Like set designers who magically bring a play’s milieu to life on stage, they channel a client’s aesthetic and preferences to create environments that sing.
Jose Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill, principals of Solis Betancourt & Sherrill, conjured such a vision when a retired couple tapped them to reimagine a 1970s-era townhouse they’d purchased in DC’s Kalorama neighborhood. The four-story property with a private courtyard attracted the empty-nesters with its proximity to restaurants and museums. But despite recent updates, stark, builder-grade interiors left the new owners cold. “The layout and finishes did not meet our needs,” rues the wife, who was leaving behind a large Maryland residence appointed in traditional style. Ready to turn over a new leaf in the city, she and her husband envisioned a home that was “uncluttered and modern, but inviting.”
Solis Betancourt and Sherrill’s plan proves that downsizing doesn’t have to mean downgrading. In their scheme to make the house more functional, the designers put a premium on comfort and luxury. “Our clients didn’t want to bring the Chippendale furniture, wainscot and traditional damask wall coverings that they were living with,” explains Sherrill. “The project was an opportunity to simplify, but not give away the richness.”
The first move: tailoring the house to the owners’ functional needs. The renovation transformed the original ground-floor kitchen into a catering kitchen and bar to foster indoor-outdoor soirées in the adjoining library, family room and courtyard. Replacing a living room on the second level, they created a new kitchen and dining area, media room and office. The third-floor was dedicated to an owners’ suite comprising a bedroom plus his-and-her baths and dressing rooms. Additionally, two new guest suites were installed on the fourth level to accommodate visitors—including the owners’ grown children and grandkids. The couple enlisted BOWA to complete the project.
“We took the opportunity to upgrade windows and doors and all the other systems,” says Sherrill, pointing out a new glass-rail staircase that replaced its spindly wooden predecessor. “They’re used to living in state-of-the-art homes, so a lot of technology was discreetly integrated into the program.” Even the existing elevator was retooled.
As the dust settled, the interiors took shape. Sherrill and Solis Betancourt layered a mix of comfortably contoured furniture, bespoke finds and richly textured soft goods in a calm, neutral palette. Bold modern art, shimmery brass accents and an unexpected modicum of 1970s glam are icing on the cake.
A few pieces from the owners’ former home made the trip to Kalorama. Namely, revered paintings, needlepoint-topped benches that stand watch in the foyer, the grand piano and antique books that occupy the facing library and gilded Federal-style sconces in the family room. “They had a huge library of rare, first-edition books,” says Solis Betancourt. “We edited everything and kept what is most important to them.”
Silk Romo wall covering the color of warm sand envelops the main-floor spaces. A mod graphic rug with gold thread running through it grounds the library; chunky bronze coffee tables made by Silas Seandel rest atop it like sculptures. Armchairs in the library and plush sofas and swivel chairs in the adjacent family room revolve around comfort and conversation. In the latter, a custom eucalyptus table by Keith Fritz and two shagreen drum tables from Made Goods—all with brass accents—lend drama. “We let the upholstery be rather neutral, keeping more interest in the art-made furniture,” explains Sherrill. Two abstract paintings from Merritt Gallery provide splashes of color.
During warmer months, the courtyard beckons through the family room’s sliding doors. Landscape architect Richard Arentz revived the oasis, paving it in wire-cut brick and covering the walls in ivy. A bronze sculpture by Bruno Romeda creates a focal point, which Arentz offset with vintage Japanese clay tiles framed in limestone.
Post-covid, dinner parties will resume on the second level. The owners entertain in the new open kitchen and dining area featuring custom cabinetry designed by Solis Betancourt & Sherrill and fabricated by Woods & Style. The kitchen features a large Wolf range and an island with bar seating; bronze panels support the Caesarstone countertop. The facing cabinet wall houses abundant storage and a fireplace on axis with the range; the marble surround mirrors the kitchen backsplash. A chandelier by Lindsey Adelman, with bronze armature and handblown globes, radiates mid-century style.
“When they have more formal guests, the space is spectacular,” says Solis Betancourt. “A curtain on the right divides the room from the stair hall area. Almost like a theater, they can turn the lights down and bring the focal point to the table.”
From its shag carpet to its velvet Klismos chair, the owners’ bedroom evokes the warmth of a cashmere sweater. A silver-gray palette, echoed in the nightstands, silk Phillip Jeffries wallpaper and Stout drapery fabric, instills a sense of calm.
The residents couldn’t be happier with their new city digs. “We love the feel of the décor and it was great working with Jose and Paul,” says the wife.
“It’s modern but there is richness and a timeless quality to it,” reflects Solis Betancourt on the finished project.
Sherrill agrees as he rejoins with a smile, “I could move in."
Interior Design: Jose Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill, Solis Betancourt & Sherrill, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: BOWA, McLean, Virginia. Landscape Architecture: Richard Arentz, ASLA, Arentz Landscape Architects LLC, Washington, DC. Home Automation: All Around Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT
Flooring: classicfloordesigns.info. Window Treatment Fabrication: gretcheneverett.com and Potomac Draperies.
ENTRY
Entry Table: Design by solisbetancourt.com and fabricated by rbratti.com.
LIBRARY
Rug: therugcompany.com/us. Sofa: jrobertscott.com. Sofa Fabric & Sheer Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Toss Pillow Fabric: jimthompsonfabrics.com. Coffee Table: silasseandel.com. Side tables at Sofa: johnlyledesign.com through hollyhunt.com. Round Table & Lamps on Side Sofa Tables: donghia.com. Mirror & Stools: Clients’ collection. Club Chairs: profilesny.com. Club Chair Fabric: calvinfabrics.com. Lamp on Round Table: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Drapery Fabric: cowtan.com/brand/larsen. Wallcovering: romo.com. Paint: Tapestry Beige by benjaminmoore.com.
FAMILY ROOM
Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Center Table: keithfritz.com. Chairs: saladinostyle.com. Chair Fabric: gpjbaker.com/brands/mulberry-home. Sofas: jrobertscott.com. Sofa Fabric: pindler.com. Pillow Fabric: scalamandre.com. Ottoman/Table: ironies.com through hollyhunt.com. Ottoman Leather: edelmanleather.com. Coffee Tables: madegoods.com. Wallcovering: romo.com Drapery Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Art: merrittgallery.com. Four Side Tables: noirfurniturela.com. Four Brass Lamps: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Sconces: Clients’ collection.
PATIO
Chairs: minotti.com/en/rodolfo-dordoni through ddcnyc.com. Table: hollyhunt.com. Sculpture: Bruno Romeda. Antique Terracotta Tiles: 1stdibs.com.
DINING ROOM/KITCHEN
Cabinet Design: solisbetancourt.com. Cabinet Fabrication: woodsandstyle.com. Portiere & Sheer Fabric: creationbaumann.com. Fireplace Mantel, Host Chairs & Counter Stools: dessinfournir.com. Side Chairs: hollyhunt.com. Chair Fabric: scalamandre.com. Counter Stool Fabric: fabricinnovations.com. Drinks Tables: arteriorshome.com. Chandelier: lindseyadelman.com. Table: keithfritz.com. Area Rug: starkcarpet.com. Hardware: rockymountainhardware.com. Hardware Source: doorhardwareusa.com. Countertop: caesarstoneus.com. Marble Source: opustone.com and rbratti.com. Sheer Fabric: Creation Baumann.
Bed: liaigre.com. Bed Fabric: romo.com. Nightstands: jrobertscott.com. Chair and Ottoman: hollyhunt.com. Chair and Ottoman Fabric: kirkbydesign.com. Chair and Ottoman Trim: samuelandsons.com. Floor Lamp: visualcomfortlightinglights.com. Side Table: Clients’ collection. Wallcovering: phillipjeffries.com. Drapery Fabric: estout.com. Sheer Fabric: carletonhousefabrics.com. Rug: kanecarpet.com.
In 1999, Ken Crerar and his husband Peter Garrett lucked into finding their forever home in DC's Wesley Heights area. The renovated and expanded 1927 dwelling “was warm and inviting,” Crerar reflects. Years went by and the couple welcomed two sons into the home, but they never got around to giving it their own update—until the whole place went up in flames.
They received the call while on vacation in January 2017. “The fire was pretty intense,” recalls Crerar, CEO of a trade association. Though they were able to salvage and restore most of their furniture and art and ceramics collections, the damage was severe.
Architect Carib Daniel Martin and project designer Gabriela Leniz were invited to tour the site and survey the aftermath. After discussing possible approaches, the owners hired the husband-and-wife team to orchestrate the next iteration of their beloved home. “Ken and Peter wanted to do some things that would take the house in a new direction,” explains Martin. “But they also wanted to maintain the spirit of the original—not fully abandon it.”
Inspired by homes they’d visited on trips to Portugal and Italy, Crerar and Garrett gravitated to Mediterranean style. They wanted to recreate their home’s stucco exterior and salvage its massive limestone fireplace, built during the 1980s by stonemasons renovating the National Cathedral. “And we loved the grandness of the two-story living room,” says Crerar.
A careful study determined that two-thirds of the structure would have to be taken down to its foundation. And, Martin reports, “The entire house had to be stripped to the studs from smoke, fire and water damage.”
Given the project’s magnitude, the owners decided to take the opportunity to reimagine a brighter, more open plan centered on efficiency, functionality and style. While zoning regulations limited reconstruction to the existing footprint, they opted to expand by adding on a third floor.
The first-floor redo left the 1980s front living room gable, porch and fireplace intact. In their biggest move, the architects shifted the home’s staircase from the center to the side of the main volume, opening up once-choppy, compartmentalized rooms. An airy den now occupies the center volume leading to a free-flowing kitchen and dining area in the rear. A three-story window wall on the side and abundant glass on the back of the home bathe the interiors in light.
The large kitchen/dining area is equipped with a wood-burning pizza oven, an island with a custom zinc countertop and the owners’ existing, commercial Wolf range, which was sent to New York for restoration following the fire. “The kitchen now has amazing work and entertaining space,” Crerar enthuses. “Especially in this time of covid, we’ve been able to open up the back and entertain while social-distancing.”
The space segues to a dining terrace and the existing pool through a collapsible NanaWall. “We dropped the kitchen section, which was built on crawl space in a previous addition, down to grade,” explains Leniz. “This allowed us to tie the kitchen into the terrace.” She and Martin aligned the kitchen’s large-format limestone-tile flooring with exterior flagstone slabs for a seamless indoor-outdoor look.
The second floor, which once harbored three bedrooms, now contains an ensuite room for the couple’s 15-year-old son, a laundry room and an owners’ suite complete with sitting room, luxurious bath and balcony. And on the new third level, their 20-year-old son occupies one of two new bedrooms, which share a bath.
Connecting all three floors is the project’s pièce de résistance: a custom, open-riser steel stairway and adjacent screen wall. Martin and Leniz developed the concept and collaborated on its design with Baltimore-based Gutierrez Studios, which fabricated both elements. Made of rift-cut oak and steel, the grid-like screen imparts privacy while filtering light and casting ever-changing shadows into the home. Its system of movable, cantilevered shelves lets the owners display their ceramics collection with ease.
The window wall and floating staircase animate a side elevation of the home that once presented a mishmash of oddly placed windows. Says Leniz, “When you experience the house from the street, it’s almost like it has a second façade.”
Architectural details riff on Mediterranean style—from the home’s authentic ochre stucco to the Turkish mosaic backsplash tile that enlivens the kitchen. Garrett and Crerar even reapplied the same Donald Kaufman paint colors that adorned their pre-fire walls: an earthy yellow in the public spaces and soft sage green upstairs. Now full of their eclectic artwork and furnishings, says Leniz, the newly rebuilt home gives visitors the impression that the owners have lived in it for years.
“There’s a consistency throughout the house that was missing before,” attests Crerar.
For further continuity, the architects clad the existing pool house and backyard masonry walls in the same stucco as the main house. They installed a kitchenette and Murphy bed in the pool house, replaced the surrounding stonework and converted a hot tub into a giant planter.
Now that it’s complete, the owners take pride in using every inch of their efficient, 4,500-square-foot abode. When the pandemic arrived, Crerar and Garrett even created a gym in the basement. “We’ve had the benefit of living here through a very intense period—and we love it,” reflects Crerar. “Carib and Gaby did a really nice job translating who we are into a house.”
Renovation Architecture & Landscape Design: Carib Daniel Martin, principal; M. Gabriela Leniz, project designer, Carib Daniel Martin Architecture + Design, Kensington, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Design/Build, Inc., Silver Spring, Maryland. Landscape Contractor: Rowan Landscape & Pools, Mt. Airy, Maryland.
How do you glean a client’s aesthetic?
Martin: We ask clients to pull together images of homes they like. They don’t have to find the exact home they want, just things they’re attracted to. When we stand back and look at the photos, themes pop up.
What building material is a game-changer?
Martin: We love TruExterior trim and siding. It’s made with recycled fly-ash, a byproduct from coal power plants. It’s thicker than HardiePlank and, unlike PVC, can be painted any color.
How do you combine new and existing materials?
Martin: We either utilize existing materials or remove old finishes and extend the new so the house looks like a cohesive whole.
DC Revival - What remodeling mistakes should owners avoid?
Leniz: Don’t build for future buyers because by the time those future buyers appear 10 years from now, they’re going to want other things. Build a house for what you want now and enjoy it.
They contacted TriVistaUSA for the job, which initially encompassed building a gym, remodeling the bathroom and creating a crafts room for their young daughter. However, flooding in the main area of the basement during construction caused a change of plans. “They decided on a total remodel at that point,” explains TriVistaUSA principal Michael Sauri. “It was the impetus to do it right.”
Working within the existing footprint, Sauri and his team converted one room into a gym—decked out in the colors of the husband’s alma mater, LSU—with mirrored walls and a punching bag. Another space became a crafts room. And in the open-plan main area that was once relegated for storage, they integrated a full bar styled with shiplap siding and cabinetry painted Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy. A Sub-Zero fridge and wine column are clad in walnut, and poplar crops up as a ceiling accent and wraps a support column. Walnut flanks the linear gas fireplace. A durable, wood-look vinyl floor unifies the space.
Perhaps it was kismet that two icons of style—Dior and Vespa—were both founded in 1946. To commemorate their legacies, the brands collaborated on the June 2020 launch of the Vespa 946 Christian Dior scooter. Designed by Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri, the limited-edition cycle is made in Italy. A matching helmet and top case complete the ensemble, naturellement. Available at Dior boutiques in 2021. Price to be announced. dior.com
On the Greens
Garmin’s Approach S60 GPS golf watch lets users review and analyze every shot they play. It also enables them to compete in weekly leaderboards on any golf course via the Garmin Golf app. Even if travel isn’t possible, users can plot their next golf getaway by virtually exploring the watch’s preloaded maps of 40,000 courses around the world. From $399. garmin.com
Cleaning in the age of covid calls for back-up. Ecovacs’ new Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI brings harried users a robot that vacuums, mops and even monitors the home. Employing laser mapping and navigation technology, it automatically detects carpets, putting the mop function on hold; a live video stream lets owners keep an eye on the homefront while they’re away. A lithium ion battery provides three-plus hours of use. $799. ecovacs.com
Opened in February, it now offers indoor dining and takeout. Chef Michael Rafidi pays homage to his Middle Eastern heritage, incorporating local produce and meats in his cuisine. The enticing menu offers an array of hummus plates, mezze and grilled entrées. Grupo7 designed the modern interior with distressed-wood paneling, richly colored tilework and an open kitchen with live fire and a wood-fired pita oven.
On a whim, he replied, “the White House Rose Garden.”
As fate would have it, in 2019 the DC-based firm actually landed a commission to revive the storied garden designed by Bunny Mellon during the Kennedy administration. “The garden had not been touched since it was put in,” says Groft. “It had no bones, and paths were going this way and that.”
The design phase launched in-depth historical research and extensive dialog among multiple stakeholders. The final plan created structure with a new limestone border and also improved the garden’s accessibility, drainage and audiovisual infrastructure.
New York-based Perry Guillot, Inc., collaborated on the design while Walnut Hill Landscape Company of Annapolis completed the installation of the garden, formally unveiled in August. “The renovation restored many aspects of Bunny Mellon’s plan for JFK that had been lost over the years,” says Walnut Hill’s Michael Prokopchak.
“We’re very proud of the end result,” Groft reflects.
The Kensington, Maryland, designer created a video in which a 3-D avatar models her flowing, size-inclusive apparel. Mvuemba’s sleight of hand captivated influencers from Vogue to Beyoncé; since then, her Hanifa label has launched the Resort collection, with shapewear coming soon.
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.
