Saudah Saleem, who hails from Brooklyn, has always been in love with fashion, history and art. After marrying and moving to Baltimore, she transitioned from a government job to a career in interior design. “I longed for the city life I’d left and its cultural diversity,” she observes. “Design helped me tune back into it.”

As is often the case, Saleem discovered early on that she had a natural affinity for home décor. Years of painting, refinishing furniture and helping friends with their homes showed her she could make a career of it; today, she employs a support staff of two and completes about 12 residential and commercial projects a year. Though she relinquished her downtown Baltimore studio when covid hit, it will reopen in July. “I find I like the separation of work and home life,” reveals the designer, who is a mother of five.

Saleem’s clients tend to be diverse, worldly and well-traveled, and share her interest in fashion and the arts. “I typically design with cultural infusion in mind; African and Asian influences are common in my work,” she relates, adding, “I love to see the potential in a space and to be able to transform it into something my clients will love.”

Interior Design: Saudah Saleem, Saudah Saleem Interiors, Baltimore, Maryland. 

While the world was shutting down in March 2020, great changes were afoot for the owner of a townhome in DC’s hip NoMa neighborhood. She had just moved from a longtime abode in Northwest and, as she recalls, “it was the perfect time to hunker down and nest.”

The new 2,000-square-foot dwelling, which replaced a vintage row house, is streamlined and contemporary. An open kitchen/living/dining area dominates the main floor, with two en-suite bedrooms downstairs. The owner, a healthcare consultant, decided to divest herself of her traditional furnishings and start fresh—with some help. She hired designer Pamela Harvey, whose portfolio of fresh, cheerful projects appealed to her. “I told Pam I love color, and that I want my home to feel happy,” the owner recounts. “Beyond that, I trusted her vision. It was a leap of faith.”

Harvey reimagined the interiors, embracing the home’s minimalist lines with a transitional aesthetic leaning toward modern. The designer selected an array of eye-catching wall coverings that lend verve to almost every room. “The place was sterile, a blank canvas,” she says. “I added color and pattern to make it warm and inviting—with touches of the unexpected.”

Q&A WITH PAMELA HARVEY

What were the project’s primary challenges?
The main floor is essentially one long, skinny room, so I had to be careful that what I did wasn’t going to be overpowering. The bones are contemporary, with steel stairs and a sleek kitchen; I needed to speak to that while keeping it warm and inviting. The client wanted it to feel modern, but not cold.

How did you strike that balance?
I used wallpaper throughout the house—but just as an accent, to add warmth and interest without being overwhelming. On the main floor, I papered one long wall spanning the living, kitchen and dining areas. It makes a statement and pulls everything together.

The living area combines strong patterns and colors yet feels calming. How did it evolve?
I tend to design a room as one unit; here, I found the rug, wall covering and pillow fabric all at once. To me, the rug and wall covering work together in an unexpected way. The pillow fabric is a modern take on chinoiserie from Brunschwig & Fils. The overall effect is harmonious.

How did you choose the wall covering?
Because townhouses like this often have few architectural features, you need something to bring in that texture and geometry. I chose the living area’s wall covering, which is a wood veneer, for that reason. It’s a geometric motif in a subtle, neutral teal with gold lines that add a touch of glam.

Discuss your vision for the small den beyond the dining area.
It’s separate and supposed to be more casual, like a family room. The gold palette is warm and the wallpaper is traditional grass cloth but with a graphic, modern print. I brought in teal accents with the lamps and pillows.

Describe the living-area furnishings.
They’re a mix. I combined the transitional CR Laine seating with more modern occasional and coffee tables from Bernhardt.

How did you select the color palette for the main level?
The art in the den was one of the few things the client kept. I used it as a jumping-off point for the color palette.

Share your philosophy on lighting.
For lighting to be complementary, metals need to have some continuity and the styles should be similar. I like to say that pendants and chandeliers don’t have to match but they should be going to the same party.

Is there a rule of thumb for pairing art and wallpaper?
The two should work hand in hand, usually through color or pattern. I use simple frames that don’t take away from the wallpaper pattern. Older homes can be more forgiving of mismatched art as it can create a collected look. A townhouse like this needs to be more of a piece.

Describe your lighting plan.
The modern pendants over the kitchen island were existing, so I chose a complementary chandelier for the dining area that’s a little modern and glitzy. The den fixture is a leather-wrapped shade with a brass interior that feels more casual.

How did you decorate the primary bedroom?
The room is small, but the owner chose an overscaled, king-sized bed and matching nightstands. I clad an accent wall in Schumacher Pyne Hollyhock wallpaper featuring oversized cabbaged roses with a vintage look. The pattern contrasts with the modern lines of the furniture and de-emphasizes its size, as your eye is drawn to the wallpaper.

Favorite design element?
I have loved wallpaper since the ’80s. These days, it’s a lot more creative—and a lot more expensive. Materials are much better. I think it’s really modern now.

What’s the next big thing?
When I was at Spring High Point Market, everything was upholstered in beige bouclé, a sort of nubby chenille. May be the next big thing—but I hope not!

What trend would you like to see?
A return to elegant living, with formal dining and living rooms. I think people are craving that. And a return to entertaining.

How important is accessorizing?
I have a saying: “It’s not the first $1,000 you spend, it’s the last $1,000 that makes all the difference.” You don’t need a lot of accessories, but they need to be the right ones.

Go-to shopping destination?
I always hit up the DC Big Flea in Dulles, which happens every quarter. I love vintage finds.

Interior Design: Pamela Harvey, Pamela Harvey Interiors, Oakton, Virginia, and St. Petersburg, Florida.

TUB TIME
Designed by Lucia Carlomagno for Italian luxury-bath company Falper, the sculptural Lancetta freestanding tub is distinguished by an unusually high backrest that lends comfort and ergonomic support. Made of Cristalplant, a durable, stone-look engineered surface, in a matte finish. falper.it

SCALLOPED STYLE
Fanfare, a recent offering by Architessa, is a vibrant collection of Japanese-made, glazed-porcelain mosaics. Available in Aqua, Cobalt and White, the tiles come in circles, triangles, stars, scallops and more. Pictured above: Scallop Aqua makes a bold statement. architessa.com

ICONIC SHAPE
Stone Forest elevates the classic trough sink with its elegant Trough Console. A honed Carrara marble basin sits atop the manufacturer’s Elemental Classic Trough Vanity Legs, pictured here in polished nickel. Find at area Ferguson locations. stoneforest.com; ferguson.com

WONDERFUL WOOD
British maker Studio Number 10 uses reclaimed wood sourced from historic buildings to create cabinet knobs and pulls, embellishing them with gold and silver leaf and a coat of clear resin. Find at Push Pull Decorative Hardware in North Bethesda. studionumber10.co.uk; pushpullhardware.com

THREE DIMENSIONAL
A dynamic, undulating surface characterizes Artis White, a 3-D ceramic wall tile made by Porcelanosa. The sleek, 13-by-40-inch tiles come in bronze, silver and matte or high-gloss white; pictured here in an airy, modern bathroom masterminded by Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. Available locally at Marblex in Fairfax, Virginia. marblexinc.com

ON THE WALL
Designed with a 24-by-12-inch-tile look, Fibo’s Crescendo collection of three-dimensional, 24-by-94-inch wall panels offers easy installation and an affordable price point. The line includes four hues; Gris Grande is pictured. Find at USA Cabinet Store locations. usacabinetstore.com; fibosystemusa.com

BACK TO NATURE
Woven from acrylic Perennials yarns, Samuel & Sons’ Terrace outdoor passementerie collection of fringes, borders and tapes marries soft earth tones and organic materials. Find at Hines & Co. samuelandsons.com; hinescompany.com

MADE FOR THE SHADE
Clarence House’s Outdoor collection includes light-fast, stain-resistant trimmings. Six cheerful motifs come in a range of colorways. Find at Holly Hunt. clarencehouse.com; hollyhunt.com

TAILORED APPEAL
Inspired by classic tweed, Batyline Elios is a line of high-end outdoor upholstery by Serge Ferrari Group—known for innovative, recyclable composite fabrics. Woven of soft, textured yarn and available in 10 colors. sergeferrari.com

LUSH LOOK
Brunschwig & Fils conjures delicate paisleys, lush blooms and subtle abstracts on polyester textiles in its En Vacances II indoor-outdoor collection. Pictured above from left: Rougier, in two colorways; Les Touches II; and Brassac. Available at Kravet; kravet.com

SET SAIL
In partnership with Samuel & Sons, Lori Weitzner launched her first indoor-outdoor collection of performance trims. Dubbed Regatta, the line resembles linen and jute but is made with heathered outdoor yarn using ombré techniques to convey nature’s shifting hues. samuelandsons.com

SOFT SELL
Velvet, a quintessential look for plush interior spaces, now belongs outdoors—courtesy of Romo’s Nicoya, a line of solution-dyed acrylic stripes and solids with a velvety feel. romo.com

EASY DOES IT
Blurred Lines is a collection of outdoor fabrics conceived for Holly Hunt by Assemblage. The designs were inspired by the Arkansas firm’s bespoke wallpapers, translated onto performance fabrics that are hardy and easy to clean. hollyhunt.com

The Royal Norwegian Embassy and Chancery in Washington claims an enviable perch between the Vice President’s residence and the National Cathedral—and a recent transformation secures its place in this rarified company. Conceived by the DC office of Fentress Architects, the renovation brings the 30,000-square-foot, 1977 building into the 21st century, employing native resources such as copper and wood to reflect Norway’s traditions of woodworking, ship-building and fishing.

“While providing functional, accessibility and sustainability upgrades, our architecture makes Norway’s rich heritage visible on one of the most culturally significant streets in the United States and the world,” says Steve White, the project’s principal-in-charge.

A restored limestone shell comprises much of the outer structure; openings in its façade admit generous daylight and views of the gardens and street. A window wall around the entry sends a message of transparency and welcome.

Inside, a finned curtainwall of Norwegian spruce forms a cocoon around spaces including the lobby atrium, where an open stair connects to a two-story social hub. Diplomatic offices are demarcated by a copper-clad timber hull that recalls Viking ships.

Sustainability—a tenet of the embassy’s mission—was a key project goal. Almost half the site is green space, planted with pollinator-friendly species. Bioretention planters and permeable pavements manage runoff, eliminating any burden to the Rock Creek watershed. Indoor water use is 25 percent less than baseline and thermal envelope upgrades abound.

Renovation Architecture: Steve White, FAIA, LEED AP, BD+C, Fentress Architects, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: Whiting-Turner, Baltimore, Maryland. 

TASTY TREAT
The Lynx Professional Grill Series LPZA 30-Inch Outdoor Oven produces stellar pizza thanks to its fast-heating infrared burner that reaches 700 degrees. But the oven, which boasts 400 square inches of cooking surface, can also turn out such varied fare as apple cake, braised lamb shanks and grilled salmon. Available at AjMadison in Tysons. lynxgrills.com; ajmadison.com

CHEF’S CHOICE
Versatility rules in Cuisinart’s Twin Oaks Pellet and Gas Grill, which combines a smoker, griddle and grill with 900 square inches of cooking surface. Bluetooth readouts monitor progress via LCD remote or the Cuisinart app. Windows and halogen lights make viewing easy. cuisinart.com

PIZZA NIGHT
Artisanal pizza moves outdoors with the Dometic Delta Heat 30-inch pizza oven. Burners in the dome and hearth reach 43,000 BTUs and heat-retentive tiles line the oven’s interior—so delectable pies are ready in minutes. Find in a built-in or countertop version. deltaheat.com

SMOKIN’ HOT
Nexgrill’s smartphone-enabled Oakford Pellet Grill not only smokes meats to perfection, but it also grills, bakes, roasts, braises and warms. Available in three sizes, the grill is made from hammer-tone steel in a black powder-coated, high-gloss finish. nexgrill.com

WHAT’S COOKING
Coyote Outdoor Living’s C series 36-inch Built-In Gas Grill is equipped with 875 square inches of grilling space, 80,000 BTUs of output and five cast-stainless-steel burners. Extras include interior lights and an optional wind guard. Find at area Appliance Distributors Unlimited locations. coyotegrill.com; adu.com

Tired of their dark, dated kitchen, homeowners tapped designer and architect Charles Almonte to reimagine it. First, Almonte tackled issues of function and flow caused by a separation of the pantry and double ovens from the rest of the kitchen. “We integrated one oven and added a breakfast bar with storage and functional counter space,” Almonte recounts. “The clients liked the idea of a walk-in pantry, so we designed a full-height cabinet that feels like a traditional pantry but doesn’t take up additional floor space.” The redesign also accommodated a spacious island and larger appliances, including a built-in Sub-Zero fridge and a Wolf range.

Dark-cherry cabinetry made way for white peripheral cabinets, while the island and pantry cupboard were painted in Sherwin-Williams’ Naval for contrast. A marble-tile backsplash in a herringbone pattern animates what is now the hub of the home.

Interior Architecture & Kitchen Design: Charles Almonte, AIA, ASID, Charles Almonte Architecture | Interior Design, Silver Spring, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Accent General Contracting, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland.

A two-bedroom apartment was comprised of compartmentalized rooms that made the interiors feel dark and dated. The owners hired Studio PHH Architects to orchestrate an overhaul that would gut the apartment and rethink its overall circulation and flow. “The goal was to bring efficiency, openness, light and unity of materials,” says founder and project architect Pierre-Henri Hoppenot. “We kept some acoustic and visual separations while providing a communal feeling within the main rooms: living, dining and kitchen.”

The design team removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a warm yet minimalist kitchen. “The project is unified by materials which repeat,” notes the architect, who paired white oak cabinetry from Abernathy Sticks with countertops and backsplash in book-matched Chateau Noire quartzite that also frames the living room fireplace. Engineered white oak flooring unifies the space.

Renovation Architecture: Pierre-Henri Hoppenot, AIA, Studio PHH Architecture, PLLC, Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: Jeffco Development, Rockville, Maryland. Photography: MPI.

For DC-area residents longing for a quick getaway, Gibson Island has its allure. This private enclave fronting the Chesapeake Bay and the Magothy River near Annapolis is blessed by abundant woods, a bird sanctuary, golf and tennis—and nary a traffic jam. It certainly appealed to a DC couple with three young teenagers who were looking for a vacation house. “We wanted an easy-to-get-to retreat from city living that would make us feel far away,” the wife explains. “We also wanted access to family activities—and Gibson Island definitely offers that.”

Since the Maryland island harbors only about 190 residences, a dated 1980s abode perched above picturesque Otter Pond presented a real opportunity when it came on the market. The couple—he works in global development and she in education—quickly bought the house and tapped architect David Benton to overhaul its interiors. “David helped us realize what the house could be and how to make it work for our family,” the wife relates.While the owners initially sought a simple update, Benton recognized that to achieve their goals, a deeper dive was necessary. “They wanted to expand their livable space, so we needed to open the interiors up,” he recounts. “Their aesthetic leans toward modern so we embraced that—not sterile but with a lot of color and detail.”

Sited 30 feet above the pond on a steep bluff, the 2,900-square-foot home opens to a narrow rear yard via a lower level containing the kids’ bedrooms, a rec room and an in-law suite. Visitors enter the house on the main floor. The spacious living room is straight back, with the kitchen and dining room on one side and the owners’ suite on the other. The pond is visible through numerous windows on the main level, where rooms open out to a wraparound deck.

When Benton began, however, the layout was more compartmentalized. There was no dining room, and the closed-off kitchen and breakfast nook felt cramped. A two-season sunroom had one wall covered in exterior shingles while the other three took in views through “a hodgepodge of sliding doors and windows that didn’t line up,” recalls the architect. By removing the wall between the sunroom and kitchen, he created a vastly improved great room encompassing the kitchen and dining room. A row of clerestory windows remains, but lower doors and windows were replaced for a cohesive look; beadboard details the vaulted ceiling.

The revamped kitchen centers on an island with seating. The door connecting the kitchen and living room shifted to accommodate a new range wall; floor-to-ceiling cabinetry now lines the former breakfast nook, keeping the rest of the kitchen free of upper cabinets for a streamlined look. What Benton terms “a peekaboo window” overlooks the stair down to the kids’ rooms, maintaining a convenient connection to the lower level through which the owners can communicate with people downstairs and see who might be at the front door.

In the living room, extensive built-in shelving replaced a wall of outdated cabinetry. “The clients love reading so we created more of a library feel,” the architect says. “Shiplap shelf backs and picture lights above dress it up.” The fireplace surround—formerly a giant inset mirror—is now clad in variegated limestone veneer that picks up colors found in nature.

Additional updates include an overhaul of the primary suite and its spacious bath, a redo of the downstairs kids’ bathroom and the conversion of a storage area beneath the former sunroom into an ensuite guest room.

When it came to updating the aesthetic, Benton made a big impact by painting the orangey oak woodwork throughout the house white, including all the window frames. “Painting out those windows really brings the view in,” says the architect, who recently relocated to South Carolina. “That oak color was sort of in your face before; the crisp white allows you to see beyond the divisions in the window and makes the view the focal point.”

He also replaced a mishmash of tile and wood flooring with engineered white oak floors that streamline and unify the spaces. The owners selected furnishings and accessories in a palette of blue-gray and white inspired by fond memories of time spent living in the Pacific Northwest. Says the wife, “We wanted this house to be modern but warm, meant for family. And we aimed to honor the natural beauty outside our walls.”

Renovation Architecture: David Benton, AIA, Benton architecture + interiors, Bluffton, South Carolina. Renovation Contractor: David Stevens and Brad Stevens, David B. Stevens, Glen Burnie, Maryland.

COASTAL HAVEN

Alexandria designer Lynn Tanger and her family were looking for a relaxed retreat where they could unplug from city life when they fell for a fixer-upper: an 800-square-foot, 1950s cottage on the Little Choptank River in Cambridge, Maryland.

Critical area restrictions meant maintaining the original footprint was a must. The diminutive dwelling, encompassing two bedrooms and a loft, was shored up on a new foundation and updated. Then Tanger got busy. “I needed to fully utilize the limited square footage,” she explains. “I wanted all the comforts of a larger home in a footprint a fraction of the size.”

In the main room, vaulted ceilings and oversized light fixtures convey airiness while sliders with retractable screens face the river. Original beams and new ceiling planks maintain a rustic vibe. Tanger, who recently relocated to Wisconsin, kept the finishes light and bright, with family-friendly fabrics and unlacquered-brass accents for patina. “My goal was to be coastal without being too literal,” she says.

Interior Design: Lynn Tanger, Lynn Tanger Interiors, Inc., Neenah, Wisconsin. Contractor: Glenn P. Ruark, Inc., Cambridge, Maryland. Photography: Jenn Verrier.

NAUTICAL NOOK

Tapped to design a waterfront home in Church Creek, Maryland, with 180-degree views of Little Choptank Sanctuary, architect Christine Dayton conceived a 6,000-square-foot structure in modern-farmhouse style. Complete with three stories and six bedrooms, the traditional abode offers vistas galore—including those seen from the third-floor bedroom belonging to the family’s teenage son.

“We gave him a cozy, nautically inspired retreat tucked within the roofline,” says Dayton of the space, which features crisp, white-painted shiplap on the walls, ceilings accented with reclaimed wood elements and textiles in a range of light and dark blue hues. She took advantage of a box bay shed dormer “that invites the outside in,” she notes. “We made it a comfortable place to read, nap, hang out—and take in the view” through three black-rimmed Marvin windows.

Rustic timber columns and beams repurposed from an old Pennsylvania factory frame the custom, built-in daybed. It’s flanked by integrated shelves that display nautical treasures and embellished with inviting throw pillows. A navy blue Roman shade softens the window wall and a spherical pendant hanging overhead sounds an industrial-chic note.

Architecture: Christine Dayton, AIA, Christine M. Dayton Architect, P.A., Easton, Maryland. Builder: Focus Construction, Ltd., Easton, Maryland. Photography & Styling: Stylish Productions.

FAR NORTH
The Koster Collection is named for the Koster Islands, an archipelago off of Sweden’s rugged west coast. Designed for the Swedish brand Skargaarden, the line’s tables and chairs are made of teak and acrylic rope and built to withstand the country’s weather extremes: heavy winds, torrential rain, blistering heat and sub-zero temperatures. skargaarden.com

BEAM OF LIGHT
Poltrona Frau recently launched its first outdoor furniture and accessories collection, available in the U.S. at JANUS et Cie. It includes Sparkler, a lantern designed by Kensaku Oshiro that evokes a traditional Japanese aesthetic. The weatherproof fixture combines a powder-coated aluminum frame with hand-woven polypropylene and is powered by a rechargeable LED. poltronafrau.com; janusetcie.com

CUSTOM KITCHEN
Abimis, an Italian manufacturer of bespoke stainless-steel kitchens, takes its creations outdoors with the Atelier line. These al fresco units integrate weather-resistant AISI 304 stainless steel with other durable materials in sleek, clean-lined style. Pictured above: A concrete-and-stainless-steel kitchen combines a grill, barbecue and lower cabinets finished in Anthracite. abimis.com/en

BREAKFAST AL FRESCO
Enjoy outdoor breakfast in style with DCS Liberty Collection’s 30-Inch Built-in Gas Dual Side Burner and Griddle, featuring gas burners and a smooth griddle surface perfect for sizzling pancakes. The stainless-steel appliance (pictured left of the grill) is available with a natural gas or liquid propane connection at AJ Madison in Tysons. ajmadison.com

PIZZA PARTY
The gas-fired Pizza Oven Plus from Alfresco Open Air Culinary Systems boasts a ceramic-slab interior that preheats in 15 minutes. Channeling even, top-down radiant heat, it produces perfect Neopolitan-style pizzas in three minutes. Available at area Appliance Distributors Unlimited locations as a built-in or countertop unit; pictured
with an optional cart. adu.com; alfrescogrills.com

MOOD INDIGO
Eskayel has debuted its first line of indoor-outdoor performance fabrics that are both stain-resistant and water-repellent. The collection depicts 15 delicate, painterly motifs in muted colorways, digitally printed in Italy. Pictured above: Dynasty in the Indigo colorway conveys the feel of an abstract watercolor painting. eskayel.com

WOVEN WARES
All-weather woven wicker is the star of Tommy Bahama’s Cypress Point Ocean Terrace collection. The line includes plush, cushioned lounge seating along with accent and cocktail tables topped with Weatherstone—an engineered surface that resembles honed limestone. Find at Sheffield Furniture & Interiors in Dulles, Virginia.

BRONZED BEAUTY
An organic, sculptural form distinguishes the Lido Cord Outdoor sofa, part of a collection masterminded by GamFratesi studio for Minotti. The bronzed stainless-steel frame is sheathed in woven polypropylene cording; pictured with the Lido armchair and side table as well as a Rodolfo Dordoni-designed coffee table, Stony. Available at Contemporaria. minotti.it; contemporaria.com sheffieldfurniture.com; tommybahamafurniture.com

BASKET WEAVE
B&B Italia marks 15 years since the debut of the company’s outdoor collection with a reissue of Canasta, first launched in 2007. Conceived by Patricia Urquiola, this capacious lounger woven of polyethylene in a traditional Vienna straw pattern was inspired by basketry (canasta means basket in Spanish). Find at B&B Italia in Georgetown.

LUXE PERCH
Patrick Norguet expands his Swing collection for Ethimo with Alcove, a luxe daybed that utilizes the line’s signature curved teak-and-stainless-steel construction to create a cocoon-like perch. Sliding curtains and a fabric top offer protection from the sun while a soft mattress and optional cushions beckon. ethimo.com bebitalia.com

GARDEN ON WHEELS
British designer and ironmonger David Le Versha first conceived Bramber, a greenhouse on wheels, in 1990—and in 2021, he partnered with Dutch design studio Revised on an update. The new Revised Bramber utilizes safety glass, stainless steel and powder-coated aluminum and comes in Sand, Rust (pictured above), black or white. Find at 1stdibs.com. revised.com

LONG LASTING
The rustic-chic Bethany Collection combines all-weather resin wicker, rust-proof aluminum and wood-look porcelain to create hardy, long-lasting outdoor furniture. The line includes a sofa, swivel chair and cocktail and end tables (all pictured above); a dining set and sectional are also available. Sold at Belfort Furniture in Dulles, Virginia. belfortfurniture.com

Clients in Reston contacted BOWA to improve their builder-grade, Colonial-style abode. Built in 2000, the home had become outmoded and its small, compartmentalized rooms no longer suited the family’s needs. Among the items on the wish list: a stylish, open kitchen with a high level of fixtures and finishes.

“The owners wanted the first floor to read as one unified space,” explains project leader Steve Scholl. “We removed walls separating the kitchen from both the dining and family rooms to create one generous area; this allowed us to convert a seldom-used front parlor into a formal dining room.” The new open floor plan made it possible to replace the cramped island, which faced the breakfast nook and offered room for little but a cooktop, with an expansive one oriented toward the window wall—an improved perspective for the chef. The new island holds the sink, plenty of workspace and comfortable seating for four.

The owners specified a bright, sophisticated, transitional look for the new space. Crystal Cabinet Works cabinetry in matte white is paired with eye-catching quartzite in a leather finish, built up on the island. Handmade ceramic subway tile in a glossy finish provides a backsplash that perfectly complements the countertops. Above the Wolf range, a custom hood embellished with a decorative stone carving creates a focal point. A flat, featureless ceiling was enhanced by shallow tray trim, and elegant Crystorama pendants add a touch of glam. Wide-plank walnut flooring unifies the space.

Award: Merit for Residential Kitchen over $150,000. Kitchen Design & Contracting: Stephen Scholl, CR, CKBR, UDCP, BOWA, McLean, Virginia. Windows: Andersen through T.W. Perry. 

After purchasing a newly constructed residence in Alexandria, homeowners hired Marks-Woods Construction Services to imbue its blank-slate rooms with character. The first priority was a home office with two dedicated workstations, abundant space for storage—and a distinctive, sophisticated yet traditional aesthetic. “The wife owns a styling business and works from home,” explains Marks-Woods partner Greg Marks. “She wanted the room to reflect her style in a striking way.”

Collaborating with Braemar Cabinetry, the Marks-Woods design team crafted a functional plan incorporating two built-in desks, a window seat and lots of cupboards and shelving. French doors up the style quotient and a custom cabinet with a floor-mounted rollout keeps the printer handy. As the room evolved, built-in features were embellished with elaborate millwork. “A lot of applied moldings on the walls create a paneled look that really enhances the room,” Marks comments. “They match the trim on the cabinet drawers and doors.”

Braemar studio manager Nadia Wall homed in on a rich, saturated look. “The millwork and color are the heroes of this story,” she notes. “It was important to create a transportive feeling; we wanted the room wrapped in color and set apart from the rest of the house.”

Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen Blue makes a statement on cabinets, walls, moldings and trim. The desks, window seat and cupboards are topped with walnut-stained wood that matches the floor. Brass accents in the picture lights, Everly Quinn chandelier and cabinet hardware complete the look.

Award: Grand for Residential Interior under $100,000. Renovation Design & Contracting: Greg Marks, Marks-Woods Construction Services, LLC, Alexandria, Virginia. Cabinetry Fabrication: Nadia Wall, Braemar Cabinetry, Alexandria, Virginia. Photography: Nova Soul Imagery.

Located in picturesque Capitol Hill, a vintage row house was in sore need of an overhaul when its owners called on Blue Star. They wanted to update the property, “to marry original elements with elegant, modern finishes and functionality,” says principal Eric Goetz. “The home was large but the spaces didn’t work for a family of five.”

Goetz and his team reconfigured the main level, relocating the kitchen—which had occupied the split-level basement—to the first floor. Square footage added to the rear of the home made room for the new space. By rerouting the staircase, they were able to carve out a dining area in the sleek, new kitchen. Blue Star also replaced the home’s rear wall with a three-panel accordion door from Pella Mid-Atlantic that opens to the backyard, creating indoor-outdoor flow. The former kitchen became a cozy family room.

A second-floor balcony was added while the third floor got a makeover and addition; it now accommodates bedrooms for all three kids and a new bathroom equipped with three sinks in a custom vanity. “We were able to double the space to accomplish the ultimate kids’ zone,” recounts Goetz. In the backyard, Blue Star widened a narrow stair from the back entrance to the patio, replacing pavers and brick with flagstone for a streamlined look.

To one side of the new kitchen, an existing two-level, brick-clad atrium offers access to the backyard. The eye-catching space has been dressed up with crisp, white paint and floor tiles conveying a vintage-modern vibe.

Award: Grand for Entire House $550,001-$750,000. Renovation Design & Contracting: Eric Goetz, Blue Star, Washington, DC. Photography: Cassandra Spicer McKevitt.

ON THE SIDE
The Hardie Architectural Collection by James Hardie delivers a sleek, modern look via a textured surface and shiplap joints that create V-grooved horizontal or vertical lines. Made with eco-friendly materials, the fiber-cement panels are low-maintenance and resistant to weather damage. Available in a smooth or rough stucco-look surface; pictured above in Fine Sand. jameshardie.com

UNDER FOOT
Marmoleum floors are made with biodegradable, rapidly renewable raw materials, along with 43-percent recycled content. The linoleum-like floors come in more than 300 colors and motifs. Pictured above: Marmoleum Concrete marries the look of marble and the texture of cement. forbo.com/flooring/en-us

TILE TREND
Crossville’s porcelain, glass and natural stone tiles are manufactured in the U.S. in a Green Squared-certified facility. Among the company’s offerings: Glass Blox, a collection of glass mosaic and four-by-four-inch tiles that comes in 58 colors and color combinations. Above: a fireplace column clad in Dazzle Red mosaic. crossvilleinc.com

SHINGLE STYLE
Euroshield’s green roofing systems are composed of 95-percent repurposed rubber tires and can be recycled repeatedly. The maintenance-free rubber is resistant to cracking, rotting, fading, algae, mold and more. Available in a slate or shake look; pictured here, Ranchlands Shake boasts the wavy grain and rough texture of wood shakes. euroshieldroofing.com

CHIC + STRONG
IceStone, a durable, stain-resistant countertop surface, is made in the company’s Brooklyn factory from 100-percent recycled glass, Portland cement and non-toxic pigments—and without resins, glues, petrochemicals, plastics or chemical binders. No sealing is necessary. Available in 19 bold hues; Cobalt Ice is pictured above. icestoneusa.com

To honor its 50th anniversary as a center for American craft, the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery examines the role and meaning of craft in the modern world with a dynamic new exhibit. On view from May 12 through April 2, 2023, “This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World” celebrates the ways in which artists spark essential conversations, methods of activism and stories of resilience through their work. The history of studio craft is honored while contemporary narratives acknowledge the overlooked contributions of women, people of color and other marginalized communities.

The exhibit will showcase nearly 150 artworks from the museum’s permanent collection on two floors of gallery space. Media ranging from fiber and ceramics to glass and metalwork will be on display; about 135 pieces are new acquisitions that have never been shown at the Renwick before. Featured artists include Nick Cave, Judith Schaechter, Preston Singletary, Roberto Lugo and many more; makers of all genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities and creeds are part of the mix. Virtual and in-person talks and events accompanying the show include Handi-hour, a happy hour with crafting on May 19. americanart.si.edu