I always know we’ve done a great job when I don’t want to leave,” confides interior designer Lauren Hurlbrink about her recent project: a large family compound in Baltimore County’s Caves Valley. “A client who trusts you completely makes great things possible.”

Captivated by the seclusion and space afforded by the region’s rolling pastureland and surrounded by family and friends nearby, the owners who have four pre-teen children desired a legacy home where they could host holiday dinners and special occasions. Born and raised in Mississippi, the wife had long fantasized about living in a Southern farmhouse with all the authentic touches—including horse stables—but none of the clichés.

She and her husband assembled a dream team to make their new home a reality. In addition to Hurlbrink, the group included architect David Myers, builder Matt Kurrle and landscape designer Andrew Thompson.

Despite its size—11,000 square feet—the finished home “lives smaller than it actually is,” notes Myers. Instead of one continuous and visually overwhelming mass encompassing the main house and its attached horse barn/garage, he tweaked the footprint to connect the two structures at an angle, with a guest suite situated in its own wing. This delivered efficient circulation from room to room and created the warm and welcoming quality the owners envisioned. “A large home does not need to feel cavernous,” he adds.

Kurrle incorporated architectural and construction elements such as plaster walls, weathered siding, reclaimed stone and antiqued timber framing and brick throughout. These materials, notes the builder, “imbue the property with history and unique character. It’s not just another new build. It’s what you’d expect to see on a 19th-century rural homestead.”

Outbuildings including potting and sports sheds, a pool house and a sports court, extend from the main residence and barn. The home and its gardens sit on seven acres of lush green space landscaped to enhance privacy and visual appeal. An apiary, orchard, specimen trees and a multitude of pink and white flowers, boxwood and container plantings evoke a Southern country meadow.

Designed for entertaining, the main level houses a dining room, chef’s-grade kitchen, family room, sunroom and study spaces for the kids, along with a guest suite. Six bedrooms with ensuite baths, including the primary, await on the second floor, while the casual lower level is reserved for crafts, movies, fitness and indoor games.

From the front entryway, an arched and glass-paned doorway opens into a hall where the low ceiling suggests older-home proportions. To the right, custom bookcases displaying family mementos line a cozy niche housing an heirloom grand piano and an original painting of Southern magnolia blossoms.

To the left, the dining room is set with an ethereal blue ombré wall covering and a custom-made walnut table. An antique painted mirror with British pedigree hangs above a white Chinese Chippendale-style sideboard, reflecting the delicately curved sconces and chandelier.

In this child-centered home, there is no formal living room. Instead, a spacious family hub welcomes everyone with durable but elegant furnishings and a tall fieldstone wood-burning fireplace with an antique chestnut mantel.

The bright circular sunroom nearby is an ultra-feminine space bedecked with tasseled poufs and softly rounded settees in shades of pink and white. Drawing the eye up to the skylit ceiling are the antique timbered beams seen throughout the home.

The eat-in kitchen, conveniently off the mudroom, features refined Shaker cabinets, a farmhouse sink, quartz countertops and a backsplash of handmade ceramic tiles. A deep center island topped with oak sits beneath two painted lantern pendants for a vintage look.

Upstairs, the primary suite continues the farmhouse theme with stained and distressed white oak box beams on the pitched ceiling. An Old World patina adorns the bed tables; nickel gap paneling lends texture behind the bed. In the bath, tall, built-in armoires flank a statement tub overlooking the gardens below.
All told, design and construction of the farmhouse, outbuildings and landscaping took three years, spanning the covid crisis but, thankfully, presenting only a few logistical complications. The family finally moved in at the end of 2022.

It was more than worth the wait. “We were very lucky because everyone involved instinctively understood what we wanted,” reflects the wife. “I think the property feels so cohesive because every design element plays up our backstory. There are moments that are beautiful and works of art—but all of it feels like home.”

Marnie Oursler’s serene demeanor is exactly what you’d expect from a long-time beach lover. “There’s something about living by the water that brings me a sense of calm and peace,” she admits.

The celebrity designer, who has starred on such home improvement shows as DIY’s “Big Beach Builds” and HGTV’s “Dream Home,” is in fact a Washingtonian who grew up in Maryland and Virginia. A fifth-generation home builder, she learned the business while accompanying her father to construction sites and has since made her career designing and building distinctive homes in Delaware’s Bethany Beach. In 2023, she became the first woman to be named NAHB Custom Home Builder of the Year.

Still, when it came to her own vacation spot, she chose Annapolis, close to where most of her family now lives. “While I live most of the time in Bethany Beach, I love venturing out and exploring surrounding waterfront towns,” she explains. Annapolis, she decided, fit the bill. Halfway between DC and Delaware, this passion project turned out to be a perfect home away from home for Oursler, her husband David Richardson and their two young children. What’s more, its closer-in location makes it convenient for clients to drive out to see her design ideas and gather inspiration in real time.

The new build sits on a double lot atop a high cliff with a stunning view of the Severn River. As architect Cathy Purple Cherry, who designed the residence, recalls, it presented its fair share of challenges, starting with its topography. “The house was like solving a Rubik’s cube,” she says. “Because of the steep slopes and the required buffer around them, there were regulations limiting lot coverage and development.”

Together, architect and owner came up with an ingenious solution to maximize the home’s footprint and views while still meeting zoning and other tight building restrictions. “We call it a one-room-deep house,” notes Purple Cherry. Small spaces, such as hallways and powder rooms, are situated on the road side, while a row of bedrooms, offices, living and family rooms align on the water side. “It gave us a floor plan with a balanced elevation that worked on a difficult site, and the room to accommodate all the functionality and enhancements Marnie wanted,” she explains.

Having collaborated in the past, the two complemented each other’s expertise. “Marnie is not your typical client,” the architect continues. “She knew exactly what she wanted and was involved in every aspect of the design and build.”

For her part, Oursler envisioned an innovative home offering cutting-edge materials and concepts. “Beach houses are fun,” she affirms. “They can be bolder than primary homes and that gave me more creative freedom, which I love.”

Now complete, the Shingle Style residence measures 10,000 square feet on three levels and includes five bedrooms, each with an ensuite bath; two half baths; a family room; kitchen/butler’s pantry; and sunroom. Outside, a large deck holds a hot tub and built-in pool and descends to a landscaped green space ideal for playtime and entertaining.

Every room brings Oursler’s beach-house aesthetic to life. A fusion of classic and contemporary, interiors are accented in durable, unfussy organic materials such as wood, tile and textiles—arrayed in neutral shades to blur the boundaries between indoor and out. In the great room, walls of windows and glass doors with a millwork surround (one of Oursler’s custom trademarks) open to the back porch, outfitted with weather-resistant, rust-proof furnishings.

The eat-in kitchen and butler’s pantry continue the white and wood theme with thick butcher-block counters, a marble backsplash and sleek cabinetry sporting covered or glass fronts. For contrast, six-inch oak beams accent the high ceiling.

The sunroom off the kitchen is easily the prettiest space in the house. Bright with natural light throughout the day, it overlooks the pool and sits within a large bay window punctuated by vintage diamond pane inserts.

Upstairs on the second level is the primary suite, where a massive Carrara marble-laid bath awaits. It boasts a statement tub with a river view; an extra-large, frameless-glass shower; extensive cabinetry and a decorative shell chandelier.

In many ways, Oursler’s life and career have come full circle. From a childhood spent on construction sites and the sale of her first construction/renovation project in 2007 to the completion of this Annapolis home, she has remained focused on fine craftsmanship. “My goal on every project,” she reflects, “is not only to create an ideal waterfront retreat, built in harmony with nature, but also a piece of art that makes the owners’ dreams a reality.”

It was a match made on Instagram,” confides homeowner Puja Parekh, who reached out to New York-based designer Tina Ramchandani after following her for 10 years on social media.

“Instant soulmates,” Ramchandani agrees. Together with builder Cecchi Homes, the two embarked on a year-long renovation that transformed a staid, center hall Colonial into a family home filled with light, color and a sense of fun.

Parekh, a private equity professional, and husband Ashok Gowda, an orthopedist, had moved from New York City seeking a more relaxed, child-friendly lifestyle. (They now have a three-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl.) After living near historic Dumbarton Oaks, they began searching for a permanent home in Georgetown. “We wanted an urban oasis,” Parekh explains. “Something stand-alone, with a yard and enough space for all the outside activities we like to do.”

Not an easy find in Georgetown. Eventually, their real estate agent steered them to a 1980s-era, brick residence in the East Village quadrant that happily ticked all the boxes. It was detached, with front and side yards and a spacious, flexible interior for their family, which also includes a white Samoyed.

Meeting builder John Cecchi and his wife was another stroke of luck. As it happened, the Cecchis knew these houses intimately. They had renovated and lived in one of them. “I was happy to share all my knowledge and coach them on what I would do and why,” John Cecchi relates. “I think that’s what made this such a success. We took what we learned from our own experience and applied it to theirs.”

With all the partners on board, the design vision quickly came into focus. Cecchi recommended gutting the interior and creating four levels of living space, now totaling 4,700 square feet. The main floor retains its center-hall layout, with a library on one side of the foyer and the formal dining room on the other. Straight ahead, a great room encompasses the kitchen, pantry and family room. Three ensuite bedrooms, including the owners’, occupy the second level while the third floor is taken up by a children’s playroom, office and bathroom. The lower level houses a media room, gym and guest suite.

Before construction began, Ramchandani worked closely with the builder, managing details large and small from the locations of rooms and walls to outlet placement and finishes. Her approach, which she defines as “soulful minimalism,” is on full display throughout. “Every room has a purpose and every object is meaningful. I never want to design a room that isn’t used or clutter it up,” she observes. “You don’t need a lot of stuff. You just need what’s really important to you.”

While not a fan of maximalism, Ramchandani does believe in layering colors, textures and tones to add depth and visual interest. Parekh, on the other hand, loves an all-white look. In an elegant compromise, the entry sets a serene mood with pale shades and unexpected pops of color. White oak flooring, laid in a herringbone pattern, points the way to the great room and glass doors to the backyard beyond.

In the library, 12 rounds of prepping, sanding and painting were needed to achieve the high-gloss “moment of blue” that saturates the walls, cabinetry and ceiling. A round custom rug unites a mod sofa, black-edged cocktail table and caned chairs beneath a matte-black-finished Lee Broom pendant. Bold color transitions to subtle opulence in the dining room, entirely papered in a shimmery silver wall covering shot with gold. A sculptural chandelier hangs above a round, cerused-oak table with a heavy, fluted base.

The kitchen and family room present as one welcoming space. In the former, Shaker-style cabinets and a marble-topped island balance the organically shaped furnishings opposite, upholstered in bouclé and wool sateen. A new, stepped-marble fireplace surround picks up the swirling marble of the island countertop and backsplash.

From the great room, French doors spill out to the backyard, where Cecchi designed and implemented an al fresco kitchen with a built-in grill, pizza oven and dining area sheltered under a pergola with a retractable shade. An adjacent lounge area overlooks a swimming pool tucked into the side yard.

In the cream-toned, second-floor primary suite, a seven-foot tall, upholstered headboard serves as a dramatic centerpiece while a chaise longue, chair and shapely side tables flank the gas fireplace whose surround once graced the living room. The bathroom is clad in eye-catching marble, with a statement soaking tub and a roomy, glass-enclosed shower.

Ramchandani reflected each child’s personality in bedrooms full of distinctive flourishes. The daughter’s retreat features pink floral wallpaper on the ceiling and a swinging chair, while the son’s lair is decked out in marine blue-and-white ombré with a trundle bed. At the top of the house, a lively children’s corner lined with built-in storage inspires creative play. A graphic Missoni rug and colorful “dripping paint” wallpaper add whimsy. Just off the playroom, Parekh’s home office, clad in grass-cloth wall covering, doubles as a guest room.

A deft mix of high design and practicality, this family home is destined to delight its occupants for years to come. “We use every room,” Parekh declares. “There are lots of different areas for all of us to come together.”

This is my happy place,” declares Sharon Cox, gesturing to dining room windows that overlook Breton Bay, a tributary of the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. “Almost every day I wake up and think, ‘I need to pinch myself because I live here.’” The cardiac recovery room nurse-turned-realtor was looking for a place to live with room for her grown children and grandkids to visit. A Leonardtown native whose previous house was just three miles away, Cox appreciates the community’s closeness to nature. So when she was looking for her forever home and found this property on the market, it seemed like fate.

After ensuring she’d be able to add square footage without changing the basic footprint (a requirement due to the abode’s proximity to the water), Cox reached out to her good friend and long-time designer Kate Abt, whose full-service studio is located nearby. “We viewed it together and agreed she had to buy it,” Abt recalls. “The location was just too amazing to pass up!”

Set on a sloping, acre-plus lot, the single-story, one-bedroom residence began life as a 1950s kit house with a dark, muddled floor plan that took little advantage of its scenic water views. The house needed a serious refresh by the time Cox moved in (think almond-colored appliances), but she wisely postponed the redesign “to get a better feel for what I wanted,” she explains. Now-retired architect Tony Hill drew up plans a few years later; Cox, Abt and builder Amos Ripple further tweaked the blueprints. Construction took about a year.

The redo expanded the dwelling to three stories and doubled its square footage to 2,800. The main level encompasses a large kitchen plus living and dining rooms; two bedrooms and two baths are situated upstairs. A finished, walk-out basement contains a bedroom, bathroom, family room and custom walnut bar. All bedrooms and public spaces enjoy water views.
However, the journey from dream to dreamhouse had its challenges. “When we started,” Ripple recalls, “we were just going to take off the roof and put in a second floor. But we discovered the walls weren’t square or plumb-level, everything was sagging and there were termites. We had to pretty much take the whole house down to the foundation and build it up again.”

In addition, the structure was oddly shaped and hard to work with. “The house was originally a pentagon, and over the years side additions had been created that made even more angles,” Abt explains. “Coming up with a livable layout that made the most of water views was a challenge.” Shifting the location of the front door made it possible to rearrange the living and dining rooms and kitchen. Glass sliders open to a wraparound deck along the back.

When it came time to design the interiors, Abt and her client went with a mix of old and new furnishings, many crafted by local or Mennonite artisans. In the main entry, an ornately carved mirror was discovered at a barn sale, while the mustard-gold, textured-weave poufs, Oriental rug and other objets are Cox’s own.

The dining area, bordered by a bank of windows, features a custom, white oak refectory table surrounded by olive-velvet chairs. Abt selected a Visual Comfort chandelier that wouldn’t interrupt the view above the table. In one corner, an abstract bronze sculpture by Steve Reinmuth makes a statement.

The cozy, intimate living room features all the essentials. A custom cabinet with a fluted front hides a TV that rises at the touch of a button. The cocktail table showcases a coiled rope under its glass top—a nautical nod to the home’s locale.

The kitchen reflects Cox’s love of cooking and entertaining. Lined with locally built, Shaker-style cabinetry, the space centers on an expansive, gray-green, quartzite-topped island set at an angle to maximize space. Over the stove is an understated range hood the same color as the cabinets, set against a textured, black-soapstone backsplash.

The second-story primary suite is a study in serenity, dressed in shades that echo sea and sky. The bedroom features a shiplap-paneled cathedral ceiling and oversized windows. In the bathroom, a soaking tub and white oak double vanity complete the spa-like feel.

Throughout the project, Abt was completely in sync with her client’s desire to create a grounding place for herself—a forever home “where you can live simply,” the designer says. “Put your feet up and concentrate on what really matters.”

Cox agrees. “It’s such a calm place. When my children come, they’re really happy. I hung a couple of swings under the deck, and the babies enjoy swinging outside, then walking down to the pier to see the crabs.”

Renovation & Interior Design: Kate Abt, Kate Abt Design, Leonardtown, Maryland. Renovation Contracting: Amos Ripple, Ripple Brothers Contractors, Mechanicsville, Maryland.

Downsizing has its upsides, as a couple from McLean, Virginia, discovered when they moved from their longtime, single-family home to a 20-year-old townhouse community in a historic district nearby. Although they loved the gracious, Georgian-style residence with its gray stone façade, they wanted to change up the flow and feel to make a more personalized statement. Their realtor referred them to experts at BOWA who, in consultation with the homeowners, created a plan that gave each room “a modern, elegant look where every element was functional, intentional and cohesive,” says senior project designer Lindsey Britten.  

Achieving a client’s wish list requires a disciplined approach based on “a deep understanding of how they live their lives, engage with their space and what they want to see in their new home,” explains BOWA vice president and project leader Jim Harris. “Budgets and desires don’t always align so it’s important that even before the work begins, everyone shares the same goals and speaks the same design language.” 

For these homeowners—Ann, a vegan chef, and Tim, a senior-level executive—the vision was clear: an aesthetic and functional floor plan that would open up the closed-off rooms and reconfigure the interiors with space enough for them to entertain, work from home and relax in a luxurious private suite. They also wanted an elevator to connect the lower level to their bedroom on the third floor as well as a separate recreation zone with a game room, gym and office.

Although the design team was determined to surpass the owners’ expectations, “there were a few challenges involved,” Harris admits. “The dysfunctional set-up of the original floor plan paired with outdated finishes, gaudy stacked moldings and columns off the entry were our main pain points.” 

Nevertheless, notes Britten, “We were able to transform the dated house into a bright and welcoming home that gave our clients the ability to live, work and entertain in a way that perfectly fits their lifestyle.” 

The completed, four-story dwelling measures 4,650 square feet with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. Off the main entryway, an intimate living room serves as a liminal space and sets the stylistic tone for the rest of the interior. It is partially enclosed by an angled wall that’s cleverly designed to hide existing structural posts. A serene, gray-and-white palette with hints of blue and furnishings in warm wood and brass extend from room to room.

Whiter shades of pale on walls and picture-frame molding set a sophisticated yet casual mood in the dining room, where a dynamic, sculptural light fixture provides an intriguing contrast to the more substantial, guest-friendly trestle table and chairs. 

Inviting and sleek, the kitchen features a butler’s pantry with two wine fridges and extra space for guests to sit and sample the owners’ latest vintage. Behind the backsplash, an appliance garage houses the chef’s tools of the trade, keeping clutter out of sight. 

The white, blue and gray color story continues into the family room. Custom-built shelving and cabinetry frame a contemporary electric fireplace that is set in a gray, ceramic-tile accent wall reminiscent of the home’s stone exterior.

Upstairs, the elevator opens into the primary suite where everything, Britten marvels, “is at your fingertips.” Clean lines—from the re-styled tray ceiling to the streamlined mantel around the gas fireplace—enhance the bedroom’s calm and restful ambiance. Gray velvet chairs bring a touch of luxurious comfort. A small adjacent bedroom has been transformed into a walk-in closet that conveniently accesses a laundry room. Beyond, a spa-like bathroom indulges all the senses with a huge steam shower, statement soaking tub and double-sink wooden vanity.

Upstairs on the fourth floor, BOWA turned a previously underutilized and empty space into an elegant guest suite, adding two more bedrooms, a large closet and a Jack-and-Jill bath.

A sense of fun pervades the lower level, where an integrated space with separate zones encourages work or working out, game and cocktail nights with friends or simply decompressing. Rooms include
an office area, family room and his-and-her home gyms.                       

The design-function balance seen upstairs is also reflected in the basement makeover, which features wood flooring and a custom, wood-slat wall covering for textural interest. Fittingly, it also conceals the door to the moody, speakeasy-themed game room/cocktail lounge, complete with a bar and beverage cooler. 

The owners, who also have a home in Florida, were gone for most of the reno. But they had total trust in the design and production teams and kept in touch during the nearly eight-month process. Was it worth it? “When they arrived at the house for the big reveal, they were thrilled,” Harris recounts. “And as Tim opened the door to the speakeasy, his smile lit up the room. That’s what makes me love what I do.” ⎯

Renovation Architecture, Interior Design & Contracting: Jim Harris, project leader; Lindsey Britten, senior designer; Colin Sonnenday, production, BOWA, McLean, Virginia and Middleburg, Virginia. 

Q&A with BOWA pro

What should homeowners know about the renovation process?

Jim Harris: There are thousands of details to consider. Make sure you find a company with a single point of
contact and accountability so you never have to worry about details
falling through the cracks. 

We hear a lot about renos that go on forever. What’s your process?

Jim Harris: We typically devote 16 to 20 weeks to design and another 13 or 14 weeks to production. Everything is done and approved up front before work begins. 

What was your biggest challenge on this project and your greatest joy?

Lindsey Britten: The kitchen was challenging because the wife is a chef and I knew this room was most important to her. I watched her cook in her old home so I could understand how she worked and used the space. My greatest joy? The primary suite. It’s beautiful yet functional.

It’s the eternal conundrum: What comes first—form or function? Both and neither, according to Christian Zapatka and Romain Baty, the architect and interior designer respectively behind the transformation of a modest, circa-1900 row house on Capitol Hill into a sophisticated, European-inspired urban villa. “Structure and design are connected,” Baty contends. “They’re engaged in a dialogue where every piece and architectural element complements the other and tells a story about the residents’ values, tastes and lives.”

Zapatka agrees, explaining that he “creates classic, timeless structures that integrate both site and interior design.” In this case, his renovation—a three-year adventure that included extensive negotiations with DC government agencies, neighborhood groups and historic preservation societies—informed Baty’s vision, which the designer diplomatically describes as “an identity that favored a disconnect from DC style.”
Before finding its inner glamour, the home was treated to a total gut job that reconfigured the interior spaces, adding rooms, functionality and a more organic flow. At the back, recalls Zapatka, “we replaced a goofy, bright-orange, two-story addition” with a lighter, more spacious three-story extension featuring skylights and clerestory windows. Post-reno, the 2,420-square-foot residence includes three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a wealth of artfully disguised storage areas and closets.

Homeowners Gary Jankowski and Michael Schaeffer, both real estate agents, came to the project prepared with vision boards and ideas that were more European classic than American traditional. The couple, who’ve traveled extensively in France and Italy, wanted to create a refuge where they could live comfortably but entertain grandly—one that would reflect their sophisticated aesthetic and love of art. To achieve their vision, Baty, who hails from France, modeled their home on hôtel particulier, an architectural vernacular dating from the 16th century and popular among well-heeled Parisians ever since. Combining a wide variety of styles and periods, it’s a hybrid of the most elegant examples of European and American art and design.

The transatlantic journey begins at the front entry, where a refined gray, black and white palette is established through a limestone tile floor with black diamond inlay. Artwork, an Italian fringed stool and bold purple objets atop an antique-mirrored table enliven the graphic scheme. A graceful switchback staircase leads up to the second-level primary bedroom and a third-floor guest room.

A narrow gallery flows from the foyer back to the salon—an airy, open space spanning the rear of the house and encompassing both living and dining areas. The passageway is offset by graphic, arboreal-patterned grisaille (gray-toned) wall covering with a pastoral theme; it creates a bucolic backdrop for an ebonized, antique bar cabinet and a brass-and-leather director’s chair.

For all its grandeur, the salon is an intimate space that equally enriches everyday life and more formal gatherings. Cool blues and grays, luscious textiles and decorative marble and metallic elements all invite the visitor to relax and take in the French-inspired courtyard outside three tall French doors. Baty adhered to his vision of eclectic elegance with Italian and French side tables and pedestals that serve as plant stands while a Louis XV-style settee, exuberantly cloaked in sunburst silk, is flanked by marble-topped side tables and marble-and-brass lamps. Contemporary acrylic stools play harmoniously with two gray velvet lounge chairs and an armless banquette in jewel tones; all three are trimmed with bullion fringe.

Between the two chairs rests an ebonized Napoleon III-style table that opens to seat six when needed (very rarely, the owners confess). This flexibility, Baty explains, reduces volume and clutter and keeps the sight lines to the garden clear. Large-scale grisaille paintings and a photo triptych of Versailles display classic scenes in modern mediums.

Outside the French doors, a picturesque courtyard was landscaped by Oehme, van Sweden to evoke the parks of Paris, planted with fragrant linden trees set in a sweep of pea gravel. At the far end is a loggia designed to hide a two-car parking space. Both the trees and re-built, Moroccan-inspired masonry walls contribute to a cool-and-calm oasis vibe.

To the left off the gallery, the U-shaped kitchen is a study in glossy gray, glass and warm wood. Snaidero cabinets line the walls while creamy Caesarstone counters and glazed tiles are a soft counterpoint to the sleek cabinetry, La Cornue range and custom-designed steel hood. A marble-topped bronze island—crafted by Baty from an antique bank counter—is the couple’s preferred dining table, whether it’s just à deux or for larger groups. “It’s where we do most of our entertaining,” Jankowski admits.

Upstairs—past a cozy media room and a dressing area with built-in storage and a deep walk-in closet—is the primary bedroom, a serene and spare retreat arrayed in the colors of Parisian weather: gray, white and blue. Like the salon, metallic accents are everywhere, adorning the Neoclassical night tables, a Chinese Chippendale headboard and an Art Deco screen. Soft textures prevail, from the bed linens and curtains to the rug.

It’s been nearly seven years since the owners moved back to this recreated corner of Paris and every day they appreciate anew the joy it provides. From the moment you enter, Jankowski avers, “you feel transported to another world. It’s unlike anything we’ve seen on Capitol Hill.”

RESOURCES

THROUGHOUT: Paint & Trim: farrow-ball.com.

LIVING & DINING AREA
Sofa & Sofa Fabric: kravet.com. Rug: moooicarpets.com. Chair Fabric: jab.de/us. Chair Trim: Stroheim for kravet.com. Coffee Table, Chandelier, Large Round Table & Console Flanking Fireplace: Antique. Art Flanking Fireplace: Custom. Bust: Antique. Art above Stands: fornasetti.com. Bench: Owners’ collection. Tables Flanking Bench: alfonsomarina.com. Art above Bench: Brice Chatenoud. Lucite Stools: Vintage. Bench Fabric: jimthompsonhomefurnishings.com. Mirror: Owners’ collection. Dining Table &  Chairs: Owners’ collection. Chair Fabric: Vintage.

FOYER & HALLWAY
Art: mishaillin.com. Runner: pattersonflynn.com. Stool: lorenzabozzoli.com. Mural: ananbo.com/en. Director's Chair: valenti.es/en. Sideboard: antique, Neoclassical.

KITCHEN
Cabinetry: snaiderodcmetro.com.

BEDROOM
Bedding: ralphlauren.com. Wall Covering: phillipjeffries.com. Rug: nourison.com. Desk Lamp: Vintage. Drapery Fabric: dedar.com. Drapery Fabrication: greatdreamsinteriors.com. Stool: lorenzabozzoli.com. Screen: Antique. Bench: Vintage. Bench Fabric: jab.de./us. Blue Chair Fabric: kravet

Pascale de Fouchier’s design philosophy is Cartesian in its simplicity: “I listen, I craft, I organize.” This is an approach the French-American designer beautifully translated for a couple with two teenage sons who wanted a vacation home where they could enjoy their favorite outdoor activities, host family members and just relax—now and for generations to come.

They decided to build a getaway on Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland. “We bought an off-the-shelf design online; we were that eager to get started,” recounts T.J., a former ER doctor whose husband, Will, is a corporate attorney. They hired local contractor Eric Paugh to implement the plans. “We were already building the house when we first met Pascale,” continues T.J. “At the time, we were just seeking advice on adding another bedroom. But after talking with us and reviewing the plans, she had just one thing to say: ‘Non!’”

“The interior plan felt more coastal than lakeside cabin and it was not harmonious with the surrounding landscape,” de Fouchier explains. “From the outside, it was a generic, new-build farmhouse without the rusticity and sense of history the owners had envisioned. Ultimately, it made sense to reimagine and customize the interiors to reflect what they loved about the property—the expansive views of rolling farmland, the lake and colors that change with the seasons.”

The designer and her clients treated the original concept as a blank slate that they could reconfigure and build upon during construction. For example, the bedrooms were huge while the baths were small, some with awkwardly placed fixtures. De Fouchier repositioned the sink, tub and commode in the boys’ shared bathroom to give them a better view while maintaining privacy. And in another twist, she turned a planned wine cellar under the stairs into a cozy nook where the entire family can be found assembling puzzles and playing games. (“I’m from Paris and can find space where there is none,” jokes de Fouchier.)

Working in stages, she developed a coherent plan—implemented by Paugh and his team—with more intentional and organic flow from room to room. The completed, 4,000-square-foot getaway includes a family room, kitchen, mudroom, dining room, living room, office and ensuite guest room on the main level. Upstairs are a media room and four bedrooms, including the primary suite.

The heart of the home is clearly the family room, which is part of a great room also encompassing the kitchen and dining area. Tall windows are topped with triangular transoms that draw the eye up to the stained-pine ceiling and beams. Though beams were not a part of the original plan, they became a unifying motif, lending a woodsy vibe to every room. Weathered leather chairs and a woven linen/cotton sofa are accentuated by pillows and throws in contrasting kilim patterns and colors. For a touch of whimsy, a custom Calder-inspired mobile in front of the wood-burning stone fireplace is a companion in shape and color to canoe paddles that adorn the wall nearby.

Wood posts and beams, oak floors, brass accents and an array of earthy greens carry throughout the main level. In the kitchen, Mykonos quartzite tops the generous island as well as the cabinetry. A custom-made wood table with hand-turned legs anchors the adjacent dining area and is big enough to host large family gatherings. Nestled in a niche on a back wall is a dry bar with a vintage mirror (a family heirloom) reflecting views of the lake beyond.

The living room, which opens to a lakefront deck, continues the palette of honey-stained pine and green. Beadboard-fronted built-ins and pine shelving frame the fireplace, above which a painting of sailboats highlights the owners’ love of water sports. A subtly patterned rug grounds the space. Will’s office (“an amazing place to work,” he boasts) showcases sage-toned custom cabinetry and oversized windows with expansive lake views.

Creative touches by de Fouchier elevate the interiors, from the game nook outfitted with brass sconces and banquette seating around a bespoke table to the entry hall dressed in a rich green that sets off the kilim bench and water skis decorating the wall. The main-floor guest bath is clad in green tile and matching green paint, with a quartz-topped double vanity and white tile floor for contrast.

Upstairs, the primary suite—a refuge within a refuge, the owners say—is a study in neutrals selected to capture the colors of the sunrise. A creamy rug and folk-art baskets on the wall add textural interest. Behind the bouclé-upholstered armchair sits a low bench backed by wall-to-wall shelving. A black-and-white wall hanging depicting a saffron sun brightens the second-floor landing while the boys’ bedrooms display crisp, graphic rugs and bed linens.

As de Fouchier opines, “A vacation house needn’t be serious.”

T.J. agrees. “From the moment we walk in the door, we exhale,” she says. “We wanted a home that is gracious, livable and lovely. Every element has been chosen with care and adds to the story we want our house to tell.”

RESOURCES

FAMILY ROOM
Sofa: potterybarn.com. Pillows: surya.com. Leather Chairs: article.com. Stools: haussmanninc.com. Rug: rh.com. Coffee Table: westelm.com. Stone: stonecraft.com through mandsstone.com. Mobile: floatingartmobiles.com. Paddles: etsy.com. Floor Lamp: crateandbarrel.com. Painting: Owners’ Collection. Paint: Extra White by sherwin-williams.com.

LIVING ROOM
Sofa: cb2.com. Orange Pillow: oyoy.us. Armchair: ciscohome.net. Ottoman Coffee Table & Side Tables: fourhands.com. Painting: wendoverart.com. Floor Lamp: visualcomfort.com. Rug: rejuvenation.com. Wood Chair: Vintage. Millwork Fabrication: ericpaughcontracting.com. Cabinet Doors: schrock.com. Cabinetry & Paint Color: Evergreen Fog by sherwin-williams.com.

KITCHEN
Pendant: chapmanandmyers.com through visualcomfort.com. Sconce: savoyhouse.com. Stools: crateandbarrel.com. Hardware: topknobs.com. Fixtures: deltafaucet.com through ferguson.com. Cabinetry Design: decoracabinets.com. Cabinetry Paint: Dried Thyme by sherwin-williams.com. Paint: Extra White by sherwin-williams.com. Countertop & Backsplash: granitecountertopsolutions.com. Cooktop: bosch-home.com/us.

DINING ROOM/ DRY BAR
Pendant: lightcookie.com. Table: Custom through bcwoodworks.myshopify.com. Chairs: crateandbarrel.com. Countertop: granitecountertopsolutions.com. Fixtures: deltafaucet.com through ferguson.com. Mirror: Vintage. Cabinetry & Paint Color: Dried Thyme by sherwin-williams.com.

GAME NOOK
Table: Custom through hardwoodreflections.com. Pillows: surya.com. Cushion Fabric: regalfabrics.com. Cushion & Lumbar Pillows Fabrication: ncpatiocushions.com. Lumbar Pillow Fabric: pindler.com. Stool & Side Table: haussmanninc.com. Sconces: savoyhouse.com. Masks: umasqu.com.

HALLWAY
Skis: etsy.com. Pendants: cb2.com. Bench: bedbathandbeyond.com. Paint: Pewter Green by sherwin-williams.com.

GREEN BATHROOM
Tile & Shower Floor Tile: bedroasians.com. Floor Tile Bath: wowdesigneu.com through chesapeaketileandmarble.com. Sconce: westelm.com. Hardware: ashleynorton.com. Fixture: deltafaucet.com through ferguson.com. Paint: Retreat by sherwin-williams.com. Countertop: granitecountertopsolutions.com.

PRIMARY BEDROOM
Rug: loloirugs.com. Chair: safavieh.com. Bench Fabric: pindler.com. Sconces: matteolighting.com. Baskets: potterybarn.com. Paint: Modern Gray by sherwin-williams.com. Ceiling Fan: kichler.com. Bedding: potterybarn.com.

PRIMARY BATH
Pendant: hinkley.com. Fixtures: deltafaucet.com through ferguson.com. Floor Tile: wowdesigneu.com through chesapeaketileandmarble.com. Shower Tile: bedrosians.com. Hardware: topknobs.com. Countertop: granitecountertopsolutions.com.

BOY'S ROOM
Striped Rug: rejuvenation.com. Chair: Vintage through 1stdibs.com. Sconce: safavieh.com. Bedding: crateandbarrel.com. Pillows: surya.com. Print: etsy.com.

BOY'S BATH
Sconce: build.com. Tile: tileshop.com. Vanity: hometure.com.

LEDGE ROOM
Quilt: etsy.com. Sconce; savoyhouse.com. Rug: seekandswoon.com. Paint: Extra White by sherwin-williams.com.

OFFICE
Leather Chairs: mercana.com. Rug: nuloom.com. Hardware: ashleynorton.com. Desk: hardwoodreflections.com. Millwork Fabrication: ericpaughcontracting.com. Paint: Crushed Ice by sherwin-williams.com. Adirondack Chairs: polywood.com.

Appearances can be deceiving. Behind its austere, khaki façade, an 1870s row house departs from Georgetown’s traditional aesthetic to celebrate Old World train travel—notably, the Orient Express—and the swank elegance of a 1930s men’s club. Moody and dramatic yet modern and functional, the interiors are a coherent expression of owner Greg Jackson’s vision and passion, shared by his designer, Lorna Gross, for the streamlined shapes, rich textures and exotic materials of the Art Deco period.

At almost 2,900 square feet with four bedrooms and four baths, the home feels quite spacious due to the judicious use of mirrors, metallics and light-reflective finishes—all in keeping with Art Deco style. Decorative ceiling treatments, wall coverings, moldings and trim “draw the eye up, creating a complete visual experience,” Jackson notes. “The patterns and the colors are almost kaleidoscopic and change with every viewing.”

Fortunately, the floor plan on the main level lent itself—with a few modifications—to the homeowner’s dream of recreating a bespoke train car. A narrow entry hall travels past a double parlor-turned-living room to the left and opens into a dining area and kitchen, which overlooks a rear courtyard.

“The kitchen and dining area were very boxy. We wanted to open them up so that, as soon as you entered, you saw all the way through to the back,” Gross explains. By removing one wall and opening another, she expanded the space while bringing in more light, thanks to the kitchen’s new period-faithful, glass-paned doors.

A staple of Victorian homes, the double parlor presented another challenge: How to unify the long and narrow room, which includes two fireplaces, into one cohesive space where guests could circulate easily or gather in smaller groups. (This was especially important—visually and functionally—since Jackson frequently entertains.) The solution was a massive, one-of-a-kind wool-and-silk-blend rug from Stark; its subtle, repetitive geometric pattern plays up the original wood flooring and draws attention to the molding, fireplaces and hearths.

An opulent palette of furnishings and other design elements ensures the continuity of the Orient Express look and feel throughout the residence. Art Deco-inspired porcelain floor tile, some with burnished, cast-metal borders; shimmering, textured wallpaper in jewel or pale tones shot through with metallics; and antiques from the 1920s and ’30s bring the past vibrantly to life.

You’d expect a home with so much history to have a story or two. In the living room, twin antique chandeliers hide a mystery worthy of Hercule Poirot. As Gross tells it, “All the Art Deco pairs of chandeliers I came across were too fussy. I kept returning to this phenomenal single French fixture that, in duplicate, would have been perfect. So I decided to have it replicated. The new one looks so much like the original that it’s difficult to tell the difference without a magnifying glass!”

In the dining room, a patinated bronze credenza etched with Kanji script was almost overlooked in a New York showroom. “It was a serendipitous find, covered in fabrics and hidden by chairs,” Gross confides. Now, it is an elegant companion to the mirror above as well as the hammered-brass-topped dining table.

The moody ambience continues into the kitchen with its black cabinetry, Deco hardware and a marble-and-brass-mosaic backsplash. The directional pattern in the tile flooring runs to the glass doors and the view outside, where a spacious porcelain-tiled patio with a columned pergola holds court. It is the perfect spot, Jackson says, to host large parties and get-togethers.

From the vestibule, a staircase leads up to the primary bedroom, den and second office space that does double duty as a guest room. The latter features a blond-wood Phillip Jeffries wallcovering (a great Zoom background) and 1930s cocktail table.

Jackson’s favorite room in the house is the den, a quintessential gentleman’s retreat. An original brick wall sets off a leather Chesterfield sofa framed by gold-painted concrete slabs sourced from a former speakeasy in New York. Two basket-weave club chairs in vegan leather and velvet and a vintage cocktail table complete the scene. Walls are covered in vegan leather enhanced by custom brass trim.

Like the rest of the house, the bedroom uses wallpaper as an anchoring device, adding visual interest and serving as art. “With so many windows and doors, wall space was at a premium,” Gross admits. Here, a red and gold Chinoiserie-patterned accent wall contrasts with streamlined wood furnishings.

“We usually think of modernism as a stripped-down aesthetic,” muses Jackson, a writer and historian. “But Art Deco, the modernism of its era, is also influenced by the elegance and grandeur of antiquity—specifically Greek and Egyptian revival, which were big movements in the 19th century. For this house, we chose elements that are emblematic of the past but still hold timeless appeal.”

Interior Design: Lorna Gross, ASID, NCIDQ, Lorna Gross Interior Design, North Bethesda, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Glass Construction, Washington, DC.

RESOURCES

EXTERIOR
Lighting: bevolo.com. Paint: Roycroft Bronze Green by benjaminmoore.com; Rockwood Red by sherwin-williams.com.

STUDY
Light Fixture: Owners’ collection. Art: Owners’ collection. Art Deco Panels & Coffee Table: 1stdibs.com. Tufted Leather Sofa: centuryfurniture.com. Rug: mastourgalleries.com. Chairs: burtonjames.com. Vegan Leather on Walls: innovationsusa.com. Acrylic Table: johnrichard.com.

ENTRY
Wallpaper: zoffany.sandersondesigngroup.com. Light Fixture & Demilune: 1stdibs.com.

DINING ROOM
Wall Covering: weitznerlimited.com. Chandelier: Owners’ collection. Table: us.julianchichester.com. Chairs & Sideboard: 1stdibs.com. Chair Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Mirror: mirrorhome.com. Ceiling Paint: Northern Cliffs by benjaminmoore.com. Flooring: annsacks.com.

PARLOR
Rug: starkcarpet.com. Wall Covering: romo.com. Blue Sofa: chaddock.com. Blue Sofa Fabric: S. Harris for fabricut.com. Pillow Fabrics: pollackassociates.com. Acrylic Tables: highlandhousefurniture.com. Corner Chair by Fireplace: 1stdibs.com. Corner Chair Fabric: romo.com. Mirror: mirrorhome.com. Chandeliers: 1stdibs.com. Gray Sofa: centuryfurniture.com. Gray Sofa Fabric: stouttextiles.com. Sconces & Chairs by French Doors: 1stdibs.com. Chair Fabric: fabricut.com. French Doors: dynamicfenestration.com.

TERRACE
Furniture & Outdoor Fabric: rh.com. Sconces: bevolo.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinetry: KS Builders. Island Countertop: gramaco.com. Backsplash: tilebar.com. Pendants: hvlgroup.com. Range & Hood: us.bertazzoni.com. Refrigerator: kitchenaid.com. Flooring: annsacks.com. Windows & Doors: dynamicfenestration.com. Hardware: houseofantiquehardware.com.

PRIMARY BEDROOM
Wall Treatment: osborneandlittle.com. Chandelier: dominionelectric.com. Rug: safavieh.com. Bedding: macys.com.

GUEST ROOM
Sofa: vanguardfurniture.com. Sofa Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Pillow Fabrics: hollyhunt.com. Armchair: burtonjames.com. Armchair Fabric: kravet.com. Ceiling Fixture: 1stdibs.com. Rug: Paragon through prosourcewholesale.com. Tufted Ottoman: Owners’ collection. Coffee Table: 1stdibs.com. Shutters: hunterdouglas.com. Wall Covering: phillipjeffries.com. Desk: madegoods.com. Desk & Table Lamp: arteriorshome.com. Side Table: highlandhousefurniture.com. Side Chair: centuryfurniture.com. Side Chair Fabric: Lee Jofa for kravet.com. Sunset Painting: Owners’ collection.

 When the owners of a French château-style villa near downtown Bethesda first set eyes on the property, they were looking for inspiration for a house they planned to design nearby. It was love at first sight; soon, they had scrapped the idea of building anew in favor of purchasing this home. “The landscaping was immediately appealing,” says Tracey, the wife. “It had room enough for our big family. And we loved the original craftsmanship and attention to detail.” 

The 20,000-square-foot residence is surrounded by one-and-a-half acres of manicured grounds intended to evoke the spirit of Versailles. Mature trees and plantings accentuate a reflecting pool, a swimming pool and a pool house, all easily accessible from the many floor-to-ceiling French doors on the residence’s main level. Inside, there are seven bedrooms and seven full and five half-baths. Built in 2005, the house is clad in Texas limestone with a clay roof that Jason Evans, owner of Acadia Renovations, went to great lengths to protect when a new elevator was installed. “That roof was a unique element that I didn’t want to ruin by poking a hole in it!” he recalls.

From the very beginning, the owners had a vision for the interiors. “We wanted to keep the original architectural intent but with a more modern sensibility,” Tracey explains. “And because I love fashion, we added a little bit of color, texture and ‘jewelry,’ especially in the lighting, wherever we could.” The couple also wanted to showcase their meticulously curated art collection while giving every member of their family—which includes four children aged six to 14—space to pursue their individual and collective passions.

To bring this vision to exuberant life, they selected San Francisco-based HBA, a global firm known for distinctive high-end hotel, restaurant and residential design. It was an easy decision for Tracey, a real estate developer and the project’s “visionary in chief,” who had collaborated with HBA professionally for more than 20 years. 

“Tracey and I share the same design shorthand and we already had an idea of what she wanted to achieve,” reveals designer Meghann Day of HBA San Francisco. “There was nothing wrong with the house; it was just a little dated and ornate. We brought out its beautiful bones and gave it a lighter, more refined look.”

HBA’s hospitality pedigree is evident throughout the home, from the oversized sconces in the entry foyer to seating areas that invite conversation and furnishings that balance formality with family life. The drama begins in the entryway where a cool palette of limestone flooring and white walls prevails, lit by a shimmery chandelier whose design suggests fish fins (a tribute to the couple’s children, all of whom are swimmers). There are two curtained reading nooks and a sleek, gray settee offset by gold-tone sconces.

In the sumptuous living room, art takes center stage. Above the stone fireplace hangs a chromogenic piece by photographer Dave LaChapelle titled Couture Consumption. A grand piano anchors the space while curvaceous furnishings lend Art Deco volupté to the room.

An antique table with seating for 10 serves as the centerpiece of the formal dining room, where a champagne-gold colorway is enlivened by pops of blue. Jewel-like Murano glass chandeliers hang over the table, highlighting the coffered barrel ceiling. Walls upholstered in padded silk add another layer of texture and visual interest. 

A caramel-hued leather bar with an onyx countertop marks the transition from the living room to husband Tim’s office, which opens into the garden. Built-in bookcases, a long, modular sofa, an antique gold-leaf chandelier and game tables create an elegant yet playful space befitting the creative tech entrepreneur. 

By contrast, Tracey’s office is a cozy, feminine retreat attired in high-gloss blush pink and accessorized with a two-tiered gold chandelier, a bold wallpapered ceiling and a Peter Chase painting expressly commissioned for the room. 

The more private side of the house—sitting rooms, breakfast area and TV room—boast beautiful garden views along with equally refined furnishings, though on a more intimate scale. Here, function informs design to encourage family activities, from secluded reading nooks and homework spaces to game tables and TV monitors hidden behind gallery walls or custom-built cabinetry. Art, too, plays a role. Over the fireplace in the main-floor family room is the work that launched the couple’s collection—a Cubist painting by Marcel Mouly. 

Each bedroom on the second level reflects its inhabitant’s taste and interests. The primary suite is a study in white, light blue, celadon—and serenity. An antique sunburst mirror rises above the four-poster bed while floor-to-ceiling draperies and richly upholstered furniture envelop the room in tranquil warmth. 

HBA mostly preserved the original footprint; an elevator replaced a spiral staircase in the mudroom and Tim’s bathroom became his son’s bedroom. However, the architectural details that so captivated the owners all received enhancing makeovers. Acadia Renovations painstakingly hand-sanded and repainted elaborately faux-painted walls; ditto the columns and decorative-plaster detailing. Covid added another complication, delaying delivery of certain pieces and forcing the designers and homeowners to get creative with sourcing. All told, it took about three years to transform this ornate château into a dynamic, modern-day dwelling. 

“It’s a large house,” Tracey admits. “But every space was designed to have a function and purpose, so it all feels intentional. We use and enjoy every inch of our home."

When empty-nesters residing in DC were ready to embark on the next phase of their lives, they went in search of the right visionary to direct a makeover of their home. After vetting designers from Paris to New York, they selected Patrick Sutton—a kindred spirit whose authentic and individualistic approach to design was in sync with their own.

As the Baltimore-based designer explains, every project begins “with a clear understanding of who we’re designing for. We get to know how they live and what they want their spaces to look and feel like. Everything flows from that—down to the smallest detail.” In this case, the discovery process revealed that after almost 20 years in their traditional French Country manor, the couple was eager to embrace a new, more streamlined aesthetic that would lend a sense of calm to their surroundings and better showcase their extensive collection of contemporary art.

Working on the transformation with frequent collaborator Mark Sanders of Pyramid Builders, Sutton started out with an expansive canvas. Sitting on a beautifully landscaped three-quarters of an acre, the 12,000-square-foot home was originally designed by Washington architect Jerry Harpole. It encompasses six bedrooms, six full and four half baths. Not every room has been touched; updates are still being planned for select guest suites and powder rooms. But after a year and a half of meticulous renovation, the team has essentially created a new home in the same spot.

“This was basically an interior reno,” Sanders notes. “Other than the kitchen, which was gutted to the studs, the footprint remained the same.”

Adds Sutton, “We kept the beautiful bones, removed the excesses and simplified the furnishings and finishes. Like opening all the windows, a wash of fresh, clean air now flows through.”

The lighter, brighter vibe is apparent as soon as you enter the grand foyer, where a 20-foot-high ceiling draws the eye up the sinuously curved staircase rising from the black-and-white, marble-and-limestone floor to an arched window trimmed in black on the first landing. The walls, once clad in cypress, are now covered in a soft gray-white Venetian plaster faux finish. Specialty finishes, executed by Kelly Walker of Artstar Custom Paintworks, crop up throughout the home, honoring its Old World Mediterranean provenance while lightening up its look and feel.

The atrium received a similarly modern facelift. Elaborate trim made way for a classic wood frieze with a bronze-like finish that stands out against faux-plaster walls. A hipped skylight illuminates a custom-designed conservatory table whose organic curved base is just right for this greenhouse-like room. Sleek benches sit beside French doors that open to a pergola-shaded rear terrace.

Textiles, texture and color played an important role in the entire revival. In the formal dining room, silk wall covering with a subtle hand and warm tone anchors the grand chandelier and frames existing ceiling coffers and medallions that were recast in a faux-limestone finish. The living room takes on a more contemporary feel with luxurious lilac-gray velvet furnishings and ombréed lavender walls that change their mood in response to the light streaming in through the arched windows or when dramatically spotlighted by painted-in-place sconces.

The family room is all about clean lines and functionality—a flexible space welcoming all ages and activities. A long-wearing, richly textured sectional and modern wing chairs in marble-patterned velvet surround the inglenook fireplace, while the Calder-like light fixture “holds the room,” says Sutton, in modern contrast to original rough-hewn ceiling beams.

The kitchen is its own work of art, expansive yet ergonomically designed around walls of custom cerused, rift-white oak cabinetry; statuary marble counters and window trim; and chef’s-grade Wolf, Sub-Zero and Miele appliances—all set off by a white coffered ceiling, a brushed-limestone floor and a mosaic backsplash in shades of gray, silver and charcoal.

Upstairs, a second family room, which the owners describe as “grandkids central,” was given a modern attitude. Toys and other child-oriented belongings live happily among refined yet resilient cotton-velvet furnishings with a subtle sheen. Other bedrooms, once occupied by the owners’ three children, have been refreshed for adult tastes although their baths retain their original tile.

The primary suite is less a bedroom than a retreat in the clouds—an aerie surrounded by shimmering faux-finished walls, flowing draperies and a treetop view. Subtle cream and taupe provide an unobtrusive backdrop to a luxuriously appointed four-poster bed and richly upholstered furniture with classic lines.

The greatest challenge, says Sanders, was completing the extensive transformation within an aggressive timetable. The owners, who decamped during the height of construction, were thrilled with the outcome in the end. As the wife remarks, “Patrick latched on perfectly to what we were looking for. It inspires us to see our art in a whole new light.”

Renovation & Interior Design: Patrick Sutton, Patrick Sutton, Baltimore, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Mark Sanders, Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland. Home Automation: Electronic Home Environments, Annapolis, Maryland, and Sterling, Virginia.

RESOURCES

LIVING ROOM
Loveseat: vladimirkagan.com through hollyhunt.com. Armchair: jeandemerry.com. Armchair & Ottoman Upholstery: aneesupholstery.com. Pedestal Table: demiurgenewyork.com. Curved Sofa: vladimirkagan.com through hollyhunt.com. Curved Sofa Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Pillow Fabric: room.com. Round Table: knowltonbrothers.net through thebrightgroup.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Ottoman: natashabaradaran.com through jeandemerry.com. Walls: Faux finish by kellywalkerfineart.com. Sconces: astrolighting.com.
LOGGIA
Chaises: niermannweeks.com. Chaise Fabric: janusetcie.com. Pillow Fabric: hollyhunt.com; theodecor.com.
ATRIUM
Center Table: Custom through patricksutton.com; gutierrezstudios.com; rocktopsfabrication.com. Benches: jeandemerry.com. Bench Fabric: laurenhwangnewyork.com. Sconces: hollyhunt.com. Walls: Faux finish by kellywalkerfineart.com.
FOYER
Gilded Chair: Owners’ Collection. Gilded Chair Fabric: Fadini Borghi through pierrefrey.com. Walls: Faux finish by kellywalkerfineart.com. Base Paint: White Dove by benjaminmoore.com.
DINING ROOM
Wall Covering: S. Harris through fabricut.com. Chairs: dessinfournir.com; hollyhunt.com. Chair Fabric: laurenhwangnewyork.com. Buffet: jeandemerry.com. Table Lamps: randomharvesthome.com. Drapery Fabric: romo.com, Trim: osborneandlittle.com. Drapery Fabrication: Pilchard Designs; 202-362-4395. Walls: Limestone by kellywalkerfineart.com. Base Paint: Macadamia by sherwin-williams.com.
FAMILY ROOM
Ceiling Fixture: hollyhunt.com. Sconces: apparatusstudio.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Sectional: dmitriyco.com. Sectional Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Pillow Fabric: hollyhunt.com; romo.com. Coffee Table: Custom through mitchellyanosky.com. Slipper Chairs: gregoriuspineo.com. Slipper Chair Fabric: osborneandlittle.com. Ottoman: Custom. Fireplace Surround: marmiro.com. Drapery Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Drapery Fabrication: Pilchard Designs; 202-362-4395. Walls: Faux finish by kellywalkerfineart.com. Ceiling Trim: White Dove by benjaminmoore.com.
KITCHEN
Cabinetry Design: patricksutton.com; duncancabinetry.com. Cabinetry Fabrication: duncancabinetry.com. Island Countertop: marmistone.com. Backsplash: newravenna.com through chesapeaketileandmarble.com. Paint Treatment: kellywalkerfineart.com. Hardware: sunvalleybronze.com through pushpullhardware.com. Flooring: parisceramicsusa.com. Sconces: hollyhunt.com. Pendant: inlightii.com. Table: bddw.com. Dining Chairs: mcguirefurniture.com. Dining Chair Fabric: dedar.com. Lounge Chairs: cameroncollection.com through ainsworth-noah.com. Lounge Chair Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Chairs: jeandemerry.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com; mieleusa.com; vikingrange.com; scotsman-ice.com.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Bed: davidiatesta.com. Bed Fabric: laurenhwangnewyork.com. Nightstands: hickorychair.com. Lamps: Carlo Moretti through putnamandmason.com. Bench: dmitriyco.com. Bench Fabric: romo.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Bedding: sferra.com. Blanket: Custom through sandrajordan.com. Custom Boudoir Pillow: Mokum through jamesdunloptextiles.com. Walls: Faux finish by kellywalkerfinearts.com. Ceiling Trim: White Dove by benjaminmoore.com. Drapery Fabric: romo.com, Trim: osborneandlittle.com. Drapery Fabrication: Pilchard Designs; 202-362-4395. Floor Lamp: phoenixday.com. Chair: reaganhayes.com. Chair Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Table: gregoriuspineo.com.