After working in the design industry for more than 10 years, Laura Fox “hit the ground running” when she decided to launch Laura Fox Interior Design two years ago. “I had lots of contacts and experience,” she says. “I thought it was worth taking the chance.”
Clearly, she made the right choice. A docket of 10 to 15 projects, in a range of sizes and scopes, keeps her busy enough to employ a project manager and an interior designer on staff. And Fox recently moved the firm from her own 700-square-foot Silver Spring apartment to a studio in Kensington, Maryland.
Originally from Chesapeake, Virginia, Fox began her career in interior merchandising and still relishes the business side of the profession—researching the market and design trends, for example. A practical side comes through in her work as well. “I don’t want clients to spend an arm and a leg,” she explains. In fact, she offers a “Design in a Box” package that includes a space plan and a list of furnishings and accessories—all available through retail sources—that clients then purchase themselves.
While Fox is personally drawn to a “farmhouse/industrial-chic” look, she is ready and able to design in any style and at any price point. “I am a people-pleaser,” she notes. “The biggest challenge for me is making sure everyone is happy.”
Interior Design: Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC; Kensington, Maryland. Architecture & Contracting: Castlewood Custom Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
The Fairmont Washington, DC is a quintessential “Washington” spot—a stately, limestone-clad hotel with a venerable history located in fashionable West End. Now, a revitalization of the interiors has given this upscale hostelry a fresh look and an open, functional layout.
Spearheaded by ForrestPerkins, the makeover updated the lobby, where a central lounge flows into a loggia. “The goal was to energize the public spaces with a current, modern aesthetic,” says president and designer Deborah Lloyd Forrest. In its former state, a series of steps impeded movement through the lobby. Forrest and her team eliminated all but one step connecting the entry and reception to the lounge and the loggia, which opens out to a refurbished courtyard. Clusters of plush seating and an elliptical bar occupy the lounge, while a grand staircase beyond the bar ascends to a mezzanine that overlooks the lobby.
Creating a sense of intimacy within the spaces was critical, says Forrest, who accomplished this with area rugs and seating options ranging from wing chairs and ottomans to a huge, u-shaped banquette. Screens made of translucent resin squares embedded with gold, silver and copper leaf enclose the staircase and delineate the bar/lounge.
A remarkable light installation above the lounge incorporates hanging geometric mixed-metal shapes and small, star-shaped lights. References to the nation’s capital crop up in handwoven rugs by Tai Ping that together form an abstracted map of the Potomac River by the entry, and in a brass-and-chrome display table with hand-painted Portuguese tiles depicting DC monuments and leaders. The original marble floors and limestone cladding are enhanced by walnut accents for a chic, sophisticated effect.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN: DEBORAH LLOYD FORREST, FASID, ISHC; LAWRENCE ADAMS, AIA; AMANDA JACKSON, RID; EMILY WOODS, AIA, ForrestPerkins, Washington DC. CONTRACTOR: Sigal Construction Corporation, Arlington, Virginia. PHOTOGRAPHY: VRX Studios.
In April 2017, a blooming array of more than 10,000 tulips was dispatched from Holland to festoon the Dutch ambassador’s stately Kalorama residence. Though Dutch Tulip Days fell by the wayside 10 years ago, this Washington tradition perfectly embodied one of the goals of Ambassador Henne Schuwer’s diplomatic mission: the celebration of things quintessentially Dutch to create moments of connection among people. He decided to bring it back. “It gave us an opportunity,” he says of the three-day event that took place once again at his residence. It encompassed receptions, meals, and talks on subjects ranging from tulip care to world hunger with leaders in business, politics, and agriculture in attendance. “You try to play to your strength—and tulips are our strength.”
Schuwer and his wife, Lena Boman, began their diplomatic stint in Washington in September 2015. They had lived in DC with their four children from 1997 to 2002 when Schuwer served as deputy of the mission, so their return—now as empty nesters—felt like a homecoming. “It’s wonderful to come back to Washington,” says Boman, who is Swedish. “We are coming back to happy memories.”
Designed by Washington architect Ward Brown in Neoclassical Revival style and built in 1929 by Wilmar Bolling—brother-in-law to Woodrow Wilson—the residence was purchased by the Netherlands in 1944. Henne Schuwer is the 15th ambassador to occupy it. A renovation in the early 1990s restored original elements that had been altered over the years, and in 2015 the public rooms were refurbished to incorporate modern Dutch design.
“The thinking was, we are known for our 17th-century art, but we also want to be known as innovative and modern, so we wanted to express that,” Schuwer explains. “We do not live our own history all the time; we are a forward-looking country.”
Dutch interior designers Mariet Hendrikx and Heleen van der Gugten embraced the building’s neoclassical style while introducing modern art and furniture by Dutch artists, designers, and manufacturers into a traditional setting replete with Flemish antiques and classical paintings. “The Dutch residence is intended as a stage for classic and modern Dutch art and design,” notes van der Gugten. Inspired by the work of Dutch photographer Bruno van den Elshout, its color scheme of blues and sandy hues turned out to be similar to the one at Mount Vernon. “It was a nice coincidence,” observes the designer.
Curator Philippine Noordam of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs selected pieces from the ministry’s collection that, she says, “would offer a connection between the old and new art, a dialog between modern and classical.” For example, a modern portrait by Mary Alacoque Waters above the mantel in the library pays tribute to the 17th-century Portrait of a Lady by Paulus Moreelse, which hangs on the first floor. And 17th- and 18th-century antiques are juxtaposed with modern pieces by Marcel Wanders, Studio Kalff, and others. The Phillips Collection provides art- and furniture-restoration services to the residence when needed.
Tucked away on Linnean Avenue by Rock Creek Park, the Netherlands Embassy, says Schuwer, “is good for work but a bit out of the way for receiving people.” In contrast, the Ambassador’s residence stands front and center on Embassy Row, across the street from the Woodrow Wilson House and a stone’s throw from the Obama and Kushner homes. This prime location means that much of the hosting required by the embassy happens in the residence.
“It is nicer and more intimate to have gatherings here than at the embassy,” reflects Schuwer. “It feels relaxed, open and festive. We don’t want to be exclusive, but it has to be a nice invitation to come to the residence. That creates goodwill and makes people feel special.”
The Ambassador and his wife host gatherings ranging from breakfast meetings and seminars to dinners for 60 in the home’s open, elegant public rooms. A highlight for Schuwer was a dinner in February 2016 honoring Nicholas Kristof and Cindy McCain—winners of the Anne Frank Award for Human Dignity and Tolerance for their work combating human trafficking. “We had tables for 10, to bring people together who might not know each other but might benefit one another,” Schuwer recalls. “For example, we invited someone who trains airline personnel to recognize trafficking situations and introduced her to airline executives.”
Boman agrees. “That’s the whole point of the residence,” she says. “Here, with good food and drink you make connections you sometimes didn’t count on. Our guest lists are very well thought-out.”
A live-in staff of four includes a butler, who has been with the residence for many years, and a young Swedish chef, Joakim Söderberg, who was cooking at a restaurant in Stockholm when Schuwer and Boman enjoyed a meal there and offered him the job. He agreed immediately, though it meant uprooting his life to come to the U.S. “We are very happy with him,” Boman says. “He is hard-working and cooks delicious food, all different cuisines. He has never served the same thing twice.”
The staff occupies the fourth floor, while Schuwer and Boman enjoy private quarters on the third floor that encompass a sitting area, dining room, and kitchen, plus three bedrooms. One of these is currently occupied by one of their daughters, who is pursuing graduate studies at Johns Hopkins. The other kids are scattered over the globe, but “they love to come back here,” says Boman.
“Americans are friendly and welcoming,” observes Ambassador Schuwer. “They are exceptionally positive and appreciative.” He adds, “There is a saying that if you break bread with somebody, you cannot leave the table as enemies. We have learned that there is no problem that can’t be solved over a good meal.”
Bob Narod is a photographer in Herndon, Virginia.
Four years ago, DC social worker Enid McKitrick assembled a group of like-minded women, including fundraisers, mental-health professionals, and interior designers, to discuss challenges facing the survivors of domestic abuse. Focused on data showing the positive effects environment can have on mood, learning and productivity, they were inspired to form Room to Rebloom, a non-profit that turns low-income abodes into welcoming homes for these women and their children.
So far, the group has created homes for 15 women and 32 children, pairing residents with designers who donate their services and involve them in the process.
The first project was the makeover of a 12-unit apartment building owned by House of Ruth. “First we renovated the public spaces,” recalls board member and designer Kia Weatherspoon of the DC firm Determined by Design. “The women were clearly thinking, ‘Why are you bothering to do this?’ That turned into ‘I can’t believe someone would do this for me.’” She remembers one resident seeing her decorated apartment and saying, “When I walked in, I knew change was possible for me.”
To date, Room to Rebloom has partnered with 12 designers. An annual fundraiser, Room to Rebloom on the Roof, supports their efforts, as do donations from vendors including Stark Carpet, Bernhardt Furniture, Sherwin Williams and IKEA. “Though we are price-conscious, we try to purchase everything new,” Weatherspoon says. “We want to send a message to these women that they have value; they’ve had enough seconds and thirds in life.”
A Northeast DC mother recently settled into a once-dingy one-bedroom apartment that now brims with fresh, bright hues and natural light. Her 18-year-old son, says Weatherspoon, was skeptical when he visited during the process, but changed his mind when he saw the results. “This is how my mom should live,” he commented. “She can’t be in darkness with this much color and light.” roomtorebloom.org
Presented by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association and the Maryland Building Industry Association, the 2016 GALA (Great American Living Awards) celebrates achievements in categories ranging from architecture and interior design to sales and marketing. Candidates submitted portfolios that were split among three teams of judges, each including an architect, a builder and a marketing professional.
The 2016 GALA ceremony was held on October 6 at the McLean Hilton Tysons Corner. Winners in the custom-builder categories are spotlighted on the following pages, while the remaining award-winners will be featured in the January/February 2017 issue of Home & Design.
CUSTOM HOME OF THE YEAR (selected from the winners of all categories)
THE HIDEAWAY, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. OPaL, GPS Designs. Winner of Custom Home, Single Lot, Under 3,000 Square Feet. Photography: Bob Narod.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM HOME, SINGLE LOT - 3,000 to 5,000 Square Feet
WALHONDING POND, Bethesda, Maryland. Castlewood Custom Builders, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: Marlon Crutchfield.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM HOME, SINGLE LOT - 5,001 to 7,000 Square Feet
KENTBURY DRIVE RESIDENCE, Bethesda, Maryland. Sandy Spring Builders, Studio Z Design Concepts. Photography: Stu Estler.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM HOME, SINGLE LOT - Over 7,000 Square Feet
DOGWOOD RESIDENCE, McLean, Virginia. Joy Custom Design Build, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: Greg Hadley.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM OR CUSTOMIZED INFILL HOME - Under 3,000 Square Feet
1ST ROAD SOUTH RESIDENCE, Alexandria, Virginia. Stabuilt Design Build, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: HomeVisit
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM OR CUSTOMIZED INFILL HOME - Over 7,000 Square Feet
THE HARRISON, McLean, Virginia. Capital City Builders. Photography: HomeLens.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM OR CUSTOMIZED INFILL HOME - 5,001 to 7,001 Square Feet
THE NEWPORT, McLean, Virginia. Artisan Builders, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: Shoot & Showcase.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM OR CUSTOMIZED INFILL HOME - 3,000 to 5,000 Square Feet
ARBOR LANE RESIDENCE, McLean, Virginia. Artisan Builders, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: Shoot & Showcase.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM RENOVATIONS OR ADDITIONS - Over $1,000,000
OLD WATERFORD ROAD RENOVATION, Paeonian Springs, Virginia. BOWA. Photography: Bob Narod.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM RENOVATIONS OR ADDITIONS - $500,000 to $1,000,000
FALLS RUN REMODEL, McLean, Virginia. Joy Custom Design Build, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: Greg Hadley.
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE, CUSTOM RENOVATIONS OR ADDITIONS - Under $500,000
CAMMICK DRIVE RENOVATION, Bethesda, Maryland. BOWA. Photography: Bob Narod.
Each year, a panel of building-industry professionals is selected to judge new homes and communities in the Mid-Atlantic region and to choose their nominees for the Great American Living Awards. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, the Washington Metropolitan Sales & Marketing Council and the Maryland Building Industry Association, the GALA awards, held last fall at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, honor excellence in new home architecture, interior design, sales and marketing in our region. The 2016 entries filled 43 categories; those pertaining to architecture and design included single- and multi-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, and custom-home and remodeling projects.
Home & Design covered the winners in the custom-builder categories in the November/December issue; on the following pages, we spotlight the remaining Grand award-winners in the architecture and design categories.
Home of the Year:
Le Château de Lumiere, Great Falls, Virginia.The Building Group, James McDonald Associate Architects. Photography: Bradley Caricofe.
The community of the Year:
Potomac Shores, Woodbridge, Virginia; NVR, SunCal. Photography: Bradley Caricofe.
Green Building:
Fenwick, Silver Spring, Maryland; Insight Property Group, SK+I Architecture, Hord Coplan Macht. Photography: Max Zhang, Iris22 Productions.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots under 7,000 square feet), $300,000 - $400,000:
Passport at Celebrate, Fredericksburg, Virginia; Pulte Homes. Photography: Maxine Schnitzer.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots under 7,000 square feet), $700,001 - $850,000:
Keswick at Vinehaven, Herndon, Virginia; Evergreene Homes, W.C. Ralston Architects. Photography: Stacy Marans.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots under 7,000 square feet), $600,001 - $700,000:
Hadley at Eastview, Chantilly, Virginia; Van Metre Homes. Photography: John Moseley.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots under 7,000 square feet), over $850,000:
Regency Park at Crown, Gaithersburg, Maryland; Wormald Homes. Photography: Adam Leviton.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over), $400,001 - $500,000:
Calahan at Aspen North at Lake Linganore, McLean, Virginia; Miller & Smith, The Creaser Group. Photography: Jim Kirby.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over), $500,001 - $600,000:
Silverton at Aspen North at Lake Linganore, New Market, Maryland; Miller & Smith, The Creaser Group. Photography: Jim Kirby.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over), $600,001 - $700,000:
Sierra at Falconaire, Leesburg, Virginia; Mid-Atlantic Builders. Photography: Alan Goldstein.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over), $700,001 - $850,000:
St. Andrews at Rosedale, Aldie, Virginia; CalAtlantic Homes. Photography: Gray Street Studios.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over), $850,001 - $1,000,000:
Oxfordshire I at Willowsford Greens, Aldie, Virginia; K. Hovnanian Homes. Photography: Maxine Schnitzer.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over), $1,000,001 - $1,400,000:
Oakton at Willowsford, Aldie, Virginia; Drees Homes. Photography: Maxine Schnitzer.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over), over $1,400,000:
Pembrook at Bethesda Mews, Bethesda, Maryland; Michael Harris Homes, Lessard Design.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, Including Townhouses, Two-over-Twos, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple, and Condo-Ownership, under $300,000:
Wakefield at Oakview Village, Glen Burnie, Virginia; Brookfield Residential, Lessard Design. Photography: Alan Goldstein.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, including Townhouses, Two-over-Two’s, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple and Condo-Ownership, $300,000 - $350,000:
Bluemont at Celebrate, Fredericksburg, Virginia; Pulte Homes. Photography: Maxine Schnitzer.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, including Townhouses, Two-over-Twos, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple and Condo-Ownership, $350,001 - $400,000:
Grand Central at Signal Hill Station, McLean, Virginia; Miller & Smith, KTGY. Photography: Jim Kirby.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, including Townhouses, Two-over-Twos, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple and Condo-Ownership, $400,001 - $500,000:
Grand Ashcroft at Eastchurch, Frederick, Maryland; Wormald Homes. Photography: Adam Leviton.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, including Townhouses, Two-over-Twos, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple and Condo-Ownership, $500,001 - $600,000:
Rockland at Crescent Place, Leesburg, Virginia; Knutson Companies, Lessard Design. Photography: Studio Trejo.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, including Townhouses, Two-over-Twos, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple and Condo-Ownership, $600,001 - $700,000:
Copeland at Westside at Shady Grove Metro, Rockville, Maryland; EYA, Lessard Design. Photography: Thomas Arledge.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, including Townhouses, Two-over-Twos, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple and Condo-Ownership, $700,001 - $850,000:
Davis at Westside at Shady Grove Metro, Rockville, Maryland; EYA, Lessard Design. Photography: Thomas Arledge.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, including Townhouses, Two-over-Twos, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple and Condo-Ownership, over $850,000 (tie):
Marshall at Grosvenor Heights, Bethesda, Maryland; EYA, Lessard Design. Photography: Thomas Arledge.
Design and Architecture, Multi-Family Boutique Construction (tie):
The Crossing at Ballston, Arlington, Virginia; HJL Properties, W.C. Ralston Architects. Photography: Anice Hoachlander.
Design and Architecture, Multi-Family Mixed-Use (tie):
VITA Tysons Corner Center, Tysons Corner, Virginia; Kettler Homes, Macerich, Donohoe, Shalom Baranes Associates. Photography: John Cole.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home, including Townhouses, Two-over-Two’s, Back-to-Back Townhouses, Duplexes, Fee Simple and Condo-Ownership, over $850,000 (tie); Design and Architecture, Multi-Family Boutique Construction (tie); Design and Architecture, Best Adaptive Reuse:
Morton Street Mews, Washington, DC; OPaL, GPS Designs. Photography: Maxine Schnitzer.
Design and Architecture, Multi-Family New Construction:
The Frasier, Alexandria, Virginia; Bozzuto Homes, KTGY. Photography: Sam Kittner.
Design and Architecture, Multi-Family Mixed-Use (tie):
Crescent Place, Leesburg, Virginia; Knutson Companies, Lessard Design. Rendering: ArchiBIM.
Longtime clients asked designer Kristin Peake to give their new vacation home on Maryland’s Choptank River “a Nantucket look,” she says. “They wanted it to be comfortable, coastal and serene.” Designed by architect Leo Wilson, every room takes advantage of up-close water views—including the kitchen (right). Peake and kitchen designer Hedy Shashaani collaborated on this clean-lined, understated space. Off-white cabinetry emphasizes the view while the breakfast nook and its built-in window seat beckon beside a bank of windows. A custom backsplash from Architectural Ceramics depicting graceful egrets—the owners’ favorite bird—adds a personal touch.
Architecture: Leo Wilson, AIA, LEED AP, Hammond Wilson, Annapolis, Maryland. Interior Design: Kristin Peake, Kristin Peake Interiors, Rockville, Maryland. Kitchen Design: Hedy Shashaani, CKD, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, Maryland. Builder: Gary Smith Builders, Inc., Queenstown, Maryland.
Clients living on the South River in Annapolis contacted Walnut Hill Landscape Company to update their pool area, which boasts an enticing water view. The result was a backyard overhaul that encompassed a new, lagoon-like pool complete with a waterfall, an outdoor kitchen, an enlarged flagstone patio delineated by a curved seating wall and a user-friendly gas fire pit designed by Walnut Hill. “The owners wanted to be able to come home from work, pour a glass of wine and just press a button,” says principal Michael Prokopchak. Lush plantings and comfortable seating surround the fire pit, while an unobtrusive wire fence around the perimeter ensures an unimpeded river view.
Landscape Design & Installation: Michael Prokopchak, ASLA, Walnut Hill Landscape Company, Annapolis, Maryland.
WARM WOOD Country Casual Teak’s eucalyptus pavilion is 13 feet wide and nine feet at its peak, with a crank-operated oyster canopy and optional, weather-resistant acrylic walls. Pictured with the Seneca teak seating collection. $4,750. countrycasualteak.com
SUSPENDED ANIMATION The SWING ME hanging lounge by Daniel Pouzet for Dedon pairs a basket-like frame with a graceful canopy made of polypropylene or acrylic blended with cotton, linen or tweed. Available in Natural or Chalk (pictured) at Dedon. $4,250, including canopy. dedon.de
UNDER MY UMBRELLA Birch Lane’s Eastvale Patio Umbrella boasts colorful Sunbrella fabrics, an easy-turn crank handle, and tilt functions. It spans nine feet when open. $202. birchlane.com
LAP OF LUXURY The Crescent Lounge by TUUCI offers plush cushioning for shade lovers. Sunbrella fabric covers the frame, while a vent in the top ensures airflow. Available through Design Within Reach and AmericanEye. Price on request. tuuci.com
CLEAN + SPARE Simple lines characterize Belmont, a fiberglass pergola from Brown Jordan. Its concrete footings stand on grass or concrete while rafters filter sunlight; available in seven column options and finishes. From $5,900 for a 12-by-12-foot structure. brownjordan.com
In 2014, a tree toppled onto the back of a home in Northwest DC. A beloved addition housing the kitchen was badly damaged—windows were broken, the roof caved. The owners asked Mary Douglas Drysdale, who designed the addition in the late 1990s, to come to the rescue.
In fact, over the years Drysdale had completed many other architectural-design and decorating projects for the couple—from adding on a front porch to creating a bedroom suite upstairs for their then-school age daughter. Later, she spruced up the interiors for the same daughter’s wedding.
“They are perfect clients for me because they allow me to do the fluff and pretty part as well as the nitty-gritty of planning,” Drysdale says.
Situated on a lot that drops steeply in the rear, the home was a typical Washington 1940s-era center-hall colonial with a living room on one side and a dining room and kitchen on the other.
Drysdale’s 1990s renovation broke the colonial mold, relocating the kitchen to the addition off the back, where a giant window bay frames a veritable wall of trees. Drysdale says the owners were so thrilled with the space that “they would come home, go straight to the kitchen and stay there. They said it felt like they were in a tree house and they loved the connection to the outside.”
As repairs to the kitchen progressed, the tree catastrophe became an opportunity to make further outside-the-box improvements. “I asked my clients what they liked best about the house,” the designer recounts. “They felt captivated by the experience of the kitchen, so I knew I needed to share that with every other gesture. My intention was to bring the outside in.”
Entering the front door of the completed home, it’s clear that Drysdale achieved her goal. The foyer leads past the existing staircase to the back of the house, where a modern, glass-enclosed staircase suffused with natural light has replaced a dark powder room. To the left of the staircase, Drysdale pushed out the back wall to incorporate a narrow existing deck, leaving intact a wider deck to one side, where the couple loves to congregate and grill year-round. This secluded spot is accessed on one side of the new staircase and is visible through glass from the kitchen on the other.
The new staircase descends to a renovated lower level, entirely above ground at the back. Drysdale enclosed an open area beneath the kitchen to create a light-filled family room. A rec room became the guest bedroom where the daughter and her kids stay when they visit; pocket doors close it off for privacy, but when open, it faces a wall of windows out to the patio in back. The lower level spills into a backyard designed by DCA Landscape Architects, where a diminutive stone patio and dramatically lit water features afford an arresting nighttime view.
Another improvement took shape in a largely unused spare room off the living room, which Drysdale divided into functional parts: a hall closet; a powder room complete with bookshelves and an existing fireplace; and a sunroom opening onto the deck.
Upstairs, Drysdale updated the master bedroom, exchanging windows for French doors that bring in the light. The husband’s bathroom was enhanced with fresh millwork. The daughter’s bedroom suite became an expansive personal suite for the wife—a pristine space clad in gleaming Thassos marble and glass that encompasses a bath and a dressing room with a desk. Accessed via a passageway from the bedroom, it opens to a narrow terrace boasting treetop views.
Throughout the home, Drysdale added signature touches that convey sophisticated style: glazed, bleached-oak floors, delicate floor stencils and Venetian-plaster and striped wall treatments—all created by faux painter Tom Hickey. Ledges and built-ins showcase sculptures and art. The front staircase is painted entirely white, while distinctive, custom-designed rollover shutters originally designed by Drysdale for the living room are repeated in the wife’s office.
On the lower level, honed-limestone floors echo the stonework outside. In the family room, located below the kitchen, the designer sought a monochromatic effect to make the room appear loftier. “Whenever you have a shift or change in color, it stops the eye and makes space seem smaller,” she explains. She designed a custom sofa and coffee table for the irregularly shaped room and glazed the paneled-oak walls in a gray that matches the limestone floors. A wide door pivots out to the backyard. “Part of the enjoyment of the space is not only seeing nature but hearing it,” Drysdale comments. “It makes everything feel open.”
Photographer John Cole is based in Silver Spring.
ARCHITECTURAL & INTERIOR DESIGN: MARY DOUGLAS DRYSDALE, Drysdale, Inc., Washington, DC. BUILDER: Falcon Construction, Rockville, Maryland. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: DCA Landscape Architects, Inc., Washington, DC.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT Stone Installation: piresstone.com. Exterior Lighting: outdoorillumination.com. Limestone Flooring: architecturalceramics.com. Faux Paint: risingtideinc.us.
LIVING ROOM Sofa & Chair by Fireplace: saporiti.com. Fireplace Design: marydouglasdrysdale.com. Fireplace Fabrication: unitedstatesmarbleandgranite.com. Wingback Chair: Owners’ collection. Wingback Chair Fabric: saporiti.com.
FOYER Stair Runner: J Brooks Designer Floors; 703-698-0790.
DINING ROOM Table & Chairs: Owners’ collection. Chair Fabric: donghia.com. Line Painting: adammarkovic.com.
SUN ROOM Table: atelierinternational.com.
KITCHEN Cabinetry: Custom. Countertops: Stone. Round Rug: vanderhurd.com. Sofa & Chairs: bebitalia.com. Counter Stools: jlambeth.com.
BACK HALL Staircase & Railing: Fabricated by falconconstruction.us. Kilim: galleriacarpets.com.
DECK Furniture: janusetcie.com.
MASTER BEDROOM Rug: J Brooks Designer Floors; 703-698-0790. Dresser & Bedstead: saporiti.com. Bedding: kravet.com. Duvet: macys.com. Armchairs and Matching Ottomans: Owners’ collection. Upholstery: kravet.com.
UPSTAIRS LANDING Sculpture on Ledge: Owners’ collection. Green Wall Color: Custom mix by risingtideinc.us.
UPSTAIRS TERRACE Boxwoods & Planters: newgrowthdesigns.com.
WIFE’S BATH & OFFICE Thassos Marble: architecturalceramics.com. Glass: Ultra Clear through showerdoorexperts.com. Vanity: robern.com. Vanity Sink & Soaking Tub: dxv.com. Desk: custom, lacquered wood to match the stone.
LOWER LEVEL Chair by Stairs: Antique, owners’ collection. Limestone: architecturalceramics.com. Sectional Sofa Design: marydouglasdrysdale.com. Fabricator: marksandtavano.com. Sofa Fabric: cowtan.com. Coffee Table: Custom by seanalandesigns.com. Twin Ottomans & Fabric: leeindustries.com.
Historic Cleveland Park is known for its inviting pastiche of Victorians. But nestled into the mix, a cluster of contemporary-style homes designed in the 1970s by the late architect Winthrop Faulkner stands out—and in 2015, one of them caught the eye of a couple with three young kids, who bought the abode with the idea of updating it to fit their needs.
“We were living in Cleveland Park already and wanted to stay in the community, which we dearly love,” says the wife. “And the house is magical. It incorporates the outdoors inside, with huge windows to a backyard that feels sort of like a secret garden.”
Since it had been virtually unaltered since the ’70s, the couple—both management consultants—enlisted Gilday Renovations “to bring it up to the 21st century,” explains partner Tom Gilday. “We renovated it from top to bottom without changing the footprint. Our goal was to meet the clients’ needs while adhering to the integrity of the original design.”
Ellen Witts, a kitchen designer at Gilday, worked with the homeowner on improving the woefully outdated kitchen. “I love to cook,” says the wife. “I wanted the ability to make fantastic food on a large scale because I often feed a lot of hungry kids and big families.”
The first item on the agenda was removing two awkward peninsulas that protruded from the window wall, breaking up the space and impeding its flow. In their place, an almost-12-foot island creates a new work triangle for the wife while freeing up the counter along the window wall for separate tasks. The island and window-wall countertops both offer sinks for easy cleanup. A new range and refrigerator occupy their original locations—close to the new island sink—and double ovens have replaced a disused dumbwaiter to the left of the fridge. Above the range, a custom hood sports a decorative band of stainless steel “that picks up the appliances and adds visual interest,” notes Witts.
A formerly inaccessible corner area now easily accommodates a breakfast nook with a built-in banquette. It’s one of the wife’s favorite aspects of her new space. “I can be getting ready for an adult dinner and feeding tons of kids at the table at the same time,” she enthuses.
Beside the breakfast area is the door to the walk-in pantry (formerly the laundry room), which holds an extra refrigerator, a microwave and plenty of storage. Around the corner, attractive built-ins supply more storage while displaying cookbooks and decorative objects.
A peninsula separates the kitchen from the dining room, where a wall of cabinets and drawers has been repainted to match the pale-gray kitchen walls. A long, narrow window in the cabinet wall is now an expansive picture window that duplicates two existing picture windows in the kitchen—increasing light and opportunities for views to the backyard.
To convey a modern sensibility, Gilday replaced a massive column by the dining room with a simple, squared-off entry. Witts and her client paired crisp, white custom cabinetry with practical white Caesarstone countertops that measure two-and-a-quarter inches thick. Behind the range, says Witts, a honed Calcutta-marble slab “is like a piece of artwork. It’s the focal point in the kitchen.” Cubist-inspired shelving in the breakfast area accents the existing horizontal window below it.
A winner of the 2016 Grand COTY Award for residential kitchen $100,001 to $150,000, the kitchen is everything the wife wanted—both visually and functionally. “We’re big foodies,” she says. “And the opportunity to make great food and share it with the people we love is abundant here.”
Judy Davis is a principal at Hoachlander Davis Photography in Washington, DC.
RENOVATION DESIGN & CONTRACTING: Tom Gilday, partner. KITCHEN DESIGN: ELLEN WITTS, CKD, Gilday Renovations, Silver Spring, Maryland.
All good landscapes are the artful balance of soft and hardscape,” observes Chris Cahill, principal of Botanical Decorators in Olney, Maryland. In fact, a harmonious material palette is invaluable to any landscape. Gone are the days when hardscape meant a patio flush against the house; today, hardscapes offer so much interest and variety that carefully selecting thhttp://www.botdec.com/e right plantings to complement them is imperative.
Indeed, says Chad Talton, a landscape architect at Surrounds, Inc., in Sterling, Virginia, not only should soft and hardscapes complement one another, “they should enhance the beauty of the home and accentuate the architecture as well.” It’s a tall order. Below, designers shed light on how to create that all-important balance in your garden.
ROOM TO GROW Botanical Decorators designed a lush, textural garden beside a wooded area in Alexandria, nestling an elliptical patio at its center. “It was constructed with full-range broken flagstone installed with soft edges as part of the experience,” says Chris Cahill. “The curvature of the landscape worked perfectly with the soft form of the patio.” Plantings are layered with the taller ones at the back so as not to crowd the hardscape; artful plant placement imparts a soft, natural feel. Strongly textured, deep-green Skip laurels contrast with supple, soft-textured Smoke bush in light lavender-gray. Other plantings include hydrangea, Sweetbay magnolia, American holly, Amsonia, mazus and Blushing Bride rose.
“Each space in a landscape should serve a specific function and be sized appropriately,” says Cahill, who advises taking traffic flow into account when deciding on the lawn, garden, and even outdoor-furniture placement. He also accents the importance of giving plants plenty of breathing room. “The biggest mistake people make is choosing plantings that will overgrow the space,” he says. “Hybrids that will maintain their proper proportions are worth the initial investment. Ground covers and perennials will fill the spaces in between, giving each plant space it will need to grow.”
SOFTENING THE LINES Walnut Hill Landscape Company was asked to create a poolscape with an adjoining spa on an Annapolis property overlooking the Severn River. Landscape designer and principal Michael Prokopchak took cues from the home’s stone façade in his selections for the hardscape, which encompasses a pool surround, patio, retaining walls, steps, and an outdoor fireplace. “The hardscape should complement or match the architecture of the home,” he says. For this project, retaining walls of Carderock stone capped with Pennsylvania bluestone add polish, while rustic pavers—chosen because they’re cool underfoot—surround the pool.
Plants were selected to provide color and texture during the summer season when the pool is most in use. Coreopsis Moonbeam, Purple Wave petunia, purple coneflower and feather reed grass frame the hardscape—as well as the river view, which is visible through a stand of trees.
Prokopchak often relies on plantings to soften and complement the hard lines of construction. “We use evergreen ground covers to trail over walls, to break up their expanse,” he explains. He also suggests keeping your plant selection simple. “Use more quantity and less variety. This will keep your garden from being too busy,” he says. “Simple is better!”
CURB APPEAL McHale Landscape Design of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, completely overhauled a McLean property, imparting much-needed curb appeal to its front yard and driveway. Designer Phil Kelly installed architectural pavers inlaid with Pennsylvania flagstone on the driveway and parking/arrival court, then selected Western Maryland stone for the entry piers, retaining walls, walkways, stairs and driveway inlay, curb, and gutter. “Do not use too many different hardscape materials,” Kelly advises.
For this project, trees and shrubs were chosen to contrast with the hardscape rather than to blend in. Plantings soften the stonework, with vines conveying a garden feel. Crape myrtle, Korean boxwood, Knockout roses and nepeta create structure. “The massing of plant varieties provides a stunning succession of seasonal color and foliage,” Kelly says. “The climbing hydrangea and climbing roses link the house to the garden.”
House, hardscape, and plantings should inspire one another. “The landscape is an extension of the home’s interior and exterior architecture,” Kelly explains. “It’s key that the plant material complements the architecture of the house and provides a link to the surrounding environment.”
Finally, he advises, uses proven plantings—whatever thrive in your environment. And avoid species that will overtake or mask the hardscape.
DESIGN INTENT Clients in Purcellville, Virginia, hired Surrounds, Inc., of Sterling to design and install a hardscape, landscape, pool, and gazebo. Landscape architect Chad Talton selected Tennessee flagstone for the staircases, wall caps and pool coping because of its tan hue, and combined it with Appian random concrete pavers on the pool deck in a complementary tan/brown pattern. Boulders quarried in Tennessee match the flagstone.
“I use plantings not only to provide aesthetic quality,” Talton says, “but also for design intent. For instance, plantings can be used to direct the eye down to a sightline, to provide a barrier, to frame a sculpture or for the shade over a patio.” In this case, a deer-resistant plant palette was selected with a minimal need for watering. It features miscanthus, Pennisetum, perovskia, amsonia, liriope, Sweetbay magnolia, boxwood, and sedum. Varieties of spruce provide privacy from the street and neighbors.
Before embarking on a landscape project, Talton recommends developing a rough idea of what you want to achieve with a space and a checklist of the elements you’re looking for. “Think about a grand scheme even if you are not doing it all now,” he suggests. “It makes sense to plan for the future even if that future is 10 years away.”
OUTDOOR ROOM Scott Brinitzer Design Associates was asked to transform an empty lawn in McLean into a series of outdoor “rooms,” providing space for kids to play while adults can enjoy the garden. Selecting Western Maryland fieldstone with flagstone details, Brinitzer enclosed the sitting area (pictured) within a fireplace wall and retaining walls. Monochromatic True Blue flagstone was used for the patio floor.
“The crux of the design is an iron pergola that frames the seating area,” Brinitzer says. Adorned with Chinese and Amethyst Falls wisteria, it was designed by Brinitzer’s firm and fabricated onsite; it also extends to an adjacent kitchen and dining area.
The planting palette is intentionally limited “to allow the architecture of the built landscape to be the focal point,” Brinitzer explains, adding that “using larger-growing plants near your hardscape will create edges that will define an outdoor room. Plantings should be site-specific.”
In this case, they were selected to define the garden “rooms” and unify the built and planted garden spaces. Reliably green in the growing season, anonymous provides a dense backdrop and a sense of enclosure. Boston ivy softens the monolithic fireplace wall—and seasonal color comes from containers that the owners enjoy planting each year.
FREQUENTLY ASKED LANDSCAPE QUESTIONS:
Explain the importance of outdoor lighting in a successful landscape. Lighting can be one of the most important aspects of a landscape. As many people are putting in long hours at work, they often do not see their homes until after dark. During evening hours, soft landscape lighting is nothing short of magical. It provides a warm and inviting ambiance that calls us outdoors, creates a mood and adds interest and intrigue to any setting. —Don Gwiz, Lewis Aquatech
How do you select trees and shrubs to screen a fence? A beautifully screened fence includes a variety of evergreen and deciduous elements with both vertical and mounding habits. Trees, shrubs and flowers with a range of colors and textures provide multi-season appeal and work together to stop the eye before the fence. We take into account the clients’ taste, goals, site conditions and budget to prepare the perfect solution. —Steven Talcott, Great American Landscapes
How do you blend varied hardscape materials? First, we study the architecture of the home to decide which colors to tie in to the hardscape. We like to work with natural materials, installing them in various fashions, to make the exterior space more interesting. In this case, we sourced travertine directly from Turkey and ensured that all elements, including the water bowls, were cut out of the same blocks of stone for a perfect match. —Joseph Colao, Colao & Peter Outdoor Environments
What are the keys to creating a healthy pond? Creating a healthy pond begins with proper planning. A pond with both fish and plant material will require a more intricate filtration system. Two other considerations are the choice of the pond liner and the location on the site. An experienced professional will understand the impact that the above items will have on the cost and longevity of a healthy pond. —Peter White, Zen Associates, Inc.
What criteria are most important in choosing pool coping? In choosing pool coping and decking, I first look at architectural features of the home. The pool coping in the project pictured is 14-inch-wide limestone with consistent, two-inch thickness and a chiseled-rock edge. The coping and decking matched the existing sunroom floor and the sill on the house. Other coping materials include commonly used bluestone and variably colored travertine. —Bernie Mihm, Fine Earth Landscape, Inc.
What are your favorite low-maintenance ground covers and why? Mazus reptans is a mat-forming ground cover that reaches two inches in height and blooms profusely with delicate flowers in the early spring. It is perfect for stepping stones, thanks to its ability to handle light foot traffic. For a more formal look, I enjoy Dwarf Mondo grass. This variety grows to be four inches tall and is excellent for borders or defining small spaces. —Josh Kane, Kane Landscapes
What should a homeowner consider when selecting pavers? The first thing to consider is the exterior finish and architecture of your home. You want to select a paver that complements the existing features on the property and does not clash with the prevailing theme and/or color tones. For walkways and small patios, you’ll want to stick with a smaller-sized paver, while for driveways, pool decks and large entertaining areas, you’ll want to go with larger pavers. —Jeff Crandell, CLP, Scapes, Inc.
What qualities make a man-made stream look natural? First, place the stream in an area that makes physical sense, perhaps starting at a high point and sloping down. Source stone that’s native to the region of your project and places it to mimic the way it would look in a real stream. It’s important to incorporate plant material that complements the feature and use the proper pumps and filters to keep the water clean and healthy. —Marta Carlson, Professional Grounds
NAUTICAL VIBE The classic tub chair design gets a makeover with Serena & Lily’s Outdoor Riviera Chair. Made of weatherproof woven plastic covering a powder-coated aluminum frame, it sports a nautical blue-and-white striped motif and comes with a coordinating seat cushion in all-weather Sunbrella fabric. Pictured here with the Crosby Teak Round Dining Table. serenaandlily.com
WOVEN WONDER Sifas’s new Kalife Collection of outdoor seating includes a loveseat (pictured), two settees, an armchair and an ottoman. The pieces are distinguished by an unusual woven-polyester shell coated with a layer of quick-drying, water-repellent PVC. The lacquered-aluminum frames are finished to match while durable seat cushions and throw pillows come in a range of colorful Sunbrella fabrics. sifas.com
LIGHTING THE NIGHT Boho-chic moves outdoors with Kichler’s Palisades 1 Light Outdoor Pendant, a stylish yet casual addition to your al fresco space. The all-weather wicker shade comes in regular, bell, globe and teardrop shapes, in Olde Bronze or Natural Wicker. Takes an incandescent bulb. kichler.com
PARTY TIME Keep the party rolling with the Cucina bar cart on wheels from Country Casual Teak. It’s made of solid teak with watertight silicone joints and marine-grade, stainless-steel hardware. Three shelves and two pullout trays offer storage and serving solutions; a stainless-steel rim on the bottom shelf keeps items stable while in motion. countrycasualteak.com
BATHING BEAUTY The Classic Collection of hot tubs from Bradford Products conveys clean-lined, timeless style. Available in eight shapes and sizes, the surface is clad in a combination of buffed stainless steel and ceramic tile. Benches along the sides boast 16 hydrotherapy jets, so bathers have plenty of options for seating. Carried exclusively in the DC area by Wheat’s Landscape. bradfordproducts.com; wheats.com
CHIC TEAK Conceived by British design firm Barber & Osgerby for Dedon, the handmade TIBBO outdoor furniture collection marks the company’s first foray into teak. The dining chairs incorporate a woven-fiber seat and a curved seat back, while the table comes in lengths ranging from four to 11 feet. The collection also features a lounge chair, benches, and coffee and side tables. dedon.de
COOKING WITH GAS The new Genesis II line of gas grills from Weber includes eight models in a range of price points and sizes. The grills offer “flavorizer” bars that reduce flare-ups, improve heat distribution and enhance taste; a Grease-management system for easy cleanup; and a docking station for the iGrill 3 grilling thermometer—a Bluetooth-enabled device that delivers alerts to smartphones. weber.com
WATER FEATURE The perfect garden focal point, Stone Forest’s decorative Ribbed Sphere Fountain channels water in wave-like rivulets over an irregular, banded surface. Made of solid black-and-white granite, it comes in diameters of 20 or 24 inches. stoneforest.com
OUTDOOR COLLECTION Swiss fabric company Création Baumann has introduced its 2017 Outdoor Collection, featuring eight new fabrics that include classic checks, stripes, strikes, dots, florals and three-dimensional jacquards. A palette of neutrals is offset by bright accent colors such as mint and coral and dark tones such as midnight blue. Acrylic fabrics are durable, water-repellent and light- and UV-fast to prevent fading. creationbaumann.com
IN THE MOOD An atmospheric addition to any al fresco evening, the Ambient Cocoon was conceived by Danish designer Henrik Pedersen for Gloster. The buffed-teak handle is combined with a polypropylene shade that glows when illuminated. Controlled by an infrared remote that provides three levels of rechargeable LED light. gloster.com
The Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building stands center stage on the National Mall. Also known as the Castle, it’s embellished with Gothic Revival spires and porticoes—an indelible red-brick presence among white marble and limestone companions. Built in 1879, this historic landmark is the second oldest building in the Smithsonian system and was used to house temporary exhibits and events. Time took its toll, however, and SmithGroupJJR was tapped in 1999 to begin a long-term revitalization. In 2003, structural issues necessitated its closure to the public.
“There was structural fatigue and worry that the roof would collapse in the snow,” says architect Hal Davis, who spearheaded the project. By 2015, the brick-and-stone exterior was stabilized, the outer shell restored and the slate roof replaced. The interior structure was next. “It was an important building from the standpoint of innovation,” Davis observes. The original design “tried to show what was happening in construction in 1880. We preserved what we could of its existing fabric.”
In the main hall (pictured), visible high-string steel trusses replicate the original cast-iron ones, compromised over time. A new metal ceiling duplicates the original, as do glazed, insulated windows featuring the same distinctive milky cast as the 19th-century ones.
The next phase will restore plaster, stenciling, tilework and more. In the meantime, the building, which has received architectural awards for craftsmanship and historic preservation, is once again open for events and special exhibits.
RESTORATION ARCHITECTURE: HAL DAVIS, FAIA, NCARB, SmithGroupJJR, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: Grunley Construction Company, Rockville, Maryland.
Several years ago, three friends who’d met during their days at DC’s Woodrow Wilson High School returned with the goal of giving back to the city they called home. A rooftop farm in Upstate New York had inspired them: In 2014, Kristof Grina, Kathleen O’Keefe, and Jeff Prost-Greene founded Up Top Acres to grow commercial produce on roofs in the DC metro area.
“Our mission is to establish agriculture as part of city life,” says O’Keefe. “We want to expose people to an understanding of what they eat.”
Since its 1,000-square-foot pilot farm sprouted above Oyamel restaurant in Penn Quarter, Up Top Acres has added rooftop farms in downtown Bethesda (10,000 square feet), DC’s Navy Yard (25,000 square feet) and at 55 M Street, a 15,000-square-foot space overlooking Nationals Stadium. With the help of a farm manager, the company now supplies produce to numerous DC restaurants including Equinox, The Oval Room, Jaleo, Comet Ping Pong and Little Red Fox—and to consumers through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program that allots the members a weekly share of fresh crops.
The 55 M Street farm also boasts space for al fresco events, from yoga classes to panel discussions to pop-up dinners by local chefs. “We want as many people as possible to see the roofs,” O’Keefe explains. “We’re also doing educational programming in DC public schools, bringing students up to the rooftops to work.”
The 20-something founders of Up Top Acres are happy to be part of the city’s push for sustainability. “There’s a big effort towards building a green infrastructure in DC,” O’Keefe says. “We are among the leaders nationally in a lot of areas.” For more information, visit uptopacres.com.
The Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, which opened March 20, occupies an ornate, Beaux Arts-style building in historic Fells Point. Originally constructed in 1914, the structure was dubbed “Recreation Pier” because it housed a rec center and opened onto a commercial pier jutting into Baltimore Harbor.
Over the years, the building served as the second-busiest immigration port in the country (next to Ellis Island), as well as a harbormaster’s office. It even played the role of a police precinct in NBC’s “Homicide: Life on the Street.” In 2014, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank purchased the property to create a hotel on site, enlisting BHC Architects, Baltimore designer Patrick Sutton and contractor WhitingTurner to make it a reality.
“We said, ‘Let’s make something that engages Baltimore’s industrial heritage but that is also luxurious,” says Sutton. “We nicknamed the aesthetic ‘gritty luxury.’”
The restored interiors now house a ballroom, Andrew Carmellini’s Rec Pier Chop House and the intimate Cannon Room whiskey bar. The pier has been transformed into a light-filled courtyard flanked by 128 guest rooms, many with water views. An infinity-edge pool at its tip appears to spill into the harbor.
Throughout the hotel, Sutton layered opulent materials over exposed brick and steel. Works by local artists grace the interiors and Baltimore lore crops up everywhere, starting with “The Star-Spangled Banner” lyrics—penned by Francis Scott Key about 1,000 feet away in 1814—emblazoned at the entry. With mahogany and brass details, guest rooms resemble ships’ berths while behind the reception desk, says Sutton, the harbor—framed through a window—“gives you a sense of where you are.” pendryhotels.com
