The residents of a 1944 BUNGALOW in Silver Spring waited 25 years to redo their cramped, outmoded kitchen. After the kids had flown, they hired Tanya Smith-Shiflett of Unique Kitchens and Baths to execute a vibrant and colorful redo. “The original space was tiny,” recounts the designer. “We decided to tear a wall out between the kitchen and dining room to make space for everything they needed.”
A new layout shifted appliance locations. Facing the range, a cabinet wall comprises a paneled fridge, coffee bar and pantry; the sink overlooks the backyard. “The wife wanted an island but was afraid she couldn’t fit one,” says Smith-Shiflett, who was able to supply a baker’s island from UKB’s stand-alone collection for small kitchens. Its dark-stained maple base is topped with black soapstone.
When it came to finishes, the wife specified a timeless, British aesthetic—and a bright, warm palette. She loved the green hue of the glazed-ceramic backsplash tile—but when juxtaposed with matching green cabinetry, “the cabinets kind of got lost,” Smith-Shiflett explains. Once she and her clients upped the blue tones, she relates, “it just worked!”
Embracing a vintage look, the backsplash tile extends to the ceiling. The cabinets—including a window seat in the breakfast nook—are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Inchyra Blue. Slate-look porcelain tile clads the floor.
PROJECT TEAM
Kitchen Design: Tanya Smith-Shiflett, Unique Kitchens and Baths. Contractor: Carrmichael Construction.
KITCHEN DETAILS
Cabinetry: uniquekitchensandbaths.com. Countertops: eurostonecraft.com. Floor & Backsplash Tile: tilebar.com. Appliances: monogram.com, fisherpaykel.com, subzero-wolf.com through adu.com. Sink, Faucets, Lighting & Chairs: devolkitchens.com. Hardware: houseofantiquehardware.com.
The owners of a 1990s abode in Cockeysville, Maryland, tasked Katalin Farnady with elevating its interiors in chic, contemporary style. When it came to the dated kitchen, Farnady recalls, the owner “wanted white, but I persuaded her to go with something colorful and moody.”
Two kitchens in the designer’s portfolio caught her client’s eye—both showcasing sleek SieMatic cabinetry. With a vision already in mind, Farnady reached out to frequent collaborator Jonas Carnemark, whose company, Konst SieMatic, represents the brand.
Due to the home’s architecture, the kitchen was oddly angled. “The clients needed help making sense of it,” explains Carnemark. Working with Farnady, he created a layout that added a wall between the kitchen and adjacent sunroom, simplifying the angles; a deep pantry is concealed behind it. A central island incorporates a table for casual dining while a second island is intended for serving.
The cooktop shares a wall with double convection ovens. Integrated fridge and freezer columns line another wall, with a lit, recessed display cabinet nearby.
Farnady combined SieMatic’s matte-lacquered Stone Grey and stained Pecan Wild Oak cabinetry. Slender sintered stone in Vint Gris was used for the countertops, backsplash and hood while thick slabs of gold-veined Dekton Laurent add drama on the table and behind the beverage bar.
PROJECT TEAM
Interior & Kitchen Design: Katalin Farnady, Farnady Interiors. Kitchen Design & Cabinetry: Jonas Carnemark, CR, CKD, CLIPP, Konst SieMatic. Contractor: Five One Eight Contracting, LLC. Photography: Steve Buchanan.
KITCHEN DETAILS
Cabinetry: konstsiematic.com. Countertops & Backsplash: stone-design.com, cosentino.com through konstsiematic.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com, fulgor-milano.com, gaggenau.com, amoredesignfactory.com through konstsiematic.com. Sink & Plumbing Fixtures: thegalley.com through konstsiematic.com. Flooring: elitefloor.com. Island Pendant: sonnemanlight.com.
While masterminding Falls Farm, A Great Falls residential development, Artisan Builders tapped Lobkovich to design the kitchen in one of its homes. Founder and principal J. Paul Lobkovich conceived the layout for the open-plan space around a large island with seating for five. He then turned to the enclave’s aesthetic for inspiration. “The concept for the community was heavily influenced by a connection to nature,” he explains. “We wanted to carry that idea into the kitchen.”
He and his team opted for a sophisticated take on the home’s modern farmhouse architecture. They delineated the kitchen with rift-cut, white oak ceiling beams that have a tailored appearance. Customized Cabico peripheral cabinetry boasts an olive-green hue that conjures the colors of leaves and grass. On the range wall, windows boast leafy views, bringing the outdoors in.
A quarter-sawn, white oak island complements the ceiling details. Polished, stainless-steel accents by AK Metal Fabricators frame the refrigerator wall and band the custom stucco hood fabricated by Artisan Builders. “The combination of plaster and beams feels elegantly European,” Lobkovich notes. “And the metal lends a chic, modern touch.” Marble-look quartz clads the countertops and backsplash.
Paired with the hood, a cream-colored La Cornue range with stainless-steel and satin-chrome trim makes a statement. Vintage-look pendants complete the space.
PROJECT TEAM
Kitchen Design: J. Paul Lobkovich, Lobkovich. BUILDER: Artisan Builders.
KITCHEN DETAILS
Cabinetry: cabico.com through lobkovich.com. Countertops & Backsplash: msisurfaces.com. Appliances: kohler.com, subzero-wolf.com, lacornueusa.com through adu.com. Plumbing Fixtures: kohler.com through build.com. Cabinet Hardware: topknobs.com. Island Pendants: potterybarn.com.
Purchasing a modern farmhouse-style abode while it was under construction allowed a couple to weigh in on details such as kitchen and bath design during the process. A few years later, they were ready to address the interiors, which lacked style and distinction. Now empty nesters, “they wanted a more sophisticated look to go with their new lifestyle,” explains Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas of Interiors by Design, who spearheaded a plan to enliven the home with fresh finishes and furniture.
In its new iteration, the home boasts an entry foyer embellished with decorative moldings that establish interest up front. The couple preferred a modern aesthetic and the husband, who drove the project, specified dark finishes. “I went with a farmhouse-contemporary feel and clean, elegant lines,” Guadeloupe Rojas says. “A graphic palette of white, gray and black is offset by pops of red, which is his fraternity color.”
The designer embraced textures in fabrics, wallpaper and rugs. The great room (above) features Lazar Furniture sofas around a Bernhardt coffee table. In the dining room (opposite, top left), dramatic Visual Comfort chandeliers illuminate the Revelation table and Universal Furniture chairs. A custom rug and Bernhardt console in the foyer (opposite, far right) greet guests.
Interior Design: Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas, Interiors by Design, LLC, Silver Spring, Maryland. Text: Julie Sanders. Photography & Styling: Stylish Productions.
A couple in the DC Metro area tapped Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens to redesign their outdated, early-2000s kitchen, then enlisted designer Melissa Colgan to finesse the room with materials and finishes. “They wanted a brighter, happier, fresher-feeling family space,” Colgan recalls. “And they wanted it finished in six to eight weeks—so we needed a transformation that wouldn’t involve moving plumbing and mechanical systems.”
Colgan collaborated with kitchen designer Stephanie Fried, who designed the custom cabinetry and conceived a convenient layout that retained appliance locations while improving storage and functionality. “We had a list of appliance needs—and this client is a big cook, so we had to deliver,” says Fried. A cooktop in the center island was replaced with an eye-catching La Cornue range and custom, matching hood. Left of the coffee station, shiplap siding and built-ins delineate a mudroom-style wall for storage.
The palette of soft green and blue picks up on colors in the adjacent family room. Peripheral cabinetry was painted in Farrow & Ball’s Vert de Terre and paired with a backsplash of handmade Tabarka tiles depicting delicate blue flowers. The furniture-style white oak island is stained for contrast. A cozy breakfast nook features a built-in bench and chairs from Theodore Alexander.
PROJECT TEAM
Kitchen & Interior Design: Melissa Colgan, Melissa Colgan Interiors. Kitchen Design: Stephanie Fried, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens. Contractor: McHale Landscape Design.
KITCHEN DETAILS
Cabinetry: elmwoodcabinets.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com. Backsplash: tabarkastudio.com through architessa.com. Sink: franke.com. Plumbing fixtures: waterstoneco.com. Appliances: monogram.com, lacornueusa.com through abwappliances.com. Hood Fabrication: modernaire.com. Counter Stools: bakerfurniture.com. Light over Breakfast Table: urbanelectric.com. Valance & Seat Pillow Fabrication: pilcharddesigns.com.
 | PARTY TIMEWhile remodeling a Tudor-style residence in DC with Carrmichael Construction, BarnesVanze Architects’ Wayne Adams positioned a butler’s pantry in the space between the new kitchen and the dining room. “It’s the perfect connectivity for clients who love to entertain,” he notes. Abundant surfaces enable meal prep and staging without crowding the main kitchen, while mixing drinks, refilling serving platters and cleaning up can take place without disturbing guests in the dining room. A wine fridge, sink and dishwasher add functionality. |
 | FRESH SPINWorking with architecture firm Mortar & Thatch on the remodel of a 1912 Richmond abode, Anne Pulliam Interiors reimagined the laundry room off the kitchen, replacing open shelving with cabinets. “The owners wanted it to double as a pantry for overflow storage,” says designer Anne Pulliam. Visual appeal was a priority, with color and “something special.” Vibrant wallpaper enlivens the small room, while glossy, green paint covers trim and cabinetry fabricated by Gardner Construction Corp. A CB2 light fixture crowns the space. |
 | GLAM CLOSETNorth Carolina designer Ashley Ross of Muse Noire was tapped to design a chic closet for a news correspondent in DC. “She had clothes on four floors: casual wear, couture, gowns, TV-ready makeup, wigs, jewelry and accessories,” Ross relates. Combined IKEA closet systems were customized to meet the client’s needs, placing some items behind glass for easy identification; back storage allows for seasonal swap-outs. Says Ross, “I wanted it to feel like a deep exhale before she goes out into the world.”
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 | BOUTIQUE VIBEA primary closet in Bethesda “was dark, dated and disorganized,” recalls architect Sarah Armstrong, AIA, of Studio 360. She and colleague Luis Guzman collaborated with Anne Pingho of Its Buy Design and contractor BOWA on an overhaul as part of a whole-house redo. Their plan created chic storage zones within the original footprint. The largest includes a lounge area with seating and a vanity “where family can get ready together,” Armstrong says. Another stores shoes and dresses while a third displays bags and hanging clothes. A center island holds jewelry, sunglasses and intimate apparel.
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 | WASH & DRYA request to relocate her Vienna clients’ upstairs laundry room and create a home gym drove Kristen Bonney-James of KBJ Interiors to think outside the box. “There was a hallway with deep closets that led to a spare bedroom,” she recounts. “Both spaces were essentially unused.” The designer converted the hall into a laundry room and turned the bedroom into a gym. Custom storage, plus a pull-out ironing board, sink and countertop, make wash day easy. Cutout wall space in the gym stores workout equipment. |
 | SURFACES AS ART: ORGANIC + SCULPTURAL“Sculptural islands allow us to play with form without additional visual noise,” says Snaidero DC Metro designer Shawna Dillon. Surface lines are carved into the sides of Snaidero’s sculpted island blocks, which can be designed to suit any preference. Available in ceramic (pictured), quartz or natural stone. |
 | INDUCTION IS INThe 36-inch Induction Downdraft Cooktop from Bertazzoni’s Professional Series marries induction cooking with integrated ventilation. Four zones feature nine power levels each; they can be merged to create a single heat source. A touch-through-glass interface and two bridge areas facilitate food prep. |
 | COSMIC CONNECTIONNamed for German astronomer Wilhelm Tempel, Quartzforms’ Tempel is one of 12 styles in Planet, the brand’s quartz-slab collection. Its white, marble-like surface is noted for intersecting veins of gray and orange that resemble written lines. Intended for indoor use. |
 | APPLIANCES IN EARTHY HUESBlueStar’s Winter 2025 palette of five warm shades embraces the season while showcasing the latest color trends in appliances. Ranges, hoods and refrigerators come in Umbra Grey, Pigeon Blue, Black Green, Signal Brown and Green Grey—all with brushed-brass accents. Find at Ajmadison in Tysons. bluestarcooking.com; ajmadison.com
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 | OUTSIDE THE BOX CABINETRYThe Aroma kitchen system by Italian brand Pedini incorporates a variety of clean-lined cabinet profiles in mixed materials and moody color schemes. Pictured: A display unit features smoked glass framed in dark wood, lit by lateral LEDs. Find at Salus Homes in Friendship Heights. |
 | CUSTOMIZE YOUR APPLIANCESThe French Door 48” from Signature Kitchen Suite brings versatility to the fore. The built-in, panel-ready fridge boasts five customizable compartments, a convertible drawer with custom settings in five modes and soft-close crisper drawers. The WiFi-ready appliance is operable via app. |
 | SLEEK INTEGRATED SINKSIntegrated sinks take a bow with British kitchen-design company Cabbonet’s luxe, stand-alone island. Eye-catching Breche Ruggine marble has been carved to create a deep, wide vessel and drainboard; raised edges frame the unit. Available in various types of marble, granite, quartzite and sintered stone. |
 | PLAYING WITH METALSTactile patterns, diamond-shaped knurling and intricate lattice details distinguish four recent cabinet-hardware debuts from Top Knobs. The Burnham, Dempsey, Garrison and Prestwick Suites of knobs and pulls come in satin, flat, brushed and polished finishes and in chrome, nickel, bronze and black. |
 | BURNISHED LOOKCalifornia Faucets’ Kitchen Collection serves up solid-brass pot fillers in an assortment of styles via myriad handle options and finishes that allow homeowners to mix and match. The Descanso Works Pot Filler is pictured in burnished brass with vintage-style lever handles. |
 | A petite kitchen goes big on charm with exuberant hues |
 | A modern kitchen makeover conjures a moody vibe |
 | An elegant kitchen emphasizes a connection to nature |
 | Color and pattern create a warm welcome in a cheerful kitchen redo |
“It is the materials’ own language, I seek to express,” the Danish, mid-century furniture designer Poul Kjaerholm once declared. His observation reflected not only his own philosophy but that of the modernist movement, which utilized materials to dictate form and function.
It was this ideal that first attracted a serious present-day collector, inspiring him to build a prodigious catalog of furnishings and decorative objects spanning the late 1920s to the 1960s. “What appeals to me are the clean lines, general sensibility and emphasis on functionality above all else,” avers the collector, an entre-
preneur in the technology world.
The fruits of this oeuvre—and an impressive array of contempory art—are on full display in the Kalorama row house he shares with his wife, a career civil servant. The couple bought the 1890 residence in 2017 as a backdrop for their collection. But differences in preference and design strategy hampered the process of furnishing and decorating the home. Multiple storage units needed to be sifted through (the trove includes some 190 chairs, for instance), and the vision was complicated by the goal of retaining the home’s traditional bones while modernizing its interiors.
The duo turned to designer—and fellow collector—Nestor Santa-Cruz for guidance. Says the wife, “My husband and I have different approaches. He collects because he likes an object. But I always want to know, ‘where will it go?’ We joked that Nestor was our mediator.”
Santa-Cruz brought what the collector calls “a strong foundation in both scholarly knowledge and broader design styles” to the project. “Nestor is an extraordinary resource,” he reflects. “He created an eclectic mix where pieces are in conversation with each other. His balanced perspective helped us understand how everything would come together.”
The three-story, 3,700-square-foot dwelling had been recently renovated when the couple purchased it. A foyer opening onto the living and dining rooms occupies the main floor, with the kitchen spilling out to the landscaped backyard. The second level houses the primary suite and a book-lined study where the wife works remotely. A guest room, hall bath and TV room span the third floor. High ceilings and south-facing windows celebrate natural light. The remodeled kitchen and bathrooms were classically conceived with white cabinetry and marble surfaces.
“The renovation embraced what I’d call a Washingtonian aesthetic—traditional and decorative,” Santa-Cruz recounts. “It has its personality, and that was critical. We determined what to keep from the original framework, to connect the story of the house with its new contents.”
Painting the interiors in Farrow & Ball’s neutral Ammonite was a first step. In the dining room, overbearing wallpaper was removed and existing built-ins adorned in raffia with Scandinavian hardware for a mid-century vibe. The original crystal chandelier nods to the home’s provenance while the living room draperies have been streamlined and shortened for a more contemporary look. Traditional light fixtures from the main floor moved to other parts of the house “to create a through-line,” Santa-Cruz explains.
The designer plotted a road map of furniture layouts for each room. He and his clients determined where to put the things that were in the house already and mined the storage units for treasures. Then, “we started with pieces I had already collected,” says the husband. “Nestor helped us identify which ones should be brought to the house and placed in specific rooms.” Along the way, additional items were purchased to fill in gaps.
Selections were made with careful consideration as to how they’d work together in each space. The aim was to land on a mix of provenances, materials and influences in each room. For instance, says Santa-Cruz, “we had a lot of Scandinavian pieces and wanted to bring in some American ones. So we added the living room sofa by Florence Knoll. It’s not a vintage piece but is juxtaposed with pieces that are.”
The main floor provides a taste of the home’s bounty. In the foyer, the Artichoke chandelier by Poul Henningsen illuminates a Fornasetti side chair beside a chest of drawers belonging to the wife; Santa-Cruz topped it with marble. In the living room, a steel-and-wicker PK-25 chaise by Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen and 1956 Gio Ponti Lounge Chair for Cassina face a vintage inlaid coffee table by Finnish designer Tapio Wirkkala. Saarinen chairs in the dining room surround a vintage PK-54 dining table by Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen that has been customized with new leaves by Fritz Hansen.
Modernist furnishings are offset by vibrant contemporary art; large-scale, mixed-media works dominate. “We focused on abstract, geometric and minimalist works with a quiet disposition,” says the collector. “Our goal was to create an environment where the art complements the space without overwhelming it.” A painted-steel piece over the living room mantel by Erin Shirreff employs dye sublimation and archival pigment prints while a Johnny Abrahams oil-on-canvas presides in the dining room. A mirrored, LED-lit creation by Iván Navarro anchors the upstairs hallway.
Though perfectly curated, the home remains something of a work in progress, according to both clients and designer. Says the collector, “I’m always making small refinements and evolutionary changes, so it will never be the same for more than six months—although hopefully it will have the same feel.”
Santa-Cruz concurs. “In this house, pieces will always be rotated in and out. You have to add and subtract, or it becomes static.”
Interior Design: Nestor Santa-Cruz, IIDA, LEED AP, Nestor Santa-Cruz Decoration, Washington, DC. Contractor: John L. Juenemann Services, Inc., Silver Spring, Maryland.
While traditional fireplaces are more intimate, designed for two to four, fire pits are great for entertaining parties of five to 10. A fire pit is typically a destination feature; it should be located away from other main project elements in a spot you’d naturally gravitate to—secluded but connected to the rest of the space.
Fuel source comes down to client preference and intended use. A woodburning fire feature will have a natural feel and authentic smell. A gas fire pit is more convenient, starting with the push of a button. Gas is more costly but adds a sleek, modern element.
—J.R. Peter, PLA, ASLA, Colao & Peter
Natural stone surfaces such as flagstone, limestone and travertine require less maintenance and cleaning than their engineered counterparts. Natural stone holds its color and integrity, while manmade products tend to fade over time. Flagstone is hot underfoot compared to travertine, limestone and pavers. Flagstone, limestone and brick will impart a traditional look while travertine and pavers look more contemporary. Flagstone and limestone are my go-to hardscape materials as they are timeless.
—Michael Prokopchak, ASLA, Walnut Hill Landscape Company
The best outdoor living spaces consider guest experience, connection, circulation and layout. An outdoor room adjoining the house should tie into its materials and aesthetic. Exposed wood beams, metal, glass and stone will provide a connection to nature, while planters, climbing vines and patio-scale plantings will maintain a connection to the architecture.
A shelter away from the house becomes an outdoor destination. It should be a hub for entertaining with features like an outdoor kitchen, fire element, fans and heaters. Pergolas and cloth shades shield the sun while a roofed structure, screens and glass panels provide three-season enjoyment.
—Matt Rhoderick, RLA, McHale Landscape Design
To get fall and winter interest from plantings, choose trees that will provide color, and shrubbery like boxwood that maintains its structure. Leave the browned-out blooms of flowering perennials such as hydrangea and astilbe intact. Caryx, small grasses and mazus between flagstone joints will remain all winter.
Permanent design elements also lend interest—a bench, sculpture or birdhouse, for instance; outdoor art should be illuminated, particularly in winter when the days are short.
—Jeff Crandell, Scapes
There was a time when many hot tubs were built into the pool scape with shared plumbing. This meant heating the pool as well as the hot tub in winter when you might only want to use the hot tub. I recommend separate systems to avoid heating both.
A freestanding hot tub should be built into a wall or recessed in a deck for visual appeal. If I’m integrating it with the pool, I’ll clad the spa wall in stone veneer with a real stone cap or coping to match the pool’s design and create a cohesive look.
—Jennifer Connoley, Jennifer Connoley Landscape Design
A ceiling structure provides the opportunity to heat from overhead while a wall allows heat from a vertical plane. Directional (radiant) heat is the best option; it warms objects rather than the air and can feel similar to how the sun warms our skin. When positioning heat output, consider the purpose of a space, its furniture layout and proximity to occupants. Radiant heat goes a long way in a space where a wall or plantings are in place to obstruct winter breezes.
Gas fire features are pleasant but do not heat efficiently as you move away from the source.
—Brian Hjemvik, PLA, ASLA, Kimmel Studio Architects
We think of a lighting plan holistically. Start simple; it’s easy to add more lighting as needed. We recommend creating zones so different areas can be controlled independently. A well-designed lighting plan is dynamic and will interact with the changing seasons. For example, uplighting a multi-stem tree may produce a soft, glowing canopy in summer while in winter, it will highlight the tree’s intricate branch structure and cast interesting shadows on nearby evergreens.
—Kevin Gaughan, RLA, ASLA, Form Garden Design
Shenandoah National Park unfurls before a property in Flint Hill, Virginia, like a perfect summer postcard. Wildflowers blanket the foreground, with the foothills draped in swaying grasses beyond. Mountain peaks paint the horizon.
This luminous vista enthralled a DC lawyer who, after years of visiting the region, decided to purchase property there. “My real estate agent took me up the driveway and I saw this,” she recalls from her screened porch, gesturing to the panorama. “I said yes immediately. There’s a lot of available land around here but a view like this is not common.”
The 65-acre parcel already had a house on it, but it was poorly situated and uninspiring. After some trepidation, the owner decided to tear it down and build a new home. She began by enlisting the right team for the project: architect Amy Gardner to mastermind a sustainable, modern home on the exact ridge where the owner first stood, and landscape architect Gregg Bleam to tame the surrounding terrain. “I didn’t want a ‘look at me’ modern house; I wanted it to seem like it’s supposed to be there, and to have seamless access to the outdoors,” she recounts. She also envisioned the property as a diverse native grassland that would evolve over time to support pollinators and other wildlife.
Gardner and Bleam conceived a master plan for a southwest-facing structure that truly embraces its location. “When siting a house, you are always looking for a way to make it fit the land,” Bleam observes. “Here, we had existing topography to tie into.”
Gardner adds, “The house is positioned along a ridge with interior and exterior spaces embracing views, sunlight, prevailing winds and natural features.”
Adhering to the owner’s modest vision for the home, the low-slung design “is right-sized for the client,” she says. “It borrows from local farm outbuildings, with utilitarian, open-sided rectangular forms and mono-pitched shed roofs. Connections between interior and exterior spaces allow easy movement and continuous engagement with the site.”
The 3,500-square-foot dwelling comprises two volumes with a glass connector between public and private wings that doubles as the front foyer, so that visitors see through to the mountains on entry. A single-story volume to the right houses a great room containing the kitchen and living/dining area, bordered on the back by a wall of glass sliding doors; a mudroom, pantry and powder room are tucked behind the great room on the opposite side. Angled to the left, a two-story volume contains a TV room and primary bedroom on the first floor with two more bedrooms above. A finished basement features a rec room.
With indoor-outdoor connectivity in mind, Gardner conceived a spacious screened porch off the kitchen that flows out to the side yard. Outside the slider wall, a deep-roofed overhang spans the length of the great room, providing shelter in summer while allowing the benefit of winter sun. Motorized shades are incorporated into the structure for additional protection and privacy.
Gardner collaborated with her client on the interiors, which boast an understated palette intended to channel attention to the view. White oak floors in the hyphen and sleeping wing are complemented by rift-cut oak thresholds between rooms. In the great room, a pale-gray, porcelain-tile floor allows a white oak-paneled ceiling to pop. In the sleek kitchen orchestrated by Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, white oak cabinetry is topped with Silestone counters. Many of the home’s clean-lined furnishings were repurposed from the owner’s previous residence.
Sustainability was a driving force for the project. “We made a very responsible house with low energy demand,” Gardner notes. The team implemented passive and active systems including natural and balanced mechanical ventilation; passive winter solar gain; a high-performance building envelope; a photovoltaic system channeling energy from the sun; and Dark Sky practices that eschew excessive outdoor lighting.
While plans for the house took shape, Bleam tackled the challenge of grading the property to accommodate the client’s exterior program, which centered on a lap pool, bocce court and gardens. “There were lots of slopes and not one stitch of flat ground when we started,” he remembers. “We needed to create a flat area that would look like it was part of the landscape.”
Just off the screened porch, concrete retaining walls support a patio of precast pavers separated by grass joints; this surface surrounds a gunite pool rimmed with precast-concrete coping. A bosk of London plane trees flanks the adjacent bocce court. In front of the house, a carport/garden shed serves as a gateway between the gravel parking court and the grassy front yard. A deer-fenced area beside the structure contains raised vegetable and flower beds. Native trees and shrubs such as black gum, oak and fothergilla dot the landscape.
Today, the client’s plan for conserving and restoring her property’s habitat is a work in progress. J.W. Townsend Landscapes eradicated invasive species from a four-acre swath of land that slopes down from the back of the house; it’s now a meadow planted with wildflowers. The slope bottoms out at a spring-fed pond that pumps water to irrigate the landscape. Future plans include converting the remaining open fields into native grasslands.
In the meantime, her home in the mountains has indeed put its owner in touch with nature as she learns to manage her acreage. “It’s a lot of work,” she says, “but it is magical.”
Architecture: Amy Gardner, FAIA, LEED AP; Brittany Williams, AIA, LEED AP, Gardner Architects, LLC, Silver Spring, Maryland. Kitchen Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD; Meghan Browne, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Builder: Willoughby Construction and Consulting, LLC, Hagerstown, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: Gregg Bleam, FASLA, Gregg Bleam Landscape Architect, PLC, Charlottesville, Virginia. Landscape Contractor: J.W. Townsend Landscapes, Charlottesville, Virginia.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT
Cabinetry: hesscustomkitchenandbath.com; mstymdws.com. Windows & Doors: loewen.com through thesanderscompany.com. Siding: jameshardie.com.
KITCHEN
Cabinetry: artcraftkitchens.com through gilmerkitchens.com. Countertops & Backsplash: cosentino.com. Range & Ovens: thermador.com. Refrigerator: subzero-wolf.com. Pendant Lighting: foscarini.com through illuminc.com. Tile: porcelanosa.com. Plumbing Fixtures: kohler.com; creategoodsinks.com; duravit.us; nameeks.com; houseofrohl.com.
As part of a primary-suite renovation in McLean, Emily Neifeld, a partner at Lobkovich, was tasked with reimagining the dated bathroom. She was able to retain its original layout while affecting a dramatic transformation.
“In the existing space, there were ornate, painted vanities and a crystal chandelier,” she recalls. Ship-lap siding on the walls and an abundance of doors made the room feel busy and disjointed. The homeowners envisioned a clean, modern aesthetic “with the feel of a high-end hotel,” Neifeld explains.
Fortunately, the existing room was large and well laid-out. The new plan removed a closet door and excised the shiplap surfaces, then focused on creating a fresh, updated look.
At one end of the room, a soaking tub with gold feet is flanked by open shelving that lets in the light through tall, narrow windows formerly obstructed by cabinets. Framing a clerestory window, a book-matched marble wall—the only holdover from the previous iteration—forms a focal point behind the tub. Sleek, custom vanities are encased in thick, marble waterfall countertops. Marble-look porcelain covers the floor. Opposite the tub, a roomy shower features a wet area, TV and Kohler digital valve system.
To capture an airy, spa-like sensibility, Neifeld clad much of the room in rift-cut, white oak veneer—including a dropped tray ceiling embellished with deep slats. A Currey & Company chandelier makes a sculptural statement. The walls are covered in vinyl grass cloth, and plumbing fixtures and hardware glow with a brushed-brass finish.
Bath Design: Emily Neifeld, Lobkovich. Contractor: RJS Construction, Inc.
THE DETAILS
VANITY COUNTERTOPS: marblesystems.com. FLOOR & SHOWER TILE: architessa.com. TUB: bainultra.com through tsc online.com. PLUMBING FIXTURES: rohl.com through build.com. CHANDELIER & SCONCES: visualcomfort.com. VANITY MIRRORS: custom through hutchison glass andmirror.com.
A couple planning a custom, Craftsman-style residence in Bethesda contacted Interior Matter to join the design team. In addition to orchestrating the interiors, principal Sarita Simpson was tapped to mastermind the finishes for a luxe primary bath. “The clients had a specific vision for his-and-her spaces connected by a two-person shower,” Simpson explains.
Architect Mark Giarraputo of Studio Z Design Concepts, who designed the home, conceived the bath as three separate areas: One with a vanity, makeup desk, soaking tub and WC for the wife; one with a vanity and WC for the husband; and a long shower, outfitted with two sets of fixtures, that bridges both spaces.
Embracing Japandi style—a melding of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics—Simpson created a serene vibe with organic materials, soft colors and clean, modern lines. Oak beams decorate the ceiling and frame the husband’s vanity. Slate-look porcelain tile covers the floor. The sculptural soaking tub, below a window overlooking the backyard, is a concrete-and-stone composite. The matching vanities designed and fabricated by Division12Design are made of white oak and topped with Calacatta Caldia marble; the wife’s makeup desk is painted a soft green.
Tempered-glass doors enclose the shower, where a textured version of the floor tile clads the walls. Oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and cabinet hardware throughout impart a cohesive look.
Architecture: Mark Giarraputo, AIA, Studio Z Design Concepts. Interior Design: Sarita Simpson, Interior Matter. Bath Design: Division 12Design. Builder: Sandy Spring Builders.
THE DETAILS
COUNTERTOPS: petra stonegallery.com. TUB: nativetrailshome.com through build.com. FLOOR, WALL & SHOWER FLOOR TILE: stone source.com. PLUMBING FIXTURES: samuel-heath.com. HARDWARE: rockymountainhardware.com through pushpullhardware.com. WINDOW SHADES: hartmann forbes.com, fabricated by gretcheneverett.com. PENDANT: jadamsandco.com.
Among DC’s plethora of vintage row houses, a Second Empire-era residence on Logan Circle stands out for such emblematic flourishes as its mansard roof and ornamental detailing. Enlisted to restore the abode after extensive fire and water damage, Balodemas Architects quickly returned the front façade to its former glory.
But the interiors were not so simple. “There was just too much damage,” recounts principal Lou Balodemas. “It was a gut job; we could only save the staircase and living room fireplace.”
The owners, ready for a change, had decided to go modern inside. Balodemas’ plan opened the rear to the backyard via walls of windows on three levels. An addition enlarged the second level and created a third-floor primary bedroom. A three-story rear structure comprising a deck and pergola provides privacy and space for al fresco time. A streamlined kitchen and bathrooms were outfitted by Porcelanosa.
David Zein of Ligne Roset worked with the owners to replace damaged furniture. “I completely re-selected the furniture according to the new layout of the house and their way of life,” he says. Modern Ligne Roset pieces such as the iconic Togo chair in the family room and a blue-velvet Prado sofa in the living room mix with French Art Deco and North African elements to convey an ethno-modern aesthetic. Bold, abstract artworks collected from around the world take center stage.
Renovation Architecture: Lou Balodemas, AIA, Balodemas Architects, Washington, DC. Interior Design: David Zein, Ligne Roset, Washington, DC. Kitchen & Bath Design: Porcelanosa, Washington, DC. Contractor: HEB-N-Co Construction, LLC, Boyds, Maryland.
Majestic Old City Hall commands an entire block in downtown Richmond. Completed in 1894, the ornate, Gothic Revival gem designed by Detroit architect Elijah E. Meyers functioned as the Virginia capital’s city hall until the late 1970s, when it was repurposed as an office building. It earned Historic Landmark designation in 1971.
In 2015, Washington-based Quinn Evans shouldered the task of reviving the structure’s dated interior, finally completing the renovation in 2023. “The goal was to restore its original design, bringing key features into alignment with its National Historic Landmark status,” says principal Tom Jester. “We also addressed upgrades to meet code and reduce energy consumption.”
Among the revamped spaces: the skylit atrium (pictured) with its grand, central staircase linking four stories of arcades. In its new iteration, off-white surfaces and warm oak millwork are historically accurate, yet feel fresh. The original laylight system, light fixtures and windows have been restored. Flourishes such as the stair rail’s trefoil motif and faux-wood graining on the column bases, cast-iron balustrades and stair have been meticulously brought back. “The restoration preserves the building’s historic fabric,” Jester notes. “We’re excited to see it renewed for next-generation needs.”
Old City Hall received a commercial Palladio award from Traditional Building in 2024.
Renovation Architecture & Interior Design: Thomas Jester, FAIA, FAPT, LEED AP, Quinn Evans, Washington, DC. Renovation Contracting: Grunley Construction Company, Inc., Rockville, Maryland.
BATHING BEAUTY The Newton, a recent addition to Drummonds’ line of enameled, cast-iron tubs, nods to Scandinavian style with a simple yet curvaceous body, rolled rim and oversized bun feet. drummonds-uk.com
VINTAGE VIBE Bleu Provence’s Tru Colors ceramic basins celebrate retro style in a choice of 30 colors (Tortora is pictured above). Find in a wall-hung or stand version and in a matte or glossy finish. bleuprovence.it/en
TIMELESS MODERN Part of the Tulle 03 collection, Afrodite is a streamlined washbasin by Archeda Bathrooms. Made of a Calacatta Oro composite by Okite, it boasts a marble-look column and basin. archeda.eu
TILE TIME Architessa has introduced Davenport, a series of porcelain mosaics that come in a wide range of colors, shapes and patterns, with a glazed or unglazed surface. Pictured in a chain motif. architessa.com
DECO VIBE Inspired by curvilinear, Art Deco forms, Kallista’s One Armory collection includes shower and sink fixtures sporting decorative handles that are textured or inset with stone. Find in five finishes; chrome is shown with matte-black stone. kallista.com
ALL THE ANGLES The Tecturis collection of sleek, minimalist faucets by Hansgrohe comes in an angular or softly rounded design. Both are available in a single-hole or wide-spread version, in a choice of finishes. hansgrohe-usa.com
