Applause MAY/JUNE 2012

Powered by 100 years of history, the Howard Theatre—once a draw for Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown—is about to open the curtain on a new era. Located in DC’s Shaw neighborhood, this landmark building was a center of African-American culture known as “Black Broadway” for its vibrant jazz scene. Boarded up since 1980, the Howard Theatre has just been overhauled by architects Gary Martinez and Tom Johnson, who restored its regal façade and transformed the interiors into a state-of-the-art music venue with a $2 million acoustic system. Interior designer Michael Marshall installed sleek, black-walnut walls and Brazilian granite bars. “We wanted to revive the theatre while preserving its history with a 21st-century means of expression,” he explains. A restaurant and museum are now part of the mix.  

ARCHITECTURE: Martinez + Johnson Architecture, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: Marshall Moya Design LLC, Washington, DC. CONSTRUCTION: Whiting-Turner, Baltimore, Maryland. DEVELOPMENT: The Ellis Development Group, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: Tim Cooper for the Howard Theatre.

Planting a Seed

MAY/JUNE 2012

Cutting Edge

To extend the contemporary style of their house outdoors, homeowners hired Don Gwiz of Lewis Aquatech in Chantilly, Virginia. The landscape company gave their pool scape new life with an expanded travertine deck and coping made from Chinese granite in a strong color and subtle texture. A streamlined pavilion topped with handcrafted arches provides relief from the sun, while hidden rain curtains to either side create the sound of trickling water. A fire pit made from a decorative granite bowl adds warmth.

An Intimate Expanse
Critical Area Law presented a challenge in a waterfront project in Annapolis. Setback laws made construction problematic on the property, which was designed by DC-based Oehm Van Sweden and built by McHale Landscape Design, Inc., of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Because impervious coverage such as hardscape was limited, Steve McHale and his team combined stone and turf around the pool area and patio. The 55-foot lap pool is nestled into a retaining wall, creating an intimate yet expansive landscape in a difficult location. 

A Formal Vision

Elaborate balustrades, columns and ornate statuary inspired Potomac homeowners, who tapped John Shorb of John Shorb Landscaping in Kensington, Maryland, to help them design and build their sprawling backyard. Shorb’s challenge was to complement the formal, Grecian-style exedras and surrounding sculptures with plantings chosen to enhance the distinctive, formalized look the owners wanted. He and his team planted carefully clipped boxwoods, spiral-shaped evergreen shrubs and a formal rose garden, interspersed with neat beds of hydrangea and impatiens.

A Two-Tiered Solution

Michael Yeomans of Through the Garden in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was tasked with designing a multipurpose outdoor living area. The elaborate space would incorporate a kitchen/barbeque, bar, patio area and two-tiered pool with a floating pathway around the barbeque island. Clients requested that he conceal the pool equipment, so Yeomans designed a “ruin” wall feature. The wall screens the equipment while creating an intimate, partially enclosed area that also includes a luxurious outdoor shower. 

Decorative Elements

For Howard Cohen of Sterling, Virginia-based Surrounds, Inc., the task of enlivening a large, bland patio provided a challenge. He and his team bordered the space with a series of retaining walls that would house garden beds, and erected an arbor overhead to inject a sense of scale into the expanse. They finished by installing a simple decorative water feature for visual interest and soothing sound: three large vases that recycle water from an underground reservoir and are illuminated at night.

Evening Ambience

The owners of a home on Fishing Creek decided to situate their pool and patio waterside. They tapped Annapolis-based Walnut Hill Landscaping for the job, and they in turn enlisted Bill Strickland of Terra Nova Design in Crofton, Maryland, to create the lighting plan. Strickland emphasized both safety and aesthetics, conveying low-level ambience with soft, indirect lighting of cast aluminum. Uplighting highlights the treetops, outdoor fireplace and retaining wall. Downlights, intentionally directed below eye-level, illuminate walkways in the dark. 

Space Saver

A narrow, urban setting provided the backdrop for a pool scape designed by DC’s Fritz & Gignoux Landscape Architects and installed by Joel Hafner with Fine Earth Landscape, Inc., of Poolesville, Maryland. Though the yard is only 24 feet wide, it accommodates a patio, lap pool and spa with a water feature. Arborvitae and columnar hornbeams conceal a brick wall on one side and the house on the other. At the far end of the pool, a picturesque stone wall blocks the street beyond.

Perfect Symmetry

On a steeply sloped property, Jeff Gunther of Great Falls Landscapes in Sterling, Virginia, contended with a hodgepodge of elements from previous landscaping efforts to create a hospitable backyard for his clients. He constructed a 70-foot long retaining wall about four feet high to contain a harmoniously symmetrical patio with a water feature as its focal point and panoramic views of the streambed below. The fire pit, a perfect spot for gathering, doubles as a table when not in use.  

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and landscape design ideas.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas, and outdoor spaces to life.

Modern Idyll MAY/JUNE 2012

To see before photos click here.

Nestled in Northern Virginia’s Falls Church area, Lake Barcroft holds the enviable position of being the only lake inside DC’s Capital Beltway. Its picturesque environs and proximity to the city have made this waterside community a big draw—and it’s definitely what attracted a pair of homeowners to the non-descript split level they purchased there.

The couple—both litigation consultants—couldn’t resist the property, with its direct, bird’s eye view of the lake. They were less enthusiastic about the residence, which had remained pretty much untouched since its only previous owner, now 92, commissioned its construction in 1960. “The house was a time capsule,” recalls one of the owners. “Everything was original!” 

The couple was ready for some drastic changes, envisioning a very modern, light-filled structure that would take thorough advantage of the views. However, the house had been lovingly tended over the years and they were loath to tear it down. In fact, they rejected several architects who made this suggestion, eventually choosing Charles Moore and Jill Gilliand of Moore Architects, PC, who walked in and told them how to save the house instead. “They quickly saw a smart way to adapt it,” says the homeowner, “to create an integrated, consistent and coherent home. We wanted to respect the original structure, but turn it into something both aesthetic and functional.”

As Moore sees it, “it would have been a cop-out to tear the house down.” Instead, its original split-level structure provided inspiration and a sort of road map for the architects’ renovation. Moore and Gilliand retained the split-level design from the first layout, dividing the new structure into specific, functional areas, each with its own level. The entry hall opens to the level above, which encompasses an open-plan living room, dining room, kitchen and butler’s pantry with access to the garage. The next level up houses a floor of guest suites; above that the master suite perches like a tree house, complete with common area, bedroom and adjoining closet, and luxurious master bath. Back at entry level, a wide staircase leads down to a rec room and spacious home office.

Though distinctly contemporary in style, the front façade of the home remains in scale with the neighborhood of split-level houses around it. Retaining the inherent structure “allowed us to play with form,” Moore says. For example, the design team erected a masonry wall that bisects the front façade and continues straight back to the rear of the house; to its right, a tall window sets up a visual axis all the way through, unifying front and back and revealing the views beyond.

The original house was clad in reclaimed Baltimore brick, but both homeowners and architects preferred a mix of stucco and cedar siding on the renovated exterior. “I like the cedar siding,” Gilliand says. “It recalls the siding on the surrounding houses but with a modern attitude.”

While the front of the house has been transformed, it’s the back that packs the real dramatic effect. The homeowners were determined that the views down the 40-foot slope to the lake should be the focus of the interiors throughout, and Moore and Gilliand obliged with floor-to-ceiling windows flanking the entire back of the house. Three of the home’s four levels offer access to the outdoors and its views via decks; the lower level opens to a slate patio with a plunge pool, water feature and plenty of space for entertaining, as well as a path leading down to the lake.

“What’s really cool is how each level and space sort of clicks together,” says the homeowner. “It’s all open, yet separated. There are controlled views from space to space—there’s really no place in the house where you don’t have an amazing view.”

Both homeowners were enthusiastic participants in the design process—and with their strong aesthetic vision, did the interior decorating themselves in consultation with Moore Architects. They opted for a sleek material palette of Caesarstone, limestone and granite for such surfaces as countertops, fireplace surrounds and baths. Built-ins in the master bedroom are made of tiger wood and the kitchen boasts custom wenge cabinetry. The entry hall floors are terrazzo tile and on the main floor, a combination of porcelain tile and maple flooring delineates the spaces. Simple, open metal staircases and railings add to the sense of airiness on each floor. Furnishings from Vastu provide the clean-lined sensibility the couple was after.

The project was such a success that Moore Architects has just completed a redesign of the owners’ nearby offices. The consensus is that the group formed an effective team. “We had a lot of input,” one of the homeowners says, “but Charlie and Jill did the steering.” 

Anice Hoachlander is a principal of Hoachlander/Davis Photography in Washington, DC.

Best in Show MAY/ JUNE 2012

A Modern Backdrop MAY/JUNE 2012

With a growing collection of modern artwork to display, a newly retired couple decided to transform their traditional home into a contemporary, gallery-like space. They turned to Michael Stehlik of CARNEMARK to affect the changes they envisioned—none of which was more dramatic than the renovation of the kitchen from humdrum traditional to streamlined and sleek.

Stehlik began by removing the wall between the kitchen and family room to allow for connectivity between living areas. This made room for wider aisles with better work and traffic flow, more storage and a suite of professional-style appliances. The plan also connected the kitchen and dining room.

Sculpting the interior architecture created opportunities for Stehlik to install niches that showcase cabinetry and art. The glossy, gray lacquered and smoky-glass cabinetry along the periphery is paired with a marble backsplash and countertop. The island has matte gray cabinets, granite counters and a seven-foot-long, walnut-topped bar with ample seating.

Design/Build Renovation: Michael Stehlik, CARNEMARK, Bethesda, Maryland. Photography: Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography. 

Cabinetry, Countertops & Backsplash: SieMatic through KONST, Bethesda, MD. Appliances: Miele through KONST, Bethesda, MD.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

Timeless Classic MAY/JUNE 2012

Designer Hedy Shashaani of Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens answered her clients’ call for a spacious, comfortable kitchen by borrowing from the adjacent dining room to create a versatile space with wide traffic paths, ample storage and two convenient islands.

In order to utilize the space to its fullest potential, Shashaani created two separate zones, each centered around an island with casual seating. One has a prep sink and dishwasher and is close to the range and double oven; the other offers a hangout for the children in this family of four, housing an under-counter beverage fridge and microwave. Shashaani recessed the refrigerator in the wall and strategically placed the other appliances around the periphery of the room for optimal efficiency. 

The homeowners wanted a classic, timeless look, so Shashaani chose Antique White cabinetry, warm gray walls and dark-stained wood floors for a clean-lined yet traditional aesthetic.

Kitchen Design: Hedy Shashaani, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, Maryland. Interior Design: Kristin Peake, Kristin Peake Interiors, LLC, Rockville, Maryland. Contractor: Dave Carlisle, Bay View Builders, Chestertown, Maryland. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

Cabinetry: Elmwood through Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, MD. Countertops: Granite through Avanti Marble & Granite, Frederick, MD. Backsplash: Marble through Atlas Marble & Tile, Arnold, MD. Appliances: GE Monogram, KitchenAid, U-Line, Franke through Middletown Appliances, Middletown, DE.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

A Perfect Transition MAY/JUNE 2012

When it was time to overhaul their large but dysfunctional kitchen, homeowners turned to Jennifer Gilmer to make sense of the space, which was poorly laid out and felt disconnected from the rest of the house. Gilmer opened the kitchen up to the family room, creating a peninsula that serves as a bar area with a Sub-Zero wine cooler and beverage center. It’s flanked on the family room side by tall cabinets for storing glassware, and by decorative open shelving and storage on the kitchen side. 

Previously, the refrigerator had occupied a focal point in the kitchen. Gilmer moved it to the other side of the room, replacing it with a Wolf range topped with a stainless-steel hood. The refrigerator is now concealed behind cabinetry.

Gilmer chose walnut cabinetry that complements the home’s interiors. A light blue/gray island keeps the room open and airy. The glass-tile backsplash provides the final touch. 

Kitchen Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Andy Shaw, Shaw Contracting, LLC, Royal Oak, Maryland. Photography: Bob Narod.

Cabinetry: Premier through Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, MD. Countertops: Valley Gold marble and Kodiak granite through R. Bratti Associates, Alexandria, VA. Backsplash: Architectural Ceramics, Rockville, MD. Appliances: Miele through Miele USA. Sub-Zero, Wolf, Franke through Fretz Corporation, Columbia, MD.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

Chef's Special MAY/JUNE 2012

Two amateur chefs wished to overhaul their poorly laid-out kitchen, which could only be accessed through the dining room of their home. An uneven floor made navigating the inconvenient space difficult, while a rotting window wall squandered energy efficiency.

The couple turned to KONST: Kitchen Interior Design to create a space that would address these issues while also adding professional-grade cooking equipment, better storage and a clean, modern aesthetic. Principal Jonas Carnemark added a hallway addition to provide access to the kitchen, leveled the floors and replaced the window walls. He configured the countertops to accommodate two cooks working simultaneously. Separate full-height fridge and freezer columns, double ovens and a warming drawer add convenience. 

A large island and bar offer variable counter heights to delineate prep and dining areas. Countertops in both lava stone and granite offset cherry laminate cabinetry. A lava-stone backsplash is combined with glass blocks to admit light.

Design/Build Renovation: Jonas Carnemark, CR, CKD, CARNEMARK, Bethesda, Maryland. Photography: Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography. 

Cabinetry, Hardware & Countertops: SieMatic through KONST, Bethesda, MD. Backsplash & Countertop Fabrication: SieMatic StoneDesign, Bethesda, MD. Appliances: Gaggenau through BSH Home Appliances, Irvine, CA; Wolf through Bray & Scarff, Chevy Chase, MD. 

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

Contemporary Chic MAY/JUNE 2012

Larry Rosen of Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens was given several mandates by the homeowners when he was tapped to design their new kitchen: Replace the room’s traditional appearance with a sleek, modern aesthetic; integrate a large island with an abundance of surface space; and clear the clutter, removing small appliances from sight.

Rosen substituted a drywall soffit and heavy crown moldings with full-height cabinetry to the ceiling, then selected a flat-panel cabinet style for a contemporary look. He installed a large island with a capacious countertop and comfortable seating. To contain the clutter, he ingeniously designed a workspace that houses a countertop, coffee station, adjustable shelving and space for small appliances—all of which can be neatly concealed behind a cabinet door.

A priority for Rosen’s clients was the use of green products wherever possible. To accommodate this preference, Rosen chose cabinet fronts made from eco-friendly engineered wood veneers. 

Kitchen Design: Larry Rosen, CKD, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, Maryland. Contractor: Moonstar Construction, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

Cabinetry: Elmwood through Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Rockville, MD. Countertops: Caesarstone through TGM Granite & Marble, Fredericksburg, VA.  Appliances: Thermador, Viking through Ferguson Enterprises, Beltsville, MD. 

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

A Worldly Approach MAY/JUNE 2012

Frustrated by her narrow kitchen, the owner of a historic DC row house decided to open it up to the rest of the home with a complete redesign. She tapped architect Carmel Greer of District Design and Davida Rodriguez of Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles for the job, which involved a couple of main goals: to reflect the client’s Scandinavian heritage with a functional, minimalist design; and to showcase a collection of bowls and utensils that the client collected on frequent trips to Africa. 

The new floor plan called for the wall separating the kitchen from the rest of the main floor to be removed and a pantry to be replaced by a mudroom addition. Based on these plans, Rodriguez selected dark cabinetry and white countertops, then white-washed the exposed brick wall for contrast with the sleek cabinetry and hardwood flooring. Open shelving displays the client’s collection of artifacts, and custom-height pantry cupboards topped by floating cabinets provide storage. 

Architecture: Carmel Greer, LEED AP, District Design, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Davida Rodriguez, CKD, Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Contractor: H.I. Contractors, Silver Spring, Maryland. Photography: Bob Narod.

Cabinetry: Wood-Mode and Brookhaven through Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, Gaithersburg, MD. Countertops: Caesarstone through R. Bratti Associates, Alexandria, VA. Appliances: KitchenAid through Ferguson Enterprises, Beltsville, MD. 

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

Clean & Simple MAY/JUNE 2012

A young couple wished to update the kitchen of their Capitol Hill row house. However, their vision was challenged by a tight budget and the space limitations of their property. They tapped Kelly Davies of p + p construction to transform their cramped old kitchen into a modern, functional space. 

The first goal of Davies’s design was to bring light into the galley-style kitchen. French doors now occupy one end of the room, and a window backsplash has been installed above the sink. Soapstone countertops extend through the window to create an exterior ledge that brings the outside in. Oak floors match the existing floors throughout the house, connecting the new kitchen with the rest of the home. A marble backsplash adds a classic touch, while clean-lined, simple cabinetry imparts a fresh, contemporary edge. A portable center island provides a work surface or a table for two.

Design: Kelly Davies, p + p construction, LLC, Washington, DC. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

Cabinetry: IKEA, custom paint by Affinity Woodworking, Frederick, MD. Countertops: Charles Luck Stone Center, Clarksville, MD. Backsplash: Architectural Ceramics, Alexandria, VA. Appliances: Bosch, Zephyr through Appliance Distributors, Unlimited, Takoma Park, MD. Faucet: Blanco Meridian. Sink: Franke. 

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

An Artful Design MAY/JUNE 2012

In a spare, contemporary master bath, a sculptural soaking tub creates a focal point, poised beneath a picture window so as to take full advantage of the view while to one side a niche displaying artwork gives bathers another viewing option. 

The positioning of this tub perfectly illustrates what the homeowners were looking for in a bathroom renovation when they tapped Michael Stehlik of CARNEMARK for the job. Rather than creating expanses of cabinetry along the room’s periphery and anchoring the tub to a wall, the designer added a stand-alone vanity with a Caesarstone countertop and powder-coated steel basins, floated the tub and installed a large, frameless shower with plumbing concealed in a limestone water column. A solid white cube provides seating, both inside the shower and out. Accent walls of Carrara marble unify the room while blue limestone floors add warmth.

Design/Build Renovation: Michael Stehlik, CARNEMARK, Bethesda, Maryland. Photography: Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography.

Vanities: SieMatic through KONST, Bethesda, MD. Countertop: Caesarstone through Masterpieces Granite & Marble, Beltsville, MD. Wall & Floor Tiles: Ann Sacks, Washington, DC. Fixtures & Toilet: Hansgrohe, Kohler & Toto through Ferguson, Beltsville, MD. Tub: Waterworks, Washington, DC. Sink Basins: Alape through KONST.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

Sophisticated Style MAY/JUNE 2012

When Cahill Design Build remodeled an outdated master bath in DC, the vanities had no functional drawers and both the shower and toilet were tucked away in a closet with no natural light. Charged with a list of priorities that included functional vanities, a soaking tub, a shower for two and a toilet that was private but not hidden, designer Christopher Cahill had his work cut out for him.

First, he turned the angle of the toilet, eliminating the closeted room. This left plenty of space for a shower that now includes a bench; the soaking tub fits beside the shower stall. Custom vanities offer ample storage and radiant floor heating imparts comfort year round.

Cahill chose metal-legged sinks to give the space a lighter feel and clad the floors and countertops in Calcutta Gold marble with tile accents. The cabinetry is custom-colored to match the marble, and hand-painted grasscloth wallpaper finishes the look. 

Design/Build Renovation: Christopher J. Cahill, Cahill Design Build, Washington, DC. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg.

Cabinetry: Custom by Cahill Design Build, Washington, DC. Tile: Architectural Ceramics, Rockville, MD. Faucets, Sink Stands & Glass Pulls: Restoration Hardware. Soaking Tub: build.com. 

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life. 

Holiday at Home MAY/JUNE 2012

For a couple in the process of designing their dream vacation home, a luxurious master bath was high on the list of priorities. They enlisted Davida Rodriguez of Davida’s Kitchen and Tiles to tackle the project, which emphasized high-end finishes, extra storage and a palette of the client’s favorite white, blue and gold hues.

Working with the long, narrow floor plan furnished by architecture firm Florez & Florez Designers, Inc., Rodriguez chose a freestanding soaking tub, which would require less space than a built-in tub, and placed it under the window to create a focal point. This enabled her to fit a two-person shower and vanity with double sink into the room. The vanity is topped by wall cabinets that offer extra storage.

Marble floors and walls are complemented by decorative accent tile custom painted in the client’s preferred colors. A matching gold field tile clads the shower’s interior. 

Architecture: Florez & Florez Designers, Inc., Point Harbor, North Carolina. Kitchen Design: Davida Rodriguez, CKD, Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Interior Design: Alice Sydney Minkoff, Theodores, Washington, DC. Contractor: Jeremy Duffie, Consolidated Commercial Services, Silver Spring, Maryland. Photography: Bob Narod.

Sinks, Toilet, Tub & Shower Fixtures: Kohler, Sunrise & Rohl through Ferguson Enterprises, Beltsville, MD. Cabinetry: Wood-Mode through Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, Gaithersburg, MD. Marble & Decorative Tiles: Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

A New Direction MAY/JUNE 2012

Homeowners with a disjointed kitchen suffered from limited counter space and inferior storage. Tapped to solve their design issues, Jennifer Gilmer first redid the layout. She moved the door to the butler’s pantry for better flow, replaced the sliding doors to the backyard with a single door to conserve wall space and centered the door to the dining room. Borrowing space from the adjacent dining room permitted her to reorient the banquette in the breakfast area, which in turn allowed the center island to be repositioned and enlarged.

Gilmer placed a breakfast bar at one end of the island and installed shelves above the oven cabinets to convey a sense of openness. She selected an earthy yellow, furniture-style cabinet on one wall that stores baking equipment, echoing the classic, unfitted English kitchen design. Gray cabinets in a milk-paint finish and soapstone countertops finish the look.

Architecture: Barnes Vanze Architects, Inc., Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd., Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Bethesda Contracting, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Photography: Bob Narod.

Cabinetry: Premier through Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Ltd. Appliances: Sub-Zero, Wolf, Franke through Fretz Corporation, Columbia, MD. Miele through Miele USA. Countertops: Soapstone through R. Bratti Associates, Alexandria, VA. Backsplash: Architectural Ceramics, Rockville, MD.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs.  Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.

Cachet: Design Intervention MARCH/APRIL 2012

Twenty-four design teams will transform this year’s DC Design House, a 10,000-square-foot estate in the picturesque neighborhood of Spring Valley in Northwest DC. The seven-bedroom, seven-bath home was built in 1956 for Dr. Francisco Aguirre, an international consultant, and his wife, Gladys Aguirre. The couple, who raised six children there, entertained frequently, hosting heads of state from Nicaragua, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia and more. 

Barebones Day on February 25 gives the public a chance to tour the home before designers get to work redecorating and furnishing the interiors and updating the exterior and half-acre of grounds in sophisticated 21^st-century style.

Public tours of the home will begin on April 14. Admission is $20 and all proceeds benefit the Children’s National Medical Center. Boutiques will be open on the lower level of the house with a percent of proceeds going to the same cause. The property is located at 4951 Rockwood Parkway, NW. For more information, visit dcdesignhouse.com.

**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living.  Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.