There is not a single period or style I don’t like,” observes Katalin Farnady, standing in the open plan living/dining room of her house. She’s surrounded by a carefully edited assortment of furniture and accessories that attests to her statement. An Art Deco coffee table coexists beside a Mid-Century occasional table, while a contemporary sofa rests on an animal hide rug. Overhead, two imposing black Murano glass chandeliers add drama, and matching chairs found at auction and covered in Mongolian lamb’s wool provide a playful touch.
For Farnady, who is originally from Hungary, her home is a canvas that reflects the journey of her life thus far: The kitchen showcases a series of still lifes by Hungarian artist Károly Kassai—as well as artwork by the designer’s three daughters (seven-year-old twins and their nine-year-old sister). “Being from somewhere else and living here has given me a global view,” she explains. “I bring back things from my travels. I also like to surround myself with my kids’ creations.”
Farnady’s home is a remarkable feat of design ingenuity, combining antique and vintage finds with clean-lined pieces and striking modern art. “I like to mix and coordinate materials,” she explains. “This is what allows me to blend eras and styles.”
As the principal of Farnady Interiors, the designer adapts her unique vision to fit the preferences of her clients. She’s been practicing for 10 years. “Right now I’m working on seven projects, and they’re all different,” she says.
Farnady and her husband, a surgeon, were living in the neighborhood two years ago when the house, ideally situated on Crab Creek, came on the market. They decided to buy it; a traditional center hall Colonial, it had the makings of the home Farnady wanted though it needed some work.
The designer’s first move was to completely dismantle the layout of the first floor. Before, the wide entry with its grand, curved staircase opened to dining and living rooms on either side. Now, those openings are closed off so that visitors are drawn towards the back of the house where one big room now houses the dining and living areas. A home office, accessible through the kitchen, occupies the former dining room, while Farnady’s own office is where the living room used to be.
The kitchen adjoins the living/dining room at the back of the house. It has a sleek, contemporary look and a convenient, functional layout. SieMatic cabinetry juxtaposes a glossy white finish with a rosewood veneer, and countertops are Corian. A brown wallpapered accent wall behind the Wolf stove picks up the dark cabinetry, unifying the space.
Farnady closed the kitchen off from the living/dining room, installing French doors for access and a large, mullioned window that connects the spaces visually. A banquette, table and chairs on a custom cowhide rug provide space for family meals. Off the kitchen, a mudroom leads to a guest bedroom and full bath.
Upstairs, the master suite was overhauled to accommodate a roomy walk-in closet using space borrowed from the bedroom. The renovation created a cozy sitting area at one end of the bedroom. At the other, Farnady installed a gas fireplace with a striking surround of solid marble that arrived as a single slab weighing 1,000 pounds (the ceiling had to be cut to accommodate its height). Next on the agenda: a new master bath to go with the rest of the suite.
A newly finished basement now accommodates a guest area, delineated by wallpaper in an Art Deco motif; a lounge area with a leather sectional, TV and built-in bar with a countertop clad in a tropical wood-like veneer; and a workout space.
The home’s original flooring was a piecemeal assortment of wood, tile and marble. Farnady retained the existing oak floors and replaced the other surfaces with matching oak. All the floors have been ebonized, creating a uniform look throughout. It works well with the neutral palette the designer chose for her home. “I went with monochromatic colors, but relied on shapes and patterns for interest,” she explains.
In order to take full advantage of the water views, Farnady installed sets of glass doors at the back of the house that open from every room, Mediterranean-style, out to a terrace that stretches the home’s length. A swimming pool beckons and beyond it, the family keeps a boat docked at water’s edge. “For me, the biggest compliment is when someone says, ‘I haven’t seen this before,’” Farnady comments. “I like to achieve the unexpected.”
Gwin Hunt is a photographer in Annapolis.
INTERIOR DESIGN: KATALIN FARNADY, Allied ASID, Farnady Interiors, Annapolis, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: BERNARD CHAMBERS, RBC Enterprises, Severna Park, Maryland.
Karen and Eric Dickman were looking for light when they chose their house in a golf community outside of historic Williamsburg. The enclave was made up of mostly traditional homes with plenty of space between them. The house the couple bought combined a Colonial exterior with a non-traditional, open floor plan, which they liked. But the big draw was the golf course, which reaches to the back deck, and the wall of windows overlooking it. “I love the sun so I wanted the openness of living by a golf course,” Karen observes. “The windows in the house called to me.”
Prior to their purchase, the house had sat empty for three years. Facing repairs resulting from disuse, a necessary overhaul of the kitchen and baths and the need for a general update, the owners decided a whole-house renovation was in order. Along with contractor Sean Everitt, the couple tapped designer Amanda Austin, with whom they had worked before, to help them turn their new house into a home.
Austin’s plan was to create a stylish look that would fit the home’s traditional trappings but also feel updated and fresh. After choosing engineered, hand-scraped black walnut flooring that suits the area’s humid climate, she and her clients began the redesign with the open-plan great room. “Walk in the door of the house and you’re immediately enamored of this light, two-story space,” Austin says.
Floor-to-ceiling Palladian windows invite the outdoors in, so they chose a light palette that would emphasize the view; a paneled accent wall frames a marble-clad fireplace flanked by built-ins. The wall was painted a strong gray hue to showcase two large vintage posters that are dear to the Dickmans. Custom furniture was designed to fit the tall room: A long sofa with a bench cushion from Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman seats numerous guests and two chairs from Vanguard are clad in cream-colored crocodile leather. An Oushak carpet softens the space.
The adjoining kitchen combines custom cabinetry in glazed cream and black, topped with swirling black-and-white Asterix granite counters. Austin extended the granite as a backsplash, keeping “everything else quiet and simple,” she explains, “so the backsplash becomes the artwork.”
To enlarge the kitchen and accommodate a wet bar and wine fridge, the counters and cabinetry wrap around the corner to the light-filled sunroom. An L-shaped sofa from Hickory Chair is upholstered in creamy linen and flanked by a Pipa side table from Oly Studios. A leopard print rug and Roman shades in Harlequin fabric add warmth.
In the dining room, Austin used a rich material palette that includes a grasscloth wallcovering by Phillip Jeffries in a herringbone pattern, Lee Jofa silk drapes and an antique rug from Timothy Paul. A dining table and sideboard that had been in Eric’s family were refurbished and simple, cream-colored leather chairs from Precedent Furniture harmonize with the rich backdrop. A Restoration Hardware chandelier hangs above the table. “Every room should look highly customized,” Austin explains, “but the price tag should not reflect that.”
Across the foyer from the dining room, a small parlor is now the music room. A floor cloth painted in a chic, black-and-white chevron print injects a modern feel; though the room is small, large pieces such as the piano (inherited from Eric’s family) and a round mirror and two chairs, all from Hickory Chair, seem right at home. Floral silk drapes from Osborne & Little and a pink ottoman impart a lively, feminine edge.
1/ Hot Seat
Charged with redesigning the Washington-area office of Sapient Corporation, a global services company, FOX Architects was asked to unify the diverse aesthetic needs of its government, non-profit, commercial and global markets divisions. Principal Andy Yeh and project designer Kelly Sigmund worked with Sapient on a design concept for the two-floor, 42,000-square-foot Arlington space. They developed a motif of curved lines—inspired by Sapient’s logo—that would carry through between floors, and a sleek café (pictured) that would draw employees together.
The café’s style reflects the whole, which blends modern and classic design elements to appeal to all employees. White panels float above the kitchen, juxtaposed with an exposed ceiling, rustic wood floors and over-sized, industrial pendants. Custom millwork and walls of windows create an airy feel, while banquettes and a TV framed in eased edges invite employees to congregate.
ARCHITECTURE: ANDY YEH, Associate AIA, LEED AP, principal, and KELLY SIGMUND, IIDA, project designer, FOX Architects, Washington, DC. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: NEWMARK GRUBB KNIGHT FRANK, Washington, DC. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: BOGNET CONSTRUCTION, Arlington, Virginia. PHOTOGRAPHY: RON BLUNT.
STYLE ICON
Originally designed by Henry Glass and introduced by Brown Jordan in 1979, the collapsible Cricket Chair has been widely recognized and copied. This year, Brown Jordan is re-releasing this iconic chair, with its triangular base and form-fitting canvas seat, as part of the Cricket II collection of folding tables and chairs. brownjordan.com
PERFECT PUZZLE
The ergonomic Puzzle EM7 collection from Ego Paris brings a touch of whimsy to the outdoors. The nine-piece collection includes four easy chairs, two loungers, two coffee tables and an occasional table—some or all of which fit together to create a puzzle when not in use. Made from open cellular foam in an outdoor acrylic fabric with a lacquered aluminum base, each piece is available in a range of colors and finishes. egoparis.com
SUSPENDED IN AIR
German outdoor furniture company Dedon often tests its creations on Dedon Island, a Phillippine resort owned by the company’s founder. There, the resort’s architect and Dedon furniture designer Daniel Pouzet was inspired by the villas’ high ceilings to create Dedon’s Swingrest. With a basket-like bottom, rotating tabletop and long suspension cords, this comfortable perch swings from the highest tree. Available in a natural weave with an optional fabric cover that offers privacy and shade. dedon.de
SITTING PRETTY
The Kocoon Collection for Sifas features a stainless-steel base and acrylic, sponge-like fabric that is water- and UV-resistant. The collection includes a loveseat with or without a canopy, dining chair, lounger, ottoman, coffee table and end tables. Kocoon is offered in white, taupe and floral. sifasusa.com
HOT SEAT
Enjoy al fresco evenings even after the temperature begins to drop with the Heated Lounger from Bradford Products. These custom-tiled lounge seats feature an internal radiating heat system. An ergonomic form provides a comfortable seat, while LED accent lighting and audio connectivity are also available. bradfordproducts.com
MODERN MASTERPIECE
The look of Techo-Bloc’s matte-finished Travertina line of paving stones harkens back to the honed travertine limestone found in the great masterpieces of Italian architecture. Made from concrete, the slabs are available in a range of sizes, and come in Ivory, Rock Garden Brown and Riviera. techo-bloc.com
LUXURY AFLOAT
First developed for beach resorts, SeaDuction Floats are now available for residential use. These floating cabanas include shade options and cooler and dry storage. The floats are designed for stability; made from sun- and sand-resistant polymers, they are usable on both water and land. seaductionfloats.com
FASHION FORWARD
Designer Ana Llobet created the ergonomic Textile seating collection for GANDIABLASCO by applying techniques used in textile manufacture to the process of furniture design: The joints of each chair are “sewn” together to mimic clothing seams. Made of recyclable polyethylene and powder-coated, galvanized iron. The braided rope that forms the “thread” is high-tenacity polyester. gandiablasco.com
FURNITURE AS ART
Designer James De Wulf fashions furniture out of concrete, creating sculptural pieces that complement any style. Pictured here, the Concrete Bar Cart on wheels is perfect for outdoor use. The top is made from ultra-thin concrete reinforced with carbon fiber. The glossy finish requires no maintenance; gravity joints lock the bottom shelf and top to the angled base. jamesdewulf.com
MADE IN THE SHADE
Walpole Outdoors, a manufacturer and distributor of architectural landscape products and structures, introduces its new selection of pergola kits. Though they look like painted wood, Walpole’s cellular PVC pergolas maintain their appearance season after season without peeling, rotting or splitting. Available with or without a motorized, retractable shade. walpolewoodworkers.com
THE LOOK OF WOOD
The flooring series Crate by StonePeak Ceramics offers the look of reclaimed wood with the durability of glazed porcelain. Intended for indoor or outdoor use, the six- by-24- or eight-by-48-inch tile planks come in Colonial White, Charred Bark (pictured) or Weathered Board. Available through Best Tile. besttile.com; stonepeakceramics.com
LIGHT MY FIRE
Stone Forest’s hand-carved iron-and-granite Suspended Fire Vessel will add character to any outdoor living space. The basin is made of iron, which develops a rust patina with time and use. The supports on either side are thick, natural granite boulder halves. The fire vessel is intended for use with wood. stoneforest.com
ABOVE THE CURVE
Philippe Nigro’s Passio is a new seating collection for Ligne Roset characterized by a spare frame of curved, tubular steel and thick, comfortable cushions. The collection is intended for both indoor and outdoor use and includes a settee and chairs in a range of sizes. The cushion fabrics for outdoor use are washable, sun-resistant and waterproof. ligneroset-dc.com
PERFECT PAVERS
Belgard Hardscapes’ smooth concrete Lafitt Patio Slab pavers come in three differently sized modular pieces that interlock. The slabs are large in scale so as to provide increased area coverage with fewer pieces; the larger slabs give smaller spaces a larger appearance. belgard.biz
Marta Hansen, AIA, LEED AP, principal of Annapolis-based Hansen Architects, has designed upwards of 400 houses during her long career. Her style is completely hands-on; she not only executes design work, she also addresses permitting and site issues, critical area laws and structural engineering—all with only an intern to assist her. She doesn’t delegate because, as she says, “I don’t want to miss any opportunities for each project to reach its potential.”
The 2013 design competition organized by the Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) welcomed more than 70 entries from area designers. Sponsored by Home & Design, the contest invites experienced professionals from our region to judge the submissions. This year’s jury included Andreas Charalambous, AIA, IIDA, of FORMA Design; Darlene Molnar, LEED AP, Allied ASID, of Darlene Molnar LLC; Ann Unal, CKD, CBD, CID, of Ann Unal Kitchens; and Sharon Jaffe Dan, editor in chief of Home & Design. The winning entries on the following pages will capture your imagination with their distinctive details, eye-catching aesthetics and well-executed plans.
Click to read more:
Crisp, Clean & Contemporary
Lap of Luxury
In the Galley
An Elegant Solution
A New Beginning
Urban Chic
Function & Flair
A Modern Take
Relaxing Retreat
Sleek & Spare
Stylish Addition
Fun Central
Nestled in a bucolic neighborhood in Northwest DC, Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens is one of Washington’s happiest surprises: a grand, 1920s neo-Georgian mansion showcasing the collected furnishings and art of its illustrious former owner, the late Marjorie Merriweather Post. A trip to Hillwood is like stepping into another world—one that truly comes to life with the museum’s upcoming exhibit, “Living Artfully: At Home with Marjorie Merriweather Post.”
Post, who inherited the cereal empire from her father, C.W. Post, adeptly managed both fortune and business, eventually forming the General Foods Corporation. She was philanthropic—and very social. After years in New York and Palm Beach society, she purchased Hillwood in 1955 and soon became a sought-after Washington doyenne. With a full-time staff, she hosted everything from garden teas and charity events to formal dinners and movie screenings.
From June 8 to January 12, 2014, visitors may glimpse the high-society world of the 1950s and ’60s during an exhibit that restores Hillwood to the way it looked during Post’s lifetime, when the décor melded Mid-Century Modern conveniences with 18th-century French and Imperial Russian antiques. On display will be photographs and objects from Hillwood and Post’s other homes, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach and Camp Topridge in the Adirondacks. An audio tour will offer oral histories from former staff members, who describe daily life with Post—and detail how they created her famous parties. hillwoodmuseum.org
Austin, Texas, is known for its hip, youthful attitude, which is reflected by the city’s changing architectural landscape. This was part of the allure for Kristy Kisling—a former resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland—who decided to move back to Austin years after going to school there. An entrepreneur, she brought with her a houseful of dark, traditional furniture suited to a cold, northern climate, then enlisted the help of Rockville, Maryland-based interior designer Joanne Fitzgerald, with whom she’d worked on her Gaithersburg town house. “I love working with Joanne,” she says simply of her decision to lure Fitzgerald from Maryland rather than hire someone local to turn her Austin abode into a home. “There was no doubt she was going to be the one to help.”
Kisling wound up purchasing a three-bedroom custom home in the funky neighborhood of South Congress. It answered a wish list that included modern architecture, a lively locale and the ability to showcase Kisling’s prized possession: a recently purchased light fixture by blown-glass artist Tracy Glover. “The whole search for the house was around the light fixture,” recalls Fitzgerald of the custom fixture hung in the dining room, which is the heart of the home. “It’s the centerpiece. When you walk into the room from anywhere in the house, it’s the first thing you see.”
When Kisling bought the house it wasn’t yet finished, so she and Fitzgerald were able to tweak the plans with the help of architect Randall O. Ware. In fact, Fitzgerald played a huge role in adapting the house to her client’s needs. “We liked the fundamentals but wanted to manipulate the design to be more functional,” the designer says.
The exterior is clad in a combination of stucco, metal sheeting and cement; Fitzgerald “played with the front façade, creating more bump-outs for interest,” she says. Inside, she looked for ways to capture space, enclosing a breezeway near the kitchen to create a laundry room and reorienting the upstairs master suite to make it more efficient.
After moving to Austin, Kisling shed her northeastern design sensibility in favor of what Fitzgerald calls “fun, playful taste.” The goal in the new house was to establish a colorful, clean-lined aesthetic that would complement both the home’s modern structure and its warm-weather locale.
Kisling replaced most of her original furniture with more contemporary pieces that Fitzgerald helped her select. A light-hued American Leather sofa now anchors the family room while a dining table from Bavara Design House and chairs from Crate & Barrel occupy center stage in the dining area. Modern artwork includes a painting in the dining room by Montreal artist Michel Desroches with a palette that complements the light fixture.
“I had to divorce myself from East Coast attitudes about cold weather,” remarks Fitzgerald. “We created cool surfaces as well as warm ones.” For example, the ground-level floors are made of poured concrete rather than wood while the upstairs floors are clad in honey-toned bamboo.
The home’s focal point is the kitchen, which was designed entirely by Fitzgerald. At 19 by 15 feet, it offers space for Kisling, who trained as a chef, to spread out. Cherry-stained birch custom cabinetry lines the lower periphery; Fitzgerald installed only two upper cabinets, both aluminum with stippled-glass Industrex panels, to ensure a “light and breathable” feel. Countertops are poured concrete, tinted a sand color on the periphery and a graphite hue on the island. The backsplash is honed Royal Satin marble subway tile.
Since Kisling hires caterers for fund-raising events, having professional appliances was important to her. She chose a five-foot commercial range from American Range topped by a five-foot Zephyr steam hood with a spare profile that doesn’t overpower the room. A four-foot-wide Liebherr fridge, two Fisher & Paykel dishwashers, a built-in Miele coffee system and an under-counter wine fridge complete the picture. Pendants by David D’Imperio add interest above the island and sink.
On the home’s upper level, a loft area opens onto a roof terrace that affords views of the downtown Austin skyline. A small bedroom has been converted into a home office with glossy white furniture against a sienna-colored accent wall. Fitzgerald borrowed space from the master bedroom for the adjoining bath, which is embellished with beige mosaic-tile accents; porcelain tile flooring and walls; and Caesarstone counters.
Both Kisling and Fitzgerald couldn’t be happier with the results of their efforts—and the working relationship they’ve developed over time. “Without Joanne’s help, the house wouldn’t be what it is,” Kisling says.
“Kristy’s a dream client,” the designer observes. “She told me, ‘This is my forever house. I’m not going to hold back.’”
Zac Seewald is a photographer based in Austin, Texas.
ARCHITECTURE: RANDALL O. WARE, AIA, Shelter Design Studio + Workshop, Austin, Texas. INTERIOR DESIGN: JOANNE FITZGERALD, Gatéga Interior Design, Rockville, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: JARED GOSSETT, Gossett Jones Homes, Austin, Texas.
Built in 1935, Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest DC had fallen into disrepair over the years. In 2009, it was designated a historic landmark—just when the city was finally preparing to renovate it. cox graae + spack architects was chosen for the job based on a design plan that preserved the original Palladian-style buildings while integrating new construction. The goal was to modernize Wilson’s original 305,000 square feet while adding 71,000 more. The project was completed in 2011.
The updated, LEED Gold-certified campus now offers a green roof, rainwater harvesting, energy-saving systems and more. It houses a performing arts center, aquatic center and athletic center with two gyms. The school’s new cafeteria spills into a four-story atrium. This 10,000-square-foot gathering place (pictured here) soars to a skylight roof supported by tree columns.
ARCHITECTURE: CHRISTOFFER A. GRAAE, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, cox graae + spack architects, Washington, DC. ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT: FANNING HOWEY, Washington, DC. PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Brailsford & Dunlavey, Washington, DC; McKissack & McKissack, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: GCS-SIGAL, LLC, Washington, DC.
A family inherited the husband’s childhood home in Potomac after years of living abroad. They decided to renovate and turned to designer Lauren Gagnon for help creating a modern kitchen. First, she enlarged the space by taking over a former den. This provided room for a large island with bar seating plus a breakfast area.
During a whole-house renovation, Dahlia Mahmood was asked to replace her client’s mundane kitchen with one that would be lavish and elegant, yet timeless. She gutted the existing space and started from scratch, teaming with high-end cabinet manufacturer Clive Christian for cabinetry and other details.
The completed kitchen is opulent, with a metallic silk finish on the walls and ceiling and custom chandeliers from Holly Hunt. The white-painted cabinets showcase elaborate moldings, pilasters and other millwork. The island is topped with a walnut counter from Clive Christian, which also supplied the bar stools. The Arctic Cream granite peripheral countertops complement the pearlescent mosaic tile backsplash. The breakfast table and chairs are from Baker.
A DC couple decided to gut the circa-1970s home they had purchased, and called on Elizabeth Cosby of Poggenpohl to help them create a light, contemporary kitchen. Instead of the traditional peripheral upper and lower cabinetry design, Cosby and her clients chose a more open plan, with a continuous wall of integrated Miele appliances and dark-stained engineered wood cabinets concealing a pullout pantry. A 12-foot island topped with Caesarstone houses the sink and cooktop. It offers capacious drawers, plenty of workspace and an overhang that provides space for stools.
When a recent client approached designer Davida Rodriguez, he requested a kitchen that would match the hip, up-and-coming vibe of his DC neighborhood. His current kitchen was cramped and poorly designed with a deficit of cabinets, countertops and storage. He and Rodriguez opted for a complete overhaul.
Repeat clients who had moved to a retirement community approached CARNEMARK for a kitchen renovation that would meet their changing needs. They wished to combine updated amenities and a sleek, contemporary look while implementing a wheelchair-friendly, universal design.
A young couple with a growing family turned to Marc Leon of FSI Renovations to help expand their living space. Working with a design plan by Mary-Adams Tartt of M.A. Tartt Interiors, Leon and his team transformed the large, unfinished basement of their clients’ Bethesda Colonial to include a laundry room, guest room and family room—as well as a charming full bath.
