Play up Curb Appeal
The owners of a one-acre Vienna property were tired of its drab, unwelcoming front yard. They enlisted McHale Landscape Design to plan and implement a makeover. 

Crews regraded the lawn to improve drainage and tested and corrected soil quality before applying healthy new turf. Lush, layered greenery unfolds along the existing brick path. “Preparing the entire planting area—not just individual holes—creates healthier root systems, better establishment and long-term success,” advises McHale COO Phil Kelly.

The path guides guests to the entrance—now framed by symmetrical shrubbery and seasonal containers that enhance the home’s timeless appeal.

Landscape Design & Contracting: Anthony Cusat, Anthony Barbarino, Nora Sennett and Nick Fanelli, McHale Landscape. 

Get Fired Up
A custom kitchen featuring a pizza oven, grill and warming drawers was integrated into an outdoor retreat completed by Kane Landscapes in The Plains, Virginia. Tall evergreens screen the cook space from an elevated swim spa. 

Before planning an al fresco kitchen, landscape architect Alan Blalack advises homeowners to invest in a proper foundation as well as grading, drainage and utilities. “These unseen elements protect the kitchen from water damage and premature wear,” he says. “Also, choose durable, weather-resistant materials and don’t forget adequate storage.”

Landscape Design & Contracting: Josh Kane; Alan Blalack, RLA, Kane Landscapes. 

Make a splash
Landscape architect Shari Depasquale designed a three-acre escape in Fulton, Maryland, where a new pool and surrounding seating areas installed by Rolling Acres Landscaping focus on family fun. Garden walls made of natural fieldstone envelop the inviting pool while concrete pavers ground the adjacent patio.  

When choosing hardscape materials, says Rolling Acres’ John Hyman, “we prioritize safety and durability with slip-resistant materials that stay cool underfoot and hold up well to water, chemicals and weather.”

Landscape Architecture: Shari Depasquale, RLA, ASLA, Stone Hill Landscape Architecture. Landscape Contractor: Rolling Acres Landscaping. 

Add a focal point
Colao & Peter Luxury Outdoor Living conceived a resort-like refuge on a 3.5-acre property in Hamilton, Virginia. Near the custom pool, two fire features create a focal point. “They add warmth, drama and reinforce the project’s symmetry. They also frame the view, creating a connection to the natural scenery beyond,” explains landscape architect J.R. Peter. Whether it’s a fire element, specimen tree, water feature or sculpture, he adds, “a focal point should complement and not overpower the architecture and surrounding landscape.”

Landscape Architecture: J.R. Peter, PLA, Colao & Peter Luxury Outdoor Living.

Build a water feature
Surrounds designed and orchestrated a natural pool, custom spa and boulder waterfall as part of a comprehensive Vienna, Virginia, project. Structurally reinforced ledges support three-ton boulders, placed one by one with precision atop a pool beam. Landscape architect Howard Cohen guided boulder placement to ensure the desired look. “This project was more difficult given that the site was flat,” he notes. “The trick is to use the largest rocks that can be handled and to set them in a way that might mimic real life.”

Landscape Architecture & Contracting: Howard Cohen, PLA, Surrounds Landscape Architecture + Construction.

Create a destination
Starting with two-plus bare acres in Baltimore, Bob Jackson Landscapes set out to create modern, contemplative outdoor spaces layered with rich woodland plantings. A patio extends from an ipe deck while bluestone pavers in a checkerboard pattern lend a contemporary twist. When devising an al fresco destination, “keep it balanced,” says landscape designer Douglas Conyers. “Sometimes less is more. Make sure that frequently used spaces are easily accessible, and select a mix
of materials and a color palette that are cohesive with existing elements.”

Landscape Design & Contracting: Douglas Conyers, Bob Jackson, Bob Jackson Landscapes, Inc.

In 2017, the Hirshhorn discovered that it had a numbers problem. Despite a prime position on the National Mall, its Sculpture Garden was attracting a fraction of the visitors who frequented its iconic museum. 

Since its 1974 completion, changes made to the garden had narrowed sightlines and visitor access to the site. So after a lengthy federal review, New York-based artist and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto was selected to reshape the garden for the 21st century. His mission was not only to make it more inviting and accessible but also to create a flexible environment that could host large-scale sculptures as well as time-based and performance art.

After four years of construction, the Sculpture Garden will reopen in late October. A broader entrance from the Mall provides a clear vista of the one-acre refuge, its mezzanine and display areas that unfold 15 feet below ground level. A profusion of native trees and plants provide shade. The plan also restores a once-shuttered underground passage to the museum.

Visitors can lounge on built-in benches and contemplate a wider array of art, from classics by Rodin and Picasso to new arrivals acquired in time for the relaunch. The project revamped an existing water feature so that it can be converted to a stage. A roster of live events will kick off in spring 2027, including the debut of Yoko Ono’s Wish Tree for Washington, DC.

The garden will offer patrons a new experience, says Kate Gibbs, Hirshhorn’s director of communications and marketing. “Visitors will be able to leave the federal city behind and enjoy a magical artscape,” she muses. hirshhorn.si.edu —Sharon Jaffe Dan

After raising three sons in their Edgewater, Maryland, home of 20 years, the owners set their sights on a refresh. To update the 12,000-square-foot, custom-built roost to fit their current lifestyle, the couple enlisted designer Kate Duncan of Pillar Interiors. 

“The mom has always loved design and wanted to create touches of glam,” Duncan says. “She and her husband are both from India and they also wanted to celebrate their shared culture and background.” 

The designer reimagined underused spaces with intentionality and style. The playroom became a lounge for the wife while the office where the boys once did homework at built-in desks is now a gaming room. Duncan was able to repurpose the lion’s share of their existing furniture and vintage collections. Among the most covetable: an oversized brass-and-crystal chandelier that had been salvaged from France and purchased from a Baltimore storefront during the original build, as well as an exquisitely detailed demilune in the living room. Dashes of color and bold art—including hand-painted murals—enliven every space. 

Though the sons have moved out, the home is primed for frequent multi-generational gatherings. One grandmother has moved in and the first grandchild has arrived on the scene. 

The family is delighted with the finished abode. As Duncan notes, “We honored their past, but also prepared them for what’s ahead in the future.” The following Q&A details the process.

What inspired the foyer mural?
My client dreamed of greeting guests with a serene landscape. She wanted to see nature and incorporate water, which signifies purity, rebirth and prosperity in Hindu culture. When we were planning the mural, she showed me and artist Deanne Lenehan of Lenehan Studios lots of photos. Dee created a forest waterfall scene that sets the tone for the entire house.

Explain how you dressed up the dining room.
I love to go dark and moody in dining rooms. Since this one has no windows, it was a perfect spot for color-drenching (which doesn’t have the same impact in a room flooded with daylight). We painted walls, trim and ceiling in Benjamin Moore’s Hunter Green, then added massive antiqued mirrors to make it feel less closed-in. Placing the overscaled, black-and-white images by Navin Sakhuja on a dark, saturated backdrop makes them really prominent.

How did you revive the living room?
It was a “look, don’t touch” room full of vintage furniture that was no longer comfortable. I suggested that they repurpose it as a hangout and cocktail area. We reupholstered the sofas in green velvet and blue suede, taking these colors from the photograph of an Indian temple in the room. And we restuffed the cushions so they’re comfortable again. 

Share the catalyst for the office makeover.
My client came across wallcovering called Gardens of Jaipur from Mind the Gap and said, “I have to have this.” Its colors are meant for this house. We used it in the office and painted the trim green to balance out the existing reddish-wood cabinets.

How do you decide whether or not to restore older furniture?
We love to reuse vintage furniture. If a piece is intact and just needs to be reupholstered or refinished, that is our go-to. As you can see in this home, heirloom pieces bring special details into a space and are also great conversation-starters.

Interior Design: Kate Duncan, Pillar Interiors, Crofton, Maryland. Decorative Painting: Deanne Lenehan, Lenehan Studios, Catonsville, Maryland. Landscape Design: McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 

ASK KATE

What design luminary inspires you?
My first job out of college was at a design firm in Chattanooga. In my formative years, I drooled over everything Ray Booth did. I met him at High Point Market once and was very much a fan girl.

Name a piece you’ll never part with.
A Biedermeier hutch that came from Germany with my husband’s family. We used it to store china in our last house; now it’s a game cabinet.   

True collector confession?
I love finding side chairs on the street and throwing them in the back of my car. I take them to my upholsterer and cover them in super-fun fabrics. 

What’s your latest wallpaper obsession?
I’m crazy about House of Hackney’s Pride pattern featuring ostriches strutting on a background of stripes. 

Portrait: MAUREEN PORTO

In 1939, a member of the du Pont dynasty built a sprawling, Shingle-style refuge called Sandaway on the shores of Dewey Beach. The spot made history 82 years later, when the land alone was split into three parcels and sold for $9.1 million, breaking Delaware real estate records. Considering that the legendary du Pont compound could sleep dozens of well-heeled holiday-goers in a whopping 12 bedrooms, it’s only fitting that the new owners would also go big and make the most of the coveted coastal lot.

Two of the buyers happen to be close friends based in the DC area. The buddies, both fathers of three, decided to build side-by-side beach houses so their families could vacation together. They approached architect Randall Mars with an unusual proposition: Conceive two neighboring homes that would share similar functions and goals but remain distinct in form and style.

“The biggest challenge was how similar do we make the structures, knowing that these are two different clients with two different sets of aesthetic desires,” Mars recalls. “Do we make them two of a pair, or do we make them completely different?”

The owners’ wish lists both called for spacious living and entertaining areas, bedrooms aplenty for friends and family, pools and outdoor perches with ocean views, and geothermal wells for energy-efficient heating and cooling. Orchestrating these desires would be no easy feat within the confines of the combined half-acre site, bordered by a road, neighbors on two sides and fragile, locally protected sand dunes along the shore.

Mars and his team devised the homes as facing, L-shaped forms that mirror one another, with pool decks set in open space between them. To make the most of every inch, oceanfront terraces were allowed to cantilever 15 feet beyond a regulatory line that prohibits building on the dunes.

Stylistically, Mars declares, “We decided to create fraternal twins cut from the same cloth, yet unique in their own right.”

Exterior views display the 5,000-square-foot, six-bedroom retreats’ shared DNA. The street-facing gray home is clad in board-formed concrete, which was poured on site, and gray Accoya, a low-maintenance material made from sustainably sourced lumber. Its black-and-white neighbor sports a façade of white stucco, precast-concrete panels and Accoya in a darker, charred finish. Abundant terraces and decks gracing both abodes invite residents to step out and relish sea breezes and the thunder of waves.

With a muted palette and pitched roofs—a Dewey Beach requirement for all new builds—the gray house conveys a more conventional presence than its minimalist twin. “The gray house ties into the beach context, while the owner of the black-and-white home wanted something more modern,” explains Mars, who worked with each client individually.

Local regulations allow new homes to reach a maximum height of 2.5 stories, as long as the top level is built into the roofline. The gray house accomplishes this with upper bedrooms built into sloped roof forms. The resident next door, in contrast, preferred a flat roof, so Mars satisfied local requirements by designing box dormers that mask pitched roofs while keeping the third floor under district height limits.

Upon arrival at the gray house, guests ascend stairs to the second-story great room, kitchen and bar. “A quick turn to the right reveals endless views of the ocean and horizon,” Mars relays. The ground level harbors three ensuite bedrooms, a rec room and gym; on the third story, a pair of primary suites, an office and a rooftop terrace await.

Lauren Sparber of Jodi Macklin Interiors was tapped to outfit this beach lair. She embraced a palette of warm neutrals, sandy tones, light woods and organic stone to reflect the coastal setting. “The location was our greatest source of inspiration,” the designer attests. “Conceived as a retreat for multiple families to gather, the home captures the relaxed feeling of beach living. It’s elevated yet approachable, and not stuffy or formal.”

Wood warms the floors and ceilings, even in the kitchen designed by Meghan Brown of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath. “The ceiling contrasts beautifully with the concrete-look quartz countertops, creating a balanced composition,” Browne says. “With its restrained palette of clean, natural materials, the space feels both modern and enduring.”

A different layout welcomes guests to the black-and-white house, where the kitchen, great room and wine bar occupy the ground level, spilling onto the pool deck. Four bedrooms, a kids’ rec room and an office dwell on the second story, while the top level contains a guest room, office and the primary suite—complete with an outdoor shower.

Designers Arlene Critzos and Joyce Pearl of Interior Concepts were enlisted to outfit the residence. “Our clients didn’t want the home to feel obviously coastal,” Critzos recalls. “Based on their desires, we channeled a California modern look with edgy, organic elements.” A light, neutral palette lets sea vistas take center stage. Walnut accents add heft while unexpectedly luxe finishes are juxtaposed with raw concrete.

“Over the dining table, a floating glass sculpture adds a bit of shimmer,” remarks Pearl. “It almost appears to be swimming in the space like jellyfish in the ocean.”

From pouring concrete panels to digging geothermal wells, construction challenges were many in the harsh beach environment. Mars and his clients selected materials to withstand the elements. “The Accoya panels have a 50-year warranty and the concrete is not going to fail,” says the architect. “So these houses will last for a while.”

Landscape architect Travis Wierengo’s plan weaves the properties together—and sets them apart. “We sought a balance that offered both privacy and continuity,” he explains. “Since the clients are close friends, we designed path systems to connect both houses, allowing easy passage between the properties and out to the beach.”

Ultimately, it’s the beach that unites these newly minted homes. Whether they’re watching the morning sun dawn on the horizon or gathering around the firepit on a crisp fall night, lulled by the whisper of waves, the two families are perfectly poised to savor it all.

Architecture: Randall Mars, AIA, principal; Emily Broadwell and Brett Cline, project architects, Randall Mars Architects, McLean, Virginia. Builder: Phil Milbourne, Horizon Builders, Bowie, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: Travis Wierengo, ASLA, Topio Landscape Architecture, Selbyville, Delaware. Gray House—Interior Design: Lauren Sparber, Jodi Macklin Interiors, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Meghan Browne, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Black-and-White House—Interior Design: Arlene Critzos, Joyce Pearl, Interior Concepts, Inc., Annapolis, Maryland. Kitchen Design: Julianna Morais, Henrybuilt, Brooklyn, New York.

RESOURCES

GRAY HOUSE
THROUGHOUT
Lighting: waclighting.com.

DINING AREA
Light Fixture: cuffstudio.com. Table: suiteny.com. Chairs: us.delaespada.com through thefutureperfect.com. Chair Fabric: romo.com. Fireplace Wall Finish: custom through theartistsrepublic.net.

LIVING AREA
Sectional: montauksofa.com. Coffee Table: verellen.biz. Rugs: galleriacarpets.com. Pillow Fabric: erikampowell.com.

KITCHEN
Pendants: articolostudios.com. Refrigerator & Range: subzero-wolf.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com. Stools: us.delaespada.com through thefutureperfect.com. Stool Fabric: romo.com. Cabinets: decorcabinets.com through gilmerkitchens.com. Hardware: turnstyledesigns.com through pushpullhardware.com. Plumbing Fixtures: dornbracht.com.

POOL TERRACE
Round Lounge Chairs & Chaises: dedon.de.

BLACK AND WHITE HOUSE

THROUGHOUT
Lighting: waclighting.com. Porcelain Floors: porcelanosa.com.

DINING AREA
Table & Sideboard: rscollection.com. Chairs: haveaseat.com. Chair Fabric: concertex.com. Light Sculpture: jitkaskuhrava.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinets: henrybuilt.com. Light Fixture Above Island: jitkaskuhrava.com. Stools: nuevolighting.com.

LIVING AREA
Sofa & Fabric: lazarind.com. Rug: custom through interiorconceptsinc.com.

OUTDOOR
Outdoor Seating, Ottoman & Fabric: jamesperse.com. Table: fourhands.com. Outdoor Dining Area Table & Chairs: seasonalliving.com.

PRIMARY BEDROOM
Bed: oldbiscaynedesigns.com. Rug: custom through interiorconceptsinc.com. Chaise: customfurniturela.com. Drink Table: arteriorshome.com. Terrace Furniture: fourhands.com.

Forces of nature have a way of propelling future plans into motion. Such was the case for a family of six, who loved their simple 1950s weekend cottage perched high above the Elk River, the northernmost tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. The owners intended to expand or renovate the property someday—then two trees fell on the house during a massive storm. “There was a significant amount of damage,” recalls the wife. “We took it as a sign that it was time to rebuild rather than try to fix it.”

She and her husband, former proprietors of a family business, were originally drawn to the site by its dramatic views and proximity to their main residence in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a mere 90-minute drive away. Planning for their new Maryland getaway, the couple envisioned a home that would accentuate watery vistas and comfortably accommodate extended family and friends in chic but not fussy style. They enlisted residential designer Matthew Pearson, interior designer Erin Paige Pitts and J.R. Leonard of Avalon Custom Builders to make the dream a reality.

“The owners wanted a timeless, elegantly inspired house that would sit well with its surroundings. We settled on classic New England Shingle style,” notes Pearson. “Interior spaces were designed to be open and informal, with an eye towards organization and sightlines that connect each space with views of the river.”

Clad in blue cedar shingles, the finished 6,500-square-foot retreat revolves around relaxation, ease and indoor-outdoor connection. The open kitchen, dining area and family room, along with the primary suite and a generous screened porch, are situated on the second story to enjoy long, unobstructed vistas of the river, where a dock and boat await. A guest suite and corridors, stairs and an elevator were placed on the street side.

The ground floor harbors a second guest suite, plus two playful bunkrooms with a shared bath to accommodate the owners’ three teenage daughters and one son, plus friends. A mudroom with plenty of cubbies keeps clutter at bay, while a highly organized staging zone dubbed the river room is a gateway to outdoor adventures. Equipped with a bath, a full-size refrigerator and ice machine, and lockers to store water bottles, life jackets, fishing gear, towels, sunscreen and coolers, it maintains order even when the house is overflowing with guests.

With a bounty of cleverly concealed storage solutions built into the floor plan, Erin Paige Pitts and the owners set out to bedeck the interiors, from public to utility spaces, in contemporary coastal style. “I wanted Erin to have fun with tile, wallpaper and layers of texture,” conveys the wife. “But we also wanted people to be able to put their feet up on every surface.”

As the designer explains, “I call the look ‘flip-flop friendly.’ The owners wanted their kids to be able to run in and out in wet bathing suits. So, although they look like wood, the upstairs floors are a luxury vinyl tile and seating is covered in performance fabrics. Everything was done in a way that is sophisticated and fun, but also durable—nothing’s too precious.”

From the home’s colorful cedar-shake exterior to its winsome décor, waves of blue enliven an otherwise neutral palette and echo the watery scene outdoors. Finished in custom oak and painted-white cabinetry with a glass-tile backsplash, the inviting kitchen and butler’s pantry were designed by Pitts to cater to a crowd. Villa & House stools in a driftwood finish pull up to the island for casual meals or cocktail hour. Overscaled light fixtures in mixed metals make a bold statement.

Pitts played up organic textures throughout the residence. A jute rug and wicker host chairs anchor the dining area. While backs of the guest chairs are cloaked in Serena Dugan linen, the seats sport durable vinyl in a matching shade.

Centered around a stone hearth, the open family room assembles the whole gang for rainy day board games or cozy movie nights. A Wesley Hall sofa, a rattan settee and a blue Made Goods table in glazed raffia gather on a handmade jute rug by J. Leigh. A common thread visually links Pitts’ cheery fabric and bold tile selections. “The circle medallion on the butler pantry’s floor tile is a nod to the Schumacher drapery fabric in the dining and the family room,” she explains. “And from the family room, you see wallpaper with a circle motif in the primary suite vestibule, which also relates back to the drapery. So it all works together.”

The designer turned up the volume in the boys’ and girls’ bunkrooms. These sleepover-ready hangouts are drenched in dreamy blues, offset by whimsical wallcovering that Pitts installed only on ceilings to keep the budget in check.

“We intentionally decided not to give each child their own room,” says the mom, recalling the original cottage on site. “When we’re down there, we want all the kids to pile into big bunkrooms, no matter their ages, and spend time together.”

Sojourns to the Maryland house may include boat and jet-ski trips, fishing, water skiing and tubing on the river. The family’s stylish yet durable home makes all the activity a breeze. Down time, says the wife, is usually spent on the back deck. “Everybody can just congregate out there for breakfast or happy hour. There's something about being on the water that is so calming,” she adds. “We can stare at the river forever.”

Skip Sroka knows how to throw a party. As one whose soirées are divine enough to appear in a magazine (this one included), the designer leans into largesse when hosting an event. So after he and his partner John Kammeier downsized from a spacious Phillips Park residence to a Georgetown row house a few years ago, it wouldn’t take Martha Stewart to predict that compact living would eventually cramp their style.

“John was the one who first verbalized that he didn’t like the tightness or lack of gardens in Georgetown. And I felt like I was going to hit somebody every time I backed out of our garage,” Sroka admits.

An ensuing house search ended when Sroka laid eyes on a 1939 center-hall Georgian in DC’s Foxhall neighborhood, set on enough land for a pool. “I saw potential in the private lot and how much light flowed through the house,” he recalls. “The layout wasn’t right, but I knew we’d be renovating anyway.” To this designer who has overhauled or built his six previous Washington homes plus two pieds-à-terre in New York (where Kammeier runs a menswear brand), a little dust and debris are par for the course.

But first the couple lived in the home for nearly a year, brainstorming ideas for a redo. They engaged architect Dale Overmyer and landscape architect Marion Oxford Dearth to help them craft a dwelling that would comfortably live for today while respecting its classical lineage. The scheme would reorganize interiors, heighten indoor-outdoor connections and construct a side addition containing a kitchen, breakfast room and primary suite. A landscape update called for a new arrival courtyard, pool and rear terrace.

“We worked off of the strengths of the traditional center-hall plan, taking some of the formal elements and enriching them,” notes Overmyer.

In one flourish, a new portico bump-out made way for an oval-shaped foyer and staircase. In the now-complete abode, a mural depicting 1820s Paris sets the scene; acrylic balusters add a contemporary touch. “I love how the rods catch light and make passing through the space a delight,” shares Sroka.

From the foyer, the dining room and kitchen/breakfast room unfold to the right. The family room lies straight ahead and to its left, a library, powder room and sunroom await. The second floor harbors two guest suites along with the primary suite; a third-floor guest room doubles as Sroka’s painting studio. The lower level contains a gym, guest suite and catering kitchen.

With its modern art and bold palette, the house doesn’t take itself too seriously. “I wanted to honor the Georgian architecture with touchstones like classic moldings, but don’t want to feel like I’m living in my grandmother’s house,” Sroka asserts. “I wanted a balance between stately and informal. I contrasted polished and textured, patterns and plains.”

A vintage rock-crystal chandelier gleams in the dining room, where walls and ceiling are drenched in pale blue semi-gloss. Two abstract paintings and black-lacquered Modern History chests lend heft. A pale-blue thread extends to chair upholstery in the sun-dappled breakfast room. Here, Sroka fashioned decorative shelves to display vintage pottery.

The home serves as a testing ground for ideas that may find their way into the clients’ domain. For example, the kitchen island is faced in nickel-studded leather. And in the library, shelves were painted bright green, then coated in a glossy finish in lieu of lacquering. “It’s not as involved but gives you the same result,” Sroka reveals.

Every room enjoys views of the verdant gardens. Traveling up a steep driveway off a street of closely knit houses, visitors round a bend and are pleasantly surprised to come upon this hilltop property where the gracious arrival court replaced a circular drive. Still a work in progress, Marion Oxford Dearth’s landscape plan sited the pool to the right of the entry since the narrow backyard harbors a mature oak that needed to stay. “Once everything is grown in, a hedge of linden trees and a fence covered in Euonymus will create total privacy between the pool and arrival court,” she says. The couple love to entertain around the pool and recently hosted a chic, seated dinner for 32 on the arrival court.

As Sroka marvels, “The house now has space to entertain on one floor, indoors and out.”

Since embarking on this passion project, he has taken a laid-back approach to furnishing their nest, repurposing many keepsakes from former abodes. Art, however, was another story. “My biggest concern was what was going to fit where,” he explains. Paintings, sculptures and other treasures the couple have collected personalize every space, from watercolors bought for their first home to a French tapestry hung in their bedroom. As Sroka reflects, “This house is a repository of our life in Washington.”

Long fascinated with interior design, Jazmyne Simmons took what she calls “a non-linear career path.” She attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied architecture and also played Division 1 soccer. As a student athlete, she unfortunately experienced four concussions in 20 months—and earned her degree despite lingering health issues.

She is now at the top of her game as principal of her own DC interior design studio, founded in 2022 after stints at other firms. Simmons says that the challenge of working hard while navigating an intense healing process informs her approach as a designer today. “I began to understand that, more than just aesthetics, interior design is about how you inhabit a space and how its functionality comes together,” she observes. “Especially in the DMV where we’re a lot of high performers, I’m able to read the subtext and understand how much mental load a client is working under day to day. Then I consider how I can design a space that starts to alleviate that. I bring a calm, easeful presence to the spaces I design.”

Whether working on a new build or a renovation, Simmons believes that her background in architecture makes her nimble. As she explains, “It helps me bring all the pieces together, look at what’s available and then jump off and pivot from there.”

Interior Design: Jazmyne Simmons, ASID, Jazmyne Design Studio, Washington, DC.

Little did Robin Heller and Jen Levy know as kids growing up on the same street in Baltimore, they’d one day helm a design firm together. Initial pursuits took them on separate paths to L.A. and New York—Heller in marketing/retail and Levy in visual merchandising.

Heller discovered her decorating prowess by revamping her family’s homes in California and, after moving back East, Baltimore. Word soon spread of her bright, exuberant style and job requests followed. She began looking for a business partner.

“Jen had moved back to Baltimore. I found her on Instagram,” Heller recalls. “We instantly connected and the rest is history.”

The designers, who launched their firm in 2022, now have projects underway in the DMV, New York and California. Their ethos: to celebrate color and whimsy as a way to channel joy into clients’ everyday lives. “It’s been eye-opening to see how much of a need and desire there is among young families who want aesthetic homes, but need to balance that with the demands of kids and pets,” Levy notes.

Though their portfolio displays a bold spectrum, the duo reels in clients to avoid overload. “We often use color in a very neutral way,” says Levy.

“The concept of making spaces not too precious, but still really beautiful, is what clients come to us for,” adds Heller. “It’s such a rewarding thing.”

Interior Design: Robin Heller and Jen Levy, Surrounded by Color, Baltimore, Maryland.

For over a century, lighthouses have guided ships to safe passage throughout the Chesapeake Bay. Today, more than a dozen of Maryland’s historic lighthouses remain active. Many are open for tours—and one even hosts overnight stays.

Drum Point Lighthouse is one of the state’s three remaining screwpile lighthouses. This hexagonal, cottage-like structure was built in the 1850s at the mouth of the Patuxent River. After it was decommissioned in the 1960s, the beacon was later moved to the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons. The restored relic, furnished in early-20th-century style, welcomes visitors year-round (weather permitting) to peruse the keeper’s quarters and climb spiral stairs to inspect its original light, a Fresnel lens of the fourth order.

Built in 1828, Cove Point Lighthouse graces the shore in nearby Lusby. Its 40-foot-tall light tower is flanked by a keeper’s house, which was expanded over the years to accommodate several keepers and their families. Though the light was automated in 1986, the buildings have been restored and the seven-acre grounds are open for tours on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from May through September. For true history buffs, the keeper’s cottage can be rented for overnight stays sleeping up to 16 guests. Search for Cove Point Lighthouse on Airbnb or call 410-474-5370. Proceeds support the Calvert Marine Museum.

For more information on Maryland lighthouses, go to visitmaryland.org.

ROOTED IN MEMORY Barry Dixon’s spring collection for Arteriors, released at High Point, conjures places and objects that have captivated the designer on journeys near and far. Pictured: Along with the Boulder swivel chairs and ottoman, the line includes Pastorale Wall Plaques in iron and bronze and Neushoorn sconces whose form suggests the armor-like skin of a rhinoceros. arteriorshome.com

FLOWER POWER Handwoven rattan blossoms envelop Petal, which features a glass globe suspended by a gold loop and chain. It’s one of many eye-catching entries that celebrate organic forms in Lauren Liess’ fall 2025 line for Troy Lighting. hvlgroup.com

ACROSS THE POND A sojourn to southern England sparked artist Victoria Larson’s Understory wallpaper collection. Painterly patterns vary from Dapple, a play on sunlight, to Relic (pictured), based on an architectural detail. victoria-larson.com

WATER WAYS Evoking a bygone era, Jess Weeth’s freestanding wooden vanities are the designer’s second line for Unique Kitchens & Baths. Furniture-inspired details, from chamfered edges to turned legs, impart lasting charm. uniquekitchensandbaths.com

EASTERN INFLUENCE The wooden Kyoto Cabinet is one of 70 pieces in Jamie Merida’s latest collection for Chelsea House. Set against a gold backdrop, the chest’s hand-painted cherry-blossom motif was inspired by traditional Japanese artistry. chelseahouseinc.com

ROMAN HOLIDAY Thomas Pheasant’s 19-piece outdoor furniture collab with McGuire channels the timeless beauty of ancient Rome and Greece with sculptural, hammered-metal frames and finely crafted travertine tabletops. Pictured: the Naxos Arm Chair. bakerfurniture.com

GATHER ROUND AjMadison’s Hannah Pregont is wowed by True Caliber’s Built-In Rockwell Grill. “With 360-degree access, it’s centered around gathering. It’s incredibly well executed, with elevated aesthetics and finishes.”
ajmadison.com; true-caliber.com

BLOW STEAM Kim Calavas of ABW Appliances is excited about JennAir’s NextGen Induction Downdraft Cooktop. “It offers powerful, integrated ventilation and no more bulky hoods,” she says. abwappliances.com; jennair.com

COOL DOWN GE Profile’s Kitchen Assistant Refrigerator is a game-changer, says Ferguson’s Leslie Graeser. “It reduces food waste and, with a barcode scanner, builds a shareable grocery list.” ferguson.com; kitchenassistantfridge.com

NEW WAVE “Monogram’s 900 Series dishwasher boasts a cycle that cuts water use by more than 25 percent,” reports Stefanie Pratt-Greene of ADU, Your Appliance Source. More perks: bottle jets and lid storage. adu.com; monogram.com

FRESH SPIN Town Appliance’s Daniel Kraftmann is a fan of Whirlpool’s WEF5727TW laundry tower. “It introduces intelligent drying technology, energy-efficient performance and an all-in-one footprint.” townappliance.com; whirlpool.com

The new owners of a pristine, 55-acre vacation spot in Rock Hall, Maryland, first called on landscape architect D. Miles Barnard simply to design a backyard pool. But given the challenges and unique properties of the largely wooded site—a peninsula with views of Davis Creek—the scope soon expanded.

The clients with two young daughters wanted an outdoor oasis where they could enjoy time away from their urban Philadelphia home. Though original owners had planted the grounds with native species, by the time Barnard visited, poorly tended, overgrown vegetation obstructed sightlines to the river. “It had all gotten a little too wild; the house had no connection to the greater landscape,” he remarks. “I wanted to preserve the natural feeling of the site but establish a functional space that would complement the architecture.”

Designed by late Chestertown architect Peter Newlin, the house assembles rustic pavilions with cedar siding and copper roofs; wide porches take in the views. Since the home lies in a protected Chesapeake Bay critical area where a 100-foot buffer zone prohibits building near or disturbing the shoreline,

Barnard “shoe-horned” the 55-foot-long pool near the home, its deep end on axis with one of the pavilions. A courtyard patio featuring a seating area and fire table nestles between the pool and the residence. Pennsylvania bluestone set in a running-bond pattern paves the terraces.

Given sloping terrain, the far side of the pool was positioned above ground and buttressed with a wall of bluestone veneer. Down a few steps, a new firepit awaits. “Walking from the pool to the firepit, the landscape begins to soften as the crisp bluestone gives way to irregular flagstone, boulders, gravel and native plants,” notes Barnard. “We used a lot of what was there plus Sweet Bay, Fothergilla, Viburnum and Oak Leaf hydrangea.”

Secluded by towering oak, maple and loblolly pine trees, the owners and their kids now enjoy downtime in their inspiring outdoor playground—primed for summer fun, yet in harmony with its lush environment.

Situated near Rock Creek Park, a Northwest Washington property boasts an exceptionally private backyard, rimmed by walls and two freestanding garages. But owners Elaine and Gerardo del Cerro barely enjoyed their garden. With overgrown hedges and a disjointed pool, it felt disconnected from their sleek, modern residence.

“They mostly used the space as a walk-through to the garage,” recalls New York landscape architect Margie Bart, hired to transform the diminutive plot into a cohesive extension of the home.

She set out to complement the property’s strong architectural framework. “We created distinctive spaces that flow together visually and invite you outside,” Bart explains. There’s a new dining area, a reimagined pool and a lush lawn. Stately terraced steps follow the yard’s natural incline, leading up to a cocktail area flanked by beds of New Dawn roses.

“It was a challenge in restraint not to overwhelm the space,” notes Bart, whose plan respected the home’s crisp symmetry and minimalist material palette. She matched existing sandblasted-marble pavers to deliver an expanded pool deck. It now accommodates a pair of chaises and forms the steps near the dining area and on the terraced lawn. The dining table rests on a bed of misty-gray granite gravel. And manicured bands of ivy animate the garden walls in a syncopated composition.

Though the property required extensive grading and drainage repairs, the team was able to salvage its mature trees, which include magnolias, Upright English Oak and a glorious Chaste Tree that erupts in violet blooms every summer. Once the infrastructure was in place, Bart stripped the entire under-story. “We balanced the hardscape with a mix of soft shrubs, annuals and perennials, from hydrangea to Allium, Calamint and Salvia,” she notes, adding, “Elaine, who’s an artist, makes the most beautiful cut-flower arrangements.”

The del Cerros now delight in their winsome garden and love sharing it with friends. “We wanted it to feel timeless and intimate—like it has always been there,” says Bart. “It’s like an oasis in the city.”

Landscape Architecture: Margie Bart, PLA, Bart Landscape Architecture, New York, New York. Landscape Contractor: Page Stonework and Landscape, Takoma Park, Maryland. Landscape Maintenance: Hedge Garden Care, Silver Spring, Maryland. 

FLOWER POWER Hundreds of fanciful, hand-tufted blooms embellish Tuuci’s Ocean Master MAX Bolero: Ombré Blossom umbrella. Its domed canopy offers expansive shade coverage while marine-grade construction withstands the elements. An easy-to-use lift system makes unfurling a breeze. tuuci.com

TURN UP THE HEAT Urban Bonfire has teamed up with True Caliber to launch a series of integrated outdoor kitchens revolving around easy entertaining. Customizable layouts integrate True Caliber’s Rockwell Social Grill, refrigeration and Urban Bonfire’s high-performance, powder-coated finishes. urbanbonfire.com

TROPICAL TOUCH With its deep-seated cushions, the Eliott collection by French designer Stéphanie Coutas epitomizes laid-back living. A solid-wood fauteuil (pictured) and two- or three-seated sofas evoke bamboo; rope detail adds nautical flair. Available in five finishes. stephaniecoutas.com

LIVING LEGACY Holly Hunt has revived Vladimir Kagan’s iconic 1952 Capricorn Collection of sculptural outdoor furniture. This collab reinterprets Kagan’s signature wire-frame classics with a 10-piece line that includes a lounge chair and bistro table (pictured) in two finish options. hollyhunt.com

SPRING FLING Sunbrella and venerable textile house CW Stockwell have expanded their JOY Collection just in time for spring. The line of durable, UV-stable fabrics features six patterns—new motifs and fresh takes on archival classics—in varied colorways. cwstockwell.com

TAKE IT OUTSIDE Designer Luca Nichetto has adapted his Torei collection for Cassina to weather the outdoors. Sleek tables in varying heights, hues and shapes combine stainless-steel bases with glazed-porcelain tops. The debut also includes pedestal accents made of solid-porcelain stoneware. cassina.com

EASY SEAT Sinuous curves and fanned silhouettes define JANUS et Cie’s new Vasto dining and lounge chair collection. Topped with plush cushions, the perches marry powder-coated aluminum frames with UV-resistant, synthetic-fiber rope. Opt for Bronze (pictured) or lighter Talc colorways. janusetcie.com

PILLOW TALK Black Edition’s Xandri outdoor fabric collection instills luxurious bouclé and chenille with high performance. The brand now offers ready-made outdoor cushions in Xandri’s elegant motifs. Resistant to sun, moisture and mildew, they elevate any al fresco setting. blackedition.com

CATCH RAYS Brown Jordan has unveiled portable, solar-powered lanterns that stylishly illuminate outdoor settings after dark. Wrapped in tactile rope, the Sora fixture comes in three sizes and a rainbow of color options for its frame, handle and rope. brownjordan.com

Tired of their cluttered, outdated kitchen, Bethesda homeowners called on Boss Design Center to transform the space into a functional and aesthetically pleasing hub for cooking and entertaining. After bidding farewell to its dark granite countertops and clunky cabinetry, architectural designer Talha Gursoy started with a clean slate.

“We wanted to blend modern European design with timeless sophistication,” he explains. His scheme centers on a long island featuring a waterfall edge in polished quartzite.

The star of the show, quartzite also appears on the far wall’s backsplash, where a single slab creates a focal point behind a custom stainless-steel hood and a Wolf cooktop. Backless glass towers displaying barware let the stone shine through.

The room’s light palette is offset with bespoke details. “We did quite a bit of layering on the island with wood, stone and brass footings,” notes the designer. In addition to brass trim on the island, the metal is repeated in the hood’s rivet accents and in the team’s lighting and hardware selections.

Custom cabinetry in walnut and painted wood provide plenty of storage. Along the window wall, two dishwashers flank a farmhouse sink. And on the other side of the island, a door opens to reveal a pop-out shelf for a standing mixer.

The residents are delighted with their stunning new cook space. As Gursoy reflects, “It showcases exceptional craftsmanship, natural light and material harmony—balancing warmth, texture and refinement.”

Award: Kitchen over $150,000. Design & Construction: Talha Gursoy, Boss Design Center, McLean, Virginia. Photo

Outmoded materials and a late-1990s floorplan—think awkward angles, closed-off rooms and poor circulation—ruled a family’s Fairfax County roost. So the owners called on Bowers Design Build for a comprehensive architectural and design-build renovation. The project reconfigured main and upper levels with upgraded finishes and millwork, celebrating natural light and improving sightlines throughout.

At the heart of the home, the team reimagined the once-disjointed kitchen and sunroom. “The kitchen’s peninsula island restricted circulation and made entertaining difficult,” recalls lead designer Lori Shaffer. “And the original sunroom felt heavy and closed-in with low ceilings; limited insulation made it unusable year-round.”

The team implemented a new, rectangular kitchen plan complete with custom cabinetry, layered lighting and a generous island with a quartzite countertop. A marble-tile backsplash, 60-inch Wolf range and stainless-steel hood with polished straps complete the picture.

After a wall separating the kitchen and sunroom came down, the latter was treated to a vaulted white oak ceiling, a wall of windows and climate control. As Shaffer reflects, “The space has been transformed into a bright, year-round gathering area while maintaining the calm, timeless aesthetic carried throughout the project.”

Award: Kitchen over $150,000. Renovation Architecture & Construction: Jason Gagen, lead architect; Lori Shaffer, lead designer, Bob Braddock, vice president of architecture; Bowers Design Build. Photography: Monica Baranko.