A couple living in Northwest DC’s Foxhall Crescent neighborhood hired Surrounds, Inc., to create an outdoor living area on their quarter-acre lot. “They specified an entertainment space in back but wanted to preserve the side yard for their children to play,” recalls landscape architect Chad Talton, who spearheaded the project. “The difficulty was that the narrow backyard was dominated by a walk-out basement staircase that cut the rear in half.” The yard also sat three feet lower than the house, making circulation awkward from the inside out.
Talton and his team saved the day with a stylish, compact design that smoothly integrates numerous elements. They installed an elevated Azek deck that fosters easy flow from the house while creating more usable yard space, and they reconfigured the basement walk-out to include a storage area. Beyond the deck—which features a built-in hot tub—is a travertine patio edged in Pennsylvania bluestone. It holds a dining area bordered by a built-in Wolf grill and fridge clad in quartzite with a black, leathered-granite countertop.
An adjacent ipe-and-quartzite pavilion with a tongue-and-groove pine ceiling offers a gathering spot around a custom, stainless-steel, natural-gas fire pit. It’s topped by a four-inch-thick Pennsylvania bluestone thermal slab and black fire balls.
The simple plant palette, which complements the clean lines of the built elements, includes single-stem crape myrtle, Paperbark maple, evergreen hinoki, Green Velvet boxwood, caladium, ajuga, holly and Sweetbay magnolia—all enlivened by colorful annuals.
Award: Grand, Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build). Landscape Architecture & Installation: Chad Talton, RLA, Surrounds, Inc., Sterling, Virginia.
Thirty rolling acres in tiny Bluemont, Virginia, lured a couple with young kids and a passel of horses, dogs and cats. (Learn how they introduce the dog with cat) The property included a 1996 center-hall colonial, which they hastily furnished before the birth of their second child. “We said, ‘Let’s just get it done,’” recounts the wife. “But I always felt it looked like my grandmother’s house.”
Five years later, the husband, a CEO, and the wife, a stay-at-home mom, contacted Paul Miller for an update. “The original layout harkened to a formal lifestyle that the clients discovered wasn’t true to them,” Miller explains. “They wanted a more youthful vibe.”
The designer opened up the ground floor, removing a wall separating the kitchen from the dining/living room to create an L-shaped space. “The open floor plan was huge,” he recounts. “They wanted all the spaces to feel useful and connected.” He retained a traditional look but freshened things up with a relaxed vibe and happy colors. And he took the remodeled kitchen in a more streamlined direction.
The result, says the wife, “is clean, bright and warm. Paul figured out how we live and made the house both pretty and functional.”
How is the house laid out?
PM: It looks like a four square from the outside, but the kitchen and dining area span the back. The front foyer, with a center staircase, is open to the living area on one side and a small office on the other, which we didn’t work on.
Describe the structural alterations.
The wall between the kitchen and dining room was replaced by a wide peninsula with storage facing the dining area. The opposite wall in the kitchen was moved to downsize a disproportionately large, adjacent laundry room and add two feet to the kitchen. We also replaced two small windows over the sink with three larger ones that take better advantage of an important view of pastureland beyond.
What changed in the kitchen’s layout?
To create the peninsula, we relocated the fridge to the wall perpendicular to it and flanked it with pantry cupboards. The laundry-room wall now holds a wet bar with a sink and wine refrigerator.
What’s special about the kitchen finishes?
The backsplash is a handmade glazed-ceramic tile with lovely irregularities. You can see the texture; it almost looks like water and makes the grout lines seem to “swim” a little bit. The peripheral countertops are a quartz product that looks like Carrara marble and there’s a big piece of granite on the island. The white cabinetry was customized for the space.
How did you update the traditional millwork?
The dining room wainscoting was high quality, so we didn’t want to rip it out. But we didn’t want to emphasize it, as it was more formal than the clients were going for. So we minimized the contrast between millwork and walls with white trim and walls in Benjamin Moore’s Alaskan Skies.
What furniture did you purchase?
The dining room furniture belonged to the owners, but we purchased the living room sofas and had the draperies made by Nestology, our custom-furnishings company. Everything is made in America—that’s a big part of our ethos and vision. The cocktail table is by Charleston Forge, an American manufacturer.
How did you convey a youthful sensibility?
I use color to create a joyful and exciting palette. In a big, open space like this, I find soft neutrals work best with colorful textiles and art. Here, I went with very modern art—high-contrast pieces with sharp color that break up expectations in this traditional environment. The colorful pillows are from Thibaut.
Can you elaborate on the art?
Karen Ventura Fraser did the piece above the mantel. Her art has a lot of energy. I chose the piece over the console by Keith Patterson because it made me think of someone taking a walk through the woods in winter. There’s so much nature around the house, it seemed to really connect with it.
How did you select the rugs?
They are wool with a sisal weave. They’re intended to modernize the traditional house. When there’s a simple texture instead of an elaborate Persian rug, it’s not what you expect to see. It feels calmer, more relaxing—almost like a vacation spot. I think it’s fun when rooms feel a little resort-like when you come home to them.
Talk about your lighting choices in the dining room.
The lighting is from Arteriors. The sconces lean a little industrial but I didn’t want to make those choices uniformly throughout because there’s a lot more polish to the house than that. So I chose the elongated shade on the chandelier because it softened that feel.
Did the floors change?
Yes, the original flooring was that narrow-strip, you’ve-seen-it-a-thousand-times oak. We switched it out for an engineered walnut with a dry finish that reveals the grain of the wood. It modernized the whole house.
What trends do you embrace?
I’m glad more clients want to use color. We’ve had an era of design that photographs well on Instagram, that’s easy to produce for content—simplicity, with everything white. Now clients are not so interested in that.
What advice do you offer homebuyers?
One of my passions is that a house should fit you and your life. All the rooms should be useful. When buying a house, think about getting the size right, with no nonsense or concept rooms.
What new product are you excited about?
I’m excited about Revolution Performance Fabrics, which we’ve folded into our collection. They’re sustainable and recyclable, made in America. They’re good for the marketplace and the environment.
Do you have a favorite low-end find?
The best low-end finds are often vintage pieces from flea markets. Art, accessories and sometimes even furnishings may just need repairs or new fabric to be relevant today.
Interior Design: Paul Miller, IDS, MakeNest Interiors, Winchester, Virginia.
Home-design guru Annie Selke creates linens, rugs and wallpaper that put a fresh spin on classic décor. Her brands, Pine Cone Hill and Dash & Albert, sell worldwide and a popular book, Fresh American Spaces, lends its name to a blog offering lifestyle tips.
Now, Massachusetts-based Selke is expanding her portfolio once again, collaborating with The Tile Shop to launch a 225-tile collection. “I believe tile is a natural extension for our brand,” she says. “Adapting our favorite palettes and patterns has been a fun and creative challenge.”
Every piece in the Annie Selke for The Tile Shop line mimics the look and feel of textiles, with designs largely based on Selke’s signature motifs. Soft crackle glazes adorn ceramic tiles while large-format art-glass tiles reproduce her ikats, prints and patterns, and porcelain tiles mimic Dash & Albert rugs. The collection is now available in The Tile Shop showrooms and online. tileshop.com/annieselke
LUMINARY AT WORK
Understated elegance defines the creations of DC design luminary Thomas Pheasant, whose new furniture line for Baker is showcased in this sophisticated bedroom. bakerfurniture.com
CHIC COMPANION
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’ Spring 2019 collection features the clean-lined Keaton sofa—a chic companion for the mid-century-inspired Supernova Swivel Chair, with its brushed-brass base, and the dark-stained-oak Bassey Nesting Cocktail Table. Available at MG+BW locations in DC and Tysons Galleria. mgbw.com
TOUCH OF WHIMSY
This whimsical stool by Portuguese designer Joana Santos Barbosa, dubbed the Tree Branches bench, gets its allure from a fluffy Mongolian lambswool seat. Its legs of handcrafted, hammered-brass are meant to evoke the irregular details of branches. Pictured in a patinated matte varnish. insidherland.com
SPACE SAVER
The Icaro dining table by Altacom combines a tubular metal base with a light-wood top that folds into three sections, accordion style. When open, the table measures 47 inches in diameter. Available at Resource Furniture in DC’s Cady’s Alley. resourcefurniture.com
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
The gold-leaf doors on the Hand Painted Gold Foil Drinks Cabinet from Jonathan Charles are adorned with delicate birds perched on cherry blossom branches. Walnut interior shelving is illuminated and brass accents the base. Available locally at The Kellogg Collection. jonathancharles.com; kelloggcollection.com
COMFORT + STYLE
American Leather’s Cloud Comfort Air Chair combines the comfort and support of a recliner and a swivel chair. A weight-balanced mechanism allows it to respond to the motion of the sitter and articulate forward, rock, recline and swivel. Available in more than 200 fabric and leather options through Creative Classics Furniture in Alexandria. creativeclassics.com
OPTIONS GALORE
Part of Hamiltons Sofa & Leather Gallery’s Sectional Seating by Design collection, the Randleman Sectional by Bradington Young comes in multiple arm and leg styles, nail-head choices and wood finishes, plus hundreds of leather options. Available at area Hamiltons stores. hamiltonssofagallery.com
ARTFULLY ENGINEERED
With its stain- and fade-resistant properties, TimberTech AZEK capped polymer decking is well-suited to rooftop use. While closely resembling wood, it’s an entirely synthetic product made of plastic with a durable polymer coating. Pictured here, the Vintage Collection in a Mahogany finish. azek.com
ON FIRE
Halo Elevated fire pits from Solus Décor feature a bed of firestones cradled in a sculptural, polished-concrete slab, on a box base that raises it to convenient coffee-table height. Available in 10 colors, three fuel types and 36- and 48-inch sizes. solusdecor.com
SOUND OFF
Intelligent Audio Products’ PlanterSpeakers bring surround sound outdoors via stylish pots with concealed speaker components and removable trays. Pictured here, the customizable, slatted-teak Piermont, which includes a drainage tube and a smart pot for plants. intelligentaudioproducts.com
NO OUTLET
No need to wire the rooftop with Les Jardins Solar Lighting’s line of Claude Robin-designed outdoor lanterns. A solar panel integrated into the top of each LED light captures and converts the sun’s energy into electricity, storing it in two lithium batteries that deliver power as needed. lesjardins.solar
ECO-FRIENDLY
Green roofs bring sustainability to the rooftop. Above, a DC project by EcoSpaces is planted with sedum and succulents. Under the surface, fabric filters out dirt while recycled plastic material manages drainage. “In addition to aesthetic benefits, a green roof prolongs roof life and provides insulation,” says company CEO Chase Coard. “It also fosters a habitat for wildlife.” ecospacesdc.com
Homeowners who hired architect Michael Lee Beidler of Trout Design Studio to remodel their urban row house wanted to enjoy treetop views of the city from its roof. “They love original techniques and materials and the hand of an artisan at work,” Beidler says. “Integrating craftsman style like that is right in our wheelhouse.”
Taking cues from his clients, he and his team created an inviting rooftop retreat. First on the agenda: replacing the sloping roof and installing a steel-reinforced structural system above it to support a new deck. They also installed a custom, stainless-steel pool and hot tub prefabricated by Colorado-based Diamond Spas.
Suspended four feet above the structural system, the deck combines a glass-paneled section of flooring—actually a ceiling over the staircase that brings light into the interiors—and ipe decking, privacy walls and screens that protect the pools while channeling breezes. Hand-worked, dragon-scale copper siding was inspired by dragon-scale slate roofs on surrounding buildings. An overhang by the entrance is copper, as is the custom gas fire pit.
Both the clients’ chimney and their neighbors’ became part of the project because of their conspicuous locations. They were restored with fresh brick and handmade clay chimney pots. “We wanted a beautiful profile to look at,” Beidler explains. “The way architecture touches the sky is important.”
Renovation Architecture: Michael Lee Beidler, principal, Trout Design Studio, Washington, DC. Builder: Doug Hellman, ILEX Construction, Washington, DC.
“In the 21st-century, learning happens in many places, not just sitting at a desk in a classroom facing front,” says architect Rick Schneider of ISTUDIO, who spearheaded the recent renovation of William B. Powell Elementary School in DC’s Petworth neighborhood. His design plan embraces this philosophy, providing a healthy and inspirational learning environment within a sustainable building envelope. “We were aiming for something new and vibrant that represented the goals for the school,” Schneider notes.
Built in 1929, the structure is now a seamless conglomeration of neoclassical, mid-century (by way of a 1959 addition) and modern styles. The 90,000-square-foot renovation and addition encompasses wide, airy hallways, classrooms that connect to the outdoors via glass façades and bay windows that offer break-out spaces for small groups. A two-story atrium opens onto the rear wing (pictured left), which houses the cafeteria and the library above it; perforated-steel screens and vertical aluminum fins control solar gain and glare.
A green roof and a rooftop garden both beckon students outside. “We looked for ways for students to connect with the outdoors physically and visually,” Schneider observes. “Those are learning opportunities. We wanted them to break out of the box and into larger, sunlit spaces.”
After 20 years in their sprawling McLean, Virginia, home, Jack Ferguson and Veronica Slajer were ready to downsize—but not just anywhere. Both political consultants by trade, they wanted a row house on Capitol Hill. The couple rejected numerous prospects, but were ultimately drawn to a circa-1880 brick residence with good bones and a convenient
carriage house that would expand their living space. However, “the house was a mess,” Ferguson recalls. “The basement staircase was in the dining room and the kitchen was in the basement.”
The whole property needed a dramatic overhaul. Architect Jennifer Fowler drew up plans reorganizing the interiors, adding a kitchen on the main floor and reconfiguring the second floor with a new master suite. She also gutted the basement and replaced the outdated original kitchen with a catering kitchen by Poggenpohl. The carriage house received a makeover that included a kitchen for guests on the ground floor and two bedrooms with a Jack-and-Jill bath upstairs.
Ferguson and Slajer tapped designer Zoe Feldman to reinvent the interiors, enhancing the home’s charming, vintage architectural features while adding fresh, modern elements to the mix. “We were careful not to take the house too much in one direction,” Feldman says. “I really like the tension between old and new—and I think good design requires tension.”
The deft blend of classic and modern is evident on arrival: The original double front door—freshly painted blue-gray and featuring opaque, stained-glass panels—gives way to a vestibule with a terracotta-tile floor in a modern, graphic design. The traditional staircase and living room, adorned with ornamental details and an ornate, marbleized fireplace, are visible through a sleek, glass pivot door that the owners like to keep locked while leaving the outer door open. “We can see out but still be safe,” Ferguson observes, adding, “The glass door invites you, yet there’s a separation. I’d prefer a real entry passage, but the light and glass give the sense that the small area in front of the stair landing is adequate.”
Beyond the living room, the original dining room was converted into a minimalist kitchen. “When I entered the picture,” Feldman says, “Jack and Veronica had purchased a Poggenpohl kitchen that needed to be designed for the space.” She situated the cabinetry and appliances along one wall in the former dining room. Stairs to the basement, which hugged the opposite wall, were removed and new basement stairs were tucked away beneath the upper staircase in the living room. On the wall facing the backyard, an incongruous picture window was replaced with French doors complete with transoms and sidelites; the doors open onto a steel-reinforced wood deck and a picturesque courtyard beyond.
A passageway about four feet below the main level originally connected the main house to the carriage house. The owners wanted to remove it, “but eventually we realized the connection between the spaces is essential,” Ferguson says. The passage leads from the new kitchen to the carriage house, where the powder room is located. Now elevated to main-floor level, it has been spruced up with clean-lined, heated-slate floors and three sets of French doors that spill onto the courtyard. Slajer, who enjoys gardening, planted a green roof atop the structure.
Upstairs, the original master bedroom now belongs to the couple’s 13-year-old son while a former sitting room was reconfigured to accommodate the master suite. The couple’s bedroom features architectural details of Feldman’s design and motorized draperies that conceal a Juliet balcony overlooking the courtyard. Skylights illuminate the stairwell and master bath, which boasts a cement-look tile accent wall and a custom vanity topped with marble.
Built-ins throughout the house improve functionality. “They were a starting point for the project,” Feldman notes. “I love to build things in, especially in older homes where there’s never enough storage. The idea was for this house to be a very quiet experience, with everything tucked away. It should feel seamless.”
Contrasting with the modern lines of the kitchen and front entry are design elements ranging from classic to rustic. “The owners appreciated the history of the home, so they were inclined to reuse things they found in the house,” Feldman relates. Floorboards salvaged from the attic have been repurposed as wall panels, installed above the minimalist kitchen cabinets and opposite a wall of exposed brick. By contrast, a pair of crystal chandeliers by Dennis & Leen makes a formal statement in the living room, along with two ornate, large-scale gilt mirrors that came with the house.
Clean-lined, classic furnishings and Oushak rugs, all brought by the owners from their previous home, convey casual elegance throughout the interiors. “We encourage clients to keep what they can, so as not to be wasteful.” Feldman says. “In this case, they had so much beautiful stuff, we thought, ‘Why buy new things just to buy them?’”
The opening between the living room and kitchen was widened, emphasizing the line of sight back to the courtyard. There’s no longer a formal dining room but, says Ferguson, “We get creative with seating arrangements and it works.” The couple loves to entertain, from dinner parties to fundraisers. “We get a lot of compliments,” he reveals. “If a home is done right, people will respond without knowing what they’re responding to—it just makes them feel good.”
Renovation Architecture: Jennifer Fowler, AIA, Fowler Architects, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Zoe Feldman, Zoë Feldman Design, Washington, DC. Contractor: Jeffrey Keil, Keil Construction, Washington, DC.
Resources
Entry
Tile Floor: waterworks.com. Pendant Light: chameleonltg.com. Front Door Paint: farrow-ball.com. Glass Door & Frame: keilconstruction.com.
Living Room
Gold-Framed Mirrors: Original to house. Chandeliers: dennisandleen.com through hollyhunt.com. Sofa by Window: brunschwig.com. Ottoman: ferrellmittman.com. Throw Pillows: hollyhunt.com. Rug: pasargad.com. Living Room & Stair Rail Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
Kitchen
Cabinetry & Countertops: poggenpohl.com. Doors & Windows: marvin.com. Backsplash: waterworks.com.
Master Bedroom
Cabinetry: The Craft; 703-706-0873. Chandelier & Sconces: circalighting.com. Rug: pasargad.com. Bedstead: rh.com. Commodes: mcguirefurniture.com. Storage Bench: leeindustries.com. Chaise Lounge: ferrellmittman.com. Drapery Fabric & Fabrication: meticuleux, llc; 703-860-4309.
Master Bath
Cabinetry: The Craft; 703-706-0873. Wall Tile: waterworks.com.
Clients with a 1920s-era home in McLean tapped Sarah Kahn Turner of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath to transform the kitchen into a mecca for entertaining, with a welcoming, rustic vibe. “They have gatherings of any size three or four times a week,” says Turner.
“They wanted space for everyone to be in the kitchen while they’re cooking.”
The new design features two islands. One, located by the range, provides a handy surface for food prep with a small fridge and freezer, while the other, near the full-size refrigerator, offers space for seating. To accommodate both islands, Turner and her team removed a wall separating the original kitchen and adjacent butler’s pantry. Delineated by a brick archway, a nook that previously held a desk and pantry cupboard became a combination wet bar and pantry.
Teak counters top the furniture-style islands and the surface around the farmhouse sink, while peripheral countertops are made of veined, leathered granite. A chevron-patterned, Carrara marble backsplash complements custom cabinetry in cream and pale blue, while a decorative, ceramic-tile motif is framed between the range and the custom hood trimmed in reclaimed wood.
With its painted ceiling beams and distressed, hardwood floors, the kitchen reflects the home’s overall style. A third window, formerly in the butler’s pantry, admits additional light to the airy, inviting space.
Renovation Architecture: Richard Williams, FAIA, Richard Williams Architects, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Alliance Builders, Annapolis, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi. Text: Julie Sanders. Photography: John Cole.
Resources
Cabinetry: premiercb.com. Countertops: glumber.com; avantimarblegranite.com. Backsplash: architecturalceramics.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com through fretz.com. SINK: rohlhome.com. Faucets & Pot-Filler: newportbrass.com through tsomerville.com. Hardware: waterstreetbrass.com. Flooring: wideplankflooring.com. Pendants Over Window Wells: lanternandscroll.com. Island Pendants: uttermost.com. Stools: potterybarn.com. Valance Fabric: estout.com.
Tasked with renovating a Shingle-style residence in Annapolis, architect Scarlett Breeding transformed the interiors from closed-off and compartmentalized to open, modern, fluid and light. Nowhere was her vision better reflected than in the kitchen, where she collaborated with colleague Richard Anuszkiewicz. “We don’t confine ourselves to one room when we do kitchens,” Breeding relates. “We look at the surrounding rooms, how they flow into one another. We approach each project through architecture.”
Establishing connectivity was key. Breeding removed the wall separating the kitchen and family room and widened the pantry doorways leading to the dining room and kitchen. Bleached-oak floors and updated crown moldings convey a contemporary feel.
Anuszkiewicz selected raked, quarter-sawn oak cabinetry and thick Calacatta Gold marble counters. A waterfall counter tops the island, where matching sinks and paneled dishwashers create dual work spaces. Ceramic subway tile graces the range wall and marble in a chevron pattern clads the pantry wall, exposed inside glass-fronted cabinets. The custom hood is a showpiece, designed by Anuszkiewicz in aged brass. “The idea was to create a simplified geometric form,” he explains. “Open shelving on either side speaks to the airy aesthetic we were embracing.” Because of the room’s new openness, the owners specified work spaces that could be concealed when not in use. Aged-brass accents crop up in fixtures and as drawer fronts, completing the look.
Renovation Architecture: Scarlett Breeding, AIA; Kitchen Design: Richard Anuszkiewicz, Alt Breeding Associates Architecture, Annapolis, Maryland. Interior Design: Huntley & Co., Washington, DC. Contractor: David Carlisle, Bayview Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.Resources
Cabinetry & Hood Fabrication: premiercb.com. Countertops: atlasstonefabricators.com. Kitchen Backsplash: lunadabaytile.com through architecturalceramics.com. Pantry Backsplash: annsacks.com. Range: mieleusa.com through theappliancesource.com. Faucets: kallista.com through ferguson.com. Light Fixture: urbanelectric.com. Stools: hickorychair.com through michaelclearyllc.com. Mirror: westelm.com.
After purchasing a condo in Arlington’s Rosslyn neighborhood, the owner contacted architect James Rill and interior designer Nancy Harper to improve its bland main level, which encompassed a combination kitchen/living area and foyer. At the top of her wish list was “a sense of personality,” says Harper. “She wanted to reflect the look of a Wisconsin cabin she’d loved growing up. We tried to thread the needle between rustic and a chic sophistication that would acknowledge the city location.” The owner also requested changes to the kitchen layout to make it function better for entertaining.
Rill began by replacing a peninsula that blocked the kitchen’s flow with a mahogany-topped island that creates space for gathering. Millwork throughout adds character and detail, from ceiling treatments that define the spaces to built-ins and V-groove panels in the living room. “We left the spaces open but still provided a sense of scale,“ he notes.
Custom, ceiling-height cabinetry in white and navy by Danish Builders; a subway-tile backsplash with contrasting grout; and open, mahogany shelving all convey a rustic-chic sensibility in the kitchen, while in the living area, a mid-century vibe channels casual elegance. “This was really a vanilla space,” observes Rill. “But with articulation and detailing, we were able to turn it into a little jewel.”
Renovation Architecture: James F. Rill, AIA, Rill Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Interior Design: Nancy Harper, Studio Miel, Washington, DC. Contractor: Danish Builders, Rockville, Maryland.
Abundant light and a vibrant, urban locale attracted psychiatrist Jeffrey Akman and Steven Scott Mazzola, a grants officer at AmeriCorps, to the one-bedroom condo they purchased off bustling 14th Street. “The unit has wonderful flow and openness that we knew would be great for entertaining and for displaying our artwork,” observes Akman.
In fact, their extensive collection of modern art played into the couple’s decision to hire designer Charles Almonte for help with the interiors. “It’s not a typical condo layout,” Almonte notes. “They wanted to know how to handle the space so as to showcase their art.”
Works by modernist icons such as Keith Haring, Robert Motherwell and Gene Davis are offset by contemporary furnishings selected by Almonte to enhance the flow between spaces and complement the bold, vibrant canvases. The L-shaped living area, bordered by a wall of windows, provides natural light and expansive walls for displaying art, while a separate dining room, a hallway and two small pass-through rooms—dubbed music and TV rooms—create more intimate galleries.
The owners also purchased art to fit their new abode; among favorite acquisitions is a large painting by Danish artist Niels Corfitzen, which faces the front door. “Its blues, grays, browns and tans act as the palette throughout the apartment,” says Akman. “The painting is meant to welcome you to this urban space.”
What was your role as designer on this project?
CA: Steven and Jeff called me to help them lay out the space, which is oddly shaped. They have a great collection of art, so it was a matter of placing it and picking out furniture that would work with it.
What was the vision for the project?
I talked to them about their lifestyle. They like to entertain, so I said, “Why don’t we make this feel like a hotel lounge, with two sets of seating, two different spots to relax?” The area near the kitchen is more casual, with the TV mounted on the wall.
What inspired your design choices?
I am an architect as well as a designer, so I often find inspiration through interior architecture. This was definitely true here, with city views through industrial-style windows and exposed-concrete ceilings. The fireplace is curved and the curves match the ceiling in the living room. It was all very urban and contemporary, so that’s what we went with.
The seating area by the fireplace is dominated by an S-shaped sectional. Can you talk about that piece?
This is a long space and that large, elongated piece, found at Theodores, echoes the curves of the fireplace and ceiling. We didn’t want the typical sofa and two chairs because then the people sitting in that area are facing away from the other area, and we wanted the two areas to communicate. The sectional has no back at one end; you can sit on it facing either direction. It was a little bold for them at first, but it works.
How did you furnish the other end of the L near the kitchen?
I knew we needed another large piece for balance, so we picked a very long sectional from Roche Bobois that faces the kitchen area and the TV. A Dolphin Armchair, also from Roche Bobois, is sculptural and looks good from both the front and back.
Talk about your color and fabric choices.
We wanted the art to pop, so we went with white walls. I chose crushed velvets because they’re solids—they don’t fight with the art, but their texture creates definition and interest. If they were just flat solids, they would look like big blocks. We also hung crushed-velvet drapes in the bedroom. And we replaced the living-room drapes with motorized shades. I felt that the urban scape is what makes the space. Why would you want to cover it up?
How much of the furniture is new?
The owners came from separate living situations. They got rid of all their old furniture and started fresh.
How did you select the rugs?
We picked contemporary-style rugs with dominant colors that work with the gray-blue color scheme and undertones of other colors. This gives them movement without being busy. We custom-sized them to work with the scale of the furniture.
How did you treat the floors?
The existing floors were a combination of wood and concrete. We kept both but refinished them. The wood floors, located in the main living areas, are a pale blond hue to keep the spaces light.
What rules of thumb do you have for hanging art?
Start with eye level. Also, I try to group them by frame style or by theme. I look for a common language that ties art pieces together.
What kind of lighting do you recommend for displaying art?
Track lighting is the best, because you can direct each light to the perfect angle. And you can swap out individual bulbs for LEDs.
Any advice for decorating an open space?
I look for elements that talk to each other and create harmony—whether it’s pattern, color or feel. The two sectionals here have different fabrics with the same feel. This creates harmony and conversation between the parts of the room.
Describe your personal style.
I’m not drawn to a specific style. I enjoy mixing and matching—it gives spaces some personality.
Design pet peeve?
I’m bothered by pieces that look out of scale or place. A lack of balance in a room throws me off. Things don’t necessarily have to be symmetrical, but there has to be balance. Maybe this comes from my architecture background.
Describe a trend you like.
Wallpaper is a big one and I love it. You can infuse it in small amounts, like in a powder room or on an accent wall. Even in a big space, if you pick the right pattern you can make it work. I’ve also been seeing a bit of a ’70s vibe coming back—corduroy fabrics and shades of tan.
What trends have you had enough of?
I’m a little “grayed out.” I wish clients would work with color a bit more often!
Interior Design: Charles C. Almonte, AIA, ASID, Charles Almonte Architecture | Interior Design, Silver Spring, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
Flex Space
In a two-bedroom Logan Circle condo, Resource Furniture of Georgetown collaborated with designer Theresa Boland to create a flexible space off the kitchen that could encompass a sitting area, office and dining room. The design team anchored the space with the company’s Passo coffee-to-dining table. Adjustable from nine to 31-and-a-half inches in height, and expandable from 50 to 93 inches, it is equipped with four hidden wheels and can seat up to eight. Lining one wall (not pictured), built-ins feature a sofa-cum-Murphy bed system, also by Resource Furniture. “Carefully considering how you live before buying your furniture will enable you to invest wisely in enduring pieces,” advises store manager Jennifer Scher. “Furniture in small spaces should do double duty.”
Touch of Glam
When masterminding a closet renovation in Leesburg, Virginia, designers with More Space Place listened to their client’s mandate to create “a Hollywood feel” while also fulfilling a wish list that included room for an extensive collection of shoes and handbags, space for seasonal clothing and accessories, and a large island with stacks of drawers and a countertop perfect for folding clothes or packing an overnight bag. To summon that glamorous vibe, “lighting her shoe collection was a must, so we added LEDs,” recounts principal Robert Meyers. “And we installed a hair-and-makeup station, so our client can get ready in the morning—start to finish—without ever leaving her closet.”
In the Attic
Homeowners with a small, vintage abode in DC asked California Closets to optimize the storage in their attic. “When working with tight spaces, we sometimes need to think outside of the box,” says designer Jacalyn Ollivant. “A clean, finished attic can present the perfect opportunity to create a closet.” In this case, the challenge was determining how to work around the low, slanted ceiling, typical of an attic room. California Closets maximized the full height of the ceiling by using adjustable shelving, drawers and hanging rods, which can be installed to fit any irregular space.
Clutter Be Gone
A Woodbridge, Virginia, client wanted her guest room to serve multiple purposes: space for overnight guests, craft room and storage area. Closets by Design installed a double Murphy bed, flanked by built-ins, that folds back behind panels. Opposite, another wall of built-ins encompasses a desk and a drop-down table by the window. The layout ensures that the bed and desk can be open at the same time. The melamine storage system effectively keeps clutter at bay. “In fact,” says Closets by Design’s Dena Stansbury, who spearheaded the project, “the homeowner finds it so peaceful, she also uses it as a meditation room.”
LIVING COLOR
Hinson Design Group’s lighting plan for a modern home in Northwest DC featured the Aurora LED, a trim-less recessed light by Pure lighting that was used throughout the public spaces. “It’s a simple, cut-out, knife-edge aperture in the ceiling,” says principal Wayne Hinson, “yet this fixture offers multiple functions.” With the touch of a keypad, the dome-shaped openings take on any color in the spectrum, or flow through a sequence of 16 million colors. The dome reflects each hue, washing the walls almost to the ceiling with layers of color. Each fixture also features a white LED that highlights art and furniture.
LIGHTING THE LANDSCAPE
Campion Hruby Landscape Architects enlisted Outdoor Illumination to create an exterior lighting plan for a Mount Vernon home designed by Donald Lococo. “LEDs were directed down from the pergola and up into selected sculptural trees,” recounts Outdoor Illumination’s Matt Taylor, who oversaw the project. Rows of LED Neon Flex, a flexible, linear, color-changing light, are recessed into the hardscape’s perimeter. “Planning is key,” Taylor says. “The designer should view the landscape concept early. In this case, we were able to coordinate with key trades, including Quarry Aquatics and Evergro Landscaping, for a successful result.”
BOLD STATEMENT
Illuminations selected the Bocci 21 chandelier to complement a modern staircase in a Northern Virginia home. “The Bocci series is our go-to in a custom chandelier,” says principal Tess Leland. “It’s so versatile; we can change its height and size, making it ideal for big or small spatial situations.” Since large-scale chandeliers make a bold statement, they require the right setting, she notes. “A giant fixture in a smaller space can be over-powering. And remember that a large-scale light can be made up of many small fixtures in a cluster that create a scene or moment of light in your home.”
ARCHITECTURAL DEFINITION
Designed by Davide Groppi, Infinito is an 18-millimeter-wide line of LED lights that can run wall-to-wall or floor-to-ceiling for up to 393 linear feet. “It defines architecture by illuminating spaces indirectly,” explains Quinn Murph of Pro Design Distribution + Illuminotechnique, who often utilizes Infinito in spaces where ceiling wiring is not possible or desirable. “Lighting solutions can be easily integrated if they are part of the base architectural design,” Murph suggests. “Ask yourself, ‘Where do I need light and what qualities and characteristics do I want for it?’ The solution is not always obvious, but once a fixture is installed, it should look like the obvious solution.”
MOVABLE FEAST
Units in Poggenpohl’s sleek, versatile +Venovo cabinet system are movable, secured to frames rather than the floor or wall. Available at Poggenpohl locations in Georgetown and Chevy Chase in lacquer or veneer with porcelain, quartz or granite countertops. poggenpohl.com
LIGHT SHOW
Wood-Mode’s pre-wired LED light bars illuminate cabinet interiors, turning on and off as doors and drawers open and close. Above: An integrated vertical fixture directs light across roll-out shelves. Wood-Mode cabinetry is available at Kenwood Kitchens locations. kenwoodkitchens.com; wood-mode.com
COLD STORAGE
The Monolith line by Liebherr now includes a 36-inch refrigerator column with all the accoutrements found in the German appliance giant’s other models: adjustable interior lighting, temperature zones, a flush-mounted internal water dispenser and an electronic control panel. liebherr.com
MARRAKESH EXPRESS
Marble Systems’ Marrakesh Collection of marble water-jet tile was inspired by Morocco’s eponymous walled city, with its ornate architecture and decoration. The customizable collection is available in a range of motifs and stone options. marblesystems.com
AL FRESCO
True Residential’s under-counter refrigerator is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. Available in an array of sizes and finishes, with doors in stainless steel or glass. The 24-inch model is pictured. true-residential.com
VIVA ITALIA
Appian Stones is a porcelain-tile collection that mimics the veining patterns of Italian marble in black and white hues. It’s available in a range of formats and as a mosaic at Best Tile locations. besttile.com
DISAPPEARING ACT
Sintesi, an induction cooktop by Falmec, features an integrated downdraft hood. Fitted with flaps that open during cooking, the recessed hood disappears when not in use. A carbon zero filter removes cooking odors. falmec.co
SOLID BRASS
Blade Pull cabinet pulls hail from Designer Doorware in Australia. Made of solid brass, they have a slender, modern profile and are available in a range of finishes at Push Pull Decorative Hardware in North Bethesda. pushpullhardware.com
TOUCH OF WHIMSY
Smeg and Dolce&Gabbana pay tribute to Italy with Sicily is my Love, a collection of whimsical, freestanding appliances—large and small—boldly embellished with designs inspired by traditional Sicilian motifs. smegusa.com
UNDER PRESSURE
Porcelanosa uses sintering—the processing of natural materials in powder form under heat or pressure—to produce XTONE, a highly durable line of thin, stone-look porcelain slabs intended for surface applications. Available at Porcelanosa in DC and North Bethesda. porcelanosa-usa.com
CLUTTER BUSTER
The Container Store streamlines kitchen clutter with the Pantry Organization Starter Kit, a large assortment of storage items that includes a two-tiered Lazy Susan, an expanding spice rack, sets of lined baskets, glass canisters, hermetic glass jars and much more. containerstore.com
DESIGN INSPIRATION
Inspired by a cloth pattern, Mos Metalica Pol Ret porcelain floor and wall tiles are multi-fired to create a textured, wave-like effect. The glazed, large-format tiles, in metallic blues with brown accents, are available locally at The Tile Shop locations. tileshop.com
FINISH LINE
GE’s restaurant-style Café Matte convection ovens feature a matte white or black base paired with hardware in bronze, copper, matte black or stainless steel. Available locally at Ferguson locations. ferguson.com; geappliances.com
COLOR ME COOL
Copper trim adds vintage character to ILVE’s Majestic freestanding ranges. The line is customizable with 220 colors, four trim selections and three leg options. Pictured here, a 36-inch Majestic range in Burgundy. ilveappliances.com
QUIET TIME
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s ultra-quiet Cove dishwasher boasts 43 jets, three spray arms, fan-assisted drying and tines angled to prevent pooling. Operable via mobile device and available locally through The Appliance Source. theappliancesource.com; subzero-wolf.com
When American University’s stately, neoclassical McKinley Building began life in 1907, it occupied a prominent spot on the Northwest DC campus. However, later expansion marginalized its original grand rotunda entrance. In 2014, Bowie Gridley Architects was tapped to overhaul the L-shaped, three-story marble structure, adding on a dynamic, modern volume. The goal: to create a state-of-the-art home for AU’s School of Communication, along with a new entrance opening onto the main quad.
“We wanted to respect the beautiful building and its history while integrating modern expression,” says architect William Gridley, who oversaw the project. “The contemporary façade juxtaposed with the neoclassical design symbolizes the changing face of smart social media marketing today.”
The project gutted and reorganized the interiors to accommodate more classrooms and faculty space. Nestled into the building’s L, the addition is clad in glass and pre-finished, patinated-metal panels that match the rotunda’s copper roof; discarded marble was reclaimed for a stair tower. A 148-seat theater, atrium and converged newsroom are encompassed in the airy, modern space.
The LEED Gold-certified McKinley Building won a 2018 Northern Virginia AIA Award of Excellence in Institutional Architecture.
Renovation & Addition Architecture: William Gridley, FAIA; Richard Salopek, AIA; and Robert Sherrill, AIA, Bowie Gridley Architects, Washington, DC. Contractor: GCS | Sigal, Washington, DC. Photography: Prakash Patel.
