Members of the Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) gathered on September 24 for their annual awards celebration at Historic Savage Mill in Savage, Maryland. A jury of ASID members from another state chapter judged the competition. Photos of the first- and second-place award-winners are shown on these pages, along with a list of projects that received honorable mention. A complete list of the winning projects can be found at homeanddesign.com.
HISTORIC DESIGN First Place:
- Scarlett Breeding, AIA, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects. Classic Detail. Photography: Tim Lee.
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN First Place:
- Dianne Rohrer, ASID; Mary Judy, Rohrer Studio. Bowe Stewart Residence. Photography: Thomas Arledge.
COMMERCIAL DESIGN First Place:
- Diane S. Taitt, ASID, De Space Designs LLC. YMCA Anthony Bowen. Photography: Kenneth M. Wyner.
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN/BATH DESIGN First Place:
- Bob Berman, Johnson Berman Interior Design & Architecture. Master Bathroom Renovation, Greenspring Valley Residence. Photography: Phil Weber.
DESIGN ELEMENT First Place:
- Debbie McHale, Allied ASID, Interior Transformations. Artistic Symmetry. Photography: Kenneth M. Wyner.
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN/BATH DESIGN Second Place:
- Diane S. Taitt, ASID, De Space Designs LLC. House 13. Photography: Maxine Schnitzer.
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN Second Place:
- Linda Hartman, Allied ASID, Karen Renée Interior Design, Inc. Sorority House. Photography: Pete Albert.
HONORABLE MENTION AWARDS
COMMERCIAL DESIGN
- Scarlett Breeding, AIA, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects; New Day.
- Barbara Magistro, ASID, GTM Architects; Fed Med.
- Barbara Magistro, ASID, GTM Architects; Tioga.
- Barbara Magistro, ASID, GTM Architects; Vion.
HOSPITALITY DESIGN
- Liz Dickson, Allied ASID, Millbrook Circle Interior Design; The Johns Hopkins Club.
- Susan Sunderland, ASID, and Cheryl DiMenna, ASID, Sunderland Interiors, Inc.; Liquid Lib’s.
HEALTH/LIFE CARE
- Sheryl T. McLean, Décoria Interior Design; Women’s Wellness Center.
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN
- Syntha Harris, StoryBook Rooms; From Traditional to Contemporary.
- Scarlett Breeding, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects; New York Meets Annapolis Waterfront.
- Stephanie Simmons, Allied ASID, Karen Renée Interior Design; Farmhouse Update.
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN/BATH DESIGN
- Syntha Harris, StoryBook Rooms; Traditional Bathroom Gets a Makeover.
SHOW HOUSE/MODEL HOME
- Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID, Fitzsimmons Design Associates; The Sail Loft.
DESIGN ELEMENT
- Henry Johnson, ASID, Amanda Johnson, Johnson Berman Interior Design & Architecture; Textile Commission Collection.
- Syntha Harris, StoryBook Rooms; Custom Built-In Contemporary Banquette.
Presented by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association and the Maryland Building Industry Association, the 2014 GALA (Great American Living) Awards—celebrating achievements in categories ranging from architecture and interior design to sales and marketing—saw some significant changes in the custom building and renovation categories this year. Rather than visiting each entry, the judges—four residential architects and a residential marketing professional—evaluated portfolio submissions instead. This shift encouraged a larger pool of entries in the custom categories.
The 2014 GALA Awards ceremony was held at the McLean Hilton in Tysons Corner on October 9. Winners of the custom categories are spotlighted on the following pages, while the remaining award-winners will be featured in the January/February 2015 issue of Home & Design.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM HOME, SINGLE LOT
3,000 to 5,000 Square Feet:
The Retreat at Canal Corcoran, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, P Four, OPaL, GPS Designs. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
5,001 to 7,000 Square Feet:
Jossan Residence, Arlington, Virginia, Evergreene Homes, W.C. Ralston Architects. Photography: Thomas H. Field
Over 7,000 Square Feet:
Oakton Custom Residence, Oakton, Virginia, Fried Companies, W.C. Ralston Architects. Photography: Maxine Schnitzer
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM OR CUSTOMIZED INFILL HOME
Under 3,000 Square Feet:
503 Stonewall Avenue, Middleburg, Virginia, PR Construction, Sutton Yantis Associates Architects. Photography: Bill Sutton
3,000 to 5,000 Square Feet:
Churchill Model, McLean, Virginia, Relux Homes, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: BTW Images, LLC
5,001 to 7,000 Square Feet:
Amberley Model, Great Falls, Virginia, Architectural Construction, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: Greg Hadley
Over 7,000 Square Feet:
Grenata Lot 11, Leesburg, Virginia, Creighton Enterprises. Photography: James Torrenzano
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, RENOVATIONS OR ADDITIONS
Under $500,000:
Klaff Renovation, Potomac Falls, Virginia, Great Falls Construction. Photography: Bob Narod
$500,000 to $1,000,000:
Bethesda Renovation at Bradley Hills, Bethesda, Maryland, BOWA. Photography: Bob Narod
Over $1,000,000:
Innsbruck Avenue, Great Falls, Virginia, Great Falls Construction, Sutton Yantis Associates Architects. Photography: Bob Narod
Each year, Home & Design polls hundreds of industry professionals to discover their picks for the leaders in this innovative, ever-evolving community—as well as their votes of confidence in those just making their mark. We also ask area architects and designers to vote on their favorite industry resources, in categories ranging from audio/video and appliance showrooms to antiques dealers and art galleries. Following is a list of the complete survey results for 2015.
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ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN AWARDS
Hall of Fame Architect
Frank Schlesinger, FAIA
Schlesinger Associate Architects Washington, DC
schlesingerarchitects.com
Hall of Fame Designer
Sophie Prévost, ASID
COLEPRÉVOST
Washington, DC
coleprevost.com
Hall of Fame Landscape Architect
Amy Mills
DCA Landscape Architecture
Washington, DC
dcalandarch.com
Modern Architect
Ralph Cunningham, FAIA
Cunningham | Quill Architects
Washington, DC
cunninghamquill.com
Traditional Architect
Anne Y. Decker, AIA
Anne Decker ArchitectsBethesda, Maryland
annedeckerarchitects.com
Custom Builder
Sandy Spring Builders, LLC
Bethesda, Maryland
sandyspringbuilders.com
Landscape Firm
GardenWise, Inc.
Arlington, Virginia
gardenwiseinc.com
Kitchen Design Firm
Aidan Design
Silver Spring, Maryland
aidandesign.com
Design/Build Firm
Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Inc.
Cabin John, Maryland
anthonywilder.com
Up & Coming Designer
Michael Hampton
Michael Hampton Design
Washington, DC
michaelhamptondesign.com
Up & Coming Architect
Bill Smith
Studio Smith
Washington, DC
studiosmithdc.com
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INDUSTRY FAVORITES
Appliance Dealer
Ferguson
Area Showrooms
ferguson.com
Art Resource
Longview Gallery
Washington, DC
longviewgallerydc.com
Audio/Video Specialist
Electronic Home Environments
Annapolis, Maryland
ehenvironments.com
Cady’s Alley Showroom
Donghia
Washington, DC
donghia.com
Custom Closet Company
California Closets
Chantilly, Virginia
calclosets.com
Decorative Painter/Studio
Blue Line Studios
Warrenton, Virginia
bluelinestudios1.com
Fabric Showroom
Hines & Company
Washington, DC
hinescompany.com
Contemporary Furniture Showroom (Retail)
Theodores
Washington, DC
theodores.com
Traditional Furniture Showroom (Retail)
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Washington, DC, and Tysons Corner, Virginia
mgbwhome.com
Furnishings to the Trade
J. Lambeth
Washington, DC
jlambeth.com
Lighting Dealer
Dominion Electric
Arlington, Virginia
dominionelectric.com
Local Furniture Maker
Salvations Architectural Furnishings
Silver Spring, Maryland
salvationsaf.com
Surface Showroom
Marblex
Farifax, Virginia
marblexinc.com
Tile Dealer
Italo Ceramica
Rockville, Maryland
italoceramica.com
Wallcoverings Showroom
Kravet
Washington, DC
kravet.com
[/column]
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A Victorian house in Georgetown beckoned to a family of six. But its interiors were woefully outdated and inconvenient, so the owners tapped interior designer Marika Meyer for an update that would make it more functional for family living, with public spaces such as the living room conveying a sense of graciousness and sophistication for large-scale entertaining.
Separated from an adjoining parlor by pocket doors, the living room boasts distinctive features such as the original, marble-clad fireplace and a turret. Meyer enhanced the room’s elegance with additional millwork, then added built-in bookshelves. “The owners are big readers,” she observes. “The bookshelves add a personal dimension and a casual vibe.”
In its previous iteration, the living room had a convoluted floor plan with too many tables and limited seating. Meyer incorporated a baby grand piano in the turret and repurposed a crystal chandelier from the dining room above it. Existing sofas and a glass-topped coffee table were re-oriented for a more functional furniture plan, and an antique French commode and mirror and an occasional chair by Victoria Hagan, upholstered in vibrant blue, add interest. Niermann Weeks floor lamps flank each sofa and a Tibetan rug is layered over a thinly woven sisal to create texture.
A Restoration Hardware console is paired with a series of graphic prints from Natural Curiosities, while above the fireplace, an original painting by Wolf Kahn creates a focal point. Meyer eschewed window treatments in favor of the existing shutters. “This way,” she says, “we kept the space open and airy.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: MARIKA MEYER, Marika Meyer Interiors, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: ANGIE SECKINGER.
Other Rooms We Love:
When redesigning a Bethesda home for a couple that loves to entertain, Andrew Law envisioned an elegant dining room where guests could linger with comfortable seating, plenty of space and a warm, welcoming feel.
To achieve his goal, Law first created a connection between the dining room and nearby library that encourages guests to congregate in both. To do this, he commissioned Classic Woodworking to install millwork in the library that matches the wainscoting in the dining room; made of quarter-sawn oak, the new millwork has a distinctive grain—which decorative paint studio Billet Collins then matched on the dining room’s wainscoting and crown molding with a faux-bois finish. Hand-blocked wallpaper by Rose Tarlow picks up what Law calls “putty with crimson accents” in the faux finish that “create warmth and depth in the room.”
Law furnished the dining room with clean-lined, traditional pieces. A Bausman & Company dining table is paired with British Khaki dining chairs and reproduction Chippendale end chairs in Chinese red leather from Rose Tarlow. A sofa by Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman and a wing chair by Victoria Hagan allow “guests to finish dinner and linger,” says Law. Twin iron consoles by Salvations Architectural Furnishings are topped with limestone; they complement the hand-stitched iron-and-vellum sconces and chandelier by Roman Thomas. Putty-colored silk-and-linen draperies warm the room and a pale blue-painted ceiling offsets its warmth. Architectural photographs above the consoles, taken on a trip to Prague by the homeowner, sound a more personal, contemporary note.
INTERIOR DESIGN: ANDREW LAW, Andrew Law Interior Design, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: ANGIE SECKINGER.
Other Rooms We Love:
Homeowners in Avenel wished to update their 15-year-old house and contacted designer Kristin Peake for the job. To overhaul the builder-grade kitchen, Peake tapped Hedy Shashaani of Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens to design a fresh, transitional space that would reflect the home’s aesthetic while imparting new levels of quality and functionality.
The original layout was problematic, with one large, angular island that held the cooktop, downdraft hood and sink. The size and location of the island impeded traffic flow, and the walk-in pantry was awkwardly situated. “We created flow by breaking up the island into two,” Shashaani explains. “Now each island has its own purpose.” One is for food prep and the other—with seating for five and a wine cooler—is for entertaining; located by the breakfast area, it also serves as a buffet. The walk-in pantry was replaced with a wall of easy-access pantry cupboards.
Shashaani relocated the cooktop (now a 36-inch gas range and oven from the Wolf Pro Series) to the far wall. The new range is paired with a custom hood in contrasting finishes that measures over seven feet, creating an attractive focal point for the room. “A lot of houses have downdraft ventilation, but it’s rarely sufficient,” Shashaani comments.
The peripheral cabinetry, by Elmwood, is painted in Warm Concrete with Oyster glaze, while the furniture-like islands are stained in Driftwood. Dishware is stored in a hutch with antiqued mirror doors near the breakfast area. The countertops and backsplash are made of honed Calcutta Gold marble.
KITCHEN DESIGN: HEDY SHASHAANI, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: KRISTIN PEAKE, Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC, Rockville, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: GREG LENTZ. PHOTOGRAPHY: STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG.
Other Rooms We Love:
A couple with three young children and a correspondingly hectic lifestyle were looking to remodel their Alexandria home one room at a time. They hired Paola McDonald of Olamar Interiors for the job, which started with the master bedroom. “Ultimately, the bedroom felt like a priority because of their busy lives,” McDonald says. “They asked me to turn it into a retreat where they could rest and recharge.”
The wife also requested a “coastal” vibe for the space. “She wanted it to have a beachy feel, but without being beach-themed,” explains McDonald. “I used colors, textures and materials to evoke the experience of being at the beach.”
The large bedroom needed a focal point, so McDonald created an accent wall covered in large-format wallpaper from Thibaut, then placed the couple’s Restoration Hardware bedstead, with its imposing upholstered headboard, against it. The wallpaper, in shades of cool blue and earthy brown, conveys that coastal sensibility; custom linen Roman shades emphasize the brown while surrounding walls painted Benjamin Moore’s Constellation pick up the restful blue hue.
McDonald used the elaborate tray ceiling to add interest to the room. She painted the moldings and sloped surfaces crisp white, then covered the ceiling in sand-colored grasscloth from Thibaut. Both wallcoverings give off a metallic shimmer that imparts a layer of sophistication.
A rope-and-bronze chandelier, blue-glass bedside lamps and a bronze-framed floor mirror—all from Uttermost—complete the picture. Rustic night tables and a tufted bench are from Caracole.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Paola McDonald, IDS, Olamar Interiors, Haymarket, Virginia. PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Tinius.
Other Rooms We Love:
After 16 years of living with a circa-1970s master bath in her Potomac, Maryland, home, Deborah Kalkstein—owner of Contemporaria in DC’s Cady’s Alley—was ready for a fresh, modern overhaul that would turn the dated room into an inviting, functional space.
The original bath was spacious at 12 by 18 feet; Kalkstein further opened it up by removing a wall that separated the shower stall from the rest of the room. She replaced it with a sleek, glass shower enclosure. “We also took out drop ceilings above the sinks to allow the mirrors to go all the way to the ceiling,” the designer explains.
Kalkstein’s material selections emphasized functionality and a spare, contemporary look. “I wanted everything to be easy to live with,” she says. Choices include gray-tinted, poured-concrete counters and custom vessel sinks made of crisp, white Corian with tk fixtures installed in the walls to keep the surfaces uncluttered. The custom, wrap-around vanity is dark-stained oak with plenty of carefully considered, customized storage; for example, a series of deep drawers holds toiletry bottles standing up.
Floors and walls are clad in the same porcelain tile, but the floor tiles are large format and smooth while the wall tiles are smaller and textured. The shower surround is marble and the luxurious sunken tub is made of white Corian.
The lighting plan was important to the design. “We used warm LED lights with different switches for lighting different areas of the room,” Kalkstein says. Simple, roll-up shades provide privacy while admitting natural light.
INTERIOR & BATH DESIGN: DEBORAH KALKSTEIN, Contemporaria, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: Patagonia Enterprises, LLC, Point of Rocks, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG.
Other Rooms We Love:
When the owners of an Annapolis home on the South River tasked designer Michelle Miller with decorating their interiors, they also asked her to outfit their outdoor living spaces in casual, easygoing style. She set out to complement the beautiful landscaping already in place with clean-lined, comfortable furniture that would make entertaining a breeze.
“We created little environments out there, just like we’d do inside,” Miller explains. Her furniture plan encompassed three gathering areas on a long terrace located under the rear deck of the house, overlooking the pool and the river beyond. On one end, a large, modular sectional provides plenty of seating; plush cushions in Holly Hunt outdoor fabric combine comfort and practicality. In the center, a long dining table boasts benches on either side to seat lots of kids. And on the far end, a pair of inviting lounge chairs with matching ottomans creates a perfect spot for two. Brown Jordan chaise longues around the pool invite sunbathers to linger. Custom pillows reflect the bright colors of perennials blooming on the grounds.
“My clients love the water and being outside,” Miller says. “When kids are in the pool, the adults can sit here and relax—they don’t have to be on the pool deck.”
Miller purposely kept the seating arrangements open so guests can navigate through the space without feeling blocked. “One of the things I try to avoid is overwhelming a space with too much furniture,” she says. “There’s a lot of beauty in simplicity.
INTERIOR DESIGN: MICHELLE MILLER, Michelle Miller Interiors, Baltimore, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMIE SENTZ.
Other Rooms We Love:
A vacation in St. Tropez inspired Vicky Lal’s fun and glitzy basement entertainment center. “We went to a lounge and I fell in love with the look,” she recalls. So she came home and embarked on an elaborate project to renovate the lower level of her Potomac house.
With the help of architect Nate Penati, Lal conceived a series of spaces that would include a home theater, bar, dance floor, wine cellar and billiards area. “We wanted a place to hang out and entertain family and friends,” Lal says. “I talked to my kids and husband about what they wanted and we started from there.”
In the home theater, a 7.2 surround- sound system with a 120-inch projection screen is backlit by LED lights. Gaming systems are embedded under the screen, and club-grade, in-ceiling speakers are faux-painted to blend with the ceiling. The audio and lighting systems are controlled with a hand-held remote as well as an iPad mini that hangs on one wall.
The semi-circular bar is fully stocked; it pairs glass tile and quartz countertops for a sleek, contemporary look. A wine cellar includes a comfortable tasting area. Custom banquettes scattered about the basement provide extra seating and stools at the bar beckon. A plush carpet unifies the space. Illuminating the bar, home theater and dance floor are neon lights that can be changed out, with “a rainbow of colors to choose from,” Lal says.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: Nate Penati, AIA, LEED AP, Studio 76 LLC, Oakton, Virginia. INTERIOR DESIGN: Vicky LaI, Vicky Lal Design LLC, Potomac, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: Edgar Gonzales Remodels LLC, Frederick, Maryland. AUDIO/VIDEO SYSTEM: National Technology Integrators, Rockville, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Lydia Cutter.
VICKY LAL'S TRADE SECRETS:
The area delineated for the closet was already configured when Sagart arrived on the scene. “We didn’t change any of the architectural parameters,” he comments. “We customized the space through the products we chose for it.”
Sagart selected a closet system of textured walnut laminate with leather handles. Though the room is narrow, he was able to install 24-inch-deep cabinets—wider than those commonly found in closets—that fully protect hanging garments. He allotted two-thirds of the room to the wife, who wished to keep accessories, handbags and shoes in the same place.
“She had some very detailed ideas of what she wanted,” he recalls. For example, a pull-out hamper accommodates two laundry bags, and dividers for scarves and jewelry make organizing easy. A full-height mirrored door conceals storage for formal gowns and tuxedos. Sagart incorporated two convenient Silestone surfaces with outlets for chargers and space for emptying pockets or folding clothes. Flat metal hooks above the shelves hang clothing ensembles and recessed LED lights illuminate each shelf.
Moooi pendants supply a definite “wow” factor to the space.
CLOSET DESIGN & FABRICATION: Vincent Sagart, Poliform | Sagart Studio, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: Miller/Custom Builders, Bethesda, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: PoliformDC.com
VINCENT SAGART'S TRADE SECRETS:
After downsizing to a 3,500-square-foot brownstone in the development of Symphony Park at Strathmore, a couple hired designer Linda Mann to decorate the interiors of their new four-bedroom, four-bath home. Mann—who frequently sources goods through Urban Country—worked with store owner Rachelle Roth and in-house designer Terri Johnson to select furnishings from the Bethesda showroom’s collections and create a sophisticated refuge for their clients.
The couple, who had raised kids in a busy house for many years, wanted their new home to communicate a restful, calming vibe. “They’re empty nesters,” explains Roth. “They were ready for a change in lifestyle, with a soothing, more serene space to live in.”
Against a backdrop of neutral colors and soft textures, the design team chose transitional pieces that are both comfortable and elegant. A Steinway baby grand piano anchors one end of the open-plan living/dining room, which also houses sofas and armchairs by Lee Industries and an over-sized custom Bolier dining table paired with chairs by Lillian August. A modern bronze-and-glass coffee table “introduces a little bit of glam to the room,” says Roth.
The owners’ contemporary artwork— including large paintings in the dining area and behind the piano—creates visual interest by adding splashes of color in the monochromatic space. A series of architectural prints complements an antique, custom-framed mirror above a sideboard by CR Currin in the dining area, while a custom sisal carpet unifies the room.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Rachelle Roth, owner; Terri Johnson, visual director, Urban Country, Bethesda, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Angie Seckinger.
RACHELLE ROTH'S TRADE SECRETS:
The appeal of a gracious center-hall Colonial was diminished by a poorly constructed addition, so the owners called on Reena Racki to remedy the situation. She and her team remodeled the kitchen and replaced the existing addition with a new one that encompassed a family room and eating area, a mudroom leading to the garage and a powder room.
Since a front porch blocked sunlight from entering the interiors in the older part of the home, Racki wished to emphasize light and airiness in the south-facing addition. Nine-foot ceilings give way to an 11-and-a-half-foot ceiling in the addition, which is kept bright by white walls and floors in a pale, sand-hued porcelain tile, warmed in winter by radiant heat.
Seven-foot-tall casements open for cross ventilation, with transoms above and fixed window panels below. The windows are Jeld-Wen Custom Wood Clad low-E glass for low heat gain in summer and heat retention in winter. “We emphasize energy conservation in the context of climate control,” Racki explains.
A partial wall separates the mudroom and powder room from the rest of the family room; Racki added transoms at ceiling height to bring in more light. A large Velux skylight, positioned in the angled family-room ceiling, directs light through French doors into the otherwise-dark living room.
Racki worked around a 60-foot oak tree in the backyard that created obstacles to the new construction, in part because the tree provided passive sun control. A separate screened porch echoes the style of the addition.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: Reena Racki, AIA, Reena Racki Associates, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: Acadia Contractors, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Alan Karchmer.
REENA RACKI'S TRADE SECRETS:
A two-bedroom condo in downtown DC’s trendy 14th Street Corridor lured a bachelor just returning from a stint working in London. However, the space—encompassing a living/dining area, two bedrooms and a huge terrace—lacked personality and definition, so the owner tapped Nestor Santa-Cruz to create a look that would reflect his cosmopolitan lifestyle, incorporating artwork and mementos and instilling the space with a sense of casual elegance.
The first hurdle was the exposed duct-work that lined the ceiling, conveying an edgy, industrial sensibility that didn’t necessarily jibe with the owner’s refined furnishings and style. “The building was intended to have an industrial aspect,” says Santa-Cruz. “We would have had to lower the ceiling to cover the ducts anyway. So we said, ‘let the ceiling be its own plane.’ It became a sort of sculpture woven throughout.”
The owner was drawn to an Art Deco aesthetic, so in the main living space Santa-Cruz selected furniture and accessories from that era, including open-backed spoon chairs and console lamps made of ammonite and coral. An early 19th-century French typographer’s table from Marston Luce doubles as both desk and dining table, while iron and leather chairs from Hickory Chair echo a design by Jean-Michel Frank. An existing plush sofa was reshaped, reupholstered and paired with a 1970s plated chrome-and- glass coffee table from Jansen. A rug from Timothy Paul Home delineates the seating area. A Chinese cupboard from the owner’s collection creates a focal point in the room.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Nestor Santa-Cruz, IIDA, LEED AP, Nestor Santa-Cruz Decoration, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: Angie Seckinger.
NESTOR SANTA-CRUZ'S TRADE SECRETS:
The owners of a Bethesda home hadn’t touched its outdated kitchen since the house was built in the 1980s. When they were ready for a change, they contacted Paul Bentham of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath to create an updated, contemporary space. “They have Pop-Art taste,” Bentham says. “They have a lot of that kind of art and wanted a kitchen that would complement it, with a sort of European feel.”
Bentham designed a more convenient layout by replacing a space-squandering, L-shaped island with a functional, linear one that is longer and wider than the original. He also removed the bulky, freestanding range and hood, which took up too much space, and substituted a streamlined, 42-inch cooktop and 48-inch hood. All the appliances are Miele.
The original cabinetry was clad in a mundane laminate popular in the 1980s. “The owners wanted things bright, but they have a penchant for grays, so though I started out designing with only gray, I ended up introducing red for interest,” Bentham says. The new cabinets from Zonavita are a lively mix of the two colors, made of a high-gloss, acrylic-based laminate that creates a strong sheen. They are paired with honed, Absolute Black granite countertops.
A bank of red pantry cupboards has been elevated and lit from above and below. The light over the island—a Philips Ledalite—is an industrial fixture that the clients chose; made of polished chrome, it adds the final touch to the sleek, modern kitchen.
KITCHEN DESIGN: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: Mike Thornton, M.R. Thornton & Sons, Inc., Woodbine, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Bob Narod.
PAUL BENTHAM'S TRADE SECRETS:
Landscape architect John Gutting had begun to revive the grounds of his daughter’s home in historic Chestertown, Maryland, but, sadly, was unable to design the second, most ambitious phase of the project. After Gutting passed away in 2006, the family hired landscape architect Miles Barnard to tackle the job while respecting Gutting’s design vision and dedication to indigenous plants.
The project scope was complex, especially given that the lot measured a mere half-acre. Designed to complement a renovation to the house, the new landscape plan would include a pool makeover, the design and construction of a pool house and the creation of a drainage system to capture rainwater. It also called for new garden gates, brick walls, cedar fencing and a lighting plan. “Our goal was to create a biologically diverse, indigenous landscape with quality materials consistent with the house, enhance privacy and create functional space,” Barnard explains.
The homeowners now enjoy al fresco areas for dining and showering, space to sunbathe and a pool house with a kitchen and bath—amidst native plants including Sweetbay magnolia, dwarf fothergilla and Black-Eyed Susan.
“The lush landscape feels like an oasis in downtown Chestertown,” says Barnard. “A space should look good, but it’s most important for it to feel good and have a sense of spatial security.
MILES BARNARD'S TRADE SECRETS:
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: D. Miles Barnard, ASLA, RLA, South Fork Studio Landscape Architecture, Chestertown, Maryland. LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR: Anthony’s Flowers and Landscaping, Chestertown, Maryland. POOL RENOVATION: Masten Pools, Greensboro, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Allen Russ.
