite countertops and seat walls and added a stage for VIP entertainment. Waterfalls and landscaping add the final touch.
The company’s primary focus, however, is on residential design. “We derive the most satisfaction from seeing the transformation of an empty or non-functional space into a beautiful outdoor living area that enhances a family’s quality of life,” says Desilets. “Sometimes a small space can be the most challenging and most rewarding when it becomes beautiful and functional.”
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When we remodeled the VIP Club at Jiffy Lube Live, our vision was to imbue a commercial space with the feel of a residential backyard. The design included decks totaling 6,000 square feet, partially covered by pergolas that provide beauty and protection from the sun. New patio seating and seat walls (shown in these photos) have been installed. The landscape plan included trees, shrubs, flowers and a water garden/fountain area.
Address
5003 Sudley Road Catharpin, Virginia 20143
Contact
[email protected]
703-365-0747
Web address
deckscapesofva.com
Pamela Harvey Interiors: Our Story Pamela Harvey launched Pamela Harvey Interiors (PHI) in 1999 by leveraging her diverse professional experience in fashion design, art history, and interior design. This confluence of creativity produces warm, inviting and functional designs. “We love to work with a variety of styles and a range of aesthetics, never getting too comfortable with a particular look,” explains Harvey. She takes pride in delivering stylish, creative work, along with good value to her clients. “We believe that good business and great design go hand in hand,” she observes. We try to outline the design process and our fees up front so there are no hidden surprises. We believe in transparency.” Once the concept and space planning is complete, she and her team move into the next phase of creativity: mixing the old with the new.
During every project regardless of size, Harvey gives clients her full, personalized attention throughout the process. From fabric, furniture and floor plans to windows, walls, and accessories, she introduces inviting ideas, welcoming her client's participation as she creates interiors specific to their lifestyle and taste. “We have a keen ability to translate clients’ needs into comfortable, beautiful spaces,” she says.
Harvey attributes her success to the close professional relationships she strives to build with her clients. “Getting a call back to update a space or work with former clients on a second or third home years later is the best feeling,” she admits.
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In our second job for these clients, they requested a fresh look that reminded them of their previous home in Santa Barbara. We chose timeless pieces, including a pair of oatmeal-colored sofas from Hickory Chair and a gray Oushak rug for the living room. We like all of our rooms to include a whimsical element; here, a pair of oversized owl prints provides a touch of the unexpected.
Address
Serving the DC metro area.
Contact
[email protected]
703-505-9480
Web address
pamelaharveyinteriorsllc.com
FA Design Build/Flooring America traces its roots to 1979 when the Menefee family opened the first of several retail flooring stores throughout the Washington area. From the beginning, the company gained a reputation for high standards of customer satisfaction. In 2004, it evolved into a design/build firm with the mission of providing customers with the highest-quality products, installations, and renovations delivered at competitive prices. The company has three showrooms offering an array of building materials.
“Our primary goal is to exceed our clients’ expectations with outstanding, full-service, design/build services, from inspiration through installation,” says CEO Rob Menefee. “We aim to express our clients’ personal lifestyle at a value they deserve.
“Our passion is to provide clients with the best and most cost-effective remodeling solutions that they can find and to provide them with an enjoyable experience along the way,” he continues. “Remodeling doesn’t have to be a complicated process; we have all of the talent, knowledge, and expertise to pull it together for you.”
No project is too large or too small for FA Design Build. “Whether it’s one room or an entire home, we get satisfaction from maximizing and refining the design of clients’ existing homes,” Menefee explains, pointing out the positive benefits a newly remodeled home can have on a family’s lifestyle. “A well-designed space will not only make you more likely to have guests over but will provide a place where you can relax and escape from outside stress,” he says.
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FA Design Build gave a historic Alexandria, Virginia home a modern update. The goal was to design a new kitchen that not only complemented the historic character of the home but also enhanced its connection to the past. By seamlessly blending the old and the new, the company created a warm, comfortable and functional space. Shaker-style white-painted cabinet doors coordinate with appliance panels, marble countertops, and backsplash for a seamless look.
Address
9979 Main Street Fairfax, Virginia 22031
Contact
888-469-2180
Web address
fadesignbuild.com
