Iconic Home: Interiors, Advice, and Stories from 50 Amazing Black Designers Black Interior Designers, Inc., unites, connects and promotes designers of color. This book by June Reese, vice-president of the nonprofit, reveals the experiences, challenges and work of 50 industry stars, including local pros Lorna Gross, Laura Hodges, DuVäl Reynolds, Byron Risdon and Saudah Saleem. Abrams, 2023; $50.

My Neighbor Saw Me Naked and Other Reasons You Need Drapes This illustrated handbook self-published by DC-based designer and popular TikTok-er Annie Elliott is a lighthearted, conversational guide for novice decorators. Elliott, a former art historian, shares tips on window treatments, rugs, furniture, lighting, color, wallpaper, art and accessories. 2023; $25.

Furnishing the White House: The Decorative Arts Collection Curators document two centuries of changing presidential taste, hospitality and lifestyle via 375 images of decorative objects from the White House collection. The authors examine the symbolism behind these treasures and the roles they play in diplomacy and national pride. The White House Historical Association, 2023; $65.

Farrow & Ball: How to Redecorate A color primer by Farrow & Ball color curator Joa Studholme and creative director Charlotte Cosby contains more than 340 photos and illustrations, along with advice on building color schemes, selecting neutral palettes and more. A follow-up to the authors’ How to Decorate. Octopus Publishing, 2023; $44.

Vintage row houses, those quintessentially Washington dwellings, can hide all manner of surprises. Case in point: a circa-1900 dwelling near Dupont Circle whose classic, red-brick façade conceals streamlined interiors ingeniously reimagined by modernist architect Robert Gurney.

The homeowner, a longtime client who works in finance, first considered the four-story, 2,332-square-foot house as an investment opportunity. However, she changed her mind on seeing it. “I grew up in New York,” she says, “so it was always sort of a fantasy to own a brownstone. I figure this is the closest I’m going to get to that in DC!” But as a fan of modern architecture, her fantasy brownstone veered contemporary on the inside. “I called Bob as I was walking out the door after touring the house,” she recalls, “and said ‘I have a project for you.’”

When the time came, Gurney enlisted a team that included colleague Kara McHone, designer Therese Baron Gurney (his wife and frequent collaborator) and builder Peterson+Collins. They had their work cut out for them, as the building was dilapidated—to say the least. “It had been a sort of rooming house, with a kitchen on each floor,” recounts the architect.

Working with McHone, he devised a plan that would gut the dingy interior spaces and create a 300-square-foot, glassed-in addition at the back of the basement and ground floor (zoning prohibited extending the upper floors). The main level became a single, open-plan room with the front living area flowing back to the kitchen and the dining area in the addition at the rear. The second floor encompasses the primary suite, which boasts a back patio, and the third holds two spare bedrooms. The basement includes a playroom and a home office.

In the revamped layout, the main level feels more spacious than its 20-foot width would indicate. “It’s a nice homage to the original space,” comments principal Ted Peterson, who spearheaded construction. “The rear addition was critical to the project’s success, as it elongates the room and makes it feel wider.”

The front door opens to an airy, floating stair that was relocated to its current spot along the wall. “The whole concept is organized around the stairwell, which cuts through the ceiling to a skylight at the top,” Gurney explains. “We came up with this system of a welded-wire fabric wall instead of a glass railing; reclaimed-white oak slats are layered over it on the main floor to add more texture.”

Beyond the stair, a functional core opposite the sleek kitchen holds a powder room and pantry; it extends to the second and third floors, where it houses the laundry room and a bathroom respectively. Also part of this core: an elevator that runs from the basement to the third floor, enabling the owner to age in place.

With visiting grandchildren in mind, robust, durable materials were specified—a mandate that inspired the architects’ palette of reclaimed-white oak surfaces, hot-rolled-steel accents, Italian stone-look porcelain flooring and dark-stained white oak on cabinets and upstairs walls. “I wanted a sophisticated look with some different materials,” notes the client, “and nothing too delicate.”

Those materials create continuity among spaces and delineate rooms in lieu of drywall—particularly the reclaimed white oak, which appears on floors, stair treads, walls and built-ins throughout the house. “With the home’s width, I thought all the wood might be overwhelming, but it makes the walls that much more special,” observes Peterson. “The door hinges are concealed and all the wood is matched. That kind of detail defines Bob’s projects.” To address the wood’s natural expansion and contraction, Peterson’s team fabricated the walls with quarter-inch reveals between panels that allow for movement; these echo the reveals typically found in modern architectural spaces—including this home—where moldings are eschewed.

Gurney and McHone also orchestrated finishes in the kitchen and bathrooms. The former combines custom, dark-stained oak cabinetry by Affinity Woodworking with terrazzo countertops; the nearby powder room sports the same surface. Frosted-glass walls define the minimalist primary bath on the second floor.

The cellar floor was lowered 16 inches to provide additional ceiling height and covered in polished concrete. A home office, tucked into the rear addition, is brightened by a spacious light-well-cum-patio visible through a wall of windows and accessible via a glass door. A quartet of young grandchildren enjoys time in the adjacent playroom.

Therese Baron Gurney’s interiors “support and blend the furnishings with the finishes,” she explains, adding that her involvement with the client carried over from a prior project. “We reconfigured many items from her previous house, adding new pieces to make them work specifically within the new environment.”

The owner is thrilled with her vintage row house and its elegant yet livable modern interiors. “I love it here, I love how it feels,” she enthuses. “It really works perfectly for me.”

Back to Nature A dramatic refuge brings the spa experience home See More...

Collected Style Vintage marries modern in a chic primary bath See More...

Strong Statement Bold color and contrast elevate a sleek sanctuary See More...

Spa Experience A Bethesda retreat fosters wellness in style See More...

During construction of a Bethesda spec home, bath and tile designer Davis Holland Leichsenring was tapped to conceive all six and a half of the abode’s bathrooms. “I envisioned them as spa-like oases fostering wellness and healing, and developed each with its own personality,” he says.

A sophisticated yet playful vibe prevails in the sleek, lower-level bath, dubbed the Spa, where Leichsenring embraced an aesthetic that is intended to appeal to kids in the nearby playroom, adults in the game room/bar and yoga practitioners in the adjacent exercise room.

“A grand feature wall continues uninterrupted between the shower and toilet enclosures,” explains the designer, who clad the wall in lively, tridimensional porcelain tiles in nine pastel colors, then offset the exuberant palette with charcoal-colored, large-format porcelain floor tiles.

A column separates the shower and WC, both enclosed by glass panels with frosted sections for privacy. The curb-less shower is bordered by a linear drain and features a floating shower bench, an invention created and patented by Leichsenring. “There are adjustable body jets under the bench to massage feet and legs, three wall jets, a 10-inch rain showerhead and a handheld spray, all controlled by a digital valve,” he notes.

Integrated with cubbies, cabinets and a bench, built-in millwork opposite the shower conveys the feel of a spa. Radiant heat warms the floor and a careful lighting plan illuminates the room via a dropped ceiling—with special emphasis on the center-stage statement wall.

Bath Design: Davis Holland Leichsenring, UDCP, Holland Bath & Spa, North Bethesda, Maryland. Architecture: John G. Katinas, AIA, Katinas Bruckwick Architecture, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: Paul Katinas, General Contractor, Washington, DC. Photography: Austin Meyer.

THE DETAILS
Wall + Floor Tile: architessa.com. Plumbing Fixtures + Mirror: kohler.com through grofusa.com. Vanity: christianacabinetry.com through kitchenandbathstudios.com. Shower Bench: hollspa.com. Toilet: laufen.com through build.com. Glass Panels: riverglassdesigns.com.

When designer Martha Vicas was tasked with selecting finishes for a sprawling, contemporary residence under development by Coba in Northwest DC, part of the job was completing “a spectacular bath to match the amazing primary bedroom,” she recalls. She consulted on the architecture of the space, which ultimately featured a long double vanity and a huge, glassed-in shower with a Calacatta Lincoln marble bench anchoring one end. During the framing stage when the designer was busy specifying what she terms “a middle-of-the-road, white-and-gray stone palette,” the house was sold and Vicas did an about-face.

“The buyers wanted bold color,” recalls the designer, who accommodated their wishes with vivid-blue, glazed ceramic tile in the shower, which is designed to feel like an alcove. She clad the shower floor, walls and ceiling in the same blue tile—a herringbone pattern on the walls and ceiling paired with mosaic squares on the floor. Then, to allay the owners’ fears that there still wouldn’t be enough color in the room, Vicas painted the custom vanity in a matching blue hue—Gentleman’s Gray by Benjamin Moore—and topped it with Calacatta Lincoln marble.

After that, Vicas laughs, “I encouraged them to keep the rest of the palette calm.” Calacatta Chablis marble covers the floor and walls around a sculptural soaking tub with clean, modern lines. Phillip Jeffries vinyl grass cloth in a serene blue-gray color adorns the walls.

Interior & Bath Design: Martha Vicas, M.S. Vicas Interiors, Washington, DC. Architecture: Nahra Design Group, Washington, DC. Developer: Coba, Washington, DC. Builder: Ox Builders, Washington, DC. 

THE DETAILS
Sinks, Plumbing Fixtures + Tub Filler: kallista.com. Tub: admbathroom.com. Wall Tile: architessa.com. Shower Tile: annsacks.com. Custom Vanity: okawvalleywoodworking.com. Wallpaper: phillipjeffries.com. Sconces: urbanelectric.com.

The owners’ bath in a Georgian-style residence sadly reflected its 1980s provenance—right down to the platform tub and glass-block dividers. After purchasing the Churchville, Maryland, dwelling, new residents contacted Winsome Interior Design for an overhaul. They requested a traditional aesthetic to match the home’s classic framework.

Partners Arianna Pannoni and Kasey Bedford began by repurposing a small adjacent dressing room as a shower enclosure, which made room for a separate WC and created an airy, open feel. They then homed in on a warm, traditional sensibility, designing an antique-inspired vanity for character and combining it with an ornate clawfoot tub.

“It was intentional to pair those refined features with casual elements like the subway tile in the shower and penny-tile flooring,” recounts Pannoni. “We added a decorative border on the floor and a beaded accent on the shower wall so the tile wouldn’t feel bland.” Rich wood tones, large-format botanical wall covering and antiqued plumbing fixtures completed the space.

“We had the Sandberg wallpaper selected from the very beginning; our clients just fell in love with the imagery in it,” Bedford observes. “We love adding color to trim, so we picked a shade present in the wallpaper and matched it with Farrow & Ball’s Treron on the baseboard, crown molding and windows.”

Brass-and-opaque-glass Visual Comfort light fixtures and Kravet draperies trimmed with Schumacher fringe contribute to the vintage vibe but still feel fresh.

Bath & Interior Design: Arianna Pannoni; Kasey Bedford, Winsome Interior Design, Lutherville, Maryland. Renovation Contracting: Post & Beam Design Build, Phoenixville, Maryland. 

THE DETAILS
Vanity Top: emerstone.com. Sink: kohler.com through build.com. Tub + Tub Filler: signaturehardware.com through build.com. Subway Tile: huntvalleytileandstone.com. Penny Tile: hydeparktiles.co.uk. Wallpaper: sandbergwallpaper.com. Vanity Mirror: rh.com.

While collaborating on a custom Annapolis home on the South River, ABS Architects and designer Bryan Huffman worked with Pyramid Builders to create a lavish primary bath with high ceilings and tall windows that would emphasize views of its serene, natural surroundings. “The home is surrounded by 330 degrees of shoreline, and maximizing every view of nature was non-negotiable,” says Pyramid president Bret Anderson. “In the primary bath, windows and glass doors line much of the perimeter while custom glass cabinet doors and shelving leave no sight to the outdoors obstructed.”

An ample footprint allowed for dedicated zones housing the shower, tub, toilet and double vanities—each with its own vista. The owners specified a spa experience, so an electronically controlled steam shower and separate rain head beckon, along with a heated floor. Abundant custom cabinetry is finished with a layer of protective boat paint to withstand the steam from the shower; the cabinetry is carefully positioned for optimal storage and display.

The material palette “is intentionally tranquil and subdued to accentuate the views,” Anderson notes. An interwoven mosaic-marble floor and large-format marble shower tiles provide a refined backdrop for vanities topped with Thassos marble and frosted glass expanses intended to let in the light while preserving privacy. Polished-nickel hardware matches the finish found on pendants and vanity sconces. For a touch of contrast, the outside of the soaking tub is painted in burnished nickel.

Bath Design: Bryan Huffman Interior Design, Charlotte, North Carolina; Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, ABS Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Architecture: ABS Architects. Builder: Bret Anderson, Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland. 

THE DETAILS
Vanities, Built-In Shelving and Storage + Frameless Glass Shower Enclosure: premiercb.com. Marble Floor and Shower Tile, Tub, Tub Filler + Shower Fixtures: waterworks.com. Lighting: visualcomfort.com, crystorama.com. Vanity Top: rocktopsfabrication.com.

SLEEK + SERENE
Zencha, German designer Sebastian Herkner’s first bath collection for Duravit, embraces Japanese bathing and tea rituals with vessels inspired by tea bowls and onsen, or hot spring baths. Minimalist furniture and mirrors are also part of the mix. duravit.us

SET IN STONE
Kreoo’s Panama is a waterproof, marble-and-metal wall covering designed by Enzo Berti. It reimagines the weave on the eponymous hat in a pattern of horizontal stone strips and vertical metal rods. Choose among eight stone colors and rods in brass or chrome. kreoo.com/en

CHIC VESSEL
Conceived by Patricia Urquiola for Agape, the Cenote a Colonna combines a circular basin with a heavy column for a simple, sculptural effect. Crafted of refractory clay, it’s hand-lathed, resulting in surface variations. The freestanding version is shown. agapedesign.it/en

MATCH POINT
In a minimalist tableau, Hastings Tile & Bath pairs a slender, lacquered vanity and coordinating mirror from its Urban Low Height collection with playfully off-kilter metal Kros Storage shelving. Both lines boast various shapes, sizes and finishes. hastingstilebath.com

BATHING BEAUTY
Americh’s freestanding Darlington soaking tub is made of acrylic and measures 66 inches long. Designed in transitional style with versatility in mind, it comes in Black, White, Biscuit, Bone and Sterling Silver; a dual color option is also available. americh.com

HANDLE WITH CARE
Clean Scandinavian design inspired Brizo’s Odin Bath Collection. The line features lavatory faucets with an array of handle options and three possible finishes. Pictured: a widespread lavatory faucet in Brushed Nickel with high wooden cross handles. brizo.com

INDUSTRIAL FLAIR
Signature Hardware’s Greyfield faucets and shower fixtures feature solid brass construction, with a choice of seven rust- and tarnish-resistant finishes. Pictured in Gunmetal, the widespread lavatory faucet lends industrial flair. Find at Ferguson locations. build.com

FLOWER POWER
Spanish brand Baldocer makes a splash with Montmartre, a line of two-by-four-foot porcelain wall tiles that includes lush, over-scaled botanical motifs produced via inkjet printing. Buisson—meaning bush—is shown here. baldocer.com/en

IN COLOR
Handmade in Morocco out of local clay, zellige tiles are distinguished by a high glaze and irregularities that make each one unique. Available in four-by-four-inch squares and 10 vivid color options; Mediterranean Blue is pictured. artistictile.com

A walkable urban hub is taking shape in busy, car-centric Tysons, Virginia. Capital One Center, home to the bank’s global headquarters, is a 24.5-acre, mixed-use redevelopment anchored by shops, restaurants, a hotel and more. At its heart is Capital One Hall, a 149,000-square-foot arts and events venue conceived by the DC office of Minneapolis design firm HGA. The four-story, marble-clad structure, punctuated by vertical windows embedded to reflect light into the building, features four levels and a rooftop park with a stage.

Inside, public spaces include a 225-seat black box theater and a 57-foot-tall atrium that hosts everything from conferences to concerts and Broadway productions. With 1,600 seats, the Main Theater (above) is the largest performance space. Sections are vertically stacked to provide clear sightlines and proximity to the stage. HGA project designer Nat Madson notes that “a rich palette of interior finishes” details the theater. “Sculptural walnut millwork frames the seating chambers while brass-colored metal panels, folded and perforated to meet stringent acoustic criteria, line the room and surround the proscenium.”

Capital One Hall recently won an IIDA award for its interior spaces. The building is awaiting LEED Gold certification.

HOT TO TROT
Trex’s Transcend Lineage composite decking is manufactured using heat-mitigating technology that makes it cooler underfoot than the brand’s other offerings, as it reflects rather than absorbs the sun’s rays. Available in four colors; Biscayne is pictured. trex.com

TILE TIME
An anti-slip surface and two-centimeter thickness make AExtra20 porcelain tile pavers suitable for outdoor use. The rectified, 24-by-24-inch tiles come in seven hues replicating quartz, stone, terrazzo and limestone. Pennsylvania Gray is pictured. besttile.com

LOOK OF STONE
Lapitec sintered stone is composed of natural minerals compacted to create a nonporous, weather-resistant surface. Full-body slabs boast a range of colors and thicknesses. Bianco Olimpia (pictured on countertop and backsplash) was introduced in 2023. lapitec.com

PATTERN PLAY
De Marchi Verona, an Italian maker of porcelain surfaces, has debuted its Cross Collection. Designed by Marta Martino, the handcrafted, three-dimensional panels (shown on left) feature a raised motif covered in tiny studs. The material is weatherproof for al fresco living. demarchiverona.it

UNDER WATER
Made from PVC, Fiberon’s Paramount Decking is wood-free, making it a good choice for marine environments such as docks. Resistant to mold, water and warping, the boards come in four colors; Mantel Clay is pictured. fiberondecking.com

After years in their outmoded, 1989 Colonial, a Bethesda couple enlisted designer Dara Beitler to spearhead a main-level overhaul. “My role was to reimagine the first floor, improving function and aesthetics,” she recounts. “The homeowners wanted a larger kitchen, better flow, improved storage and a kid-friendly, open plan.”

Working with kitchen designers at Häcker Greenwich and contractor ASAP Kitchen & Bath, Beitler removed walls and closets in the kitchen and razed the wall separating it from the dining room. A laundry room was relocated to the second floor.

This reorganization allowed the team to enlarge the kitchen without adding onto the 4,329-square-foot, six-bedroom abode. Outdated cabinets and granite countertops gave way to white and wood Häcker cabinetry combined with quartz counters and backsplash. Though the staircase was updated and a new powder room was created, existing architectural features such as columns and ceiling medallions were preserved.

Noting that her clients specified “a modern-yet-warm, clean California” vibe, Beitler opted for natural oak flooring, black-painted window frames and crisp white walls as a fresh backdrop for chic furniture and lighting and bold contemporary art sourced at Merritt Gallery. Says the designer, “Pops of color impart personality, bright charm and fabulous focal points.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Togo, Ligne Roset’s legendary seating collection first designed by Michel Ducaroy in 1973. In June, the new co-CEO Antoine Roset—part of the fifth generation to run the family business—traveled to DC for the festivities. H&D caught up with him at the brand’s Upper Georgetown showroom.

How do you explain Togo’s staying power? It’s timeless—it could have been designed at any point in the ’80s, ’90s or today. It’s just solid foam, so it’s lightweight and comfortable, a real nap machine.

Name a favorite Ligne Roset piece in your home. Moel, a classic piece by Inga Sempé. It has a low seat with cushions and is big enough to relax on with our
kids. It also has a rounded back so I can disappear into it if I want privacy!

What’s hot in furniture now? People want to bring the comfort and beauty of indoor furniture outdoors—that’s the biggest trend today.

Share a change you’d like to see in the industry. I’d like to see more sustainability. We all need to wake up to the importance of being environmentally friendly in our industry. Ours is a family business and we want to be progressive, pushing the envelope of design while also pushing awareness about what we produce. Our brand should represent our values.

How has DC evolved since Ligne Roset opened here? Washington changes with the government, so there are new furniture needs every four years. The White House is a magnet; having a presence near it means we are at the center of something.

Lured from Chantilly to bucolic Middleburg, Virginia, by a private school that turned out to be a perfect fit, a couple with four kids purchased a three-acre lot—despite encouragement from their realtor to buy at least 10 acres of the scenic farmland for which the area is known. They enlisted Nashville architect Brad Norris to design a quintessential stone farmhouse on their small spread, and designer Sallie Lord to decorate the interiors.

By the time the 9,000-square-foot house was finished, three acres no longer seemed like a lot to the couple, who are both professionals (he’s a teacher and she’s a local business owner). “We kept looking at the farm next door. We worried that it would be developed,” relates the wife. She asked the neighbors for first right of refusal if they were ever to sell—and was rewarded with a call a couple of years later that led to her purchase of the land.

Among other features, the newly acquired, 66-acre tract was dotted with outbuildings ranging from barns to an old blacksmith’s cottage and a vintage residence now used as a rental. The couple envisioned hip hangouts for family time as well as large-scale entertaining (think fundraisers, weddings, family reunions and graduation parties).

The first of these projects took shape during covid, when they installed a pool and an adjacent pool house; later, they carved out more entertaining space by overhauling an existing barn. “The family wanted a true at-home retreat where vacation was in their backyard and could be shared with friends and family,” says Lord, who reviewed plans and made material and furniture selections in these additional spaces.

“We wanted the pool house to feel like an extension of the main house but more streamlined and playful,” says the wife, whose son dubbed the swimming area “Octopus’s Garden”—thereby providing a theme for the décor.

They turned to Norris to design the new structure. He conceived an A-framed cabana equipped with an outdoor shower, hidden storage and a luxe bathroom tucked behind it. The interior is clad in shiplap siding while the travertine pool surround extends to form its floor. Working with the wife, Lord chose comfortable seating and a fire table for the space; playful touches include an octopus triptych by Jetty Home flanked by built-in shelving and, adorning the shelf backs, marble mosaic tiles that echo the scales of a mermaid’s tail. A built-in banquette provides additional seating and drapery panels soften the building’s lines.

Over the rise of a rolling hill beyond the pool house, a barn with a shed roof became the next challenge when the owners decided to outfit it for entertaining. One of two barns (the other remains a working structure), the circa-1980s building served as a tractor shed with an attached open area once used for hunting purposes.

Reimagined by Lord as a party barn and guest quarters, the plan was executed by Veritas. The team gutted the interior to create a large main room, a spacious bath, laundry and storage. Garage doors on the front façade were replaced by floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows. As Lord explains, “It’s designed for gatherings with those views as a backdrop.”

Tall built-ins hold a custom Murphy bed flanked by shelving and a desk; a wide, black-painted brick column frames a linear fireplace nearby. A full kitchen, anchored by a long, quartz-topped island, was designed by Joey Olson of The Kitchen Guru. The open outdoor area is now a covered pavilion for al fresco entertaining.

In the party barn, Lord says, she followed the wife’s mandate “to marry city style and country charm. I wanted it to be clear this is horse country—yet everything feels modern.” Dramatic close-up photographs of horses are showcased against a glam palette of black-painted walls, crisp-white wainscoting and pops of gold in lighting, hardware and other accents. The owner chose Café kitchen appliances in white and gold. A sectional and chairs sit before the window wall to take in the lush tableau.

In fact, the view reveals the family’s first foray into farming: They have acquired a herd of sheep and two affectionate miniature cows; a chicken coop doubles as a picturesque cottage by the pool. On a recent rainy-day visit, those cows—they’re the size of large dogs—were in full view from the party barn, gazing from their pasture with avid interest at the humans cooing over them from a sheltered spot. Says the wife, “We spend lots of time on the farm. We just love it here.” A few years ago, the Middleburg property proved alluring to Lord as well when, in the midst of covid, she and her husband were married on the porch of the residence in a small ceremony. “It was magical,” the designer recalls. “This was truly a beautiful place to get married.”

RESOURCES

POOL HOUSE
Furniture under Cabana: westelm.com. Octopus Art: jettyhome.com. Pendants: serenaandlily.com. Fire Table: wayfair.com. Draperies: sunbrella.com. Pillows & Cushion Fabric for Banquette: fabricut.com through Haute Fabrics; 703-961-9400. Tile inside Built-Ins: mosaictileco.com. Bar Faucet: brizo.com. Dining Table: potterybarn.com. Chairs: essentialsforliving.com. Umbrellas: frontgate.com. Bathroom Sink: potterybarn.com. Bathroom Sink Faucet: deltafaucet.com. Bathroom Lighting: reginaandrew.com. Mirror: uttermost.com. Wall Treatment: fireclaytile.com.

BARN
Sectional, Chairs & Coffee Table: fourhands.com. Rug: safavieh.com. Barrel Side Tables & Stools: tovfurniture.com. Horse Pictures: leftbankart.com. Black and White Sideboard: Owners’ Collection. Chandeliers over Bar: visualcomfort.com. Paint: Tricorn Black by sherwin-williams.com. Backsplash & Countertops: silestoneusa.com. Faucet: brizo.com. Drapes: kasmirfabrics.com. Facing Chairs: westelm.com. Bathroom Wallpaper: yorkwallcoverings.com. Bathroom & Shower Tile: tilebar.com. Vanity & Countertop: bemmadesign.com. Murphy bed System: design by greyhuntinteriors.com; fabricated by Dennis Liwanag of macanson.com.

Sara Swabb, who hails from Ohio, had a high-level marketing and sales career when she moved to DC to be with her husband. Several years and two daughters later, she was ready for a more creative chapter and went to work for a local interior designer. “I’d always held an interest in interiors, but put it on the back burner,” she explains.

When covid hit, Swabb’s marketing acumen came into play again. “I decided to start a virtual design business where I’d put together the concept and design and give it to the homeowner to implement,” she recounts. Her enterprise was a hit, but clients soon began asking for more. Swabb eventually adopted “a tailored, luxury service where I do the whole project,” she says.

Today her firm, Storie Collective, employs a staff of four specializing in whole-house construction and renovations. Swabb has partnered with Unique Kitchens & Baths on a cabinetry line and they share a Georgetown shop. “I love running a business and creating a community,” she declares. “And I love how we impact lives.”

Renovation Architecture: District Architecture Studio, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Sara Swabb, Storie Collective, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: CMX Construction Group, Washington, DC. 

Sisters Griffith Roberts Roth (left) and Blythe Roberts McNerney share a lifelong love for interiors—and a longtime vision of owning a business together. Before launching Griffith Blythe Interiors in 2016, they followed similar trajectories, both studying at the New York School of Interior Design and working under such luminaries as Bunny Williams and Celerie Kemble (Griffith) and Martha Stewart (Blythe). Both eventually married and returned to the Washington area, where they had spent their childhoods in McLean and Alexandria.

The designers bring “a colorful traditionalist eye” to their work, says Blythe. “A lot of DC design is neutral, so we were excited to put our stamp on antiques, which we grew up with and love, and our penchant for color and pattern.”

Griffith Blythe Interiors currently has clients in Florida, Nantucket and New York as well as DC. In 2020, the duo launched Gatopard, an online shop selling table linens of their own design. “One day, we’d like to open a custom-linens showroom where people can see and touch the fabric,” Griffith reveals, adding: “We’d keep our design business, of course.”

Interior Design: Griffith Roberts Roth and Blythe Roberts McNerney, Griffith Blythe Interiors, Washington, DC. 

Elyn Zimmerman’s monumental stone sculpture Marabar graced National Geographic’s DC campus from 1984 until 2023, when it found a new home—and a new name—at American University. The saga began in 2017, when the National Geographic Society announced plans to remove the installation due to a campus redesign. Ojai, California-based Zimmerman had resigned herself to the loss of her first large-scale installation when The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) intervened in 2020, galvanizing support among museum directors, art directors, scholars and journalists for protecting the sculpture. Ultimately, Zimmerman selected AU’s scenic campus as a new site and National Geographic paid for the relocation. 

Now named Sudama, the sculpture is composed of five oversized granite boulders weighing some 450,000 pounds, arrayed around a crescent-shaped water feature; the highly reflective rock surfaces mirror one another. The installation was slightly reconfigured in its current iteration near the Abraham S. Kay Spiritual Life Center. “The size and shape of the pool were changed and rocks were positioned around existing plantings,” the sculptor notes. “The new setting made the piece look new and unique, so it needed a new title.” Both of its names were inspired by 3,000-year-old caves that figure in E.M. Forster’s novel A Passage to India; they are celebrated for their mirror-polished walls carved from solid rock.