When new owners acquired a historic estate on the banks of Maryland’s Choptank River as a weekend retreat, they also inherited a ramshackle caretaker’s cottage on the property. Hoping to turn it into a charming guesthouse for visiting friends, they tapped architecture firm Becker Morgan Group and Ilex Construction to helm the project. Due to its dilapidated condition, the existing structure required an extensive renovation, but “because of Chesapeake Bay code parameters, we had to adhere to the original footprint,” says lead architect Christopher Pattey. The clever solution: Changing the roofline not only created a more inviting façade, it allowed for more usable square footage on the second floor.

Now, with 1,084 square feet of living space—plus a screened porch—the revamped two bedroom, two-bath cottage feels airy, thanks to an open plan and the implementation of larger windows. On the exterior, crisp, white siding and a cedar-shingle roof echo the elegant look of the main residence. The design team also contributed two all-new structures in a similar style: a pool cabana and a four-car detached garage with guest quarters above it. “All the buildings were designed so that the architectural aesthetic would have continuity,” shares Pattey. “This vernacular is so timeless to the Eastern shore; it’s as relevant today as ever.”

For owner TJ Hindman, The Modern Bulldog in Easton, Maryland, combines two of his loves—Mid-Century Modern furniture and dogs. In fact, the store name was inspired by his French bulldog, Beatrice.

Throughout the showroom, works by design icons such as Alvar Aalto, Charles and Ray Eames, George Nakashima and Hans Wegner mix and mingle in thoughtfully constructed vignettes with lesser-known finds for every price point. “If you want a Nakashima piece, we absolutely have that, but we also have beautiful pieces of Italian Bitossi Lava pottery for someone just starting to collect,” says Hindman.

Every item in the store is personally sourced by Hindman or comes from a word-of-mouth referral, a point of pride for the shopkeeper. “When people trust you with their furniture and their parents’ furniture, there’s no higher compliment.” 12 N. Washington Street; 443-239-6668. themodernbulldog.net

If there was a Venn diagram of soul-soothing activities, surely getting lost in a good book and petting an adoring pooch would intersect. That idea was the impetus for Book Hounds, a new St. Michaels, Maryland, shop that caters to both bibliophiles and their four-legged friends.

To design the bookstore, which is housed in a 1920s-era Victorian, owner Michelle Coughlan reached out to Philadelphia-based Michelle Gage Interiors. The goal was to create a space that felt inviting and lived-in—a place where humans could stroll in with their dogs and leisurely browse the stacks. Gage accomplished that by leaning into the owner’s love of English interiors, with each room having its own distinct palette and mood.

“Overall, we wanted the store to have a cozy, curated vibe—much like a home,” she says. “Michelle is such a lovely person to be around and we wanted the interiors to have the same effect.” 104 N. Talbot Street; 410-745-8070. bookhoundsmd.com.

For the owners of a 1915 Capitol Hill row home, it was a chance encounter at an open house that set the wheel of fate in motion. “A woman sat down next to me and started speaking Italian,” relays the wife. “I happen to speak Italian, too, so we chatted about how beautiful the house was and how it had a definite soul. There was an energy in the house that I hadn’t experienced. Within 15 seconds of walking through the door, I knew we would buy it.”

The couple—he works in finance and she in tech—put in an offer, but theirs wasn’t the winning bid. One week later, they got a call from their realtor. Turns out the woman who spoke Italian was the best friend of the owner and convinced her to take the couple’s offer instead, based on their brief but memorable conversation. “I told her that I believe when you renovate a historic home, it’s something you do in partnership with the house,” shares the wife. “So I’ve tried to treat the house throughout this process like we are stewards and partners, and not owners dropping in for a few years and then leaving.”

Wanting to partner with a like-minded designer, she called Shannon Claire Smith of Shannon Claire Interiors, with whom she worked on a previous home. “When it comes to older houses, I always try to approach them with a lot of sensitivity,” says Smith. “I tend to focus first on what can be preserved instead of what can be changed.”

While the footprint of the 3,379-square-foot, four-bedroom house stayed intact, room designations shifted on the main level. Avid cooks, the couple wanted the kitchen moved from its rear location to the center of the house. Placing the dining room in the front parlor satisfied their desire for a more formal entertaining space, and bumping the living room to the back of the house created an intimate, British-style “snug” for relaxing. On the second floor, the primary bedroom annexed a smaller, adjacent bedroom to become an ensuite bath.

For inspiration, both designer and client bonded over their love of touring historic residences all over the world. As such, a timeless European sensibility is felt the moment you step inside, thanks to a grayscale Sandberg mural of an Old World cityscape. Just ahead, a hand-painted checkerboard floor delineates the central stair hall. “The floors are wood throughout, so I wanted to break up the space visually and draw attention to all the beautiful interior architecture,” explains Smith.

Millwork was either lovingly restored or painstakingly recreated: The dining room’s mantelpiece was preserved and a new built-in cabinet was added to mirror an existing one. While the kitchen is all new, both designer and client made sure it felt of-a-piece with the rest of the house. Inset cabinetry with decorative curved feet lends the appearance of fine furniture and feels era-appropriate for its architectural envelope.

When it was time to decide on a palette, the homeowner landed on an unusual source of inspiration. After taking a course in Paris on how to dress for her complexion and hair color, she discovered that deep jewel tones suited her and an idea began to take shape: “I thought about how cool it would be to someday redo a house with my colors in mind, so I wanted to incorporate some of those super-saturated tones,” she shares.

Those bolder hues come into focus as you progress toward the back of the house. Past the kitchen, an emerald green butler’s pantry is tucked away next to a floral-festooned powder room that’s the definition of a jewel box, thanks to its House of Hackney wallpaper. Beyond that, the snug’s wine-colored walls—cloaked in Farrow and Ball’s Brinjal—form a cozy scene paired with a herringbone brick floor and outdoor-style lantern. “I really wanted to lean into that European-meets-DC carriage house vibe,” says Smith.

Upstairs in the primary suite, the designer installed paneling to add interest to the walls before drenching the bedroom in Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray and the bath in the brand’s French Gray. There, the marble floor tile possesses a sentimental significance. The ivory, camel and dove gray stripes evoke the Carolina Herrera gown the owner wore on her wedding day.

Stripes also happen to be a favorite motif of both Smith and the client, and they appear on repeat throughout: floating up the dining room walls, crossing the powder room and primary bath floors on the diagonal, wrapping a slipper chair in the bedroom and swathing a stool in the center hall. “We didn’t set out to have a striped house, but it became a running theme,” admits the wife. “It’s proof that if you fill your home with things you love, it will all somehow work.”

And work it does. “Everything just feels right,” sums up the wife, who with her husband just welcomed their first child. “You walk in to this house and there’s a happy, comfortable energy. I don’t really know how to describe it, except when you respect something, it pays you back.”

When a DC-based family of six left the city for the Maryland suburbs, they knew they wanted their Kensington home to convey a chic, cosmopolitan vibe. The couple met while attending Georgetown, which the wife followed with a stint as a fashion editor in New York City. She hoped to bring a touch of Big Apple glam to their new interiors—but with four kids and two dogs, the house also needed to strike a casual, unfussy note. So they called on interior designer Regan Billingsley, who’s known the husband since high school, to bring the right balance of sophistication and family-friendliness to the 4,027-square-foot, cottage-style home.

“They’re very close-knit, so they needed a lot of design moments where they could just hang out as a family, but also be able to throw large dinner parties,” explains Billingsley. “It had to be comfortable enough for the family to kick back, but presentable enough to entertain on the spur of the moment.” Here, a Q&A details how the designer delivered on both fronts.

Describe your aesthetic.
For me, design is about who the client is and how they live in and experience the space, not about how I think they should be experiencing it. Every project starts with the floor plan; we focus on symmetry, proportion and clean lines, then layer the client’s personality on top of that. Here, because of the wife’s background in fashion and her sparkly personality, we wanted to bring an element of glam to every room. For instance, there’s subtle shimmer in the living room drapery fabric and flecks of gold on the dining room ceiling.

The colors in this home work so well. How did the palette develop?
It was important to balance masculinity and femininity, while also making the house both kid-friendly and sophisticated. We brought in fabrics, wallpapers and rugs all centered around a palette of plum and navy blue with a little bit of black and some softer pinks, which we carried throughout the house. For example, the family room and primary bedroom are darker and more masculine, but if you were to put them next to the living room, which is lighter and feminine, they harmonize. Every room has something that is reminiscent of another room, and that’s how we keep the color flow consistent throughout the home.

What’s your secret for blending traditional and modern elements?
In every room we try to have something old, something unexpected and something black. The something old doesn’t necessarily have to be an antique, but an element that feels familiar or leans traditional. Those pieces offer a sense of timelessness. In the living room, we were working with existing furniture from their old house which had very traditional silhouettes. We like to reuse pieces when possible so we reupholstered everything. Then we brought in modern art to create a juxtaposition that feels fresh and of the times.

Highlight some ways you kept the design kid-friendly.
I never liked the concept of a museum house. I know that works for some people, but I find that very uncomfortable and stiff. That’s not how I want people to live. We used indoor-outdoor fabrics, wool rugs which have natural stain-guarding, and in the mudroom, wipeable paint that you can write on. Everything is really durable. Nothing is off limits. But there are whimsical touches, too. For instance, when we styled the den, we wanted to display the kids’ art. Kids have a voice, and I think that needs to be nurtured and respected.

What was the most rewarding aspect of this project?
This house was so special to me because the client allowed us to really push the design envelope and not play it safe. Some homeowners get nervous about straying from the norm—by that I mean doing something different from what their neighbors have or what they see on social media or in magazines. This house shows that when the finished interiors reflect who you are, not only does the environment feel more personal, but it also enhances your well-being because it’s a more comfortable place to exist.

Ask Regan

Who is your design muse?
Spanish designer Isabel López-Quesada is endlessly inspiring because her rooms are so classical and timeless, yet there’s a casualness about them that really invites you in. Aesthetically, they’re a breath of fresh air.
What’s your go-to dinner party soundtrack?
Pink Martini, because they pull from so many different musical genres. I think it’s perfect for any situation–dinner parties included.
Where do you source vintage wares locally?
I grew up shopping on Kensington’s Howard Avenue with my mom, and Goldsborough Glynn is my favorite spot there for beautiful antiques and accessories.
Name a film or TV set that’s inspired you.
The movie Roma: Because it’s shot in black and white, the absence of color draws your eye to all the amazing Mexican mid-century design details.

Perched on a strip of land along a tributary of the South River near Annapolis, this sprawling Shingle Style home was conceived to take full advantage of 180-degree views. “It’s a nice, deep lot right on the water, so we stretched the house out to get as much of an uninterrupted view as we could,” says architect James McDonald who helmed the project.

The clients, a family with teen-to-college-age children, desired a permanent waterfront residence that would evoke a distinctly New England sensibility, both indoors and out. “They wanted to bring the Nantucket-inspired exterior elements inside the house and keep the color palette and use of materials simple,” explains the architect.

That casual, coastal aesthetic can be seen in the centrally located kitchen and breakfast nook, which open to the vaulted family room on one side and abut the cozy hearth room on the back. A neutral palette of grays and creams, natural materials and transparent light fixtures create a relaxed vibe while making sure the focus stays on the main attraction—that glorious waterside setting.

FLEX MODE Daylight, a new collection by Italian-Danish design duo GamFratesi, boasts a wide range of modular components to create customizable configurations for outdoor lounging. The pieces offer two seat depths and have a teak base with a powder-coated, stainless-steel frame clad in woven polypropylene cord. minotti.com

SHAPE OF THINGS Orchid, JANUS et Cie’s latest handwoven-seating collection, was inspired by the striking curves and angles of the Vanda variety, the national flower of Singapore. Designed by Ludovica Serafini and Roberto Palomba, the offerings incorporate weather-resistant synthetic fibers set in an aluminum frame. janusetcie.com

MOOD LIGHTING Dubbed The Others, this series of anthropomorphic, hand-woven lanterns from Dedon blurs the line between lighting and sculpture. Suspend a singular one from a tree branch to light the way, or stack multiples in a totem-like column.dedon.de

STRONG PROFILE Copenhagen-based Dögg & Arnved Studio looked to a classic Hans Wegner design for inspiration when conceiving the Fifty armchair for Ligne Roset. Made of UV-resistant rope and steel, the sculptural seat provides a comfortable and airy perch for sun-seekers. ligne-roset.com

HAUTE SEAT Iron and all-weather wicker join forces in Lulu & Georgia’s Ziggy dining chair, designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel. Its delightfully geometric silhouette will add a note of whimsy to your next outdoor affair. luluandgeorgia.com

SUNNY DELIGHT Brunschwig & Fils has teamed up with Les Ensembliers to launch L’Eternel Été, a collection of indoor-outdoor fabrics such as Le Riviera Stripe and Le Mistral (both shown). Woven from performance polyester, the classic prints embody the essence of summer in the South of France. kravet.com

FLORA FORM Designed by Moss & Lam and crafted by artisans in Italy, this terra cotta accent table is made using Tuscan clay from the quarries of Impruneta; the material is prized for its density and durability. Composed of stacks of carved-clay slabs, the table puts a contemporary spin on a traditional column. hollyhunt.com

BRIGHT BLOOM This lily-shaped light is a clever take on an old-fashioned, Tiffany-style stained-glass pendant, but rendered in materials durable enough to withstand the elements. “Petals” of refined, twisted faux-wicker in a natural or weathered-gray finish fan out from an abaca rope to illuminate outdoor spaces. madegoods.com

RETRO STYLE If you want your backyard to conjure the mid-century glamour of a Slim Aarons photograph, look no further than the Al Fresco collection from Business & Pleasure Co. Choose from colorful finishes and cushion fabrics, plus fun umbrella accessories (such as the Mimosa, shown here). businessandpleasureco.com

ALL AGLOW Featuring an alabaster shade and brass accents, the Tawa Rechargeable Table Lamp by Sean Lavin is an elegant and easily transportable way to illuminate porch or patio. When fully charged, the battery lasts from 12 to 14 hours. visualcomfort.com

YES, CHEF! Hestan’s Aspire built-in grills come with a ton of options for barbecue buffs. Built in California from heavy-duty American steel, units feature a variable infrared searing burner, dual halogen lighting and flip-to-clean ceramic briquettes. Find at Town Appliance in natural gas or propane. townappliance.com; hestanculinary.com

Ateliers Jacob Based in Quebec, bespoke Canadian cabinetry manufacturer Ateliers Jacob is poised to open its first US flagship showroom in the heart of Georgetown this May. The brand’s luxury cabinetry and millwork, which is made in woodworking shops just north of Montreal using local and imported European materials, will be on view in the 3,300-square-foot space. Visitors can check out cabinet styles, such as the Euro; collections feature a variety of door types and finishes ranging from natural wood to high-end laminates. Design pros will be on hand to help bring your kitchen vision to life. 3330 Cady’s Alley, NW; ateliersjacob.com/en-us

BSH Experience & Design Center Whether you’re a passionate cook interested in upgrading an appliance or two, or a homeowner looking for design inspiration for your next kitchen overhaul, the BSH Experience & Design Center at CityCenterDC will have something for everyone. Wander through kitchen vignettes while exploring a full suite of offerings from Gaggenau, Thermador and Bosch. Interact with a broad portfolio of products and witness cooking demonstrations first-hand to see how the appliances, such as Gaggenau’s EB 333 wall oven and the Vario Series 400 refrigerator perform in real time. 940 New York Avenue, NW; bsh-showrooms.com

ELEVATED RIDE
Rivian’s new midsize SUV, R2 delivers performance and utility for adventures big and small. Made in the US, the five-seat EV has a larger battery option, which can go 300 miles on a single charge, and a rear window that drops down for an open-air driving experience. A tent accessory (seen here) attaches to the roof for camping excursions. Starting at $45,000. rivian.com

BENCH MARK
With the Technogym, you can get a total whole-body workout at home. The sleek exercise bench contains weights and resistance bands, which tuck neatly underneath when not in use. Countless strength-training workouts are available on the brand’s app via smartphone. Starting at $2,530. technogym.com

A SHADE APART
The cutting-edge, lightweight Music Shield sunglasses feature built-in speakers and patented Eclipse Tint lenses, which you can instantly adjust with the slide of your finger. Plus, they’re sweat-proof and impact-resistant—ideal for workouts on steamy days. $249. chamelo.com

Just steps from the White House, the Occidental may once again be a power dining destination thanks to a swank reinvention by restaurateur Stephen Starr and San Francisco-based designer (and Virginia native) Ken Fulk. With classic fare, icy martinis and tuxedoed waiters, an old-school clubby vibe reigns. For the décor, Fulk dialed up the glamour with jewel-toned banquettes and flashes of Art Deco opulence. 1475 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW; 202-241-8000. theoccidentaldc.com

Renowned for their nature-inspired fabrics and wall coverings, Sanderson has teamed up with Italian fashion label Moschino for a ready-to-wear collection showcasing the British heritage brand’s iconic prints, such as Grandiflora. Featuring a riot of blooms and modern silhouettes, these romantic frocks take florals in a fresh direction. moschino.com

This annual showcase, which unfolds in the Great Hall of the National Building Museum from April 23 through 27, assembles the crème de la crème of American contemporary craft, including ceramics, furniture, glass, mixed media and wearable art. This year, the Visionary Artist Award will be presented to Nick Cave, the much-lauded African American multimedia artist whose fabric sculptures and installations use creativity and technique to highlight social issues. smithsonian craftshow.org

Works by exhibitors in the 2025 show may include:

Jewelry designer MARA COLECCHIA’s Evil Eye necklace and earrings are woven out of Japanese seed beads and semi-precious stones.

Vases by Vermont artist DEVIN BURGESS are formed from melted-down, post-consumer glass.

Akebia vines entwine to create a basket by KARI LONNING.

JENNIFER McCURDY’s Coral Vessel takes shape from excised porcelain.

A Bauhaus-influenced rug was made by Mexican weaver FRANCISCO BAUTISTA.

JOHN CAMERON’s handcrafted cabinet employs English brown oak and torrefied ash with a decorative escutcheon plate.

Named for the daughter of a Celtic sea god, Cordelia Fishbar is a fresh addition to the buzzy Union Market dining scene. Part of the Clyde’s Restaurant Group, the 7,000-square-foot eatery—designed by Chicago’s Studio K Creative—features a custom Delft tile mural on the bar (top), and maritime art on the walls (left). Executive chef Rene Caceres presides over a bounty of seafood-centric delights, including whole Spanish turbot (above). 550 Morse Street, NE; 202-925-5020. cordeliadc.com

007 REDUX Taking inspiration from iconic Aston Martins of the past, the latest Vanquish boasts a state-of-the-art v12 engine that unleashes a staggering 824 horsepower. An aerodynamic, carbon-fiber body and a luxury interior are among the model’s many draws. Shifting from GT to Sport mode ensures smooth riding on back roads and highways alike. From $429,000. astonmartin.com

The Fuoripista Bike by Adriano Design aims to bring a refined aesthetic to the home gym. Featuring a tempered-glass wheel and a top-stitched leather seat and handlebars, the smart bike offers personalized and interactive training, wirelessly connecting with any app or indoor cycling program on multiple platforms; plus it’s quiet, too. $15,655. fuoripista.it/en/

The latest Samsung Galaxy watches take wellness to the next level. In addition to dual GPS and better fitness tracking, an advanced algorithm analyzes sleep patterns and a BioActive Sensor monitors blood pressure and heart rate—even detecting irregular beats. Starting at $299. samsung.com

Unspooling over 500 acres in New Jersey’s Somerset County, the Pendry Natirar is a mere four hours from Washington, DC, but its pastoral setting feels more like the Cotswolds. The luxury resort occupies a 1912 Tudor revival manse (left), restored by CosciaMoos Architecture with interiors, such as the Raritan Suite (above), by DesignAgency. Amenities include farm-to-table restaurants Ninety Acres and Ladd’s Tavern (terrace view, top), a cooking school, spa and horseback riding. Rooms from $585. pendry.com/natirar

Carolina Herrera’s latest men’s collection delivers understated staples that balance urban sophistication with functional comfort. Mid-weight pieces, such as a tailored gray blazer (right), are work and date-night appropriate paired with black trousers or denim, while an olive-green utility jacket (above) takes weekend wear to stylish new heights. Emphasizing classic tailoring and modern silhouettes, the line ensures a seamless, sartorial transition from winter to spring. Find at the CH Carolina Herrera boutique in CityCenterDC. chcarolinaherrera.com