A couple based in McLean searched for several years for just the right weekend retreat before finally discovering a waterfront property perfectly situated on Bennett Point near Queenstown, Maryland. They hired Walnut Hill Landscape Company to create an outdoor entertainment hub behind the home encompassing a pool, patio and cabana that would accommodate overnight guests—all sited to maximize views of the scenic Wye River.
“We worked with architect F. Carl Schwartz on the cabana, which features a fireplace, an open seating area and guest rooms above,” says Walnut Hill principal Michael Prokopchak. The open structure flows out to the pool area and patio, unified by full-color, natural-cleft Pennsylvania flagstone. Trees were positioned to create vertical interest while maintaining a sense of openness. Mass plantings of shrubs, perennials and grasses provide year-round color and texture and ensure that water views take center stage.
Landscape Design: Michael Prokopchak, ASLA, Walnut Hill Landscape Company, Annapolis, Maryland. Cabana Design: F. Carl Schwartz Architect, LLC, Baltimore, Maryland.
A pristine spot on Maryland’s Bohemia River lured a family looking to build a relaxed waterfront retreat. The husband, a contractor, collaborated with architects at Philadelphia-based Bernardon on a welcoming, Tidewater-style custom home that would take advantage of the lot’s expansive water views. “With its gambrel roof design, the vernacular harkens back to what you would see all along the Eastern Shore 60-plus years ago,” notes architect Douglas Hertsenberg, who spearheaded the project. “It’s all about casual living on the water.”
The home’s main floor centers on an open-plan kitchen/great room (pictured) with a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows facing the river. While traditional in style with wide muntins separating panels of glass, the wall-of-windows concept still conveys a modern feel. To delineate zones in the open layout, Hertsenberg and his team designed different ceilings: a tray ceiling defines the kitchen while deep coffers enliven the great room, which features casual space for dining.
Architecture: Douglas C. Hertsenberg, AIA, Bernardon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Empty-nesters who had raised their kids in Phoenix, Maryland, were ready to downsize. So they purchased a 1916 home on Spa Creek in downtown Annapolis, then tapped designer Katherine Crosby, who had decorated their previous home, to update the interiors to better fit their tastes. “The house was traditional, with lots of color,” says Crosby. “My clients preferred cleaner lines and a neutral palette. They wanted a degree of formality, but to feel relaxed for every day.”
With the home’s waterfront location in mind, Crosby oriented the furniture groupings toward the views. Located off the open-plan kitchen/family room, the dining nook (pictured), was easy, she says, “because it has three walls of windows.” She replaced the traditional shades with motorized ones, which have a thinner profile, and selected natural-linen drapery panels from John Saladino to frame the vistas rather than obstruct them. Neutral furnishings, including an existing table and velvet-upholstered chairs from Hickory White, complement a patterned sisal rug. A white-beaded Visual Comfort chandelier conveys a casual vibe.
Interior Design: Katherine Crosby, Jenkins Baer Associates, Baltimore, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
When the founding partner of a DC lobbying firm bought his Victorian row house in the 14th Street Corridor, he refurbished the three-story abode in a formal style to accommodate frequent fundraisers and large-scale entertaining. Ten years later, his needs had changed—and so had his taste. He hired Christopher Boutlier, who had decorated a residence in New York for him, to remake the space with a focus on comfort, livability and a contemporary aesthetic. “The house had begun to look dated and my client had become much more of a minimalist,” Boutlier explains.
In the interim, the homeowner had also become an avid art enthusiast, amassing a collection of conceptual work from the ’60s and ’70s and photography from the ’80s. “I wanted to make sure my collection would show well,” he says. “Chris did a good job making space for it. He made the house comfortable, functional and elegant.”
Detail the changes you made to the home’s aesthetic.
The previous style was more traditional, with maple floors, yellows and floral patterns. The owner now goes for graphic black-and-white, very spare and uncluttered.
The bones of the house are classic so he didn’t want a gut renovation, but we replaced the floors with custom-stained, reclaimed-oak planks from Arrigoni Woods, redid the bathrooms with black-and-white marble and gave the kitchen a facelift with white-painted cabinetry and new, honed-marble countertops. All the walls are painted white with black and dark-wood accents. And the furniture is either new or refinished to match the black-and-white palette.
What original design elements did you keep?
I love the two stainless-steel fireplaces in the living/dining room. We painted the surrounds white and stained the cupboard doors above them very dark to complement the floors (one hides the TV and one storage). We also kept a pair of light fixtures from Spain in the living room and added recessed lights that showcase the art. The existing stair railings stayed; they are stainless steel and glass and keep things light.
Describe the challenges of working in black and white.
A very high-contrast black-and-white look can seem cheap, without a lot of nuance to it. And whites are not all the same. To find a fabric you can put on the sofa in a certain tone of white, a natural rug that works with it and chairs—all these components can easily go wrong and suddenly you have a pink cast on something. It’s not a forgiving palette.
How do you bring a black-and-white palette to life?
The room has to feel layered so you have a range of tone and texture, and there shouldn’t be too much black. I used black accents in some picture frames and in dark-stained furniture. The dark-stained cupboards over the fireplace add drama and balance with the white.
Explain how you accentuated the client’s art.
The art collection is almost entirely black and white, and the interior palette was chosen partly so it would stand out. But when you have an all-white palette and all-white paintings, it’s tricky. We tried to keep the rooms quiet by picking one stain for the furniture and carrying it through; any piece that didn’t match was custom-stained. It was all in the interest of minimalism, of keeping things simple so the focus would be on the art. We tried to create what collectors call “prestige walls” for the owner’s favorite pieces.
What are your guidelines for framing minimalist artwork?
A frame can be used to enhance or detract from a piece of art. The white frames on white walls are there for protection, and hopefully they disappear visually to allow you to focus on the piece. But photographs need a black frame to draw your attention. I’m also big on uniformity in frames. We do all white or all black in a particular spot.
What are some tips for showcasing art?
Consider lighting carefully and think about vistas: Where do you stand or sit to view a piece? Also, give art room to breathe; cluttered spaces make it hard to see. You want to be able to absorb and think about it. That’s what good art does—it makes you think.
How did your design alter the furniture plan?
The previous plan utilized modular sectional sofas that could be taken apart and rearranged for parties. We didn’t want the separate seating areas anymore, so we chose a comfortable Ferrell Mittman sofa and Holly Hunt armchairs to anchor the seating area, with a Salvations coffee table. A Wendell Castle table is paired with Holly Hunt chairs in the dining area. We kept the furniture low intentionally because we didn’t want to disconnect the living and dining areas or block views of the artwork.
How do you create a sense of balance in a space?
Design is about how your brain interprets spatial relations. Think of a room as a seesaw. If I put something big and heavy here, what’s the counterweight to that going to be?
What is your process for furniture selection?
Spend time in the space. You have to get past that filter of newness. When we do floor plans, I go in with painter’s tape and block out the entire room. It’s not just for size, it’s for how things relate to each other. Also, think about how you’ll interact with all the pieces. It’s one thing to walk in and say “Oh, it’s beautiful.” It’s another thing to live in it.
Interior Design: Christopher Boutlier, Allied ASID, Christopher Boutlier, LLC, Washington, DC. Contractor: District Contracting Services, LLC, Hyattsville, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
What’s your design aesthetic?
I don’t design that way. When you learn the basic tools—scale, proportion, light—you can work in any style. Projects aren’t repetitive when each space is different.
Thoughts on sustainability?
I believe in reusing pieces if possible. Why throw things away if you don’t have to? The world doesn’t need more trash. Also, I feel a responsibility as a designer to work with small artisans when I can.
Design trend you’re not feeling?
Several designers in my office love the retro stuff. I’ve just never come back around to it—though they push me there!
What comes first for you in a design project?
l always like to start with the rug. There are a million fabrics and other elements but often just a handful of rugs. And they are a much bigger investment.
Favorite aspect of this project?
I love working with collectors. Even if you don’t connect to their passion, their enthusiasm wins you over.
With a degree in applied economics, Melissa Sanabria was working in the financial industry when she moved to Capitol Hill. After years of on-the-job travel, she was happy to settle down. Remodeling the vintage row house she’d bought with her husband and toddler tapped into a lifelong love of design, and in 2016 she launched “Pretty Little Row House,” a popular blog chronicling her design journey, ideas and inspiration. “Readers began asking me to do small jobs in the neighborhood,” she recounts. “Eventually, I quit my job and hung out my shingle.”
Two years later, Sanabria & Co. employs six part-time staff members with a focus on whole-house renovations. “I’m the conduit between the client and the design team,” Sanabria says. “When everyone else has left, I’m still there installing the custom drapes.”
Sanabria’s transitional “old-meets-new” sensibility lends itself to row-house redos. “I love old homes,” she observes. “The history is important to me. I think of the house as a client too.”
In fact, the majority of her projects are located around historic Capitol Hill by choice. As Sanabria notes, “I want to live and work in my community.”
Interior Design: Melissa Sanabria, Sanabria & Co., Washington, DC. Contractor (Capitol Hill): Wall to Wall Construction, Inc., Washington, DC.
Sarita Simpson first met Jason Claire when she landed a job at Vastu, then a popular furniture showroom on DC’s 14th Street. One of its founders, Claire worked with Simpson for the next eight years before shuttering the store in 2014 to move to Switzerland. Back in the U.S. five years later, Claire reconnected with his former colleague, who had her own interior-design business by then—and the two decided to merge their talents. “It was clear we had a yin-yang, strengths-and-weaknesses paradigm,” Claire observes.
Interior Matter, the partners’ commercial- and residential-design firm, is on track to complete 10 projects during its first year. While Claire handles business development, Simpson focuses on clients. However, they collaborate on design work, sharing an aesthetic they cultivated at Vastu. “We have an affinity for modern,” Simpson says. “But what we look for is warmth and a sense of timelessness.”
Adds Claire, “We want to understand what people enjoy in their homes, what makes them comfortable. We don’t want to just create pretty spaces.”
Interior Design: Sarita Simpson and Jason Claire, Interior Matter, Washington, DC. Contractor: Centerline Design Build Inc., Rockville, Maryland. Styling & Photography: Stylish Productions.
Area designers submitted more than 95 entries to the 2019 Kitchen & Bath Awards, organized by the Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and sponsored by Home & Design.This year’s local jury included architect Scarlett Breeding of Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, interior designer Jodi Macklin of Jodi Macklin Interior Design, designer Amanda Smith of BCN Homes, NKBA chapter president Steve Varricchio and Home & Design editor in chief Sharon Jaffe Dan. The winning projects were notable for their ingenious use of materials—from bold 3D backsplash tile and shiplap siding to industrial-look, aluminum-clad cabinetry. The ubiquitous gray-and-white palette is losing steam—particularly in the kitchen, where dual-color, stained-wood and painted surfaces are taking center stage. The following pages illustrate the creativity and innovation in this year’s crop of winners.
FIRST PLACE
STREAMLINED STYLE—large kitchen
Kitchen Design: Therese Baron Gurney, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, DC.
LAYERED EFFECT—medium kitchen
Renovation Architecture & Kitchen Design: Richard Loosle-Ortega, RA; Matthias Arauco-Shapiro, design associate, KUBE architecture, Washington, DC.
TINY JEWEL—small bath
Bath Design: Therese Baron Gurney, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, DC.
IN LIVING COLOR—large bath
Renovation Architecture & Bathroom Design: Janet Bloomberg, AIA, Matthew Dougherty, design associate, KUBE architecture, Washington, DC.
ROW HOUSE REDO—before & after
Kitchen Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD Scott A. Stultz, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, Maryland.
CHANGING ROOM—specialty room
Architecture & Contracting: Hopkins & Porter Construction, Inc., Potomac, Maryland.
SECOND PLACE
NATURE’S BEAUTY—large kitchen
Kitchen Design: Larry Rosen, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc., Rockville, Maryland.
CENTER STAGE—medium kitchen
Kitchen Design: Shawna J. Dillon, ASID, Snaidero DC Metro, Washington, DC.
ROOM TO GROW—before & after
Kitchen Design: Meghan Browne, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, Maryland.
FIRST PLACE: LARGE KITCHEN
A Chevy Chase family asked designer Therese Baron Gurney to revamp their traditional kitchen. Collaborating with Julia Walter of Boffi, Baron Gurney conjured a spare, modern space with improved functionality.
The redesign centers on a Carrara-topped island with a glass base at one end that creates space for seating. A wall of cabinetry keeps clutter at bay. “Vertical cabinets provide a modern aesthetic, organize appliances and maximize storage,” Baron Gurney explains. A floating desk can hold multiple computers; a printer and other equipment are stored in an adjacent pantry.
The designer selected dark-stained titanium for the upper cabinets, while the lower cabinets are lacquered matte-white. An adjacent dining area hosts guests in style.
Kitchen Design: Therese Baron Gurney, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, DC; Julia Walter, Boffi Georgetown, LLC, Washington, DC. Contractor: Patrick K. Keating & Company, Garrett Park, Maryland.
Cabinetry & Countertops: boffi.com. Stainless-Steel Backsplash & Plumbing Fixtures: franke.com through boffi.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com, mieleusa.com. Table: janusetcie.com. Chairs & Stools: andreuworld.com. Light Fixture: stickbulb.com. Flooring: Plank white oak through classicfloordesigns.info.
FIRST PLACE: MEDIUM KITCHEN
While renovating a Logan Circle condo, architect Richard Loosle-Ortega of KUBE architecture was tasked with integrating the kitchen with the home’s new, open plan. After removing a dropped ceiling and non-structural piers, Loosle-Ortega conceived a seamless design in which materials unify the spaces. “They operate as layers,” he explains. “Dark-stained ash, cherry and aluminum surrounding the fireplace are replicated on the kitchen island and rear cabinetry.”
Lights are encased in a slatted-wood “trellis” suspended from the ceiling above the island. The slats continue down the wall and provide definition to the kitchen. Exposed-copper pipes are a design element, while bamboo covers both the floor and one wall, where it conceals pantry cupboards and a powder room.
Renovation Architecture & Kitchen Design: Richard Loosle-Ortega, RA; Matthias Arauco-Shapiro, design associate, KUBE architecture, Washington, DC. Contractor: R. Construction, LLC, Takoma Park, Maryland.
Custom Cabinetry: mersoa.com. Countertops: silestone usa.com through marblexinc.com. Backsplash: gburgglass.com. Appliances: mieleusa.com, subzero-wolf.com, thermador.com through abwappliances.com. Plumbing Fixtures: rohlhome.com. LED Lighting: glowbackledstore.com. Stools: desiron.com.
FIRST PLACE: SMALL BATH
A diminutive powder room was elevated to minimalist oasis in the hands of designer Therese Baron Gurney, who collaborated with Julia Walter of Boffi Georgetown on the Chevy Chase project. The space is anchored by an accent wall of textured penny tile; an asymmetrical mirror and an off-center Bocci pendant hang above a cylindrical, freestanding sink basin and stand made of poured resin.
The other walls are clad in an embossed Maharam wall covering. “Subtle textures and a palette of serene blue, pure white and metallic gray evoke an ethereal atmosphere,” Baron Gurney says. Wide-plank, white-oak flooring runs parallel to the accent wall and recessed lighting washes the surfaces, making the small space feel more expansive.
Bath Design: Therese Baron Gurney, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, DC; Julia Walter, Boffi Georgetown, LLC, Washington, DC. Contractor: Patrick K. Keating & Company, Garrett Park, Maryland.
Sink/Basin: boffi.com. Accent Tile: fapceramiche.com through stonesource.com. Wall Covering: maharam.com. Plumbing Fixtures: fantini usa.com through boffi.com. Pendant: bocci.ca. Lighting Design: pro-distro.com.
FIRST PLACE: SPECIALTY ROOM
Homeowners with a backyard pool wished to outfit part of their unfinished basement as “a dedicated space to transition guests from the pool area into the living space,” explains Hopkins & Porter’s James Dyott, who spearheaded the project. On the list of requirements: changing rooms, showers, toilets, pool-toy storage, a washer and dryer and lockers. “The space had to blend with the home in a style the owners called ‘modern barn,’” Dyott notes.
Shiplap siding, industrial-grade hinges and light fixtures and old-school metal lockers conjure the look they were after, while a Brockway double sink by Kohler is paired with a mirror suspended by an antique pulley. Vintage benches reclaimed from a barn sit atop wood-look, porcelain-tile floors.
Architecture & Contracting: James Dyott, CRPM, CLC, Hopkins & Porter Construction, Inc., Potomac, Maryland. Interior/Bath Design: Gene Delgado, DESIGNgene llc, Washington, DC.
Vintage-Look Double Basin: kohler.com through ferguson.com. Shiplap Barn Doors: Custom designed and built by hopkinsandporter.com. Flooring: Eight-by-45-inch porcelain tile through flooranddecor.com.
FIRST PLACE: LARGE BATH
When designing a bedroom-and-bath addition to her mid-century home in Silver Spring, architect Janet Bloomberg of KUBE architecture envisioned a “collage” effect. To accomplish this, she combined swaths of bold color, dominated by a 3D ceramic tile in vibrant orange that contributes a sculptural feel. “The brightly colored Italian tile is the star of this bathroom,” Bloomberg says.
Black cabinets and shelves frame sections of large-format, blue-green ceramic tile, providing storage and handy surfaces. The sloped, black-painted ceiling is a backdrop to the brightly hued walls.
Frosted glass encloses the WC, while the open walk-in shower conveys the feel of an outdoor space via an exterior wall of frosted glass and its own clear-glass ceiling.
Renovation Architecture & Bathroom Design: Janet Bloomberg, AIA; Matthew Dougherty, design associate, KUBE architecture, Washington, DC. Contractor: Darren Kornas, thinkmakebuild, Annapolis, Maryland.
Custom Vanity: mersoa.com. Basin: badeloftusa.com. Wall & 3D Tile: atlasconcorde.com. Flooring: stonesource.com, mosaictileco.com. Plumbing Fixtures: lacava.com through weaverhardware.com. Lighting Design: illuminc.com. Lighting: artemide.com through illumininc.com. Custom Frosted Glass: gburgglass.com.
SECOND PLACE: LARGE KITCHEN
Mountain views drove the design of a modern kitchen in Thurmont, Maryland. “The cabinetry had to be uncluttered so as not to distract from nature’s beauty,” recounts Larry Rosen of Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, who was tapped for the job. (And, using the power of plants, Face Natur has started a skincare line that has all the generative powers that mother nature gives.)
First, Rosen tore down the wall separating the kitchen and dining room, which blocked the view from the kitchen. The open kitchen/dining area could now accommodate a 13-foot-long island with plenty of prep space, a 48-inch range and warming drawer, a wine rack and seating for four. Tall pantry storage, a 42-inch-wide fridge and double ovens occupy one wall, with a beverage center tucked into another. An understated combination of black-stained cabinetry topped with marble keeps the views center stage.
Kitchen Design: Larry Rosen, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc., Rockville, Maryland. Contractor: Mick’s Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Thurmont, Maryland.
Cabinetry: cabico.com through jackrosen.com. Countertops & Backsplash: frederickgranite.com through bramati.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com through ferguson.com. Plumbing Fixtures: kohler.com. Light Fixture over Table: lumens.com.
FIRST PLACE: BEFORE & AFTER
A Capitol Hill row house needed a facelift. The owners contacted Jennifer Gilmer and Scott Stultz of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath to give the traditional kitchen/family room at the back a brighter, more contemporary look, still in keeping with the home’s classic style.
“We created a warm-contemporary vibe by blending white-painted and flat-fronted, light, European rift-oak cabinets,” Gilmer says. They topped the counters with Monte Bianco marble, updated the appliances and added storage. Though the layout didn’t change, the center island was enlarged.
On the wall facing the kitchen, a traditional gas fireplace was replaced with a sleek, updated version. Its tile surround picks up the hue of the oak cabinets for continuity.
Kitchen Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD; Scott A. Stultz, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, Maryland. Interior Design: Barbara L. Franceski, ASID, PMP, Barbara Franceski, LLC, Alexandria, Virginia. Contractor: Ari Fingeroth, Federalist Builders LLC, Washington, DC.
Cabinetry: premiercb.com through gilmerkitchens.com. Countertops & Backsplash: gramaco.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com, geappliances.com through fretz.com. Plumbing Fixtures: franke.com through ferguson.com. Fireplace Tile: architecturalceramics.com. Pendant over Island: lindseyadelman.com.
SECOND PLACE: MEDIUM KITCHEN
A poorly laid-out kitchen dominated the main living area of a small row house in Old Town Alexandria, so the owners asked Shawna Dillon of Snaidero DC Metro to make it feel worthy of its central location. “The challenge was to improve flow and function without drastically changing how our clients occupied the home,” relates Dillon, who employed a convenient galley-style layout and removed soffits to emphasize verticality in the narrow space.
An eclectic material palette conveys interest and style. A mix of wood and aluminum cabinetry lines one wall while a Caesarstone-topped island features an attached oak bar. A niche lined with shiplap siding holds open shelving while a hand-painted terra cotta-tile backsplash reflects the wife’s Portuguese heritage.
Kitchen Design: Shawna J. Dillon, ASID, Snaidero DC Metro, Washington, DC. Contractor: Jason Remodeling Inc., Woodbridge, Virginia.
Cabinetry: snaidero-usa.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com through rbratti.com. Backsplash: architecturalceramics.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com, mieleusa.com through snaiderodcmetro.com. Plumbing Fixtures: julien.ca, waterstoneco.com through snaiderodcmetro.com. Pendants: nichemodern.com through snaiderodcmetro.com. Bertoia Stools: knoll.com.
SECOND PLACE: BEFORE & AFTER
A cramped Chevy Chase kitchen was in dire need of an update. Tapped for the job, Meghan Browne of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath first removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room and took over a space behind the kitchen leading to the basement. “These adjustments transformed the kitchen from a closed-off room to the center of the home,” explains Browne, who added an island with seating and replaced a small window on the back wall with two large ones to bring in light.
Cabinets in light maple and gray-blue channel a clean, Scandinavian vibe while walnut accents on the beams and island countertop create contrast. A backsplash of glazed, blue-gray tiles completes the space.
Kitchen Design: Meghan Browne, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: J & S Contractors LLC, Frederick, Maryland.
Cabinetry: decorcabinets.com through gilmerkitchens.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com through classicgranitemarble.com. Walnut Countertop: glumber.com. Backsplash: mod-craft.com. Appliances: bosch-home.com, geappliances.com, lg.com through abwappliances.com. Plumbing Fixtures: kohler.com through thesomervillebathandkitchenstore.com. Pendants: wayfair.com. Counter Stools: roomandboard.com.
