The issue: The terrain began its descent toward pristine woodland only a few feet from the home’s rear façade.
“There was no play space for their two young daughters,” recalls landscape architect Joseph Richardson, who was initially asked to build out a modest lawn. From there, he says, the owners’ plans mushroomed.
Richardson wound up overhauling the entire property, building up the backyard with massive retaining walls in a feat of engineering. The makeover forged a better connection between the front and back yards with a stairway swathed in Big Blue liriope. It also created a lawn for the kids and unfurled an expansive terrace that houses a dramatic, infinity-edge pool and a freestanding spa/water feature.
Now that the project is complete, reflects Richardson, “the pool offers a spectacular view of the natural area.” The terrace blends seamlessly into the landscape. “Full-range flagstone paving shows variations in color and texture,” he continues, “and helps soften the space.” As do native waxmyrtle, Annabell hydrangea and manicured boxwood hedges.
Along the property line, a wall of Western Maryland stone buttresses the spa, fed by water flowing through brass scuppers. A fire pit by Hart Concrete Design tempts guests to linger year-round. A staircase leads the owners past the pool’s waterfall edge and down the slope to a stream and a wooded trail—the perfect extension of their own natural idyll.
But a couple relocating from Connecticut also had to contend with woefully outdated interiors in their new Chevy Chase digs. So before moving south, the twosome hired designer Sandra Meyer to overhaul the entire residence and outfit it in fresh, modern style.
“It was a gut renovation,” recalls Meyer. “We took the apartment down to the studs and replaced all the floors, doors and trim.” The makeover focused on creating comfortable yet chic spaces that could play multiple roles. A game table and reading nook add functionality to the living area, while the TV room houses a sleep sofa to accommodate overflow guests.
The owners envisioned a streamlined departure from the traditional look of their former manse, so Meyer pushed the décor in a modern direction. “I’ve found that when downsizing, many of my clients drastically change their style,” she reports. “I did one huge presentation for these clients and they didn’t say no to a thing.”
When they finally moved into the finished home, the owners were thrilled with every space, from the living area that revolves around entertaining to the sunny kitchen complete with bespoke cabinetry. Recalls Meyer, “They were pretty blown away.”
What role does texture play in the living room?
I used a combination of velvets, linens and reflective fabrics throughout. The living room sofa is covered in Zimmer + Rohde velvet while accent pillows in a Great Plains viscose cotton add sheen. There’s a simplicity to the room because the colors are very even; if we hadn’t added so much texture, it wouldn’t look as sophisticated.
Why was this apartment renovation tricky?
In this project, the ceilings are cement so we couldn’t add recessed lights. I had to get creative.
Do you employ lighting to create drama?
Lighting is a central part of a room, especially when you’re going for a statement. I love the Moooi fixture we found at Illuminations for the dining room. Little LEDs come out of the bottom and reflect on the mesh above.
How did you visually expand the kitchen height?
The kitchen has low ceilings, so I chose white upper cabinets that don’t extend all the way to the top, which makes the space feel airier. And I didn’t use hardware on the upper cabinets so they’d look super-clean.
What drove your countertop and backsplash choices?
We selected white quartz, which is very versatile, for the countertops, and a marble backsplash to add a bit of movement and tie it all together.
What is key to a successful kitchen redo?
I look at kitchens as a whole in terms of style and function. I’m a stickler on making sure you know where everything is going to go and how you’re going to use it.
Explain your strategy on designing built-ins outside the kitchen?
I think about function first and then I determine whether I want a wood or a painted finish. This decision depends on whether you prefer a built-in to stand out like a piece of furniture or recede to showcase what’s on display.
Is it okay to mix woods?
In a palette on a board, we designers get concerned about things working together perfectly. But in reality, I think just about any woods can work together. After all, woods are together in nature.
How did you take the powder room in a glam direction?
Often, clients who come to me for a cleaner aesthetic want to go all out in their powder rooms. In this project, it was about making the powder room super moody. We selected Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, which is very reflective, and I painted the ceiling gray.
What drove your design of the owners’ bedroom?
They wanted something serene. My goal was to make sure the room wasn’t too cold, given all the windows. We draped them like crazy in a sheer Romo fabric with stripes that add a bit of interest. All of the fabrics have a ton of texture and the wall-to-wall carpet is tonal but has an abstract pattern.
Why was the owners’ bath a challenge?
When we ripped out an old Jacuzzi tub in the space, we realized the drain had been raised. Fortunately, we were able to drill down into the cement to get it out.
Explain your approach for clients who are downsizing.
As I did in this apartment, it’s important to make sure that every space has multiple uses.
Renovation & Interior Design: Sandra Meyer, Ella Scott Design, Bethesda, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Ted Floros, FRP Contractors, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Millwork Fabrication: D. William Sapp, Definitive Resources, Brinklow, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
ASK SANDRA
PHOTO: STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG
What furniture possessions will you keep forever?
I’ll never part with my 1960s orange vellum-covered side tables from David Bell Antiques.
Share your favorite retails sources.
Crump & Kwash in Baltimore and Coil + Drift and Fair in New York. And CB2 for accessories and kids’ furniture.
How do you kick off a project?
I don’t have a rule. Sometimes I start brainstorming floorplans, then develop an idea for furniture. Or I’ll start with fabrics.
What's a bold move you want to try?
I’d like to use more colors—like burgundy, green or turquoise—in bathrooms I design.
Lighting is my favorite thing. There are certain elements you might not notice in a room, but a light is hard to miss. When considering where to spend, lighting is not where you should cheap out.
Until one night in 2019, when she opened her sketch pad. “In 10 minutes, I had 40-some pieces drawn,” recalls the Annapolis-based interior designer. “It was in me all along, but I never let it come to the surface.”
In March, Farnady Furniture was born. A collection of 25 table and chair prototypes—many handmade locally by Niermann Weeks—expresses the designer’s eclectic, modern aesthetic. They also offer a nod to the Art Deco and Art Nouveau influences of her native Budapest. Lighting, mirrors and sculptures are in production, while plans are underway to expand color and fabric options. And in June, Farnady will unveil her creations in EJ Victor at High Point Market. For details, call 443-822-3248 or visit farnadyinteriors.com.
Why did you decide to design furniture?
I try to incorporate one-of-a-kind pieces in my work, but they’re not always easy to find. And creating furniture gives me an opportunity to tell people who I am as a designer.
What went into your collection’s DNA?
I like forward-thinking, I like modern and I like the unexpected. But there’s always a base you have to touch upon. For me, that’s Art Deco and Art Nouveau. I can trace back many of my pieces to architectural details such as a window frame, gate or front door in Budapest.
Where do you find design inspiration?
I find inspiration in travel, art, fashion—pretty much everywhere. I am also drawn to geometric forms. For example, swim noodles drifting together in the pool led me to design the Rolled Up Dining Chair. I love the architecture of it.
Who are your console tables named after?
I wanted to do something that represents me as a mother as well as my three teenage daughters, Emma, Julia and Adele. The pieces capture their personalities.
When I first went to High Point 20 years ago, I was blown away by the products and people talking about their designs. Never did I imagine I’d be one of them.
Le StandUp, a paddleboard made in France, brings a whole new dimension to the sport—day and night. Its lightweight, carbon frame boasts transparent panels that give riders an up-close view of ocean life. Double rows of battery-powered LEDs on the bottom of the board illuminate the seabed after dark. Price on request. loeva.me
SEEING STARS
Stellina, a next-generation telescope made by the French company Vaonis, lets stargazers view planets and galaxies on a monitor and capture high-resolution images that can easily be shared via a companion mobile app. At 15 pounds and 19 inches tall, the battery-powered scope is compact enough to take on the road. $3,999. vaonis.com
An AI-enabled wine-management system, WineCab scans labels for easy tracking and secures bottles in temperature- and humidity-controlled display cases. Its high-speed robotic arm retrieves a selection in 15 seconds and loads up to 24 bottles in seven minutes. Customizable in an array of millwork and finish options, WineCab is available in six-, 11- and 15-foot models; the latter can house more than 600 bottles. winecab.com
General manager Danilo Simic and chef Colin McClimans wow guests with ever-changing brunch and dinner menus focused on seasonal ingredients sourced within 150 miles of DC. Recent standouts: Lemon & Thyme Roasted Pennsylvania Chicken and the Nina May Gin & Tonic, infused with rose water and orange essence.
The Baltimore couturier, who has dressed clients in custom ball gowns and power suits for more than 20 years, will soon launch Ella Sport, a resort collection that, she explains, embodies “the kind of golf clothes Coco Chanel would have worn if she played golf.”
She loved the mélange of furniture, art and mementoes he’d woven together, inspired by Givenchy’s chateau on the outskirts of Paris.
“When I walked into Josh’s room, it spoke to me,” she recalls. “My mother was an interior designer in Manhattan in the ’50s and she always took me to design houses. Josh’s space reminded me of her, from the color palette and combination of textures to an Asian screen resembling one she passed down to me.”
A couple of years later when the visitor and her then-fiancé, an attorney, bought a new Craftsman-style house in Arlington, there was no question who would outfit the interiors. “We needed a designer and I called Josh,” she says.
In the midst of planning their wedding (a second marriage for both), the couple wanted to create a warm and welcoming hub for their blended family, which includes two teenage girls and a daughter in college. Fans of the five-bedroom home’s open floor plan and abundance of windows, they were less than enamored with its white-and-gray palette and mundane finishes.
“The house was very much an upscale builder-grade special,” Hildreth observes. “It was cheerful, but didn’t have much personality.” He set out to remedy this fact by creating layered spaces reflecting his clients’ love of travel and a collected-over-time sensibility. Reviewing shelter magazine photos, Hildreth says, they were drawn to West Coast homes projecting “sun-filled, casual elegance,” mixing antiques and modern finds.
“I decided this house needed a touch of Bohemian,” he explains. “They have a yoga room and look for calm and peace in their lives—I wanted the house to be an extension of that.” Instead of a traditional living room to the right of the main entry, an informal gathering area took shape. And along the home’s center hall, the space intended to be a dining room serves as a music room for the owners, who gather for meals in the casual open kitchen and family room spanning the back of the residence.
Hildreth struck a worldly note throughout. In the front room, he combined a vintage Khotan rug, a sculptural rattan light fixture made in Britain and abstract fabric that he likens to African Kuba cloth. Bronze water buffalo figures from Cambodia and an 18th-century Chinese ancestor portrait complete the picture.
Rarities also appear in the wife’s study on the opposite side of the entrance. Shelves holding books, antique vases and the first painting the couple bought together lend an elegant, personal touch. Mid-century chairs face the desk—two of many heirlooms from the wife’s late mother that grace the home. Says Hildreth, “We both inherited a love of beautiful homes from our mothers.”
Where there once was white paint, custom finishes by Paul Robson—the son of Malcolm Robson, Bunny Mellon’s decorative painter—add an indelible patina. Robson animated the kitchen/family room ceiling in a faux wood plank, transformed a wooden fireplace surround with a rich limestone look and elevated the owners’ bedroom walls with a soft striae. “When everything is freshly painted, new construction can feel raw,” Hildreth explains. “I wanted to approach this house like a new pair of blue jeans, running it through the wash and softening it up a bit.”
Also softening the home are one-of-a-kind rugs that the designer and his clients selected for each room. A Moroccan-style carpet sets the tone in the family room, where vintage 1960s chairs, an antique French console and two marble-topped coffee tables by DC designer Darryl Carter for Milling Road mingle in eclectic fashion.
The family is delighted with Hildreth’s global mix of styles and provenances in the home. In this concoction he likens to a soup, where Mid-Century Modern meets antique and Asia meets Africa, nothing feels one-note.
Many subtle nods in the family room allude to the homeowners’ recent nuptials. “The coffee tables have a nice connectivity,” says Hildreth. A pair of bronze busts from Benin converse side by side on matching stands. And in the adjacent dining area, two magnetic birds alight on a Démiurge light fixture (it came with one bird but the owners requested a mate).
“Life isn’t always a perfect path to a finish line, and it’s a beautiful thing when two people can find love again,” attests Hildreth. “When I met this couple, they exuded being in love with each other. I wanted to create a house where they could be really comfortable together.”
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT
Draper Fabric & Upholstery: gretcheneverett.com.
LIVING ROOM
Rug: altforliving.com. Ottoman: cfmodern.com. Brunschwig & Fils Ottoman Fabric: kravet.com. Chairs: harbingerla.com. Welting: samuelandsons.com. Drapery Fabric: studiobfabrics.com. Fixture: soane.co.uk. Wall Color: Slipper Satin through farrow-ball.com. Decorative Painting on Ceiling: robsonworldwidegraining.com.
FOYER
Rug: dorisleslieblau.com. Wallpaper: quadrillefabrics.com. Decorative Painting: robsonworldwidegraining.com.
STUDY
Rugs: Abaca Rug: hollandandsherry.com. Antique Rug: elikorugs.com. Chairs: Owners’ Collection. Chair Fabric: pierrefrey.com. Drapery Fabric: pennymorrison.com. Desk: dessinfournir.com. Drum Table: bakerfurniture.com. Floor Lamp: Mid-20th century French. Desk Lamp: Antique Satsuma Japanese Vase Lamp. Decorative Painting: robsonworldwidegraining.com.
KITCHEN
Stools: bakerfurniture.com. Pendants: ironwareinternational.com. Wall Color: Neutral Ground through sherwin-williams.com. Decorative Painting on Ceiling: robsonworldwidegraining.com.
FAMILY ROOM
Rug: dorisleslieblau.com. Sofa: Owners’ Collection. Sofa & Chair Fabric: hollandandsherry.com. Pillow Fabric: klstextiles.com; fschumacher.com; zakandfox.com; iansanderson.co.uk. Pillow Trim: samuelandsons.com. Vintage Chairs: Mid-century, walnut framed chairs in the style of Kofod-Larsen. Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Table between Chairs: 1stdibs.com. Vintage French Cabinet: rtfacts.com. Floor Lamp: nydc.com/antiques. Stool: verellen.biz. Wall Color: Neutral Ground through sherwin-williams.com. Coffee Tables: Darryl Carter for bakerfurniture.com. Roman Shade Fabric: legracieux.com. Painting: Merton Simpson. Photographs: jackspencer.com. Decorative Painting on Ceiling & Fireplace Surround: robsonworldwidegraining.com.
DINING AREA
Table: Owners’ Collection. Chairs: leeindustries.com. Leather on Chairs: mooreandgiles.com. Rug: elikorugs.com. Chandelier: demiurgenewyork.com. Wall Color: Neutral Ground through sherwin-williams.com. Roman Shade Fabric: legracieux.com.
MUSIC ROOM
Furniture, Screen, Rug & Lamps: Owners’ Collection. Wallpaper: phillipjeffries.com. Sofa Fabric: fschumacher.com. Drapery Fabric: vervain.com. Pillow Fabric: anticosetificiofiorentino.com
POWDER ROOM
Wallpaper: Kit Kemp through hollandandsherry.com. Mirror: 1stdibs.com. Paint on Vanity: Hathaway Gold through benjaminmoore.com. Hardware: pushpullhardware.com. Window Grille: Custom through joshhildrethinteriors.com. Sconces: soane.co.uk. Hardware: calfaucets.com. Countertop: rbratti.com.
LANDING/ STAIR
Wall Color: Slipper Satin through farrow-ball.com. Bench: hollyhunt.com. Rug: Owners’ Collection. Paintings: Elizabeth Marin.
OWNERS’ BEDROOM
Bed: quintushome.com. Rug: elikorugs.com. Night Tables: 1stdibs.com. Lamps: Vintage Balinese Carved Figural Lamps. Bedding: matouk.com; talinihome.com. Decorative Painting: robsonworldwidegraining.com. Slipper Chairs: ferrellmittman.com. Slipper Chair Fabric: clarencehouse.com. Chinese Root Table: Vintage. Shelving: dessinfournir.com. Mirror: verellen.biz.
OWNERS’ BATH
Decorative Painting: robsonworldwidegraining.com. Mirror & Sconce: rejuvenation.com. Christian Astuguevieille Chair: hollyhunt.com. Altar Table & Buddha: knightsbridgecharleston.com.
Flanked by wetlands and a stand of hardwood trees beside the National Museum of the American Indian, the site honors the service and sacrifice of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian veterans, who have participated in every major U.S. military conflict since the Revolutionary War.
Artist Harvey Pratt (of the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma) designed the memorial to reflect Native American symbols, traditions and ceremonies. Within a circular gathering space, a steel circle rises from a carved-stone drum where a water feature flows. On special occasions, a fire can be lit in the circle. “When you come into this circle, you come into harmony with all the elements—water, earth, air and fire,” explained Pratt, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, during the memorial’s virtual dedication.
An in-person dedication and veterans procession will take place when it’s safe to congregate. Though temporarily closed, the museum has launched “Why We Serve,” an online companion exhibit chronicling 250 years of Native American military service (americanindian.si.edu).
Memorial Design: Harvey Pratt, Guthrie, Oklahoma. Architecture: Butzer Architects and Urbanism, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Architect of Record: Quinn Evans Architects, Washington, DC. Landscape Architecture: RHI, Alexandria, Virginia. Contractor: HSU Development, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Betty Sullivan knows a thing or two about tile. Since she joined Architectural Ceramics, the company founded by her husband Larry in 1985, she has expanded its presence from one to six showrooms and its offerings to more than 100,000 types of tile in every imaginable shape and color.
Though she originally hoped to study art, nurturing the business and raising seven kids—including two adopted daughters from Mexico—got in the way. But creativity fuels this entrepreneur, whether designing a tile collection or pursuing her latest passion: screenwriting with a focus on social justice and being a voice for women.
This year, the CEO rebranded the company, now woman-majority-owned, and christened it Architessa. H&D recently caught up with Sullivan to talk tile and more.
I spot things early. In the early ’90s when everyone was still using eight-by-eight-inch tile, I bought subway tiles and tried to talk builders into using them. They called me crazy. It took five years before subway tile finally took off.
Why did you start designing your own tile?
As kitchen and bath renovations became popular, there was very little tile I found acceptable. I had to fill a void and bring clients quality tile that said something. Right now, I’m working on a line of cement tile.
What inspires your designs?
When people travel, they want to bring their vacation home—especially in the bath. Our Batik tile, for example, evokes Indonesia.
Why was it important to involve your kids in the business? Our kids designed spaces, went to job sites and computerized us back in the day. When they went off to college, we had a common thing to talk about; they were invested. Our son David Benson is now president, running operations so I can spend time on vision, innovation and creating new products.
“Archit” pays homage to architecture and “tessa” comes from tessera, which means a piece of mosaic tile in Italian. It’s also a nod to contessas, because 80 percent of people who pick out tile are women.
BMW’s 2021 M4 Coupe combines state-of-the-art engineering with sexy style. Its 3.0-liter, six-cylinder, TwinPower Turbo S58 motor produces up to 473 horsepower, while an optional six-speed manual transmission elevates the driving experience. An aerodynamic carbon-fiber roof lowers the coupe’s weight and center of gravity. Shown here in Sao Paulo Yellow, the model turns heads with its sleek silhouette. From $71,800; bmwusa.com
Sound Check
Bose Frames equip UVA/UVB-blocking sunglasses with the functionality of wireless headphones. A miniscule, wafer-thin acoustic package is embedded in each arm’s interior while a microphone and multi-function button on the right temple enable controls of music-streaming, phone access and more. Priced from $199.95; bose.com
Harley-Davidson introduced its first all-electric motorcycle, the LiveWire, in 2019. Its powertrain takes the bike from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds. With no clutch or gear-shifting required, riders control speed with a twist of the throttle. A 60-minute charge produces a range of 146 miles. The model features a lightweight, cast-aluminum frame and Michelin tires designed to enhance handling performance. $29,799. harley-davidson.com
Last fall, the former “Top Chef” star shuttered 12-year-old Volt, transforming its 19th-century brownstone location into Thacher & Rye. Focusing on Mid-Atlantic cuisine made with local ingredients, the menu tempts diners with Chesapeake oysters, house-made pastas—including ravioli with goat cheese and delicata squash—and comfort foods with a spin. Think chicken and dumplings with gnudi and hedgehog mushrooms.
A fresh, pale-blue ensemble includes the Tropical Wool Flared Shirt ($1,250), Blue Cotton Twill Carrot Pants and Calya Mules ($990). Pants and bag prices on request.
“With a toddler in tow and an infant on the way, the homeowners requested interiors that were sophisticated yet long-lasting and durable,” he explains. “Our clients envisioned a cozy, comfortable and playful environment for the children but also refined spaces where they could entertain.”
The builder, Madison Homes, had already customized interior finishes to the couple’s liking so no structural alterations were required. This freed Austin to focus on creating an eclectic, collected-over-time look throughout the four-bedroom home. He repurposed some of the owners’ existing furniture and designed a number of bespoke pieces, from seating to colorful rugs that were fabricated by a North Carolina workroom. Austin considered every detail—from the size and scale of furniture to trim and accessories—so his clients could relax and enjoy carefree interiors.
“My biggest joy is seeing photos of the family on social media actually using their home, playing on the rug in the living room, reading on the sofa,” he says. “Great design is about ease of use and peace of mind. We’re simply setting the stage for a life well-lived.”
Please share your inspiration for the project.
Classic American design is our starting point for most projects. The ’30s, ’40s and early ’50s—that era is timeless. I enjoy mixing genres so rooms feel collected over time. For example, in the living room, the red lacquered coffee table is Asian in style and mingles seamlessly with Mid-Century Modern lamps, Art Deco side tables and a David Hicks-inspired rug.
What’s your secret to bold fabric pairings?
Don’t overthink it. Style is about tapping into one’s innate sensibility for mixing texture, color and pattern. My mantra is, “Fabrics don’t have to match; they just need to go together.”
How do you weave in elements of surprise?
The most memorable rooms have a wow factor. We find that the happiest outcome is when clients are willing to take risks and step out of their comfort zone. For example, the red-lacquer coffee table is unexpected. Generally, you can use a pop of color in a space as long as it’s repeated three times. The red is echoed again in the trim on the club chair pillows and in the painting over the fireplace.
What’s your take on mixing metals in décor?
In the living room, there is brass on the floor lamp, the red lamp’s base and the sabots on the coffee table legs. We see iron on the end table base and plant stands and chrome on the legs of the club chairs. It’s far more interesting and dynamic to mix metals rather than match every piece; it feels less studied and more layered.
How do you protect interiors with little ones afoot?
We were mindful of using durable fabrics that are all protected. The homeowners preferred a dining room where the children can sit at the table without concern for stains on the upholstery, so we covered the dining room chairs in vegan leather. They can simply wipe them clean. In the kitchen, we used aluminum chairs from their previous home. The iconic Eames counter stools with molded plastic seats are low-maintenance and easy to care for.
What are the advantages of custom furniture?
Part of the value we bring as designers is creating one-of-a-kind spaces with furniture made just for you. Investing in custom furnishings on the front end means you won’t be replacing them a few years down the road. Bespoke items can be repurposed in other homes and will become the antiques of tomorrow.
Do you worry about wear and tear on furnishings?
I’m not one for “precious things” in a home. Good design should be easy to live with and unfussy. For instance, I love the unfinished-wood breakfast table that shows the living and loving that goes on
in this home.
When it comes to color, do you think less is more?
Yes. Instead of doing a whole room in your favorite hue, you will notice it more when the color is used as an accent while other finishes take a back seat.
How did the dining room palette evolve?
The homeowners originally wanted a beachy vibe, but that didn’t make sense for the home’s location. In the end, it was the colors they were drawn to, so I suggested that we implement a coastal palette rather than make the space overtly beachy. There are subtle nods to that idea, such as the organic Holland & Sherry grass-cloth wallpaper, the chandelier that resembles river stones, aqua-colored window treatments and the rug, which adds movement with the colors of sand, water and fallen leaves.
How does trim elevate drapery and upholstery?
Luxury is in the details. Like a custom-tailored suit, a few thoughtful details will create visual interest, as they are memorable and elevate interiors. Adding tape trim to the dining room draperies immediately makes them feel more high-end—and makes them one-of-a-kind.
How do you instill a collected-over-time feel in a home?
I think of a home as a 3-D installation that is experienced in real time. Great interiors are a mix of high and low, combining custom-made pieces, flea market finds and something bought off the showroom floor.
Interior Design: Dane Austin, Dane Austin Design, Washington, DC, and Boston, Massachusetts. Builder: Madison Homes, Inc., Tysons Corner, Virginia.
How has covid made a lasting impact on design?
I see a greater focus on health and wellness. As much hardship as the pandemic has caused, it’s been a necessary reset for how we use our built environments and how we spend time.
Name a design mistake to avoid.
Most people want to paint first, thinking it will get the dirty work done. But then you’re stuck selecting everything in your home based on one color.
What’s your litmus test for choosing furniture or materials?
I always ask: Is it special? Is it interesting? Is it unique?
Share your top source for vintage finds.
My favorite haunt is GoodWood, where I’ve shopped for years. I always find pieces there to work into my designs.
Design pet peeve?
I’m not one for superfluous accessories; everything has to have a reason.
Such an epiphany struck the owners of a center-hall Colonial in DC’s Foxhall neighborhood. “It was on Thanksgiving in 2018 that I realized for the first time there was nowhere comfortable for people to be,” the wife says, describing the home she and her husband and their two children had shared for six years. “Even though everything was ‘fine,’ the house wasn’t suiting our family dynamic. We decided to elevate it, to make the spaces warmer and more our style.”
Though endowed with high ceilings and generous proportions, the 1990s abode’s layout left much to be desired. Standard, builder-grade doors and closed walls separated the main-level living spaces, limiting circulation. And the finishes, fixtures and windows were outdated.
The owners invited architect David Benton to assess the situation. “The house was getting a bit tired and the flow was off,” Benton opines. “The living, dining and family rooms were all dead ends. It needed a contemporary refresh.”
He was hired to remedy these flaws on the main level and recast the staid interiors with what the wife refers to as “a modern take on classic style.” Benton forged stronger connections between the foyer and living and dining rooms in the front of the house and the kitchen, breakfast and family rooms that span the back. New double French doors replaced a single wooden one in the foyer, opening up sight lines to the breakfast room. Where there was once a solid wall of bookshelves, two glass pocket doors now link the living and family rooms. “Before, it almost felt like the back of the house was an addition because it was really cut off from the rest,” the architect explains. “Now, you can actually circle the whole first floor.”
Black muntins on the new interior doors and Andersen replacement windows installed throughout the four-bedroom home instill an industrial vibe. Existing hardwood floors, previously stained an inky black, were sanded and coated in a warm, natural finish, brightening the material palette. Another deft move took place in the transition from the living room to the family room. By extending the walls between the new pocket doors, Benton created a niche for floating shelves and a flat-screen TV. As he explains, “We made it look like it was part of the room, as opposed to a tacked-on built-in.”
Upgrades to the better-connected family room and adjacent kitchen and breakfast area created the relaxed gathering space the owners craved. Benton bumped up the kitchen’s style quotient in practical, family-friendly ways. He retained existing cabinet frames, updating them with new door and drawer fronts and hardware. He and his clients selected durable, stain-resistant Caesarstone countertops in two material looks—marble on the island and slate on the perimeter. The porcelain-tile backsplash also mimics marble. “It’s a cost-effective way to add luxury to a space,” says Benton. “They used to have a microwave-range hood, which was very apartment-looking. We put a stand-alone microwave into an existing pantry and installed a nice new hood over the range, making it a focal point from the family room.”
The architect replaced the old island with a larger one equipped with a second sink for food prep. It also serves as a wet bar for entertaining and a spot for easy family meals. Pendants and a chandelier in the kitchen and breakfast room, all from Circa Lighting, make bold statements. “It’s a joy to be in the kitchen now,” says the wife. “It’s so much more functional.”
She and Benton collaborated on refurnishing all main-floor interiors except the dining room. “She wanted a non-fussy, traditional look that leans toward contemporary,” the architect says. They landed on a mix of retail finds that blends warmth, texture and a natural palette to chic effect. “We don’t want our kids to think any room is off-limits,” the wife reflects. “David understood that we’re not a formal family, but we like a polished look. Working together, we went beyond the old-fashioned idea of spaces being too precious.”
She and her family are thrilled with the results. “We pinch ourselves that we did this before covid,” she marvels. “The house has completely transformed our dynamic. We can be together without being in each other’s way.”
Renovation Architecture & Interior Design: David Benton, AIA, Benton Architecture & Interiors, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: Impact Construction, Washington, DC.
What guides your renovation-design process?
David Benton: It’s so easy to get distracted and fall for the next big trend. I tell clients to find a half-dozen inspiration images that they really love so we always have a clear vision of what they like.
How do you integrate color into a makeover?
I like the backdrop to be neutral, then integrate hints of color throughout a house. As long as the colors are something you’d see in nature, they definitely work in doses.
Are most homes worth renovating?
Most homes have potential. There are ways to improve a house without having to completely start over. It’s a matter of rethinking the interiors so they function better for today. How has covid affected clients’ priorities? Home is much more important to them now because it’s where they’re spending their time. Since people aren’t traveling, they have a little extra money and are focused on investing in their homes.
Skip Sroka designed a study for two in a new McLean residence. It houses a pair of built-in desks with generous drawers and shelves above that can be hidden behind doors when not in use.
When planning this home office, Sroka allowed for adequate storage and lighting—important factors in any home-office project. “Also, ensure you have chases for wires, a hardwire connection for CAT6, electrical outlets and grommets to run plugs through,” he advises.
Millwork in his McLean project, fabricated in sapele and rift-cut cherry, meets these requirements with style.
Architecture: Glenn Chen Fong, AIA. Interior & Millwork Design: Skip Sroka, CID, ASID, Sroka Design. Builder: Sandy Spring Builders. Photography: Geoffrey Hodgdon.
FASHION FORWARD
A homeowner with a keen fashion sense turned to Christine Philp to design her Chevy Chase abode. Philp took the dressing room in a bold direction with textured Duralee wallpaper animating the ceiling. Built-in wardrobes flank an island topped with marble while a Visual Comfort chandelier adds bling.
Philp recommends homeowners carefully consider their preferences when designing a closet. “Do you want to see everything or have it neatly hidden behind doors?” she queries. “Take the time to create the best environment you can.”
Architecture: Aggregate Architecture + Design. Interior Design: Christine M. Philp, Palindrome Design, LLC. Builder: Sandy Spring Builders. Photography: Jenn Verrier.
LAP OF LUXURY
Designing a dressing room “is an opportunity to carve out a special sanctuary,” says Barbara Hawthorn. In this luxurious Bethesda retreat, she designed custom mahogany built-ins featuring interior lighting, glass-enclosed shelving and adjustable space for hangers; a center island conceals charging stations and outlets.
“Good space-planning and circulation are essential," Hawthorn notes. “If possible, access to natural daylight is beneficial. And be sure to create a comfortable place to sit for dressing tasks that are easiest accomplished seated. This is especially important as you age.”
Interior & Millwork Design: Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd. Millwork Design & Fabrication: Atrium Interiors. Photography: Kenneth M. Wyner.
KID-FRIENDLY RETREAT
Laura Fox was tapped to design a family’s Woodley Park home, which includes a room where their kids can study, practice music and relax. A custom cabinet stores books and toys; at one end, a flip-top table creates an instant desk.
“With virtual learning and technology taking over, it’s important for kids to have space to work and be creative,” says Fox. Whether or not it’s a dedicated kids’ room, she first considers how it will function and how to maximize every inch. “Making it pretty,” Fox insists, “is the easy part.”
Clodagh designed the expansive Penthouse Suite, which boasts a garden terrace complete with fire pit; a posh living room with bespoke furnishings; a writing desk; and a marble-clad bathroom with a heated floor. Doyle bar and The Pembroke restaurant lure locals and visitors alike. \
