When a family decided to add onto the back of their home in Glover Park, they opted for a modern look that would contrast with the transitional style of the rest of the house. Since the addition would house the kitchen, the owners contacted Boffi Georgetown, which is known for its minimalist aesthetic and streamlined Italian cabinetry.
When Boffi kitchen designer Julia Walter entered the picture, the addition was still a shell. “We designed the kitchen to fit the space,” Walter says, stressing that her clients “were looking for a modern look with a warm approach. We chose natural wood and stone for warmth through grain and texture.”
The finished kitchen centers on a five-by-14-foot island big enough to accommodate food prep, casual meals and homework simultaneously. A floating appliance wall separates the kitchen from the pantry; the two areas are unified by cabinetry in a combination of dark-stained, thermal-treated acacia wood and matte-white lacquer. Eye-catching Calacatta Borghini honed-marble slabs top the counters.
Walter and her clients selected another distinctively veined marble slab for the backsplash, which is a focal point in its location behind the cooktop. The backsplash frames a custom stainless-steel panel designed to house the large hood. The new kitchen seamlessly flows into the adjacent living area; Manoir Gray hardwood flooring in a chevron pattern adds interest throughout the space.
Kitchen Design: Julia Walter, Boffi Georgetown, Washington, DC. Interior Design & Contracting: Nilo Hoorazar, Luxen LLC, Falls Church, Virginia.
THE DETAILS
Cabinetry: boffigeorgetown.com. Appliances: gaggenau.com/us, mieleusa.com, bestrangehoods.com, subzero-wolf.com through abwappliances.com. Faucets: vola.com. Sinks: kallista.com through renaissancetileandbath.com. Flooring: xsurfaces.com.
A dark, cramped kitchen underwent a dramatic overhaul in the hands of Jennifer Wagner Schmidt, who followed her clients’ mandate for a “luxury kitchen” in pristine white. The original space “was all brown and half the size it is now,” the designer recalls. “We took out a load-bearing wall that separated it from a small eating area.”
The change facilitated a new floor plan allowing Schmidt to create a second island and substantially enlarge the existing one. The central island, with a sink and dishwasher, is for food prep, while the new peripheral island, with a beverage fridge and space for six stools, is earmarked for entertaining.
To keep things “light and pretty,” Schmidt says, she traded closed cabinetry for open display shelving around the range and hood. The upper cabinets are concentrated on the left wall, where a paneled Sub-Zero fridge, Miele coffee system, and Wolf oven are built-in.
“There is tons of storage in both islands,” the designer explains. “The drawers are deep enough for pots and pans, plates and serving pieces.”
A quartz surface called Polarstone in marble-look Calacatta Manhattan creates a clean-lined appearance on the counters and backsplash. Schmidt selected brass-finished lighting and hardware that add the hint of glamour her clients wanted; rustic stools in rich wood tones pick up the warmth of the metal.
Interior + Kitchen Design: Jennifer Wagner Schmidt, JWS Interiors, Ashburn, Virginia. Kitchen Planning & Cabinetry: AKB Designs, Ruther Glen, Virginia. Contractor: Wedge Construction Inc., Manassas, Virginia.
THE DETAILS
Cabinetry: bishopcabinets.com through akb-designs.com. Countertops + backsplash: polarstoneus.com through ewmarble.com.
Appliances: subzero-wolf.com, bosch-home.com, mieleusa.com, zephyronline.com through abwappliances.com. Faucet, sink, pot filler: kohler.com. Lighting: circalighting.com. Bar Stools: arteriorshome.com.
Many DC-area residents will recall DAR Constitution Hall, the site of countless high-school graduation ceremonies. But the Daughters of the American Revolution headquarters on 17th Street actually comprises three landmark buildings. The oldest, Memorial Continental Hall, was designed in the Beaux-Arts Classical Revival style by architect Edward Pearce Casey in 1905. Recently, it underwent a facelift when Quinn Evans Architects restored the vast lay light 50 feet above the DAR Library. Lit from above by a skylight, the leaded-glass structure had sustained cracks, stains and warping over the years. Quinn Evans removed its 25 panels—each measuring eight-by-nine feet—and collaborated with stained- and leaded-glass conservator Femenella & Associates on the job, which entailed preserving 90 percent of the original glass; replicating the slender bars of milled lead, called cames, that hold the decorative glass panes together; and creating stronger structural support. Today, this rejuvenated glass ceiling can be admired in its original splendor above a space full of natural light.
Restoration Architecture: Quinn Evans Architects, Washington, DC. Contractor: The Christman Company, Arlington, Virginia.
Modern Farmhouse Style
During the renovation of a home in McLean by Devereaux & Associates Architects and Great Jones Development, Shawna J. Dillon, NCIDQ, ASID, of Studio Snaidero DC Metro was tapped to redesign the kitchen with a rustic yet sophisticated sensibility. Collaborating with interior designer Jeanne Griffin, she selected Lux Classic cabinetry—conceived by Pietro Arosio for Snaidero—made of melamine with a Medium Oak finish. Shaker-style doors and inset, polished-chrome hardware create clean lines. The island is topped by striking Calacatta Cielo marble with waterfall edges, sourced through Gramaco. snaiderodcmetro.com
Sleek Style
Roble Polvo cabinetry in a vertical-grain wood veneer adds warmth to a sleek kitchen by Porcelanosa. The peninsula is topped with Snow White Krion, an acrylic-resin surface. porcelanosa-usa.com
Cooking with Steam
Dacor’s Pro Dual-Fuel Steam Range features a steam-and-convection oven and six dual-stack sealed burners. It can be controlled remotely via Dacor’s IQ Kitchen app, which connects to the oven’s touch-screen panel. dacor.com
On a Curve
The curved Danielle faucet by O’Neil Ruppel comes in several finishes, and in both bridge and wall-mounted versions. Available exclusively through Renaissance Tile & Bath. renaissancetileandbath.com; oneilruppel.com
Time Sensitive
Ann Sacks’s Craze tiles use a glass-like glaze to create the crackle effect imposed by time on ancient Italian pottery. The eight-by-12-inch porcelain tiles come in black, gray and white and can be used indoors or out. annsacks.com
Industrial Vibe
Urban, a porcelain countertop surface by SapienStone, mimics the look of cement that’s been irregularly finished with a spatula. The result is tactile, with an industrial vibe. Available in Natural, Anthracite and Argento finishes. sapienstone.com
Work of Art
A pattern reminiscent of brushstrokes characterizes Latitude, Emser Tile’s new collection for floors and walls. The glazed, body-matched porcelain tiles come in five neutral hues, and in both large-format sizes and mosaics. emser.com
Classic Profile
Top Knobs has added to its Devon Collection with the Torbay cabinet-pull series. Distinguished by clean-lined curves and a classic profile, the pulls come in six sizes and eight finishes—each conveying its own aesthetic. topknobs.com
Bridge Too Far
The Victorian Bridge Faucet from DXV evokes the era for which it was named, while bringing modern convenience to bear with an energy-efficient, drip-free spigot that swivels 360 degrees. Available in polished chrome, ultra-steel and carbon bronze through American Standard. americanstandard.com; dxv.com
High Tech
Thermador’s Liberty Induction Cooktop features 11 inductors, three cooking zones and an illuminated panel with 17 settings. Innovations include induction levels that adjust in response to what’s cooking and an initial power boost that then lowers automatically. Available in Titanium Gray or Silver Mirror glass. thermador.com
In the Hood
BlueStar, a maker of restaurant-quality appliances for the home, has unveiled a line of ventilation hoods designed to complement its commercial-style ranges. Pictured here in a bold blue (one of more than 750 custom colors): the 48-inch Bonanza hood and the RNB Series range with French door oven. bluestarcooking.com
Flexible Faucet
Grohe’s Essence Semi-Pro single-handle faucet has been outfitted with an easy-to-clean silicone hose that maximizes maneuverability. Available in 10 colors, it is operable with one hand and boasts 360-degree mobility and a removable spray head. grohe.us
Delicate Hue
Conceived by graphic designer and blogger Joy Cho for Clé, Oh Joy! is a collection of cement tiles in geometric shapes, embellished by motifs in delicate pastel hues. The tiles, made for wall and floor applications, are handcrafted yet durable and can be installed inside or out. cletile.com
Elegant Style
Designer Kelly Hoppen has teamed with U.K.-based Chesney’s to create a collection of elegant fireplaces and accessories. “The fireplace has been an item that just sits in the home and we design around it,” Hoppen says. “I wanted to make the fireplace the focus of the room.” The Beckett (pictured above) is fabricated from limestone. $7,700. kellyhoppen.com; chesneys.co.uk
Modern Lines
The sleek, modern Zelia 908 can hang suspended or rest on the floor. Designed by French manufacturer JC Bordelet, the wood-burning, glass-enclosed metal fireplace is available in a range of colors and styles through Ortal in the U.S. $15,950. ortalheat.com; 818-238-7000. bordelet.com
Airy Profile
The wrought-iron Twig Firewood Box by Iatesta Studio boasts an airy profile and graceful curves. It’s part of a collection that includes a fire screen and accent tables in finishes such as Wrought Iron (pictured) and Burnished Oxide Gold. $3,750 to the trade. davidiatesta.com
Vintage Vibe
Accessories can set the scene—for example, Plow & Hearth’s sturdy Wrought Iron Ball Andirons, which impart a vintage vibe with their twisted-rope and ball-finial design. A center leg prevents sagging from heat or weight. $259.95. plowhearth.com
Focal Point
Niermann Weeks’s eye-catching Verlaine Fire Screen turns any fireplace into a focal point. Its bold, curved geometric pattern is finished in distressed gold leaf. $4,280. niermannweeks.com
Tools of the Trade
Clean lines characterize the Black Fireplace Tools, designed by Ana Reza-Hadden for Crate & Barrel. The set includes a brush, shovel and poker, as well as a stand. Handmade of iron in India and available in pewter or black (pictured). $169. crateandbarrel.com
Hand-Stitched
The Modernist Loop Log Holder has a simple, iron frame with a hand-stitched, buff-leather handle. Part of a line of accessories from Rejuvenation that includes tools, screens and log holders in different shapes. $143. rejuvenation.com
The crisp-white, shingle-and-plank-clad house stands out in a sea of nondescript brick ramblers in a suburban Bethesda neighborhood. It’s an attractive—and not unusual—sight in this fast-changing town, where swaths of modest mid-century homes are being replaced at a clip by larger abodes.
In this case, the house belongs to David Yurko, a spec-home developer who renovates older homes in DC. Though his business, Urban Restoration, is Washington-based, Yurko grew up in Bethesda and never pictured living anywhere else. When he and his girlfriend, Casey Shaffer, were house-hunting, they lit on this single-story brick house with the idea of retaining its footprint and building up, cantilevering out on the second-floor level to get more space. Architect Hendri Tirtanadi drew up plans and Yurko collaborated with contractor Stephen Shum of Workshop11 on construction. The finished three-bedroom residence houses Yurko’s father in a lower-level apartment, with plenty of space for Yurko, Shaffer and their three dogs who play around sometimes chase their tail & when we realized why do dogs chase their own tails then we made space for them to spread out on three floors above (Also, if you are moving to a new place with your dog, and you want to know how to ease your dog into that new home then explore Bored Cesar)
The couple had a few must-haves, including an open floor plan sans formal dining room, a large mudroom and indoor and outdoor wood-burning fireplaces. Crisp millwork and materials add character throughout the house, from coffered ceilings and crown moldings to batten-board wainscot and shiplap siding in the powder and mud rooms. In the kitchen and bathrooms, custom Dura Supreme cabinetry is topped with honed Carrara marble counters. Wide-plank, pickled white-oak floors in a matte finish keep the interiors light.
“With very neutral, calm furniture, we definitely needed some contrast.” —Laura Fox
Mid-way through construction, Yurko, who has worked with designer Laura Fox on spec homes, hired her “to help us sort through everything and hone in on a look,” he explains.
Gleaning her clients’ transitional style and needs, Fox envisioned what Yurko calls a “modern farmhouse” sensibility. She presented the couple with several color-palette options; they selected a tone-on-tone scheme against white walls. Black-painted window and door frames throughout “took some persuading,” Fox recalls, “but with very neutral, calm furniture, we definitely needed some contrast.”
When Fox entered the picture, she discovered that her clients had already ordered a good deal of the furniture. However, she deemed most of the pieces too small for the large, open living/dining area. “It all got canceled,” Shaffer says with a smile. “We started over.”
To anchor the space, Fox selected a Hickory White sectional large enough to seat nine and a CFC coffee table. In the dining area, chairs by Four Hands surround a table from CFC with a hammered-zinc top. To separate the spaces visually, Fox chose high-backed Lillian August wing chairs with a modern silhouette in dark-gray leather that faces the sitting area, then cleverly upholstered the backs in a light stripe that keeps their mass from seeming obtrusive.
The couple is enjoying their new abode, just minutes from bustling downtown Bethesda with its shops and restaurants and pedestrian-friendly streets. Yet they enthuse over their safe, walkable neighborhood. “I’m not a city dweller,” Yurko says. “I like the urban and suburban aspects of this area.”
Renovation Architecture: Hendri Tirtanadi, AIA, Tirtanadi Architect, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Interior Design: Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC; Kensington, Maryland. Contractor: Stephen Shum, Workshop11, Potomac, Maryland.
Bucking the popular Bethesda trend of replacing modest homes with sprawling, traditional abodes, a couple asked EL Studio to enlarge their one-story bungalow with an edgy, modern addition. “The clients, with two small children, wanted more space for play and individual bedrooms, but expressed a desire not to ‘lose one another’ in a home too vast or impersonal,” says architect Elizabeth Emerson.
She and fellow principal Mark Lawrence removed a carport and efficiency apartment to make way for a double-height playroom with stairs up to a second story, now housing a master suite and bedrooms plus a shared bath for the kids. The playroom opens out to a covered porch tucked beneath the master suite. South-facing roof apertures admit light on both levels. The existing front façade was modernized with a standing-seam metal roof. Painted cement board and stucco-clad the addition; both new and old wings are painted a bold, eye-catching blue.
Choosing the right house can be a matter of seeing potential where it might not be obvious. This was certainly the case for a homeowner in St. Michaels, Maryland, who happened upon a beat-up 1958 rambler for sale on Maxmore Creek, a scenic inlet on the Tred Avon River. Though he wasn’t looking to buy, he was captivated—not only by the waterfront site but by the house itself.
A passion for architecture led him to purchase the home and enlist architect Gregory Wiedemann, with whom he had worked on several other properties, to restore it to its original mid-century glory. “He wasn’t even sure what he’d do with it,” Wiedemann says. “But he knew it would be a good investment. Almost anyone else would have torn it down, but he saw a potential that was about to be lost.”
Wiedemann and project architect Barbara Sweeney collaborated with construction manager Steve Cahall on the project, which entailed restoring the home’s best mid-century features while updating and improving the interiors with a plan that would capitalize on openness, light and spectacular water views.
The house boasts a sloped roof 12 feet high at the center and a wall of sliders facing the water; clerestory windows admit light from both north and south. The original pine beams run from front to back, supporting the ceiling as well as the exterior overhang that rims the roof. “The beams in the house extend to the roof of the carport, which is suspended from them,” explains Wiedemann. “The roofs of the main house and the carport seem to hover above the structures.”
The original abode encompassed a main living area with a bedroom wing on one side and what was probably housekeeper’s quarters on the other. Wiedemann’s team restored the bedroom wing, where three bedrooms boast Frank Lloyd Wright-style built-in bedsteads and storage, all painstakingly duplicated from the millwork original to the house. The housekeeper’s quarters were gutted to create a master bedroom suite, borrowing from the main living area to accommodate a cozy but comfortable bedroom, closet, and spacious master bath.
One surprising feature interrupted the open central living area and adjacent kitchen: a long-abandoned, enclosed indoor swimming pool. “When we got here, there was a big hole in the floor, surrounded by what looked like an aluminum storefront enclosure,” recounts Sweeney.
“It was a pretty big pool,” Cahall says, “and created a sort of ‘L’ of leftover living space.” Once the pool was removed, he adds, “The goal was to create an open central area with room for everything.”
The team positioned walnut-paneled floating walls to delineate the kitchen from the front entry on one side and from the secondary entry and powder room on the other. “They’re peninsulas that flank the kitchen,” Wiedemann explains. “They contain appliances on the kitchen side and closets on the other sides.” Because they don’t reach the ceiling, these dividers maintain a sense of openness and light while still creating a contained kitchen area with lots of storage space.
Walnut panels, beautifully book-matched, adorn the walls in the central living area. The architects specified that they measure six feet, eight inches in height to preserve an existing “datum,” or line of trim, common in mid-century architecture. This line separated the sliders from the clerestory windows and dictated the height of the floating walls. “The constant datum was characteristic about this house,” explains Sweeney. “It makes the rooms feel taller and creates a sense of the roof hovering.”
The owner tapped California-based designer Shaun Jackson, who had completed prior projects for him, to furnish the interiors. “The idea was to bring the home back to the original flavor and style,” Jackson says. “But contemporary, relatable and functional for the modern living now, which is different from what it was back then.”
With the dark walnut paneling in mind, Jackson whitewashed the new oak floors to a light hue. She modernized the kitchen, which now centers around an island with a deep-blue cabinet base. Glossy, white peripheral cabinetry and the Carrara marble backsplash and countertops are bookended by the walnut-paneled peninsulas. Modern furniture, mainly from Poltrona Frau, is both chic and comfortable.
Glass expanses throughout have been replaced with glazed double panes that fit refurbished frames. A poured-concrete patio overlooks the water. The original dingy red brick has been painted light beige, but the home’s exterior is otherwise unaltered. “We tried to change as little as possible outside,” Wiedemann says. “It’s a wonderful example of a Mid-Century Modern home. It was the owner’s vision for it that brought this house back.”
Renovation Architecture: Gregory Wiedemann, AIA, principal; Barbara Sweeney, AIA, project architect, Wiedemann Architects LLC, Bethesda, Maryland. Interior Design: Shaun Jackson, Shaun Jackson Design, Inc., San Luis Obispo, California. Construction Manager: Steve Cahall. Landscape Consultant: Barbara Paca, B. Larch, MFA, Ph.D., ASLA, Preservation Green LLC, Oxford, Maryland. Landscape Installation: McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Anice Hoachlander is a principal at Hoachlander Davis Photography.
Color Me Cool
Federal Brace’s Eco-Lucent LED lighting system offers energy efficiency via a color-changing light strip. Recessed under cabinets or toe kicks, it includes an IR remote with dimmer, a 24-volt power source and extra cables for multi-system connections. federalbrace.com
Scandinavian Style
Color authority Pantone has partnered with e3Light to launch a six-piece lighting collection inspired by Scandinavian design. Pictured above, the Castor pendant has a steel shade in a sanded-matte finish. Available in two sizes and three hues. lightcolorlive.com
Fluted Glass
Vintage perfume bottles inspired the Riviera pendant collection by Kichler. The fluted-glass fixtures can hang singly or in clusters, and are available locally at Ferguson with hardware in Brushed Nickel or Olde Bronze. kichler.com; fergusonshowrooms.com
Arms Akimbo
The Akimbo Linear Suspension fixture from Tech Lighting conjures leafless winter branches with its jagged lines and asymmetrical shape. Edison-style bulbs add an industrial vibe. Available in a black or antique-bronze finish. techlighting.com
Light of Day
Ketra has created a line of LEDs that mimic natural light—bright during the day, soft at night. The integrated system operates via an app. Above, S38 lamps in recessed cans illuminate a bath with a natural glow. Available through Integrated Media Systems. ketra.com; imsva.com
Minimalist Look
With its clean-lined, sloped profile, the Neutrino outdoor sconce from LBL Lights conveys a minimalist look while directing light up or down. The dimmable aluminum fixture comes in Graphite or Bronze and measures six by four and a half inches. lbllights.com.
Husband-and-wife team Francisca Villarroel Alonso and Antonio Alonso met while studying architecture at Catholic University and have lived in Northern Virginia for more than 30 years. Taking their cue from Francisca’s father, architect Melvin Villarroel Roldán—a designer of luxury hotels and resorts in Europe and around the world—they launched AV Architects in 2001 with the idea of bringing resort-style living to the DC area. “We wanted to give our clients the feeling of being on vacation every day of the year,” Francisca says.
The couple added a building component to their business model in 2003. Today, the firm employs seven staff members, more than half of them trained architects. “Our focus is architecture and design,” Francisca says. “Even when they are doing project management and working on site, our staff still brings an architect’s perspective to the job.”
She adds, “The build part is a bonus so that our clients don’t have to go through the stress of finding a builder.”
AV Architects + Builders concentrated on renovations for its first eight years, then evolved into designing and building custom homes. Today, the firm develops properties as well. AV Architects + Builders works with the same team of subcontractors on all its projects. “Some of them have been with us since the start,” Francisca says. “We are very loyal to them and consider them part of our team.”
According to Francisca, her firm’s business philosophy sets it apart. “In the design phase, we create the vision for the house, select the materials and nail down the cost of the project to the last penny,” she explains. “So when we move to the build stage, there are no allowances and change orders. We communicate with our subcontractors during the design phase to make this possible.”
AV Architects razed a small rambler on a quarter acre to accommodate the Falls Church house showcased on these pages. The owner specified something classic yet fresh and modern, so “we decided to do a spin on an Italian villa,” Francisca says.
The home’s exterior is clad in brick veneer with a pastel coating that resembles stucco and trimmed with brick accents. The shingle-and-metal roof is gently pitched in Mediterranean style. Practical, low-maintenance features include aluminum-clad windows, PVC trim and oversized gutters that channel rainwater runoff into a bio garden located at the lowest point in the property.
Inside, the house encompasses an open-plan kitchen/dining area/great room and a master suite on the main floor; two upstairs bedrooms with en-suite baths; and a finished lower level. Conveniences such as a Control4 whole-house automation system ensure the resort-style ease of living that AV Architects + Builders prioritizes in its work.
COMPANY FACTS & STATS
AV Architects + Builders complete four to six major renovations and about two custom homes a year. Renovations start at around $300,000, while custom homes begin at $900,000. The firm is a Class A general contractor and works with a team of 40 subcontractors.
Inquiries: AV Architects + Builders; 9903 Georgetown Pike, Suite 201; Great Falls, Virginia 22066
703-865-5065 • avarchitectsbuild.com • [email protected]
Architecture, Construction & Interior Design: Francisca Alonso and Antonio Alonso, AV Architects + Builders, Great Falls, Virginia. Landscape Design: Rossen Landscape, Sterling, Virginia. Art Consultation: Broadway Gallery—Fine Art & Custom Framing, Alexandria and Great Falls, Virginia. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
Tucked into the quaint Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, a traditional abode on Back Creek overlooks a scenic sailboat marina. To take full advantage of this inviting view, architect Rick Ruhf of RPH Architecture—hired to enlarge the home and open it up to the water—designed a modern, three-story addition on the back with a curved wall that creates a panoramic tableau. From each level, a triangular deck juts out “like the bow of a ship thrusting toward the water,” says Ruhf. Pictured here, the lower level of the ipe structure offers a perch from which to watch the sailboats glide by, bordered by cable railings that keep the focus on the view.
Architecture: Rick Ruhf, AIA, LEED AP, RPH Architecture, Annapolis, Maryland. General Contractor: Marcellous Butler, Annapolis, Maryland.
TAKE A SEAT
Gray woven rope and a light-hued mahogany frame are a seaworthy combination in the Bilson Armchairs from One Kings Lane. Seat cushions are upholstered in colorfast, durable, stain- and mildew-resistant olefin. $999. onekingslane.com
PIPE DREAM
A vintage pipe fitting, lengths of sturdy rope and weathered-white wood shelves distinguish the 18-inch-wide Industrial Pipe & Rope Shelf from Restoration Hardware’s Baby & Child division. Also available in 36- and 48-inch-wide versions. $175. rhbabyandchild.com
RUSTIC STYLE
The Napa Wine Barrel Wood & Metal Chandelier features an iron barrel hoop hanging from six thick burlap rope cords. Iron arms and candle cups are hand-finished in black while the hoop has a galvanized-metal finish. $539. potterybarn.com
TRAY TIME
Add a little coastal flavor to your next al fresco soiree with Palecek’s Monarch Round Tray, from the Jeffrey Alan Marks Collection. Made of metal wrapped in natural seagrass rope with cutout handles, it measures 22 inches in diameter. $258. palecek.com
SEAWORTHY
The Braddock Small Bench, designed by Grace Feyock for Uttermost, boasts a rough-hewn iron frame wrapped in natural-fiber rope. The seat cushion conveys sea-going flair with sturdy, sailor-striped cotton fabric in navy and white. $381. uttermost.com
FIBER RICH
Strands of abaca are hand-woven to create the Rhapsodic collection of natural-fiber rugs from Patterson Flynn Martin. Patterns range from large-scale geometrics and graphics to undulating curves such as Oscillation, pictured above in the Jewel colorway. Priced to the trade. pattersonflynnmartin.com
Brunschwig & Fils’s indoor/outdoor collection, En Vacances, conjures sojourns by the sea, with a range of 12 printed and woven fabrics and six coordinated trimmings. To come up with these eye-catching designs, the textile company delved into its archives, reinventing retro florals and paisleys, geometric wovens, crisp stripes and bold ikats. Fabrics and trimmings are durable, UV-friendly and stain-resistant. brunschwig.com
The intense hues, varying moods and swirling, frothy waves of the ocean are the lure of the Oceana Collection by UK-based Murals Wallpaper. Comprised of high-definition images taken using aerial photography, these custom wallpaper murals are made to order. Like the sea itself, the 23 motifs in the Oceana Collection come in an array of colors, from turquoise to azure to sunset orange, and depict everything from shore scenes and exotic fish to deep-sea divers and foaming swells. The Caspian Photographic Ocean Wall Mural is pictured above. muralswallpaper.com
A couple moving from a bungalow to a modern abode in Northwest DC brought their traditional furnishings with them—along with some trepidation about how to navigate their new environment. “They told me they were almost intimidated by how modern and open their new house was,” recounts interior designer Kate Ballou, who guided their transition from cottage style interiors to contemporary. “It wasn’t something they were familiar with. They loved the style but wanted it to still feel cozy.”
Saltbox Architecture | Construction came on board to renovate the double-height main floor of the 1979 house. The kitchen was redesigned and the wall separating it from the family room removed. The family-room ceiling was lowered to make space feel more intimate. Meanwhile, Ballou helped her clients select modern furnishings with an emphasis on natural materials like stone and wood.
An existing walnut console and sideboard provided the jumping off point for modern pieces, including iconic mid-century classics purchased through Furniture from Scandinavia, where Ballou works part-time. A palette of gray, blue and purple was inspired by vintage posters collected by the husband, a speechwriter, and evocative black-and-white images photographed by the wife. The finished house “feels spare and modern without being sterile,” Ballou says. “We were able to give them something they are happy with.”
What’s unique about the new kitchen?
The clients love walnut, so Touchstone Remodelers put in gorgeous custom-walnut cabinetry. We chose the locations for the walnut and white upper cabinets carefully and used dark-gray porcelain tile for the kitchen floor. A row of cabinets topped with honed granite separates the kitchen area from the family room.
What was your rationale for furniture selection?
My clients were ready to invest in really good furniture that they will keep forever. I introduced them to modern Danish design. I’m a big believer in using iconic pieces where you can. So to make those purchases possible, we went with other mid-priced items like a Room & Board sectional and ottoman in the family room, then paired them with an original Oda Chair. Most of the carpet is wool broadloom that’s been bound—it’s durable, feels good to the touch and is budget-friendly so we could put more into the beautiful, sculptural pieces they both fell in love with.
How did you create warmth in a modern context?
Furniture with circles and curves, high-quality, natural materials and fabrics that have that tactile, luxurious feel. The owners gravitated towards grays, so I tried to choose gray upholstery with some brown in it when I could so it would feel less cold. And they love walnut, which has such warmth to it. Most of the wood pieces are made of walnut.
What challenges did the open plan present?
The living room was defined by an existing lowered ceiling, but at one end there’s a space with a double-height ceiling that leads out to a porch. The clients were stumped by it. They said, “It feels like a gallery to us; we don’t want to necessarily fill it with furniture.” We decided to make it an indoor-outdoor area, to transition outside. Plants sit on loose beds of stones, broken up by a porcelain-tile pathway to the porch. It works great.
How did you make your fabric selections?
The owners loved the process of picking out fabrics. They wanted everything very monochromatic, so we looked for variations and textures. For example, they have an Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair in the living room, and we chose a warm, gray-brown fabric for it. A purple window seat cushion on the far wall provides a little fun back there.
How did you liven up the monochromatic look?
Texture. That’s my big thing. For instance, in the master bedroom, I chose a Tai Ping custom carpet that is carefully custom-cut for the odd shape of the room. It’s a gorgeous, wool-and-silk blend in slate blue with a soft sheen. It’s subtle but eye-catching.
Talk about the furniture arrangement in the living room.
When I worked for [architect] Hugh Newell Jacobsen, I learned how to create formal seating arrangements, where sofas line up perfectly to give everyone the same distance to the coffee table. In this case, I lined up the sofas with a solid-walnut coffee table where one table can be pushed underneath the other or both can be pulled out. The concept was to be a little flexible but still adhere to the rules.
Advice for clients getting started?
Focus on the big picture first and on how you want to invest in your furniture.
How do you blend price points?
I mix investment pieces with high-quality mid- and low-range furniture. I recently combined a cb2 credenza for $500 with an Egg Chair for $8,000.
Besides the name, why buy original?
Imitations don’t last as long or feel the same. Fritz Hansen has been manufacturing for 80 years; they have their methods and proportions. Everything is designed for the body and for the eye. It makes a huge difference.
Why is accessorizing important?
It provides the finishing layer that makes a project feel lived in and gives it character and personality.
What is your personal style?
I like to mix mid-century and newer designs that reinterpret that era; also vintage pieces with modern upholstery. They make a home feel collected over time, a goal of many designers.
Renovation Design: Alan Field, ASID, NCIDQ, Saltbox Architecture | Construction, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Kate Ballou, Hendrick Interiors, Washington, DC. Builder: Ben Srigley, Touchstone Remodelers LLC, Bethesda, Maryland.
A 2015 Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibit, “China: Through the Looking Glass,” inspired Barry Dixon’s evocative new collection for Arteriors. And as it turns out, Elway Hall, his estate in Warrenton, Virginia, further informed his creative vision. The 25-piece line of lighting, mirrors, furniture, and accessories are embellished with thorns and other organic shapes, juxtaposed with dragon talons, scepters, and motifs found on imperial Chinese garments.
“I was heavily influenced by iconic actress Anna May Wong and film noir as well as the forces of wildlife I observe on my farm,” Dixon explains. “The spikey elements in this collection reference the sharp nails of the powerful dragon lady, as well as the thorns and vines that overtake fallen logs and tree trunks. Softer finishes and elements like the lotus flower balance the collection to yield a new, dynamic aesthetic.”
Dixon’s distinctive style—showcased in his two popular books—infuses a Western sensibility with global influences. “I believe the greatest quality a home might possess is that of innate, soulful hospitality,” he says. This is the designer’s fourth collection for Arteriors, available at arteriorshome.com.
