A Brookville, Maryland, couple with three active kids wanted to turn their small lot into an al fresco playground for guests of all ages. So they tapped Don Nesmith of Land & Water Design, Inc., to create an ambitious plan for the back and side yards, featuring zones for a pool, water slide and spa; a sport court; an outdoor kitchen; two dining areas; and a lounge area with a granite fire table.
The existing backyard sloped eight feet from the property line down towards the house. “My vision was to put the pool at the bottom of the slope so the water slide could empty into it,” explains Nesmith. He designed a fieldstone retaining wall at the bottom of the slope; above it, lush landscaping de-emphasizes the fiberglass slide.
Techo-Bloc pavers connect all the spaces. There’s an ipe deck near the back door, and ipe pergolas cover one of the dining areas and the kitchen, which is equipped with Viking appliances. Stone Forest granite fire bowls illuminate the lounge area. On one side of the house, a 25-by-35-foot sport court is a magnet for neighborhood kids.
Weeping Douglas fir, Austrian pine and leyland cyprus create privacy along the property line, while viburnum and euonymus add texture. Above the pool, ornamental dwarf fountain grass and miscanthus combine with aster and spirea, softening the hardscape. Perennials such as Black-Eyed Susans, hydrangea and verbena add color.
Award: Grand Award, Outdoor Living Area. Landscape Architecture: Don Nesmith, RLA, Land & Water Design, Inc., Haymarket, Virginia. Photography: George E. Brown.
While installing a pool on their one-acre lot, the owners of a contemporary house tasked Wheat’s Landscape with creating a connection between the pool scape and residence.
The pool is located on axis with a large picture window at the back of the house. Inspired by the home’s spare, clean architecture, landscape designer Mark Finlayson sited a Japanese-style Zen garden beneath the picture window. Flanked by existing concrete patios—one for dining and one for lounging—it extends to a linear fire pit and a spa, with the pool beyond.
“The pool was like an island out in the yard,” Finlayson explains. “We made connections with materials.” A border of cobblestones and Mexican beach pebbles frames the pea-gravel garden. Natural boulders from West Virginia are strategically placed amidst moss and lichen, while rectangular slabs of Pennsylvania bluestone act as a bridge between the patios.
A Japanese maple nestles beside the garden. A river birch provides a focal point at the far end of the pool, and border plants include hydrangea and ornamental grasses. The property is screened by cryptomeria and Nellie Stevens holly, with dogwood, Eastern redbud and serviceberry trees sprinkled in.
To the right of the pool, an ipe deck provides space for lounging. To the left, an expanse of lawn creates play space for the kids.
Award: Grand Award, Outdoor Living Area. Landscape Design: Mark Finlayson, CPH, Wheat’s Lawn & Custom Landscape, Inc., Vienna, Virginia. Pool Installation: Alpine Pool & Design Corporation, Annandale, Virginia. Photography: George E. Brown.
The Excellence in Landscape Awards, sponsored by the Landscape Contractors Association (LCA) of Maryland, DC, and Virginia, recognize exceptional garden design throughout the region. 2017 LCA Awards, annual competition is judged by industry experts who vote in more than a dozen residential and commercial categories. In the articles listed below, we highlight four winning entries and list all the 2017 residential LCA award winners. These innovative projects reflect the finest in landscape design, with inviting outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, spectacular pools and lush plantscapes—in a range of styles and colors guaranteed to get you in the mood for spring.
River VistaMcHale Landscape Design enhances a grand yet welcoming estate on the Tred Avon River
Zen GardenAsian design elements and a serene sensibility refine a Bethesda property
Backyard BonanzaA small, mundane lot becomes a compelling destination for family-friendly fun
Spare & SimpleClean lines and a restrained plant palette distinguish a resort-like backyard retreat
DECADE Award
McHale Landscape Design, Inc. mchalelandscape.com
Great Falls Residence for Total Residential Contracting; Easton Residence for Residential Maintenance; Bethesda Residence for Residential Maintenance.
HERITAGE Awards
McHale Landscape Design, Inc. mchalelandscape.com
Potomac Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Surrounds, Inc. surroundslandscaping.com
McLean Residence for Residential Maintenance.
GRAND Awards
Colao & Peter Outdoor Environments colaostone.com
DC-Historic for Outdoor Living Area; Alexandria Townhouse for Craftsmanship.
Fine Earth Landscape, Inc. fineearth.com
A Bethesda Escape for Outdoor Living Area; Goodrich Residence for Total Residential Contracting; Dahut Residence for Outdoor Living Area; Clarendon Road Garden for Total Residential Contracting; Cowie Residence for Front Residential Planting and Entranceway; Brawner Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Grow Landscapes growlandscapes.com
Taylor for Total Residential Contracting; Copito for Craftsmanship.
John Shorb Landscaping, Inc. jsli.com
A Residence in Kalorama for Total Residential Contracting.
Land & Water Design Inc. landandwaterdesign.com
Family-Friendly Backyard for Outdoor Living Area.
Live Green Landscape Associates, LLC livegreenlandscapes.com
Gaeger Residence for Craftsmanship.
McHale Landscape Design, Inc. mchalelandscape.com
McLean Residence for Craftsmanship; Spring Hill Residence for Outdoor Living Area; Annapolis Residence for Outdoor Living Area; Hunting Crest Residence for Front Residential Planting and Entranceway; Vienna Estate for Total Residential Contracting; Ayr Hill Residence for Outdoor Living Area; Crownsville Residence for Craftsmanship.
Planted Earth Landscaping, Inc. plantedearthlandscaping.com
Reston Garden for Residential Maintenance; Alexandria Residence for Residential Maintenance; Leesburg Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Surrounds, Inc. surroundslandscaping.com
Parkview Hills Residence for Outdoor Living Area; Bethesda Residence for Total Residential Contracting; Poburn Woods Residence for Total Residential Contracting; Meyer Woods Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Walnut Hill Landscape Company, Inc. walnuthilllandscape.com
Bennett Point Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
Wheat’s Lawn & Custom Landscape, Inc. wheats.com
A Formal Potomac Estate Garden for Total Residential Contracting and Residential Maintenance; A Bethesda Outdoor Living Space for Outdoor Living Area; Lending Sanctuary for Residential Maintenance.
DISTINCTION Awards
Fine Earth Landscape, Inc. fineearth.com
Foster Residence for Outdoor Living Area.
McHale Landscape Design, Inc. mchalelandscape.com
Vienna Residence for Front Residential Planting and Entranceway.
HONORABLE MENTION Awards
Colao & Peter Outdoor Environments colaostone.com
Aldie—Infinity Pool and Pavilion for Outdoor Living Area.
Denison Landscaping denisonlandscaping.com
Lothian Estate for Outdoor Living Area.
Fine Earth Landscape, Inc. fineearth.com
Belcher Residence for Craftsmanship.
Through the Garden, Inc. throughthegardeninc.com
Cowperthwaite Residence for Total Residential Contracting.
The sprawling, riverfront house in Easton, Maryland, was still under construction in 2004 when McHale Landscape Design was called in to orchestrate a comprehensive outdoor plan on the 50-acre property. The owners, who keep horses, “wanted it to feel like a farm estate,” says landscape designer and principal Stephen McHale. “But approachable too.”
He and his team created a grand entry drive lined with willow trees that culminates in a fountain made from a massive, antique cast-iron sugar kettle surrounded by Knockout roses. In the backyard, they sited a spacious pool and spa with the river as a breathtaking backdrop. A pergola at the far end of the pool is festooned with pale-pink New Dawn climbing roses. Pennsylvania flagstone paves patios and paths throughout the property. Two Little Gem magnolias flank the patio beside the house.
Today, McHale continues to maintain the extensive property, which has been enhanced over time. A natural screen of deer-tolerant plants, including osmanthus, schip laurel, and cryptomeria, acts as a barrier between farm fields. Beds close to the house are brimming with perennials such as nepeta, Knockout roses, and Anthony Waterer spirea, which flourish in Eastern Shore soil. Semi-monthly visits during the growing season keep the landscape healthy; an annual acid wash highlights the flagstone’s varied palette.
Award: Decade Award, Residential Maintenance. Landscape Design: Stephen McHale; Landscape Maintenance: Samantha Fisher, McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Photography: John Spaulding.
ON A CURVE
The curvaceous Paloma Dining Chair from Jessica Charles combines clean lines and comfortable tufted cushioning. Choose from a host of fabric and leather upholstery options; wood frames come in 31 finishes. Available at Sheffield Furniture & Interiors in Rockville and Dulles. sheffieldfurniture.com; jessicacharles.com
SCULPTURED STYLE
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’s sculptural Elroy Chair is Mid-Century Modern-inspired, with a round back and curved, off-kilter seat balanced on a thin, black metal frame and legs. Available in fabric or leather at DC and Tysons Corner locations. mgbwhome.com
BEDTIME
The Lancaster Four Post Bed was conceived by designer Marshall Watson as part of his furniture collection for Ferrell Mittman. Made of ash, the bedstead boasts hammered-steel finials and an upholstered headboard secured to the posts with hammered-steel rings. Available through Hines & Company in DC. hinescompany.com; ef-lm.com
CUSTOM CHIC
DC-area drapery maven Gretchen Everett has launched a line of custom, handcrafted tables using the materials she employs for her window-treatment hardware—brass and polished-nickel for the bases and acrylic for the removable, cantilevered tops, which also come in hide or leather. gretcheneverett.com
NEW CLASSIC
Part of Roche Bobois’s Nouveaux Classiques furniture line, the two-drawer Claridge Dresser is pictured in a frame of solid cherry with veneers in cherry and beech. The made-in-Europe piece is available in a range of materials, colors and dimensions at Roche Bobois’s Northwest DC showroom. roche-bobois.com
OUT OF THE BOX
Flitch Modular, a system of boxes that can be stacked—and rearranged—to create the cabinet, table, bench or console that fits your needs. Made of maple with walnut or painted drawer fronts. Available at Creative Classics in Alexandria. creativeclassics.com
BUCKET SEAT
With the goal of achieving good lumbar support, Marie Christine Dorner designed Ligne Roset’s Amédée sofa and chair with the bucket seats of Italian automobiles in mind. The armchair (pictured) is offered with a swivel base. The collection is made in France and available at Ligne Roset in DC’s Upper Georgetown and District Wharf. ligneroset-dc.com
MADE IN ITALY
The ergonomically crafted, polycarbonate Saint Tropez Chair by Calligaris sports the look of quilted material. It comes in transparent and opaque hues with wood or metal legs; a height-adjustable version is perfect for office use. Made in Italy and available at Calligaris in Cady’s Alley and Tysons Corner. calligaris.com
TIGHT FIT
When closed, the Oslo queen wall-bed system features a sofa with tight seat and cushions fixed to a back panel. When open, the panel lowers to reveal a queen-sized bed. The sofa seat hides storage and the whole unit integrates with other modular closet and shelf systems. Available at Resource Furniture in Cady’s Alley. resourcefurniture.com
When Mindy Frankel decided to renovate her circa-1940s house in Bethesda, it turned out to be more cost-effective to tear down the outdated residence and start afresh. She hired architect Mark Giarraputo of Studio Z to design a new home that would reflect its vintage neighborhood while giving her the conveniences she desired.
During the planning stages, Frankel—a sign-language interpreter and single mom—tapped Erica Burns to help guide her through the process of selecting furnishings and finishes. “I wanted an updated traditional look,” she says. “I prefer things that are classic and timeless.”
This was familiar turf for Burns, who leans towards this sensibility in her work. “I love things rooted in traditional style,” she explains.
Burns and her client conceived a plan that would build “a tailored, classic foundation” in a soft, neutral palette punctuated by colorful rugs and artwork. To create a visual interplay, the designer chose traditional custom furniture, then blended it with Urban Electric light fixtures with an industrial edge. Details, such as window treatments fabricated by Gretchen Everett with delicate contrast stitching, finish each room.
The result is just what the owner wanted—and more. “It was bittersweet when the project was over,” Frankel reflects. “This was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Erica really made this place feel like a home.”
ASK ERICA
What was the starting point for the project?
The kitchen cabinets. I arrived just as the kitchen design was happening and Mindy had already picked out Thermador appliances. She is a good cook and kitchen function was very important to her. She had inspiration photos to get us started. We chose cabinets from Stuart Kitchens painted in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove.
What kitchen features stand out?
We commissioned a rolled-steel hood from Custom Metals of Virginia and selected soapstone peripheral countertops that will darken over time. The ceramic subway-tile backsplash is from Architectural Ceramics. The six-by-seven-foot island is dark-stained, topped with a huge slab of honed Absolute Black granite. I love the woven-leather counter stools from Holly Hunt.
What aspect of this project was most challenging?
Mindy did not want any “wow” moments in terms of color or pattern, so I integrated tones and textures in neutrals to keep the rooms interesting. I did it by layering elements. It was a challenge I enjoyed!
How do you create a timeless patina in a home that isn’t old?
We picked materials that look aged, like the traditional home kitchen backsplash tile, which is handmade and doesn’t have that fabricated look. The floor tile in the master bath is made of tumbled slate with natural chips in it that make it feel older. The imperfections in materials create that sense of age.
How would you distinguish an updated traditional home design look from a transitional one?
A transitional look is more on-trend, with pops of color. A traditional look can be a little fussy or ornate, which was also not what Mindy was looking for. She wanted something timeless. I think of updated traditional as more tailored with a classic foundation. It’s what I do a lot of—that “new traditional” look.
Can you talk about the fireplace?
The fireplace selection was a process. We didn’t want something that looked out-of-the-box, and Mindy didn’t want glass or metal cluttering the front of it. This is a prefabricated unit made of cast stone, but it looks like masonry. It’s a wood-burning firebox with a gas log insert.
What is special about the floor?
The floor is wide-plank white oak with a custom stain that mixes white and gray. The stain is unusual and has a lot of depth. It really creates interest.
How did you choose the furnishings?
Part of what made this project work so well was the amount of customization we were able to do. All the furniture is custom-measured so it fits the spaces perfectly. The fabrics are beautiful linen or linen-and-cotton blends, but we used stain-resistant Perennials indoor-outdoor fabric on the Lillian August dining chairs and Schumacher performance linen on the Lee Industries sofa.
What are the highlights of the master bath?
We paired heated, tumbled-slate floors with marble surfaces. For an MTI soaking tub in the window niche, we used plumbing fixtures by Newport Brass. The double vanity features Kohler sinks and a beautiful Valley Gold marble countertop from Marble Systems. I really pushed for a curb-less shower, which looks so clean. The shower has Calacatta Chablis marble tiles from Architectural Ceramics and a marble floating bench.
How did you select the art?
The art and rugs bring color into the interiors. Mindy had art from her family and we also commissioned some. The painting over the mantel is by Michelle Armas in Atlanta. We sent her a piece of wallpaper Mindy loved and she created the art based on that. The modern piece in Mindy’s home office was commissioned from Kayce Hughes.
Can you name a favorite design element in the house?
The window treatments by Gretchen Everett are beautiful—custom pleated and cross-stitched. It’s those subtle details that make the difference. I love this house because it feels like it’s been here a long time. It’s the combination of architecture, materials, furnishings. It’s homey.
What is your personal style?
I would call myself a ”new traditionalist.” I use classic pieces, but with fresh colors and patterns layered in a way that keeps things interesting yet timeless.
Advice for clients?
Never do one room in your house at a time. Even if you’re going to purchase for only one room, you need an overall plan or you’ll end up redesigning spaces.
How do you create a cohesive space?
Look at the house as a whole. Try to repeat similar colors or moods in different ways in each room. Don’t use the same colors everywhere; you can be subtle.
Design pet peeve?
Things should be contemporary or classic. That in-between space often doesn’t stand the test of time.
What about trends?
They can be fun. My advice is, just don’t put too many trendy items in the same space. A little editing can go a long way.
Architecture: Mark Giarraputo, AIA, Studio Z Design Concepts, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. Interior Design: Erica Burns, Erica Burns Interiors, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: Doug Monsein, Douglas Construction Group, LLC, Potomac, Maryland.
January saw the grand opening of Richmond’s newest home-décor boutique: Bridget Beari Home Store. Owner Susan Jamieson’s venture reflects the eclectic sensibility of her firm, Bridget Beari Designs (named for two beloved pets), with a collection of art, accessories, furniture, lighting and rugs sourced both locally and from such far-flung spots as Mexico and Indonesia. The shop also highlights the designer’s own collections of paint, wallpaper and custom furnishings.
Jamieson made the jump to retail in order to have a place to showcase her own paint and wallpaper lines—and because she felt no store in the area carried the eclectic mix of furnishings and accessories she wanted. “Bridget Beari style is about creating comfortable, beautiful spaces that feel collected and layered and celebrate diverse design and lifestyles,” she says. “I am excited to share my finds and designs in ways that spark creativity.”
Regular makeovers of the 1,500-square-foot boutique will reflect different decorating styles and periods. Jamieson will also host workshops to help homeowners learn about her extensive paint and wallpaper lines—among myriad other subjects. 1528 West Cary Street, Richmond; 804-967-3103; bridgetbeari.com.
Each summer, experimental art comes to northwest Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. A city of 75,000 people rises in this unlikely spot for Burning Man, a gathering of artists whose interactive installations create a temporary hotbed of artistic exploration. Visitors to this remote spot can commune with these monumental works of art with the desert as a backdrop.
Beginning March 30, the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum will offer another way to experience Burning Man. A museum-wide exhibit, “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man,” will focus on the festival’s maker culture, ethos and art—showcasing works first created at Burning Man as well as installations by perennial Burning Man artists such as Michael Garlington and Natalia Bertotti, HYBYCOZO and David Best. An outdoor extension, “No Spectators: Beyond the Renwick,” will bring large-scale, immersive artworks to the surrounding neighborhood. Among the offerings: giant bronze crows by Jack Champion in Murrow Park and a 20-foot-long steel XOXO sculpture by Laura Kimpton and Jeff Schomberg at Farragut West Metro.
The first floor of the Renwick exhibit closes September 16 and the second floor closes January 21, 2019. The outdoor installations remain on view through December. americanart.si.edu/nospectators
Home to DC’s venerable Cosmos Club since 1952, the landmark Townsend House was designed in 1898 by architecture firm Carrère and Hastings with all the French flourishes popular during the Beaux Arts era. Its ornate style is exemplified in the Louis XV-style Warne Ballroom (above), which combines gilded details, Renaissance-Revival art, and sumptuous crystal-and-gold light fixtures.
After more than a century of use, the 1,000-square-foot space had become dingy and faded, challenged by outdated repairs and moisture issues. So the Cosmos Club Historic Preservation Foundation tapped John Milner Associates Preservation to restore the ballroom to its Gilded Age splendor.
Working with conservator John Canning Studios, JMA Preservation tackled gilding, ornamental plaster, and woodwork. The white-oak parquet floor was stripped and repaired by hand, while sconces were rewired and reset with crystal elements to match the chandelier. Layers of dirt and varnish were painstakingly removed from overdoor and ceiling paintings to restore their vibrancy. Now complete, the nine-month restoration received a 2017 AIA DC Merit award for Historic Resources/Preservation.
Restoration Architecture: John Milner Associates Preservation, MTFA Architecture, Arlington, Virginia.
LONG LASTING
Trex composite decking, posts and railings resist the fading, staining, warping, rotting, mold and mildew that solid wood surfaces battle. Trex comes in 15 hues and is available locally at T.W. Perry. Pictured here, Clamshell decking with a Transcend railing. twperry.com; trex.com
FANFARE
Craftmade’s Mobi 60-inch outdoor ceiling fan boasts three blades, an LED light and a clean-lined silhouette. The fan comes in three finishes; pictured here with Grey Wood blades and an Aged Galvanized metal base. Available locally through Ferguson. ferguson.com; craftmadefansolutions.com
PREMIUM QUALITY
Zuri Premium Decking by Royal replicates the rich look of exotic timber in a low-maintenance, engineered-wood material that comes in five wood-look colors (Pecan is pictured). Scratch-, stain- and slip-resistant, it is available through Royal Building Products. zuri.royalbuildingproducts.com
LIGHTWEIGHT
A patented blend of polypropylene and mineral filler inside Deckorators Vault decking sets it apart from other composite products by making it lighter-weight and easier to handle—but with the same high level of durability. deckorators.com
THE REAL THING
Though ipe is more expensive than composites and requires frequent sealing, extreme durability and striking color variations have made it a popular decking product. Panels of this richly grained Brazilian hardwood are typically available in three- and four-inch widths from Deckscapes of Virginia, located in Catharpin. deckscapesofva.com
WOOD LOOK
Distinction—a line of Envision composite decking from TAMKO Building Products—comes in four hues that mimic wood grain by incorporating knots and four to six shades and highlights on each board. Spiced Teak is pictured. envisiondecking.com
The winners of the 2017 Maryland Building Industry Association awards were feted during a ceremony last fall at Historic Savage Mill in Savage, Maryland. Sponsored by the MBIA’s Remodeling and Custom-Building Council, these annual awards celebrate residential and commercial work. Thirty-three projects were submitted in 12 categories; a jury of industry professionals evaluated each project based on the quality of construction, difficulty, value and cost effectiveness, creative design approach and sensitivity to the existing structure. The winning residential projects are listed on the following pages.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Custom Home over $2 million
Mueller Homes, Greenspring Valley Luxury Estate, Stevenson, Maryland
Custom Home $1.5 million-$2 million
Zander Homes, Old Bosley Road, Lutherville, Maryland
Custom Home $1 million-$1.5 million
Zander Homes, Ridgewood, Lutherville, Maryland
Custom Home $750,000-$1 million
Stone House Builders, The Stoney Brook Model, Phoenix, Maryland
Custom Home to $500,000
Owings Brothers Contracting, Carroll County Custom Home, Woodbine, Maryland
Whole House Renovation over $600,000
Lang and Company, Dividing Creek Residence, Arnold, Maryland
Whole House Renovation $500,000-$600,000
Mangan Group Architects, Potomac Residence, Potomac, Maryland
Whole House Renovation $450,000-$500,000
Lang and Company, Glen Oban Waterfront Residence, Arnold, Maryland
Whole House Renovation $400,000-$450,000
Plumb Construction Company, Bay House Renovation, Essex, Maryland
Whole House Renovation $350,000-$400,000
Bluehouse Architecture, LLC, Clarksville Whole House Renovation & Master Suite Addition, Clarksville, Maryland
Historic Restoration
Mangan Group Architects, DC Historic Townhouse Restoration, Washington, DC
Green Home $400,000-$450,000
Mangan Group Architects, Winbrook, Silver Spring, Maryland
Outdoor Living over $500,000
Mangan Group Architects, DC Townhouse/Backyard Pool/Gazebo, Washington, DC
Outdoor Living under $500,000
Fine Earth Landscape, Bethesda Family Resort, Bethesda, Maryland
Kitchen Remodel/Addition over $200,000
Delbert Adams Construction Group, LLC, The Essence of White, Sparks, Maryland
Kitchen Remodel/Addition $175,000 -$200,000
Bluehouse Architecture, LLC, Westminster Kitchen/Powder Room/Laundry, Westminster, Maryland
Kitchen Remodel/Addition $100,000-$150,000
ADR Builders, Ltd, Guilford Kitchen, Baltimore, Maryland
Kitchen Remodel/Addition under $100,000
Owings Home Services, Elkridge Kitchen Remodel, Elkridge, Maryland
Kitchen Remodel/Addition under $50,000
O’Hanlon Kitchens, Inc., Keswick Road, Baltimore, Maryland
Interior Remodel over $400,000
Delbert Adams Construction Group, LLC, Barn Conversion, Owings Mills, Maryland
Interior Remodel $300,000-$400,000
Owings Home Services, Crystal Clean Contemporary, Arnold, Maryland
Interior Remodel $200,000-$300,000
Lang and Company, Daisey Court Residence, Millersville, Maryland
Interior Remodel under $200,000
Bluehouse Architects LLC, Highland Basement, Highland, Maryland
Bathroom/Remodel under $75,000
Owings Home Services, Master Bath Renovation, Baltimore, Maryland
Bathroom/Remodel over $75,000
Delbert Adams Construction Group, LLC, Stunning Master Bath, Baltimore, Maryland
Specialty and/or Details
Lang and Company, Mountain Laurel Lane Residence, Annapolis, Maryland
AWARD OF MERIT
Whole House Renovation$350,000-$400,000
Bluehouse Architecture, LLC, Roland Park Residence, Baltimore, Maryland
Green Home $400,000-$450,000
Owings Brothers Contracting, Off the Grid, Owings Mills, Maryland
Outdoor Living under $500,000
ADR Builders, Ltd., Monkton Screen Porch, Monkton, Maryland
Kitchen Remodel/Addition $150,000-$175,000
Owings Brothers Contracting, Hampstead Kitchen Addition, Hampstead, Maryland
Kitchen Remodel/Addition under $50,000
Mangan Group Architects, V-W Kitchen, Silver Spring, Maryland
Interior Remodel $300,000-$400,000
Mangan Group Architects, DC Townhouse Interior Renovation, Washington, DC
Jennifer Wagner Schmidt turns a traditional kitchen into an elegant refuge
A sleek Boffi kitchen brings a contemporary vibe to a transitional home
Darlene Molnar infuses a once-stodgy kitchen with a bold, youthful edge
Fresh LookForm meets function in an innovative kitchen by Sarah Kahn Turner
Jewel in the CrownHedy Shashaani goes modern with a touch of glam in a Potomac kitchen
When designer Celia Welch first set eyes on the Old Town condo, its walls were painted vivid yellow and trimmed extensively with ornate crown moldings. The effect was stodgy and outdated. Welch’s mandate—given by her client, Denise Joseph, who had just purchased the three-bedroom townhouse—was to “make it comfortable, elegant, chic and urban.” Says Joseph, who owns a federal management consulting company, “I knew I wanted it to be clean and modern, with a rustic mix. I just didn’t know how to get there myself.”
Welch knew just what to do. Carefully honing spaces to achieve a level of ease and simplicity is something she takes very seriously. Here, it meant bringing in natural light and streamlining the interiors. To achieve these goals, her first step was removing the wall that separated the kitchen from the open-plan living/dining room, as Joseph’s main priority was to have one flowing, light-filled space. “When I first saw the house, I knew I’d have to be able to take down that wall or I wouldn’t want to buy it,” she recalls.
In addition to removing the wall, Welch overhauled the side of the living/dining room where the staircase, with its traditional, turned-wood banister, curved into the room at an obtrusive angle. Beside it, a big fireplace stuck out, flanked by built-ins. “We gutted that whole zone,” Welch says. “The stairs are straight now, with custom iron railings. The wall projects out just enough to accommodate a sleek, modern gas fireplace. So we were able to reduce bulk and mass.” Storage is concealed on one side of the fireplace wall, while an open, vertical display niche fills the other.
Welch also got rid of the moldings and trim—along with the built-ins. “Moldings can be beautiful but in this space, we were trying to make it fresh and clean,” she explains. “By taking things away, we were able to bring in that sense of simplicity we wanted.”
A wall of Palladian windows faces the Old Town riverfront, but heavy drapes that conveyed with the home obscured the view and made the tall ceilings feel lower. Welch added drama by painting the window frames black—which draws the eye to them—and replacing the drapes with white sheers that hang from ceiling height. “What’s really amazing is that the view feels more like a feature in the room,” she marvels. “And the light is better from lifting the drapes and opening the view.”
Welch and kitchen designer Sarah Kahn Turner collaborated to redesign the outdated kitchen. “Once we took down the wall, Denise could feel connected to the full space,” Welch recounts. “It was truly transformative.”
The new open plan made room for a long, quartz-topped island, over which a separate wenge table hovers, with waterfall sides and room for four stools. “We didn’t want the traditional look of a two-level countertop,” Welch says. “This adds a little extra dimension.” Black-finished pendants from Circa Lighting pick up other black design elements throughout the main floor. The cabinetry is gray-washed, rift-cut oak; a beverage bar—by Joseph’s request—occupies the far side of the kitchen, so guests can help themselves without being underfoot.
To add an original note to the sleek, new kitchen, Welch selected gray-and-white cement subway tile in a matte finish as the backsplash. “We looked for something special and then came up with a fun way to lay it out,” she says.
With Joseph’s wish for “a rustic mix” in mind, the designer blended textured, natural materials throughout. The niche in the fireplace wall houses a decorative display of stacked logs, while the custom dining table is made of planks salvaged from the Ocean City boardwalk and edged in metal. The black-painted window frames and iron stair railings convey an industrial sensibility.
In the redesigned master bedroom, artisan Stacey Tranter customized a design from her own wallpaper collection, creating a wood-look covering that hangs behind the bedstead and complements the wall color.
With its clean lines and rustic/industrial edge, the redesigned townhouse nails the urban-chic style and sense of comfort the homeowner was after—with the serenity and ease that Welch strives to instill in all of her work. “My favorite thing about the house is the way it makes me feel,” Joseph says. “Its simplicity is calming. I couldn’t have imagined it better.”
Interior Design: Celia Welch, Celia Welch Interiors, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Bradley Construction Company, Inc., Damascus, Maryland
RESOURCES
LIVING AREA
Sofa: rh.com. Swivel Chair & Floor Lamp: westelm.com. Rug: stark.com. Coffee Table: cb2.com.
Photograph over Sofa: Allan Gerson through kallerfinearts.com. Drapery Fabric: cowtan.com. Fabricator: celiawelchinteriors.com. Fireplace: fireplaceex.com. Iron Stair Railings: Custom.
DINING AREA
Table: Custom design by celiawelchinteriors.com. Chairs: Custom. Chair Fabric: cowtan.com.
Chandelier: westelm.com.
KITCHEN
Cabinetry: artcraftkitchens.com through gilmerkitchens.com. Countertops: Arctic White Quartz through stoneandtileworld.com. Stools: roomandboard.com.
Wenge Table: glumber.com. Pendants: circalighting.com. Backsplash: architecturalceramics.com.
BEDROOM
Bedstead: mgbw.com. Bedside Table: randomharvesthome.com. Chandelier: rh.com. Wallpaper: staceytranter.com. Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Light French Gray.
A huge addition to their contemporary-style home enabled its owners to update the kitchen and making it a large kitchen. They asked Hedy Shashaani of Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens to spearhead the redesign. Architect Thomas Manion designed the addition and interior designer Sue Torin collaborated with Shashaani on materials and finishes.
“Large-scale entertaining was the first requirement, so they needed a kitchen that really worked for them,” Shashaani says. The wife requested two fridges, dishwashers, and sinks. A double oven occupies one wall with a steam oven and microwave (one of two) on another. Copious storage leaves counters uncluttered.
The initial plan was to center the kitchen around a long island, but Shashaani persuaded her clients to go with two parallel islands instead—one for food prep and one for casual meals. A shiny glass-tile backsplash and open shelves frame the Viking cooktop and custom hood, and appliances are strategically positioned for visual balance and convenience.
The designers juxtaposed shiny and matte finishes: Two-toned perimeter cabinets sport a matte, textured laminate and honed-quartz countertops while the islands are a strong-grained, high-gloss laminate topped by glossy quartz. “The islands are the jewel,” Shashaani notes.
Reflective accents—antiqued-mirror strips on the bar island, bands of shiny steel on the hood and built-in display cabinet, and crystal light fixtures—add a final touch of glam.
Addition Architecture: Thomas Manion, AIA, Manion + Associates Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Kitchen Design: Hedy Shashaani, CKD, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, Maryland. Interior Design: Susan Torin, Interior Touch, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland. Builder: Trevor Voglmayr, Washington Landmark Construction, Washington, DC.
THE DETAILS
Cabinetry: elmwoodkitchens.com. Countertops: Peripheral: caesarstoneus.com. Island: cosmosgranite.com. Appliances: vikingrange.com, subzero-wolf.com, mieleusa.com, bosch-home.com. Hood: akmetalfab.com. Backsplash: porcelanosa-usa.com. Sinks: kohler.com through fergusonshowrooms.com. Lighting: annapolislighting.com. Stools: sheffieldfurniture.com.
The owners of a Georgetown condo overlooking Key Bridge hired Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath to overhaul their dysfunctional kitchen and give it a fresh, new look. Designer Sarah Kahn Turner focused on the river view—visible through industrial-style, square-paned windows— to create a kitchen with a bold material palette and clever, innovative design elements.
“The view drove the layout,” Turner explains. “The mahogany wall of pantry cupboards has beveled squares that match the squares in the windows.” The bevels protrude just five-eighths of an inch but give the illusion of greater depth.
Rift-cut white-oak cabinets offset the dark-stained mahogany, and the island is clad in bold red leather, embossed to resemble crocodile skin. Gray Caesarstone forms a counter-height, waterfall-edge table that covers half an inch above the island, appearing to cantilever out.
The countertops and backsplash are made of Neolith, a porcelain surface selected by the owners because it closely replicates marble but is maintenance-free. “Neolith can scratch,” Turner warns, “but it looks more like marble than marble-like quartz surfaces.” The designer flipped the cooktop wall with the oven/fridge wall for convenience—her only structural change.
The owners are delighted. “The kitchen really works for her,” says Turner. “There’s space for everything and it’s all inaccessible places that make sense.”
Kitchen + Interior Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Paul Lappas, Lappas Construction Co., Bethesda, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
THE DETAILS
Cabinetry: Custom by qcci.com. Countertops + Backsplash: stoneandtileworld.com. Appliances: mieleusa.com, subzero-wolf.com, amoredesignfactory.com, u-line.com through fretz.com. Lighting: hubbardtonforge.com through dominionelectric.com. Hardware: schaubandcompany.com through pushpullhardware.com.
A dull, traditional kitchen in a Craftsman-style house in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood was a poor match for its owners, a young couple with vibrant, modern tastes. They contacted Darlene Molnar to give their abode a facelift, starting with the kitchen.
“They wanted to open it up, make it lighter and brighter with a happier vibe,” Molnar says. “The idea was to modernize, infuse some youthfulness into it.” They also wanted better flow and functionality to make entertaining easier.
Molnar retained the existing footprint but removed an overhanging row of cabinets above the peninsula that separated the kitchen from the breakfast nook, creating an airy, open feel. In lieu of pendants, flush-mount fixtures hang above the peninsula so as not to break up space visually.
The owners had specified classic white cabinetry and marble countertops. “It’s a common combination so I wanted to find something that would set it apart,” Molnar explains. While looking for backsplash tile, she came across a black-and-white marble mosaic in a graphic geometric pattern—bold, with a decidedly modern edge. “I chose it to make a statement,” she says. “The owner loved it, so we extended it to the ceiling.”
The breakfast nook now contains a white-painted, built-in banquette strewn with black-and-white cushions. Brass accents on hardware, lighting and the Restoration Hardware counter stools add warmth.
Kitchen + Interior Design: Darlene Molnar, NCIDQ, ASID, LEED AP ID+C, Darlene Molnar Interior Design, Reston, Virginia. Contractor: Cherry Hill Cabinetry, McLean, Virginia. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.
THE DETAILS
Cabinetry: Custom-framed through cherryhillcabinetry.com. Countertops: Honed Shadow Storm marble through unitedgranite.us. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com through abwappliances.com. Backsplash: Krista Watterworth through tilebar.com. Lighting: Kelly Wearstler through circalighting.com. Hardware: schoolhouse.com. Stools: rh.com.
