Bassett McNab has unveiled its first fabric collection in 20 years. For the fall 2020 release of the Origins line, creative director Anne Hahn-Waddell has updated patterns and colorways in the 125-year-old company’s archives to bring reimagined chinoiseries, ikats and florals to life. Available at J. Lambeth. bassettmcnab.com; jlambeth.com
PATTERN PLAY
Lee Jofa’s Linford Weaves collection features seven jacquards in multiple colorways, including aqua (pictured). Patterns range from a stylized chevron, Elmley Weave, to Cambrose Weave, a modern twist on a classic flame stitch.
leejofa.com
OUT OF ASIA
Scalamandré’s Pacifica Collection takes inspiration from the traditional textiles of Indonesia and Japan. Pictured above: drapes in Satomi Hand Block Print, bench in Riva Moiré and pillows in Hana Embroidery and Risa Weave. scalamandre.com
AU NATUREL
Recycled cotton yarns are used to produce two of the three textured weaves in Romo’s Acara collection. One of these is Osumi, which comes in five calming colorways. romo.com
FLOWER POWER
Colefax and Fowler’s latest fabric and wallpaper collection embraces floral motifs. Greenacre depicts fan-like gingko leaves awash with winsome blossoms; Leaf Green (pictured above) is one of the pattern’s three available colorways. cowtan.com
Trim-maker Samuel & Sons and Perennials, a performance-textile house, have partnered to release the Terrace collection. Look for 11 borders, cords and fringes woven from Perennials all-weather yarns. Pictured above: Acacia Wood Bead Fringe. samuelandsons.com
Scott Satin and David Thompson became fast friends as fellow architecture students at Tulane. The two even co-founded the design firm Assembledge+ together in New York after graduation.
Eventually, Satin left architecture for biotech and Thompson relocated Assembledge+ to his native Los Angeles, but the friendship endured. So when Satin and his wife Marilyn Kitzes acquired an abandoned Mid-Century Modern dwelling after a long search in their Chevy Chase DC neighborhood, there was no question that Thompson would play a role in its makeover.
The original owners had passed away, leaving the three-story home vacant for four years. “It was clearly in disrepair,” Kitzes recalls upon first seeing the home in its untouched 1962 splendor—and still full of the late owners’ furniture and belongings. “I thought it might be the disaster we’d been looking for.”
Though the property was overgrown and the wood siding infested with carpenter ants, Satin saw its potential too. “The house was basically a big shell with one load-bearing wall that went down the center,” he recalls. “We could do anything we wanted with it.”
They flew Thompson to DC for a weekend. Like old times, he and Satin worked late nights to create a 3D model of what the home would become. “We kept the brick portions of the exterior, the roof and the foundation and demolished everything else,” explains Satin. The plan added windows and skylights to brighten the interiors and expanded sightlines from front to back. New al fresco spaces forged indoor-outdoor connections.
Once these initial parameters were set and Thompson returned to L.A., the owners engaged DC-based architect VW Fowlkes to develop the concept and handle everything from construction drawings and permits to structural, mechanical and electrical plans. Matt Proper of Freeman Builders also joined the team to bring their ideas to fruition.
“We had an incredible power team of architects and a builder who was game to get into a creative project,” reflects Kitzes. A continuous dialog among all parties fostered a spirited collaboration throughout design and construction.
Clean, crisp geometry defines the front façade of the now-complete residence. A two-story volume at the entry, revealed through massive new windows, glows at night. Another bold update was staining the drab, pinkish exterior brick a charcoal gray. “We added mahogany to complement the brick and create a sense of warmth,” explains Thompson. “This neutral balance creates a dialog with the Colonial houses in the neighborhood.”
A far cry from the owners’ former Colonial eight blocks away, the reimagined interiors are bathed in natural light. First-floor spaces efficiently revolve around a central open stair, which anchors a small office for Kitzes, an advertising copywriter. To the left of the entry are a powder room and coat closet; the dining room lies to the right. The kitchen and living room occupy the rear quadrants, spilling out to a new screened porch and a terrace on the roof of what was a subterranean backyard garage.
The second floor houses the master suite along with a bedroom for the couple’s teenage son and a guest room. Another guest room, a family room, laundry and mechanical space make up the revamped lower level, along with a gym in the retooled garage.
The design team celebrated the home’s mid-century spirit with restraint so that a spare, modern sensibility prevails. Simple, white-brick tile that clads the living room and family room walls plays off the home’s original exterior and lends authenticity. As Fowlkes explains, they wanted to suggest that the new custom cabinetry is secondary to the dwelling itself. “The millwork stops short in places very intentionally,” he says. “This allows the shell of the home to reign supreme.”
Even in their furniture options, Satin and Kitzes paid homage to a mid-century look. A clean-lined Room & Board sectional and a period-style chair fit perfectly in the living room, while other reproductions—and a buffet they salvaged from the original owners’ collection—grace the dining room.
During his dive back into design, Satin immersed himself in every decision. “No detail was too small for him to lose sleep over,” remarks Fowlkes.
“Scott’s a real talent,” adds Thompson. “Architecture shed a tear when he decided to leave.”
Sheltering in place of late, the family has enjoyed their new indoor-outdoor digs. “Living here in quarantine, compared to our prior house, is night and day,” says Satin, now president of BioTel Research. “We’re grateful that we have all this light and space.”
Kitzes has claimed the porch. “I call it my new office,” she says. “In addition to a ceiling fan, we have heaters to extend the use into spring and fall. It’s really wonderful.”
Renovation Architecture: David Thompson, AIA, design architect, Assembledge+, Los Angeles, California; VW Fowlkes, AIA, LEED AP, executive architect, Fowlkes Studio, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: Matt Proper, Freeman Builders, LLC, Washington, DC. Landscape Design: Wheat’s Landscape, Vienna, Virginia.
How do you decide to remodel vs. tear down?
David Thompson: If often depends on how much we need to stitch in or recreate the exterior envelope to make a house feel cohesive. In some cases, return on investment is better if you tear it down.
What makes open floor plans a challenge?
VW Fowlkes: Open kitchens that look great in magazines don’t look so good when they’re covered with dirty dishes during a party. Figuring out how to make the kitchen accessible so that someone can be in it without feeling sequestered, but also not too exposed, is part of most jobs.
What’s unique about your screened porch?
Scott Satin: We offset the porch from the house by 12 feet. Most people put a porch right up against the house, landlocking whatever room is behind it. Instead, we can be in the kitchen, looking out at the backyard instead of at the porch.
When Lindsay Stuckey, a young real estate agent, tapped Erika Bonnell to overhaul her condominium, the designer relished the challenge. Stuckey was drawn to the two-bedroom Arlington apartment, where she intends to live for the next five years, by its lofty views of DC. But the outdated interiors cried out for a makeover.
Bonnell gutted the entire space, working with Sonnenday Custom Builders to channel a fresh look that suited Stuckey’s aesthetic without breaking the bank. “We ripped out the kitchen and baths, removed floors and dropped ceilings for decorative lighting,” Bonnell explains. White walls and wood-look floors created a blank slate for a new pastel color scheme and a blend of classic and contemporary furnishings. “I would call it modern, updated traditional with a lean toward softer, feminine lines,” says Bonnell, who applied hints of glamour with care not to overwhelm the small space. “In small spaces,” she contends, “it’s about keeping your foundation consistent but not jarring. We created interest in textures and details.” For example, crystal knobs dress up white kitchen cabinets and bright-pink piping trims a neutral chair in the living area. “Every selection in the condo was very intentional,” Bonnell reflects. “Lindsay wanted to know that her furniture purchases were investment pieces that could go along to her next home.”
Was concealing the drapery hardware a challenge?
Actually, we took advantage of existing bulkheads. Where we dropped the ceiling, we created areas where we could hide the ripple-fold drapery tracks. This made the drapes look more integrated.
How did you combine beauty and durability in the project?
Considering all the light that comes into the condo and the fact that my client is young and likes to entertain, I wanted to make sure I selected materials that would hold up. The kitchen countertops in quartz are very forgiving. We didn’t want her to worry about maintenance. The dining-chair seats are covered in an indoor-outdoor Schumacher mini-leopard print; she can clean them and they won’t fade. On the chair backs, we selected a Holland & Sherry wool that is more precious, but is fine just on the backs.
Why is scale so important in tight quarters?
Even in a small space, a few big items are better than many little ones. If you choose elements that are too small, a room will look too busy. I tend to go larger with pieces like the Made Goods chandelier in the dining area. You don’t need much when you have a few anchor pieces.
Explain your philosophy on pillow curation.
Pillows are like jewelry and balance is so important, especially when working with color. Because we had that great pink chenille on the sectional, I wanted to offset it with white but also wanted the pillows to reflect my client’s personality. We found a gorgeous Designers Guild floral and a Holland & Sherry wool crepe that feels luxurious. The pillows are a play on texture and color balance.
What was your goal in the entry hall?
We wrapped the entrance in a gorgeous scenic Schumacher paper. The minute you arrive, you’re walking into an experience. It almost feels like a great little New York City condo. We wanted something statement-making at the end of the passageway and selected a Highland House console custom-colored for our palette. It sets the tone and communicates that you’ve entered a cool place.
Share your view on mixing metals.
I am a metal mixer. I like a little relief in design and when you mix your metals you don’t tire of them because you aren’t overwhelmed by one finish. In some instances, we’ll do a chrome or polished nickel as a foundation and then brass will get layered over the top. To me, brass is timeless.
In lieu of art, how did you make a statement in the master bedroom?
We wanted to keep the bedroom feeling youthful, and took the look a bit more abstract while staying traditional. The fabric on the headboard is from a work by British artist Jessica Zoob. It looks like an outdoor scene and takes the place of art since we didn’t really have room for art in there. Adding wall sconces kept it more traditional—and saved space.
Define the role of accessories in this makeover.
The accessories we brought in are very clean and minimal. They include books on fashion and travel and some cool natural elements, such as rocks and crystals, that I use in just about every project. And floral containers, which are as much an accessory as some bauble you find in a store. Any time I see a cool vessel I grab it and hold onto it—especially ones that are sculptural and a bit more abstract. They can really make a space.
How did you create a luxurious master bath without breaking the budget?
I do very basic selections and detail everything in a way that looks completely custom. In this bathroom, the countertop, toilet wall and shower are marble that I picked from remnants. I didn’t need a lot, so it was a matter of looking through stone yards to find pieces that we could use. And the cabinets are affordable; the ‘X’ we put on the doors was done after-market. It’s a matter of building up around these basic elements with door pulls, light fixtures, mirrors and styling pieces that elevate a space.
ASK ERIKA
Is there a trend you’re over?
The modern farmhouse is so overplayed. I think a home should reflect the personalities of those who live there; you can’t tell me that everybody fits into modern farmhouse style.
What’s your take on wallpaper?
Wallpaper is never “out” in my book. It adds depth and interest. We often use it when clients are on a budget.
Favorite classic making a comeback?
Velvet is super classic but a staple for me. It can be fresh, modern and comfortable. I can’t get
enough of it.
Choice spot for unexpected treasure?
We find all kinds of fun little gems on Chairish.
Theory on high-low?
I’m a big high-low mixer. I want a space to feel comfortable so you can live in it without worrying about how you live in it.
Interior Design: Erika Bonnell, Erika Bonnell Interiors, Haymarket, Virginia. Kitchen Design: Cornerstone Kitchen & Bath, Chantilly, Virginia. Renovation Contractor: Colin Sonnenday, Sonnenday Custom Builders, Purcellville, Virginia. Photo Styling: Mike Grady.
Following the covid 19 shutdown, many consumers still limit shopping forays to bare essentials like groceries, medicine—and wine. To assist clients who want to refresh or overhaul their interiors without leaving home, a number of Washington-area furniture showrooms and their in-house design teams have gone virtual. Interactive online showroom tours enable people to shop from the comfort and safety of their own sofas. Videoconferences take the place of shopping trips and site visits. And realistic 3D renderings help clients visualize the end results.
“Our virtual showroom tours seem to be helpful,” says Samantha May of Calligaris, which is now offering interactive tours of its Georgetown and Tysons showrooms online. “They let customers preview the showroom and shop completely contact-less.”
Roche Bobois, with locations in Tysons and Chevy Chase, also offers interactive online showroom tours, along with the remote services of a full design studio. “Our 3D team creates architecturally scaled 3D or AutoCAD drawings—not just decorative drawings,” says area sales director Brian Fell. “We can add personal details like an existing rug, or change flooring to see how it looks with the interiors.”
After videoconferencing with clients and learning their requirements,Roche Bobois’ in-house designers create 2D perspective drawings depicting possible furniture plans. Once those are set, designers present lifelike 3D renderings that incorporate different choices of flooring, fabric and color palettes—and even replicate outdoor views.
Coming soon: Clients will be able to don virtual-reality goggles and experience a virtual project walk-through in a Roche Bobois showroom. Says Fell, “This is what is needed for today’s market—it’s the future.”
WHERE TO SHOP
The following local furniture showrooms offer various forms of virtual shopping.
Belfort Furniture: belfortfurniture.com
BoConcept: boconcept.com
Calligaris: calligaris.com
Green Front Furniture: greenfront.com
Ligne Roset: ligneroset-dc.com
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams: mgbwhome.com
Resource Furniture: resourcefurniture.com
Roche Bobois: roche-bobois.com
Sheffield Furniture & Interiors: sheffieldfurniture.com
Theodores: theodores.com
Serena & Lily, the California retailer known for its laid-back, coastal vibe, opened a Bethesda Row shop on August 3. The company’s first location in the mid-Atlantic (taking the former Redwood Restaurant space) showcases indoor and outdoor furniture, bedding, rugs, lighting, wallpaper, upholstery and accessories.
Open by appointment only, the 3,000-square-foot storefront offers items that homeowners won’t find online. “We have four times as many fabrics in our shops than are shown online,” says Allyson McGrath, vice president of design shops. “And in Bethesda, we partnered with the Capital Artist Collective to showcase the work of local DC artists.” Design consultations are available. 7121 Bethesda Lane; 240-531-1839. serenaandlily.com
Washington’s central library has the distinction of being the only building Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed in the city—and the only library in the German architect’s portfolio. Another distinction: It was named after Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1971, just before opening.
Decades later, the building had fallen into disrepair. Its gloomy, utilitarian interiors created a less-than-welcoming experience for visitors and staff. A visionary plan, based on years of research, community outreach and architectural review, was hatched to reimagine it. Following a three-year, $211 million renovation, the library is scheduled to reopen on September 24—under safe-distancing conditions.
The redesign spearheaded by Mecanoo, a Dutch architecture firm, and OTJ Architects’ DC office honors the legacies of both Mies and King. Though it preserved the iconic exterior and main-level grand entry hall, other moves took the structure in entirely new directions. Two spiraling staircases with skylights replaced dingy bricked stairwells. There’s an indoor slide for kids, a new dual-height reading room, a café with an outdoor terrace and a two-story auditorium. An events atrium—built atop the original four-story structure but set back so it doesn’t alter the view from the street—is rimmed by a public roof garden.
Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the DC Public Library system, looks forward to welcoming patrons. “The building is night and day from what we replaced in 2017,” he remarks. “Talking about a structure built primarily for the use and enjoyment of District residents, this is the most inspirational, useful and democratic building in the city now.”
In early 2020, Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC in Georgetown put the finishing touches on three new terrace suites and five renovated presidential suites. The $2 million upgrade by New York’s Wimberly Interiors outfitted suites with custom furnishings like private pieds-à-terre. Lamps are from Visual Comfort; fabrics are by Opuzen and Jim Thompson with trim by Samuel & Sons. Deluxe rooms from $550 and suites from $1,090. fourseasons.com
Ideal for crisp autumn evenings, CH Carolina Herrera’s black-and-white poplin dress is emblazoned with a joyful floral spray; it’s available at the CityCenterDC boutique ($550). To help those in need around the world, the Carolina Herrera Heart for Hope initiative will donate 10 percent of all handbag and accessories sales across its brands to the Red Cross through December 31, 2020. carolinaherrera.com
As a girl, Jodi Berger loved to sketch floor plans of her dream home. “I knew I wanted to be a designer,” she affirms. So it was clearly fate when her father married DC designer Marlene Weiss Alexander and Berger, then a teenager, began to learn the ropes interning for her stepmom.
After studying interior design at University of Florida and working for a few DC designers, she headed to New York. A stint at One Kings Lane “was a great opportunity to learn that part of the business,” says Berger. “I took the leap and went out on my own in 2016.” Though she moved back to Maryland in 2018, Berger and her staff of five take on projects in both the DC and New York areas.
Whether completing a new build or a simple makeover, Berger coaches clients on when to splurge or not. “I’m a big believer in high-low,” she says. “Not everything has to be custom and high-end; that mix is what brings beauty and interest to each space we design.”
Interior Design: Jodi Berger, JLA Designs LLC, Potomac, Maryland. Kitchen Design: Amy Collins, Division 12 Design, Glen Echo, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Edgar Gonzalez, Home Renovations, LLC, Frederick, Maryland. Portrait: Michael Ventura.
Following an early career in child-welfare nonprofits, Kiyonda Powell switched gears to pursue her lifelong passion: design. She earned an interior design degree at Marymount, then joined a boutique studio focusing on hotel and restaurant projects.
In 2018, she launched her firm. “It felt right once I jumped into it. I was ready to have my own independent voice,” reflects Powell, who now splits her time between commercial and residential work.
Many clients ask the designer to instill their homes with the same sense of whimsy apparent in her hospitality work. “One of my specialties is pattern play and color combinations,” she says. “I like coming up with interesting palettes. I’m really eclectic in how I mix things.” Recent projects include a DC residence, an Atlanta apartment and a home she’s wrapping up in California.
Not a day goes by that Powell doesn’t put her original degree in psychology to use. “My clients say I’m good at listening,” she observes. “I make sure they feel good every step of the way.”
Interior Design: Kiyonda Powell, Kiyonda Powell Design Studio, Washington, DC. Styling: Charlotte Safavi. Portrait: Michael Ventura.
Amanda Friend goes glam in a master bath makeover.
Barry Dixon revives a 19th-century bath in period style.
Organic elements and natural light define a Zen escape.
When clients in a stylish home on Maryland’s Eastern Shore called on Amanda Friend to reimagine their cramped and awkward master bath, the designer suggested a best-case scenario. If they were willing to move an adjacent office into an upstairs room, she could use the extra space to reconfigure their ground-floor bath into the sophisticated oasis they desired.
Once they agreed, Friend gutted the space and used its length to her advantage. From the bedroom, she designed a corridor that leads into a secondary room, creating an air of mystery. The passage houses a soaking tub and small laundry area on the left side; on the right, a wall lined with an acrylic-and-brass bench and mirror opens to the wife’s closet. The room at the end of the hall is equipped with custom vanities and storage, a luxurious shower and WC.
In response to the wife’s request for a beyond-the-ordinary bath, Friend went in a glamorous-yet-subtle direction. Penny tiles in an array of textures and tones pave the floors. “They almost look like sequins,” she enthuses. Cork wall covering in iridescent bronze and metallic pendants and sconces echo textures in the flooring. Even more dramatic is the shower, where Friend applied a curated selection of glass and mosaic tile to dazzling effect.
Bath & Interior Design: Amanda Friend, ASID, Amanda Friend Interiors, Newark, Delaware. Renovation Contractor & Millwork Fabrication: Warrington Builders, Easton, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
RESOURCES
Wallpaper: thibautdesign.com. Tile: jeffreycourt.com through tilemarketofde.com. Bench: safavieh.com. Mirror: uttermost.com. All Sconces: shadesoflight.com. Chandelier: hammerton.com. Bath & Shower Fixtures: moen.com. Sink Fixtures & Bathtub: kohler.com. Quartzite Countertops & Limestone Tub Surround: ancientartstone.com. Cabinet Hardware: emtek.com. Ceiling & Vanity Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
Though the Neoclassical residence in Washington had a storied past—once serving as the Turkish ambassador’s residence—it had seen better days by the time new owners hired Barry Dixon to restore its former grandeur. To update the modest master bath, the designer first incorporated a neighboring bedroom, complete with fireplace, into the space. “The idea was to create a luxurious and leisurely bath where you could have coffee and breakfast with your hair wrapped in a towel, or enjoy a soak in front of the fireplace,” he explains.
Dixon’s vision pays homage to the home’s vintage, but through a light, present-day lens. Tumbled limestone and marble tiles pave the floor and walls, recalling a time during the 19th century when “people first learned about germs and wanted surfaces they could wipe down,” he says. An antique table topped with stone and a clawfoot Waterworks tub floating in the middle of the room evoke bygone days, as does Dixon’s custom, his-and-her vanity with legs made of hand-forged iron.
Despite the nostalgia, comfort comes first in this bath, which also features a private WC and steam shower. In lieu of built-ins that would look “too suburban,” says Dixon, he sourced a timeless armoire for storage. And Anichini terrycloth covers the Century chairs—designed for lingering après spa. As the designer remarks, “This is not a bathroom to hurry in.”
Interior Design: Barry Dixon, Barry Dixon, Inc., Warrenton, Virginia.
THE DETAILS
Tub, Tub Filler & Sink Fixtures: waterworks.com. Sinks: kohler.com. Drapery Fabric: scalamandre.com. Drapery Trim: samuelandsons.com through hinescompany.com. Armoire: olystudio.com. Custom Vanity Design: barrydixon.com Hang-Forged Vanity Legs: kellymetalwork.com. Chairs: centuryfurniture.com. Terrycloth Chair Fabric: anichini.com. Antique Table & Urns: Gore Dean Antiques. Lantern: vaughandesigns.com through hinescompany.com. Sconces: jlambeth.com. Custom Mirrors: davidiatesta.com through hollyhunt.com. Tile & Vanity Countertop: renaissancetileandbath.com.
Building a home from scratch puts owners in control of decisions large and small. With this unfettered spirit, a couple enlisted architects Mark McInturff and Colleen Healey to design their new Virginia residence—a modern vision in white stucco with black trim.
The master bath reflects the home’s overall architecture in symmetry and palette. “Serene, quiet and reserved” is how McInturff describes the open space, its floors covered in white Thassos marble.
A vessel tub creates a focal point, flanked by tall windows, frosted for privacy and framed in dark-bronze aluminum. The other walls harbor a steam shower, a sculptural wash basin and a floating vanity. “We tried to relate these four elements in terms of detail and materiality,” explains Healey (who has since launched her own firm).
Julia Walter of Boffi Georgetown collaborated on the selection of fixtures and materials, including panels of Salvatori limestone applied on each wall. One panel anchoring the tub ascends into a skylight that bathes the room in natural light. Another skylight illuminates the shower, which boasts a floating stone bench long enough to recline upon.
Though a TV is hidden in the mirror, this bathroom invites quiet introspection. “Our lives are so cluttered by technology,” Walter comments, “that you really want to relax in a place where you don’t have a lot of distractions.”
Architecture: Mark McInturff, FAIA, principal; Colleen Healey, AIA, project architect, McInturff Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: Added Dimensions, Inc., Silver Spring, Maryland.
THE DETAILS
Windows: solarinnovations.com. Skylights: velux.com. Bathtub, Bath Filler, Vanity, Mirror, Accessories: boffi.com. Washbasin, Stone Surfaces & Slabs: salvatori.it through boffi.com. Marble Flooring: marblesystems.com. Recessed Lighting: eurofase.com. Lighting Strips: luminii.com. Shower Fixture: gessi.com.
Since launching FORMA Design 25 years ago, Andreas Charalambous has split his time between residential and commercial work. So when a client tapped him to renovate a penthouse that would bridge both of these worlds, the architect jumped at the challenge.
The owner, an entrepreneur who resides in Maryland, acquired the Adams Morgan apartment to serve as an urban pied-à-terre and a workspace for his real estate and entertainment companies. “I wanted a way to collaborate with staff in a non-sterile environment—something cutting edge,” he explains.
Client and architect saw potential in the two-story loft that features panoramic city views, two en-suite bedrooms, dual terraces and a roof deck. But aesthetically, it was woefully outdated. “The apartment had an ’80s or ’90s vibe and an explosion of cherry wood on the countertops, cabinets and floors,” the owner recalls. “It was screaming for the right eye.”
After touring the space, Charalambous agreed, “It was not very inspired. The kitchen was generic, the lighting was poor and railings blocked the views.” Charalambous and associate Juan Gutierrez developed a plan to transform the bland interiors with an avant-garde vibe. Rather than gutting the space, they sought to transform it by better articulating the architecture, introducing a whole-house lighting program, updating the kitchen and opening up the views.
Most of the drama centers around the apartment’s double-height atrium. Charalambous designed a sculptural wall as a bold focal point above the existing fireplace. He also opened up a second-floor office to forge a visual connection to the atrium and views beyond, and further expanded sight lines by replacing conventional railings with glass panels. Other creative gestures—from a cut-out screen near the dining area to floating, interlocking ceiling panels with built-in lighting—define spaces and introduce a bold, modern language.
“These active, three-dimensional ceilings make the space more exciting,” explains Charalambous. “And opening walls lets you experience the atrium from all over the place. Before, it was a missed opportunity.”
In place of a single pendant that hung in the atrium, they selected blackened-steel Super-Oh fixtures by Delta Light in three different sizes, hung so they make a strong statement but don’t obscure views from the upper floor. “Lighting is a big part of what makes this space amazing,” says Charalambous, who collaborated with Vincent Sagart of Poliform | sagartstudio on the lighting plan.
The designers set out to create moods for both intimate and party settings. Linear Splitline fixtures are integrated into channels and niches that ascend the fireplace wall and traverse the ceiling to reach the loft. “I decided to pick up some of Andreas’ architectural lines,” Sagart explains. “In the end, this unified both levels and brought the spaces together.” Meanwhile, adjustable Topix fixtures bathe the staircase wall with wide and narrow beams of light, creating a 3-D effect. Splitline and Topix, also made by Delta Light of Belgium, can be dimmed and adjusted in myriad ways.
Charalambous set out to eliminate visual clutter, creating a pared-down background for contemporary furnishings and architectural accents. In the kitchen, for example, traditional cherry cabinet fronts were replaced with flush panels free of hardware. A busy backsplash gave way to back-painted glass, while a new island of Snow White Krion from Porcelanosa provides gathering space for work and leisure. Reducing the color palette throughout to gray and white, contends Charalambous, “simplifies the way you see the space so that whatever we decide to play up—such as new upper cabinets with glass doors from Poliform—becomes a focal point.”
Now complete, the project meets the owner’s request for dual functionality. “The way we set it up, the dining area is also a meeting area, the kitchen is a bar and the living room is also a lounge,” says Charalambous. Upstairs on the open landing, another lounge area with a built-in flat screen was designed for meetings and brainstorming sessions.
The architect notes that the success of the project was driven by a few strategic moves. “It wasn’t about tearing out everything and redoing it,” he reflects. “It was about making the space exciting by investing in lighting, upgrading the kitchen and creating the sculpture wall above the fireplace—the things you actually experience.”
Drawing Board
Why is lighting crucial to a successful renovation?
Charalambous: Lighting can transform a space depending on the mood you want to create. You can have the most beautiful interiors but if they’re not lit well they won’t work.
We design lighting for all of a room’s potential functions.
What makes a partial renovation challenging?
As opposed to gutting a home, a partial renovation means you have to adjust existing elements so the result feels like it was all done at the same time, with the same intent and quality.
You shouldn’t have a sense of what is new, what is old or what was renovated.
How do you help clients allocate costs?
When we start looking at finishes, we keep in mind whether the budget is on the high, middle or lower end. Don’t spend all your money in one room or it will look out of place. The project should
feel consistent in the quality of materials, lighting and finishes.
Renovation Architecture & Interior Design: Andreas Charalambous, AIA, IIDA, principal; Juan Gutierrez, project architect, FORMA Design, Washington, DC. Lighting Design & Kitchen Consultant: Vincent Sagart, Poliform | sagartstudio, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: HBW Construction, Rockville, Maryland.
After a couple purchased a home in Rockville, they tapped Case Architects & Remodelers to overhaul its outdated kitchen and master bath. The latter was beset with a shower the size of a phone booth and a sunken tub requiring acrobatic entry and exit. On the plus side, the existing footprint gave designers April Case Underwood and Elena Eskandari plenty of room for a redesign. The duo created a shower for two, complete with bench and access from two sides. A glass frame and partial wall (with a niche to store shampoo) separates the shower and a floating vessel tub. They selected gray porcelain flooring and marble-look wall tile, punching things up with a wall mosaic in the shower. “We also added some bling with hardware and lighting,” says Eskandari, pointing out the chandelier hung with crystals. Dual sinks top the corner vanities to the left of the tub; a WC is tucked away to the right. The finished project, says Underwood, invites the owners to linger in “a relaxing oasis in their home.”
Bath Design & Contracting: April Case Underwood, CR, CKBR, GAC; Elena Eskandari, Allied Member ASID, CKBR, UDCP, Case Architects & Remodelers, Falls Church, Virginia.
