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

As you approach the pea-gravel motor court of this home, with its painted-brick exterior and striking mansard roof, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been transported to the outskirts of Paris. Twenty years ago, a couple who’d lived in the French capital for many years returned to Virginia and hired Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects to design a house in Charlottesville for them that would reflect their love of classic Gallic architecture. In 2020, the stately, 17-acre property passed to a new owner, a single mom of three who helms her own interior design business in town. To ready the home for its next chapter, she knew just the architects to tap for a few updates.

“We’ve been in business since 1933 so it’s not uncommon to get those calls,” says Robert Paxton, one of the firm’s principal architects. “It’s fun to go back to something we’ve done and give it life for a new family.”

Returning to the scene gave the firm a chance to revisit the project with fresh eyes. Originally, the 3,700-square-foot home featured a central section connected to a garage on the left and a trellis-topped terrace to the right. “Essentially, it was three parts of what would normally be a classical five-part composition,” Paxton explains.

Given the opportunity to design a more balanced façade, he and project architect John Peterson conceived a substantial right wing to mirror the home’s left side, bringing symmetry and harmony to the configuration. The 2,340-square-foot addition would house the primary suite, an office and guest quarters on the main level, and a small gym and future bunk room on the second floor for eventual visiting grandkids and extended family. The pergola would move to the back of the house just off the kitchen; new terraces would bolster indoor-outdoor connections and unify the exterior spaces.

The original core of the five-bedroom house also saw updates. While the European-style galley kitchen had served as a pleasant reminder of time abroad for the previous clients, it was too cut off from the rest of the rooms for the new owner’s vision. Opening it up to the adjacent family room made it feel more spacious and offered a better setup for the mom to connect with her young-adult children. “She wished to create an environment where the kids want to be right now and will want to visit when they get older,” Paxton notes. “For us, that meant rethinking the relationship between the kitchen and the family room.”

When the house was first built, provisions were put in place for a future resident to finish a raw space above the garage. This iteration carved a game room out of this unfinished zone to give the siblings a bonding spot of their own. “Fortunately, the original owners had really thoughtful architects,” quips Paxton.

For the interior finishes, the team made selections that played into the home’s established style and complemented the existing white oak floors. “We used heavy, reclaimed timbers to span the kitchen and the family room,” says Paxton, “which gave the space some texture and age.”

“It’s the kind of detail you might see in an old French home,” Peterson adds.

In the kitchen, linen-hued cabinets fabricated by Worthington Architectural Millwork feature marble countertops sourced from the same Colorado stone quarry as the Lincoln Memorial.

When it was time to dress the rooms, the client called on her longtime friend Chloe Ball of Kenny Ball Design to make the house feel sophisticated yet welcoming. Upon entry, visitors are swept into a foyer adorned with a scenic Gracie wall covering that depicts weeping cherry blossoms swaying over a stylized wave. In the dining room beyond, marbleized wallpaper introduces the home’s palette of pewter, soft pink and blue.

Shades of cerulean continue in the butler’s pantry and in the family room, where a particularly inviting corner hosts a dining bench topped with Delft plates in acrylic boxes—a treatment client and designer spied while on a trip to New York City. “It was inspired by Kit Kemp. We had dinner at one of her hotels and loved that detail,” Ball shares.

Moving from the public spaces to the owner’s private rooms in the newer wing, the palette turns rosier. In the primary bedroom, Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster sets the scene for camouflage-print silk Fortuny draperies and a vintage Murano glass flush-mount light. Next door in the owner’s office, the blushing pink takes on a masculine edge when paired with millwork and graphic Kelly Wearstler wallpaper that resembles an abstract patchwork quilt.

While the home offers no shortage of eye-catching, top-shelf wall coverings, one of the most opulent moments occurs in the guest bath, where a sedge of cranes perches on hand-painted silk. “She fell in love with that de Gournay paper, but it can’t be exposed to constant heat and steam,” Ball explains. “Because this bathroom isn’t used very much, we decided to go for it.”

Such decisions were made easier by the fact that the two women aren’t just designer and client, but also friends. “We really excel as a team because we’re a good sounding board for one another. She trusted me to complete her vision for this house,” recounts Ball, adding, “At the end of the day, the interior choices and the architecture have to dance together.”

Renovation Architecture: Robert Paxton, AIA, principal architect; John Peterson, AIA, project architect, Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects, Charlottesville, Virginia. Interior Design: Chloe Ball, Kenny Ball Design, Charlottesville, Virginia. Builder: Shelter Associates Ltd., Charlottesville, Virginia. Landscape Architecture: Rachel Lilly, Port Republic, Virginia.

RESOURCES

DINING ROOM
Wallpaper: graciestudio.com. Table: gregoriuspineo.com. Chairs: mosshomeusa.com. Rug: Custom through kennyballdesign.com. Chandelier: apparatusstudio.com.

FOYER
Wall Treatment: graciestudio.com. Sconces: urbanelectric.com. Bench: 1stdibs.com.

KITCHEN
Island Pendant: urbanelectric.com. Island Stools: palecek.com. Café Table & Chairs: rh.com. Banquette: Custom through kennyballdesign.com.

BUTLER’S PANTRY
Cabinetry Paint: Hague Blue by farrow-ball.com.

PINK BEDROOM
Bed: bakerfurniture.com. Ceiling Fixture: 1stdibs.com. Drapery & Drapery Fabrication: fortuny.com through kennyballdesign.com. Paint: Setting Plaster by farrow-ball.com. Painting Over Dresser: abbykasonik.com. Rug: therugcompany.com.

BEDROOM
Headboard Fabric: clarencehouse.com through beautifulbedco.com. Nightstand: thefabulousthings.com.

On a cinematic block in Georgetown stands one Federal row house that’s not quite like the others. Known as “the seam house,” it’s nicknamed for the visible vertical line stitched down its brick façade showing where a newer part of the home joins one of two older sections—the oldest of which dates back to the late 1700s.

For interior designer Azali Kassum, the idea of having more than two centuries of history beneath her feet proved an irresistible lure. “When I walked through the house for the first time, I loved how I could feel its age with every step,” she says. “The original part of the home used to be a cobbler’s workshop and it still had these incredible timber beams and old pine floors.”

Kassum, then an intellectual property lawyer, and husband Ian Myers, who works in healthcare, purchased the 3,000-square- foot property in 2014 and began a three-year renovation with the help of architect Christian Zapatka. The residence, which is composed of four sections, features a central core that was once the home of Colonel Washington Bowie, Sr., a godson of George Washington. In the mid-19th century, a two-and-a-half-story addition was built in front of that original structure to meet the sidewalk. “Often, the simplest modest dwelling would have been put up in the middle of the lot. As the owners gained prosperity, it would have been added onto over time and built out to the street front,” Zapatka explains. Later, the walkway between the houses was filled in with brick to create a side stair hall with a street-facing entrance, resulting in the seam. Sometime in the mid-20th century, another smallish addition was knitted onto the back of the house.

As the first order of business, Zapatka replaced the rear addition with a 600-square-foot, three-level annex that includes an enlarged kitchen, a new primary bedroom and a basement playroom, all connected by a contemporary, glass-walled staircase. Steel-framed doors and windows bring an abundance of natural light into the new kitchen—a collaboration with Snaidero DC Metro—which features a mix of streamlined, white cabinetry and burnished-metal accents. “The main objective was to create a comfortable flow between past and present, seamlessly weaving the historic base of the house with a fresh, modern design,” says kitchen designer Shawna Dillon.

The rest of the home saw updates that included the addition of a standing-seam copper roof, as well as new wiring and plumbing. Original windows and French doors were meticulously stripped, reglazed and reset because, Zapatka notes, “the mantra in Georgetown is repair rather than replace.” That spirit of preservation even extended to found objects: While eliminating a tiny stairwell from the home’s core, the team uncovered a large wheel that appears to be part of an old pulley system; they honored the relic by turning it into a sculptural focal point in the garden.

To bring consistency to the interiors, Zapatka and Kassum matched reclaimed-pine boards to 100-year-old floors in the older part of the home. By applying a chalky plaster finish in Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, they gave the walls a sense of Old World permanence while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. Stripping the dining room’s original timber ceiling beams—which had been covered with paint—added more patina. “I was definitely inspired by Parisian apartments and row houses in Amsterdam or Brussels, where you walk through and there’s a visual texture that you experience,” Kassum says. It’s not surprising the work of Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt became a frequent point of reference between Kassum and Zapatka.

“I think it’s fair to say we were all channeling him,” says the architect. “Our intention for the architectural envelope of the house was to make it elegant but spare, with a timeless quality.”

For the furnishings, Kassum sourced a mix of vintage, mid-century pieces from the likes of Fritz Hansen, Paul McCobb and B&B Italia with cutting-edge lighting from Alison Berger, Apparatus Studio and Ochre. While carefully curated, high-design flourishes abound, there are also clues that this is first and foremost a family home. Inherited art, including a collection of 19th-century reverse painted-glass portraits, reflects Kassum’s world travels, and one of the most colorful corners of the home proudly showcases works by a few up-and-coming artists: the couple’s three young children.

As the project neared completion, Kassum, who had been struggling with work-life balance as a new mom, eyed the possibility of a career change. Having loved every aspect of the renovation inspired her to pursue interior design full-time and eventually launch her own firm. “I found the whole process fascinating—from the conception of the design to working on floor plans and figuring out flow—and that was before I even started to think about what I was going to do inside, décor-wise,” she recalls.

Today, the home is both a personal laboratory for creative experimentation—she admits to constantly changing the furniture layout—and the ultimate calling card for her organic, unfussy approach. “I think a lot of design is based on how you feel when you walk through a space. I really wanted the house to do the talking,” Kassum reflects. “It was such a labor of love. That feeling is there every time I look around.”

Renovation Architecture: Christian Zapatka, AIA, FAAR, Christian Zapatka Architect, PLLC, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Azali Kassum, Azali Kassum Design, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Shawna Dillon, ASID, NCIDQ, Snaidero DC Metro, Alexandria, Virginia. Builder: OC Builders, McLean, Virginia. Landscape Design: Thorne Rankin & Associates LLC, Washington, DC.

RESOURCES

FOYER
Mirror & Coat Rack: Vintage. Sconces: ochre.net. Side Chair: Design Freres through blendinteriors.com. Landing Light: alisonbergerglassworks.com.

POWDER ROOM
Washstand: Custom through waterworks.com. Stone: renaissancetileandbath.com. Sconces: urbanelectric.com.

LIVING ROOM
Sofa, Armchairs, Lounge Chair & Tall Side table: Vintage through 1stdibs.com. Coffee Table: Vintage. Coffee Table Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com. Brass Cocktail Table: wyeth.nyc. Brass Side Table & Ottomans: 1stdibs.com. Cabinet: Vintage. Modern Art: marcelynmcneil.com through conduitgallery.com. Modern Art: heatheressian.com. Table Lamp: 1stdibs.com. Lantern & Wall Sconces: apparatusstudio.com. Floor Lamp: dwr.com. Carpet: Vintage through onekingslane.com. Mirror: Antique through jean-pierreantiques.com. Fireplace Stone: stonesource.com. Walls: Plaster Finish with Simply White by benjaminmoore.com. Drapery: rh.com.

DINING ROOM:
Table, Chairs & Console Table: 1stdibs.com. Sconces: bobointeriors.com. Table Lamp: Vintage. Side Chairs: Design Freres through blendinteriors.com. Mirror: maureenfullam.com. Modern Art: csd-studio.com. Glass Paintings: Vintage. Door Hardware: frankallart.com. Light Switches: forbesandlomax.com. Ceramic Vases: bzippyandcompany.com. Walls: Plaster with Simply White by benjaminmoore.com.

KITCHEN
Windows & Doors: hopeswindows.com. Cabinetry: snaiderodcmetro.com. Island: stonesource.com. Light Fixture: ochre.net. Fixtures: franke.com. Backsplash: rbratti.com. Range: vikingrange.com. Hood: Custom through akmetalfab.com. Stools: thelongconfidence.com. Bench: craftassociatesfurniture.com. Bench Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com. Art & Coat Racks: 1stdibs.com. Sconces: alisonbergerglassworks.com through hollyhunt.com. Walls: Simply White by benjaminmoore.com.

PRIMARY SUITE
Bed: rh.com. Bedding: rwguild.com. Bed Pillows: maisondevacances.com. Carpet: lemieuxetcie.com. Arm Chair, Wall Sconces & Nightstands: 1stdibs.com. Bench: Vintage. Mirror: Jen Louis Deniot for bakerfurniture.com. Bookcases: dwr.com. Windows: hopeswindows.com. Window Treatments: rh.com. Screen Doors: Vintage. Standing Lamp: kalmerlighting.com through thefutureperfect.com.

PRIMARY BATH
Faucets: waterworks.com. Tub: vandabaths.com. Bath Accessories & Stool: tf.design. Stone: renaissancetileandbath.com. Light Fixture: urbanelectric.com. Vanity Fixtures: ralphlauren.com/home. Vanity Mirrors:  emeraldironworks.com. Cabinetry Hardware: waterworks.com. Walls: Chantilly Lace by benjaminmoore.com.

OUTDOOR SEATING AREA
Sofa: rh.com. Sofa Fabrics: perennialsfabrics.com. Pillows: The Ruffled Thread Company through etsy.com. Planter: maisonshoppe.com.

OUTDOOR DINING AREA
Table & Chairs: dwr.com. Hanging Lanterns & Sconces: copperlanternlighting.com.