After purchasing a builder-grade, 1990s condo in Reston, the owner approached designer Alison Giese to give it an overhaul with an eye on sophistication. As Giese recalls, the newly single client said, “This is going to be my forever home; I want it to be my haven.”

The two-bedroom corner unit was blessed with high ceilings and plenty of natural light, but lacked character. “She wanted it to be feminine but not ‘grandma,’” the designer explains. “Once or twice, she mentioned the feel of a Parisian apartment—that became our jumping-off point.”

To set the scene, Giese replaced bland wall-to-wall carpet with low-maintenance, pre-finished wood floors and created gravitas with upgraded doors and millwork.

She revamped the kitchen, evoking a timeless look with pale-gray cabinetry and subway tile. An enlarged pass-through opens to the dining area, where a niche lined with bookshelves acts as a “walk-through library.” In the reworked master bath, an outdated corner tub and second sink were traded for a soaking tub and enlarged shower clad in marble. Eclectic furnishings and accessories—from the live-edge dining table with a metal base to a hand-knotted Stark rug that riffs on ancient Persian motifs—were carefully curated to suggest they’d been collected over a lifetime. “I wanted it to be cool without looking like we were trying to be cool,” Giese remarks. “Isn’t that the essence of a French woman? Her style seems effortless.”

Is there a secret to creating a cohesive look in an open floor plan?
Your eye should carry through the space in a way that isn’t jarring; in this home, I wanted to blur the lines between the different zones. I didn’t think too many patterns were appropriate because they would stop your eye. The fact that the window treatments are the same in each zone makes you focus on pieces that have more interest.

What drove the millwork designs?
Ceilings in the apartment are at least nine feet high, which allowed us to add substantial trim and give it some body. We wanted a stronger profile on the crown molding and baseboards, but knew we couldn’t go over the top. We didn’t want anything too heavy or colonial-style, so we chose clean and tailored profiles that felt special without being overly ornate.

Explain the color palette you were going for.
The taupey-linen color of the client’s original sofa drove a lot of our selections. We were looking for softness, adding blush tones in the pillows and rugs. But we didn’t want it to look sweet, which is why the media cabinet is black. Anything else might have started looking “syrupy” with the pink elements. Because it’s not a really big space, it was important that the coffee table be clear. Visually, it doesn’t take up a lot of real estate and feels more ethereal.

How do you combine styles and eras in a furniture scheme?
I think it’s easier to mix periods when selecting iconic, classic pieces. We use a lot of Tulip tables because they work with almost any kind of chair. As long as you’re not picking the most obscure things from each period, it works.

Name a strategy that keeps a client’s budget in check.
A client may not have thousands of dollars to spend on an original, one-of-a-kind rug. One solution is to buy a neutral, base-layer rug that’s not quite as expensive, then layer a smaller, one-of-a-kind rug on top.

What is your philosophy on mixing metals?
It’s always a bit of a dance to convince clients that it’s okay to mix metals. Sometimes brass tones are hard to match if they’re not true brass. In the kitchen, we offset brass and stainless-steel accents with a faucet in polished nickel, which has a little more warmth and plays nicely with brass.

What role does lighting take on in the apartment?
We chose lighting that adds to the home’s eclecticism. Even though none of the lighting is actually vintage, we made it look like it was collected over time, that she had just found things she loved and brought them into her apartment. There’s nothing that really “matches,” and that’s on purpose.

How do you create an authentic, personalized look with accessories?
It’s not about me coming in and saying, “You have to have this; it’s the new hot thing.” It’s about finding what’s best for the design and putting those things together. We didn’t want the home to look like it was newly furnished. I try to gather objects over time to avoid a mad dash to the store to fill a space. Accessories should feel very thoughtful and be pieces the client thinks are cool and unique. The final layer finishes the picture and lets the vision come to life.

How do you create drama in a space?
By painting elements black. Like putting on eyeliner, it dresses everything up.

Design trend past its time?
If there’s trend I’m tired of, gray would be it. But that’s not to say I don’t love gray—I have it in my home.

What's your take on timeless design?
When clients say they want timeless, they’re speaking my language. It’s not about what’s flying off the shelves; it’s what they love and what we can put together cohesively.

Favorite go-to furnishings?
I’m excited about handmade items. Consumers are seeking out something that looks original and not like everybody else’s.

Classic look making a comeback?
Cane detailing and wicker. I love seeing these elements back again.

Interior Design: Alison Giese, Alison Giese Interiors, Burke, Virginia. Contractor: Robert Hoaren Licensed Contractor, Inc., Haymarket, Virginia. Styling: Stylish Productions. 

For a uniquely buoyant lodging experience, consider Fingal, a 23-room boutique hotel that opened this year in a refurbished Scottish lighthouse tender. Permanently berthed in Edinburgh’s fashionable Port of Leith, Fingal offers deluxe digs within walking distance of the city’s hot spots. Well-appointed cabins, including luxury duplexes, feature polished woods, rich leathers and heated bathroom floors. Guests can enjoy a full Scottish breakfast, afternoon tea and events in the elegant ballroom. Rates from $265. fingal.co.uk

On October 4 and 5, cutting-edge couture takes over DC’s National Building Museum during the annual Smithsonian Craft2Wear show. Sixty-seven artisans from around the U. S. will showcase their handmade, limited-edition clothing, jewelry and accessories for men, women and children at this curated event. Among treasures on display will be Andrea Geer’s hand-loomed knitwear (left) and Francesca Vitali’s intricate paper jewelry (above). An opening-night benefit kicks off the action on October 3. Craft2Wear proceeds support Smithsonian outreach, research and education programs. smithsoniancraft2wear.org

The AIA Northern Virginia chapter gathered on June 13 for its annual Design Awards celebration at the new Marymount University Ballston Center, designed by Gensler. A jury of Nashville-area architects judged the competition, which included 125 entries. Photos of winning single-family residential projects are shown above; a full gallery showing all 37 winners can be found online at aianova.org/DA19.

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
David Jameson Architect. Wildcat Mountain Residence, The Plains, Virginia. Builder: PureForm Builders.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect. Mohican Hills House, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: CBD Custom Homes LLC.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect. Renovation on Cox’s Row, Washington, DC. Builder: Peterson & Collins.

AWARD OF MERIT
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect. Gallery House, Lewes, Delaware. Builder: Dewson Construction Company.
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect. 44SR Renovation, Washington, DC. Builder: Peterson & Collins.

JURORS’ CITATION
KUBE architecture. Sky Loft, , Washington, DC. Builder: Metrix Construction.

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE

AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
 Davis Buckley Architects and Planners. The Lockkeeper’s House, Washington, DC.

JURORS’ CITATION
Barnes Vanze Architects. Beaux-Arts Beautification, Washington, DC. Builder: Alliance Builders.

Twenty years ago, a couple tapped David Jameson to put a modern spin on a 1960s colonial they’d purchased in the Palisades. The architect, who had recently launched his own firm, took on the job despite some “eccentric” requests. If his clients wanted a two-story aviary dedicated to their pet macaw, a greenhouse for their prolific orchid collection and two wet bars, then so be it, Jameson reasoned. His plan would also deliver a floating, glass-and-steel staircase; an open kitchen and living room with a window wall overlooking forested parkland; and a backyard pond and waterfall that further perfected the impossibly perfect view.

From its exotic lacewood floors to its tower addition clad in patinaed copper, the owners spared no expense on the redo. They spent two decades enjoying the home before they put it on the market in 2017 and moved to California, macaw in tow.

As potential buyers, a couple living in Georgetown fell in love with the setting and timeless aesthetic of Jameson’s renovation, but had no clue how to resolve the structure’s quirks to suit their lifestyle. They asked him to take on the challenge and when he agreed, they bought the property. “We were really lucky to have David,” says the husband, an attorney. “I didn’t want anybody else but him to work on it.”

As they planned a renovation, their wish list included an elevator and indoor stairs to the basement—solely accessed until then via an outdoor entry. They wanted a more private master bath, since a tall window in the existing one exposed the shower to the park. And they wanted to upgrade the aviary—essentially a raw space with the best views in the house. As Jameson relates, “There were drains in the floor so you could hose it down.”

After retrieving his old hand-drawn plans, the architect developed a program that would largely preserve his earlier design—the layout would barely change—while propelling the home into the 21st century. By reconfiguring a powder room and disused fireplace near the entry, he created stairs to the basement and installed an elevator that accesses all four levels. On the second floor, he converted the orchid room into a loft office overlooking the former aviary; it leads to two guest rooms and a revamped Jack-and-Jill bath.

The project called for what Jameson dubs “major outpatient surgery.” Crews underpinned the house, reframed interior walls, installed LED lighting and added radiant heat under new schist floors paving an airy new sunroom and library (formerly the aviary). During the job, they discovered a steel beam left over from the original foyer staircase that was repurposed 20 years ago into a support column. In the latest iteration, Jameson decided to build the library’s floating bookshelves around the column in an act of “opportunistic architecture.”

“When you’re in the space, it feels completely effortless,” he observes. “But the amount of effort made to achieve it was extraordinary.”

In the midst of construction, happy news hastened another change. “The clients found out they were pregnant,” reveals Jameson, who quickly carved out space for a nursery on the top floor, replacing the former master bath. The baby’s room is near the master bedroom, which occupies the top floor of the copper-clad tower with its own deck overlooking the park. A new, spa-like master bath with a soaking tub and stone floor provides a calming retreat in a converted closet space.

The couple wanted to update and simplify most of the home’s finishes, such as heavily veined marble countertops and sycamore cabinets in the kitchen. “We wanted it to be minimalistic and to bring in nature,” recounts the husband.

Today, planes of bleached larch extend from floor to ceiling, hiding appliances, dishes and other essentials. The clean-lined aesthetic extends to a simple black Japanese oak island topped by granite and the iconic Tulip table and chairs by Eero Saarinen.

“The kitchen has the same layout as 20 years ago,” says Jameson. “The difference is the deftness with which the appliances ‘disappear’ so the space becomes more of an art component rather than a pragmatic one.”

The owners and their baby girl are constantly delighted by the natural world unfolding outside Jameson’s existing window walls in the living room and sunroom. “The reason we bought the house was this experience and the improvements we’ve made,” says the wife, a writer. “We feel like we’re in the country—it’s a country house in Northwest DC.”

When friends visit, the husband relates, they assume the window walls are new. “We say, ‘No, they’re 20 years old.’ It’s almost like living in a New York loft, but with nature all around us,” he marvels. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

With the “reincarnation” now complete, Jameson reflects on the home’s evolution—and his own. “When I got the first job, I was 30. The clients thought they were going to push this kid around,” he remembers. “Now I’m 50, I have some gray hair and people are willing to trust me.”

Throughout this project, the architect reevaluated decisions he made 20 years ago. “While my thought process has certainly evolved, it’s still aligned to the same principles of spatial experience and material authenticity,” he comments. “All of my projects celebrate craft, the hand of the artisan and the refined and the raw. Whether it’s modernist architecture or architecture in general, that’s where a timeless, elegant quality comes from. It transcends style.”

RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE & CONTRACTING: David Jameson, FAIA, David Jameson Architect Inc., Bethesda, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Ally DC, Bethesda, Maryland.

RESOURCES
SUNROOM
Art: paulreedart.com. Art: hemphillfinearts.com. Finn Juhl Sofa, Pelican Chairs & Table: furniturefromscandinavia.com. Rocking Horse: furniturefromscandinavia.com. Fireplace: sparkmodern.com. Floors: stonesource.com. Ceiling Fan: boffi.com. Shelving/Metalwork: metalspecialties.biz. Shelving/Woodwork: potomacwoodwork.com.
LIVING ROOM
Arne Jacobsen Chair: furniturefromscandinavia.com. Sofa: bebitalia.com. Poul Kjærholm Coffee Table: furniturefromscandinavia.com. Eero Saarinen Dining Chairs & Table: knoll.com. Shelf Design: davidjamesonarchitect.com. Shelf Fabrication: metalspecialties.biz.
KITCHEN
Casework Design: davidjamesonarchitect.com. Casework Fabrication: potomacwoodwork.com. Countertops: usamarbleandgranite.com. Faucet: boffi.com. Floors: br111.es/en/.
DECK
Chair: studiomoe.com.
MASTER BATH
Tub/Tub Filler: boffi.com.. Vanity & Plumbin: konstunion.com. Window Coverings: rockvilleinteriors.com. Floor Tile: stonesource.com.
NURSERY
Dresser: roomandboard.com.

At first glance, a couple who grew up on a Caribbean island lapped by warm, turquoise seas didn’t think of the Delaware shore as a real beach destination. “The water is too cold for me,” laments the wife. But after spending many a summer vacation in Bethany and Rehoboth rental homes with their son, the tranquil Atlantic resort area grew on the two Bethesda-based technology execs—so much so that they decided to purchase an oceanfront lot in North Bethany and build a beach escape of their own.

Their goals eclipsed the standard beach cottage. Sure, they wanted a carefree refuge where they could de-stress within driving distance of home. But they also wanted a house large enough to host multiple families and friends—including teammates of their son, now a college-age soccer player. A deck with a pool (for warm swims) was a must, as was a nice office where, the husband says, “we could work remotely in peace and quiet—even if we had visitors—and not feel like we’re in a ‘time-out.’”

The duo envisioned an airy, modern abode that would play well with its traditional neighbors. A friend’s referral led them to architect Mark McInturff. “When we met Mark and saw his work, his focus on symmetry and clean lines spoke to us,” says the husband. McInturff joined the team that already included builder Tim O’Hare—whom the wife encountered when walking by one of his Rehoboth projects—and interior designer Sharon Kleinman.

McInturff got to work on an effective web design concept that instantly resonated with the owners. His three-story plan encompasses two gabled forms connected by an open, glass-enclosed volume. The ground level houses a gym, office, game room and guest accommodations—including a six-bed “dorm” for the owners’ son and his buddies. On the second floor, the voluminous kitchen and breakfast room, dining room, living room and screened porch capture lofty beach views—as do the son’s junior suite and the master suite, perched on the third floors of the north and south volumes, respectively. Additional guest rooms and a media room are situated on the second level, facing the street. Connecting the three floors are a floating staircase and a glass elevator, which ascends to a roof deck complete with hot tub, outdoor TV and fire feature.

With neighboring homes only 20 feet away, establishing privacy on the tight lot was a challenge. “My approach is always to screen the neighbors,” notes McInturff, who bumped out the southern wing of the home to hide the adjacent property. This shift created the perfect space for the deck and infinity-edge pool. “When you’re on the deck or porch,” the architect marvels, “all you see is people on the beach and the ocean—and nothing on the sides.”

Sharon Kleinman outfitted the interiors with an eye on the architecture and the setting. “I was wowed by the design; it’s so beautiful with lots of glass and expansive ceilings,” she recounts. “My challenge was to make sure the interiors were warm and inviting.”

Throughout the home, she judiciously layered textures and materials, honing in on a palette of blues, grays and neutrals “I didn’t want anything to stand out more than the environment itself. And I didn’t want to fight with those views,” she explains. “One of the clients’ goals was for it to feel serene.”

Clean-lined, uncluttered furniture with stain- and water-resistant upholstery answers the owners’ call for laid-back style. “We don’t want a showpiece; we want something that’s livable, comfortable and still looks good,” says the wife.

From the architecture to the interiors and hidden technology, every detail in the project celebrates its seaside environment. Folding glass NanaWalls open the main living space seamlessly to the balmy breezes, yet automated window shades and phantom screens shield against strong sun and pesky no-see-ums. Smart-home systems control lighting, music, video and climate with the touch of a button whether the family is home alone or hosting a fête.

The large kitchen designed by Jerry Weed of Kitchen & Bath Studios works like a dream even if the house is at full capacity. “When everyone’s in there, you’re not bumping into people,” says the wife. Beverage refrigerators, a microwave and a built-in coffee machine in the breakfast area let guests grab drinks and snacks outside the main cooking zone. The breakfast room spills out to a screened porch where a hanging swing and seating by Dedon beckon year-round, thanks to built-in heaters.

From day one, this project was a fruitful collaboration between the owners and their design team. “If we didn’t meet on a weekly basis, we had a conference call,” Kleinman recalls. “We all worked together really well.”

The owners, who report that they would not change a thing in their newly minted beach retreat, unwind upon arrival. “One of our favorite things is the porch swing,” reflects the husband. “Our dog jumps up between us and with the sound of the waves and the rocking, (However, we're still trying to teach the dog not to jump as some people find this behavior quite annoying), I usually fall asleep in a minute. It’s a fantastic atmosphere.”

Architecture: Mark McInturff, FAIA; Christopher Boyd, AIA; David Mogensen, AIA, LEED AP; Jeff McInturff, McInturff Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Interior Design: Sharon Kleinman, Transitions by Sharon Kleinman, Potomac, Maryland. Kitchen Design: Jerry Weed, Kitchen & Bath Studios, Inc., Chevy Chase, Maryland. Builder: Tim O’Hare, O’Hare Custom Builder, Ocean View, Delaware. Landscape Design: Princess Garden Landscaping, Severna Park, Maryland. Home Automation: Electronic Interiors, Ocean City, Maryland.

RESOURCES

THROUGHOUT
Structural Engineer:  bakeringram.com. Solar Shades: electronicinteriorsoc.com. Woven & Blackout Shades: gretcheneverett.com.
LIVING AREA
Sofas: arudin.com through michaelclearyllc.com. Sofa Fabric: castelmaison.com through donghia.com. Chairs: arudin.com. Chair Fabric: jerrypairleather.com. Ottomans & Coffee Table: kravet.com. Marble & Stone Fireplace Surrounds: marblesystems.com. Pillow Fabric: romo.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
DINING AREA
Table: gregoriuspineo.com. Chandeliers: moooi.com through bebitalia.com/en. Chairs: roche-bobois.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
PORCH
Swing & Swivel Chairs: dedon.de. Fabric: dedon.de. Tables: gloster.com through americaneyewdc.net.
KITCHEN
Cabinets: kitchenbathstudios.com. Hardware: topknobs.com. Backsplash/Countertops: caesarstoneus.com through graniteworksmd.com. Bar Stools: markalbrechtstudio.com through hollyhunt.com. Breakfast Table & Chairs: roche-bobois.com. Chandelier: vonn.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
STAIRWAY
Light Fixture: bocci.ca.
MASTER BEDROOM
Bedding: gretcheneverett.com. Coverlet Fabric: cassaro.co through michaelclearyllc.com. Pillow Fabric: cowtan.com/larsen. Ceiling Fan: minkagroup.net. Rug: carpetpalace-usa.com. Stone on Wall & Fireplace Slab: marblesystems.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
MASTER BATHROOM
Cabinets: kitchenbathstudios.com. Countertops: graniteworksmd.com. Sinks: blubathworks.com. Hardware: topknobs.com. Flooring & Backsplash: marblesystems.com.

How fitting that in 1999, the premier issue of Home & Design featured America Online’s newly minted Sterling, Virginia, headquarters. With a headline proclaiming, “The 21st century is here,” the H&D staff must have grasped how profoundly this start-up would spark our region’s economy, tech sector—and even its design industry—long before it migrated to New York. Tapped to design the interiors, Marlies Venute went futuristic. “In the entry rotunda [above], I came up with a desk that looked like a spaceship,” she recalls. A metal grid hovered above, under a glowing tray ceiling. Though light years ago by today’s 5G standards, the advent of AOL fostered a paradigm shift in DC, says Venute. “Not only did it bring technology into the home, but it opened people’s minds to modern design. It really turned a page in Washington.”

Interior Design: Marlies Venute, IFDA, Marlies Venute Interior Design, McLean, Virginia. Photography: HiTech Photo.

How do you help clients achieve enduring quality and style?
At the first design meeting, I try to bring ideas and a vision for the scheme of the house that clients can see and feel. I help them find the best look for their lifestyle and aesthetic. Sometimes clients present images they see in magazines, not understanding the lack of longevity of that aesthetic. Whether their style is modern or traditional, furnishings need to be classic and high-quality—which will make them much more appealing in the long run. —Mona Hajj, Mona Hajj Interiors

Explain how you determine whether to renovate or tear down a home.
This is an important question for architects to consider because there is a serious problem today in established neighborhoods where good homes are being demolished, transported to landfill sites and replaced by oversized speculative houses. In working with owners, our approach has been only to take down homes that are poorly sited, poorly designed and poorly constructed, with no historic or cultural value to their context. When we dismantle these houses, we distribute their parts to charitable organizations and design new homes that are in scale with the existing neighborhood. —Stephen Muse, FAIA, Muse Architects

How has the emphasis homeowners place on outdoor spaces evolved?
Consumers increasingly see landscaping as an investment that enriches their quality of life for as long as they live in their homes. They want to feel connected to the outdoors and value homes that offer that connection. These days, the design of the house and the design of the landscape are treated as one process—even if the project is a renovation. Owners are thinking about how to get more light into their homes and create a smoother transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. —Howard Cohen, PLA, Surrounds Landscape Architecture + Construction

What’s the secret to making guests feel at home?
Today’s floor plans have created a new dynamic in entertaining. It’s no longer about gathering in formal living and dining rooms, which have been replaced by more livable house layouts. Designing homes with entertaining in mind, I always include bar areas, outdoor kitchens and game rooms—all of which foster inclusivity for any occasion. —Kristin Peake, Kristin Peake Interiors

What has changed the most in custom-home building?
The concept of outdoor living has evolved. Homeowners increasingly seek transitional spaces that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor areas. With the advancement of retractable-door and -screen systems, clients are able to experience this openness regardless of climate restrictions. A dining room, kitchen, living room or even a bedroom can now easily transform and create a connection to the environment around it. —Bret Anderson, Pyramid Builders 

How much value do clients place on eco-friendly landscaping?
Twenty years ago, most homeowners likely associated environmental sustainability with native plants. But today there is a far more sophisticated understanding of landscapes as part of a larger ecological system. As a result, our clients are committed to managing storm water responsibly and reducing erosion on their properties. —Jennifer G. Horn, RLA, Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture LLC

How have lifestyle changes affected your approach to interior design?
The need to recover from busy work-life schedules has increased. Our world is over-stimulated, causing a rise in conversations about the importance of nurturing family ties within the confines of the home. More than ever, people feel a need to connect with their pasts—perhaps related to an inner desire for slower and simpler times. We’re seeing the re-entry of Old World rooms, which some term “maximalism.” —Shazalynn Cavin-Winfrey, SCW Interiors

What are tried-and-true guidelines for a successful renovation?
Years ago, clients came to us with a need and it was our job to recommend a solution. Today, they arrive with prepared solutions, having researched options and recommendations from multiple media sources. Our job now is to help the client better understand what they are asking for. I start by asking, “why?” It’s a great way to help shed assumptions and create solutions together that they’ll love years down the road. —Jonas Carnemark, CKD, CLIPP, Carnemark design + build 

How do you explain the value and benefits of fine craftsmanship?
There is no substitute for quality workmanship and attention to detail. The market is flooded with new synthetic products that are sold as maintenance-free and sustainable. However, there are no true replacements for natural materials such as wood, stone, metal, clay, glass and plaster. Not only are these sustainable, but with proper installation and maintenance they’re the ingredients of a quality home that will last for generations. —Mike Campbell, Winchester

Newfangled design trends are considered ahead of their time—until, suddenly, they’re not. Case in point:  the sunken living room.

One homeowner considered hers a hip twist on tradition when she purchased her brand-new Bethesda townhome back in 1999. But almost 20 years later, she and her husband found this relic—and the rest of the abode—sadly out of date. The floor plan was choppy, the kitchen small and inefficient. And although they’d established a lush garden behind their end-unit residence, a shortage of windows meant they could barely enjoy the view.

In typical townhouse parlance, the front living room led to a dining room; a separate kitchen and family room followed in the back. “We never used the living room and used the dining room only on holidays,” recalls the wife. “And the house was dark because everything was closed-off.”

She and her husband, who have grown children and grandkids, first considered moving. But nothing they saw on the market could beat their home’s location—a few minutes from downtown Bethesda and the husband’s dental office—or their private backyard oasis. So they decided to renovate, hiring designer Skip Sroka to reimagine the entire three-level abode and craft contemporary spaces that would suit their lifestyle now and in the future.

On his first visit, Sroka was full of ideas. “The house had the right amount of space, decent ceiling heights and nice views, but it was all builder-grade,” he explains. “They wanted a higher level of finish.” He presented several plans that would gut the original interiors, open up the main level and introduce more functional space.

The owners opted for a ground-floor layout that delivers an expansive living room on the entry side of the home; beyond, a spacious kitchen/dining room and breakfast nook—with plenty of new windows—celebrate views of the garden. “We created and simplified volumes of space,” says Sroka. Architect Carib Daniel Martin was tapped to complete final drawings and contractor Joel Flax to handle the build-out.

In the completed project, two deep, arched doorways dividing the living room and kitchen/dining area establish sight lines from the entry to the backyard. Within the walls flanking these arches, Sroka and Martin cleverly concealed two upgrades on the owners’ wish list: an elevator and a walk-in pantry.

Channeling his clients’ aesthetic, Sroka accentuated the interiors with crisp millwork and rich textures and finishes. “Some of the architectural vocabulary gives you the sense that this is a larger home even though the space has not increased at all. When you walk in, there’s a great stone fireplace with a big built-in on each side,” he points out. “It creates a statement and gives you a sense of place.”

The wife, an avid cook, loves her chic and efficient new kitchen, designed in collaboration with kitchen designer Mikayla Proctor. Ceiling moldings complement the Wood-Mode cabinets and delineate the kitchen and adjacent breakfast room. A central island/bar caters to grown-up guests and grandchildren alike. Its surface, which resembles natural marble, is actually stain-resistant quartz in a three-inch-thick slab, a material also used on the backsplash. “The kitchen’s lines are super-clean, but we wanted it to be timeless,” says Proctor. “It also has a touch of glam.”

In the dining room, additional Wood-Mode cabinetry in a dark-wood finish is tucked into a niche so that it resembles built-in furniture. And a handy bar, with additional storage below, doubles as a coffee station and serving buffet.

Another dramatic improvement transformed a dated, three-story stairway. “It had a million colonial-style, wooden spindles,” Sroka laments. “I urged my clients to change them out to glass.” Painting the trim, wooden steps and risers white also helped set a clean, contemporary tone.

Other deft moves reconfigured the upper and lower levels. A laundry room was relegated from the second floor to the basement to enlarge the guest room and its en-suite bath upstairs. And downstairs, ample new storage space was carved out along with a gym.

The elevator ascends directly into the revamped master suite. Sroka applied wallpaper on the tray ceiling for subtle, tone-on-tone texture. Elegant bedside tables of his own design rest beneath mirrors that reflect light throughout the space.

Here and throughout the home, the designer balanced the wife’s preference for smoky, natural hues with the husband’s penchant for brighter colors. Though some of the owners’ existing furniture was reupholstered after the makeover, they also invested in new finds. From the sculptural alder-wood breakfast table designed by Sroka to the bed upholstered in luxurious Kravet chenille, these recent acquisitions speak to refined style and comfort.

The owners sing the praises of Sroka and their newly transformed home. “Skip understood what we were looking for and made the square footage as usable as it could be,” marvels the wife.

Both are glad they decided not to move. “We hear the stories about how people fix up their house before selling it,” the husband recounts. “Why not fix it up and enjoy it?”

Renovation Architecture: Carib Daniel Martin, Carib Daniel Martin Architecture and Design, Kensington, Maryland. Interior Design: Skip Sroka, ASID, Sroka Design Inc., Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Mikayla Proctor, Amy Collins, LLC, Glen Echo, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Joel Flax, Joel Flax Associates, Rockville, Maryland.

RESOURCES

KITCHEN
Pendants: hudsonvalleylighting.hvlgroup.com. Countertops & Backsplash: marblexinc.com. Stools: arudin.com through michaelclearyllc.com. Stool Fabric: robertallendesign.com. Cooktop: subzero-wolf.com. Corner TV Cabinet: tvliftcabinet.com.

BREAKFAST ROOM
Table: srokadesign.com through atrium-interiors.com. Chair Fabric: brentanofabrics.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.

LIVING ROOM
Built-in Design: srokadesign.com. Fireplace Surround: marblexinc.com. Lounge Chair: michaelclearyllc.com. Lounge Chair Fabric: donghia.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Lamp: reginaandrew.com. Floor Lamp: robertabbey.biz.

DINING AREA
Table: centuryfurniture.com. Chairs: arudin.com through michaelclearyllc.com. Chair Fabric: norbarfabrics.com. Chandelier: Clients’ collection. Drapery Fabric: cowtan.com. Drapery Fabrication: designerworkroom.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Bar Backsplash: daltile.com.

STAIRCASE
Runner: carpetimpressions.com. Glass Panels: riverglassdesigns.com.

MASTER BEDROOM
Bed & Bench: bernhardt.com. Fabric on Bench & Head/Foot of Bed: kravet.com. Night Tables: srokadesign.com through atrium-interiors.com. Tableside Lamps: visualcomfort.com. Mirrors: centuryfurniture.com. Chairs: leeindustries.com. Chair & Ottoman Fabric: donghia.com. Ottomans: srokadesign.com; fabricated by stewartfurniture.com. Round Table & Lamp: vanguardfurniture.com. Ceiling Wallpaper: kravet.com. Drapery Fabric: norbarfabrics.com. Drapery Fabrication: designerworkroom.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.

MASTER BATH
Ceiling Light: robertabbey.biz. Chair: hickorychair.com. Chair Fabric: donghia.com.

Many mid-Atlantic beach houses riff on Nantucket style, with shingled façades, pitched roofs and turrets. In a sea of such traditional homes, a new Rehoboth Beach escape captivates passersby. Its clean lines, flat roof and pared-down elevations celebrate a look prevalent on the opposite coast: Palm Springs Modern.

The owner, DC dentist Gary Seiden, bought a corner lot in this community a mile from the ocean as seagulls fly. His vision was to build a weekend retreat where he could relax and entertain. “I wanted a Palm Springs house with a courtyard and a pool,” he explains. “And I wanted everything on one level so I could open up my bedroom door and jump right into the pool.”

By the time he was ready to design and build more than 10 years later, most homes in the neighborhood had been completed. He reached out to DC-based architect Tom Kamm, who had designed one of its few modern ones, for an interview. They clicked and Kamm landed the job.

Architect and client share an affinity for the Palm Springs Modern vernacular. “My family had a home in Palm Springs so I’m really familiar with it, as is Gary,” relates Kamm. Not only is the nation’s highest concentration of Mid-Century Modern architecture found in this California hot spot, but its annual Modernism Week draws thousands for tours of its iconic buildings.

Kamm and his partner, architect Kelly Saunders, based their design of Seiden’s house on the typical Palm Springs desert-courtyard home—noted for its simple geometry and abundant walls of glass. Their plan consists of three wings arranged in a U shape, embracing a pool/garden courtyard. The main entry wing houses the living and dining rooms; a floating stair and catwalk lead to three guest suites tucked away in a volume cantilevered above it. A second wing contains the master suite, complete with a dressing room, bath and outdoor shower. A third holds the kitchen, butler’s pantry, family room and carport. And a party-ready lower level awaits overflow crowds.

Glass doors and folding NanaWalls lead to the courtyard and pool. Bands of pale brick, the architects’ answer to Southwestern adobe, and dark-stained wooden doors, stairs and overhangs break up expanses of glass and crisp, white stucco. “It was about creating an outdoor room defined by the form of the building, but the outdoor room is as strong as any of the interior spaces,” explains Kamm. “I’m always focused on the notion of transparency versus privacy. Each side of the courtyard has its own massing and its own physical characteristics.”

During the design phase, interior designer Rex Rogosch and landscape architect Jennifer Horn joined the team, collaborating on plans to achieve the streamlined look and carefree attitude the owner was after. A visit to Seiden’s DC row house, which is full of bold, modern art, helped Rogosch get the ball rolling. “I wanted everything to be architectural, but also to feel inviting,” says the designer. “I didn’t do anything too strong because I knew art was going to be a focal point.”

For the main wing, Rogosch designed two chaises with sculptural profiles that, like the glass cocktail and dining tables, reinforce an open feel. He likens the room’s geometric chandeliers to an art installation. “They’re beautiful from all angles,” he notes. Seiden chose the artwork, including large pieces acquired at Art Basel in Miami.

Horn also took cues from the architecture. “Gary wanted the landscape to reinforce the forms Tom and Kelly worked on, so we tried to use plantings in a muscular, linear way,” she explains. Low screening walls, overflowing with native shrubs and grasses, echo the lines of the house and connect it to the landscape.

Since desert species weren’t an option in humid Delaware, “We looked at plants that have a form that you might see in California but can handle a completely different environment,” Horn says. “And we thought about how plants would look in winter because Gary wants to enjoy the home all year round.” In the courtyard garden, she softened masonry edges with freeform little bluestem and thread leaf amsonia—a species that reminds her of seaweed. “We wanted to be a little wild in the planters,” she says.

Enjoyment is key for Seiden and his husband, who retreat to Rehoboth almost every weekend. “When I arrive in the summer,” Seiden says, “I jump in the pool immediately.” And come fall, the Baltimore native watches Ravens games on one of the living room chaises, facing the TV and fireplace.

From the low-maintenance landscape and outdoor guest shower to the window shades raised and lowered at the touch of a button, every element of the four-bedroom, eight-bath home revolves around relaxation and easy entertaining. A butler’s pantry boasts a beverage fridge and icemaker so guests can pop in for a cold drink. Rogosch points out that his simple color palette means furniture can be moved around “and it all happens to work together.”

Seiden loves sharing his getaway with friends. “In my beach house, you’re allowed to bring in sand. You’re allowed to bring your kids. I’m not finicky about what’s going on,” he insists. “I feel super-blessed that I was able to do this.”

Architecture: Thomas A. Kamm, AIA, and Kelly Saunders, AIA, LEED AP, Kamm Architecture, Washington, DC. Builder: Garrison Homes, Lewes, Delaware. Interior Design: Rex Rogosch, r Squared Design, Lewes, Delaware. Landscape Architecture: Jennifer Horn, RLA, Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture, Arlington, Virginia. Landscape Contractor: Green Acres Landscaping, Arlington, Virginia. 

SOURCES

THROUGHOUT
Windows: andersenwindows.com. Nanawall Folding Glass Wall System: bsdshowroom.com. Home Automation:  sound-fx.net.

LIVING ROOM
Chandeliers: sonnemanawayoflight.com. Sofas: Custom rsquareddesign.net . Sofa Fabrication: joybird.com.

DINING ROOM
Table & Chairs: bontempi.it.

KITCHEN
Kitchen Cabinets: bsdshowroom.com. Pendants: tomdixon.net.

BEDROOM
Bench & Headboard: Custom by rsquareddesign.net . Bed Fabrication: joybird.com. End Tables & White Desk: modloft.com. Bedding: avasahome.com. Carpet: karastan.com. Wall Sconces: sonnemanawayoflight.com.

OUTDOOR
Water Feature:  fountaincraftmfg.com. Outdoor Furniture: teak.com.

When attorneys Betsy Karmin and Manny Strauss traded the Bethesda home where they raised their two daughters for a penthouse in Kalorama, they decided to start with a blank slate. First, they called on Sandy Spring Builders to overhaul the outdated interiors, which encompass a kitchen, dining room, living area, office and master suite on the main level, with a loft and roof deck above. Then they tapped interior designer Joanne Fitzgerald to make what was an empty shell their own. “They were divesting themselves of all the hand-me-down furniture they had for their whole lives and were starting from scratch,” says Fitzgerald.

“We wanted that feeling of calm beauty you get from a Japanese garden, so when you walk in you have this sense of wanting to take a deep breath,” says Karmin, who visited Japan with Strauss before they embarked on the re-do. “But we also wanted it to look upscale, urban, cool and hip.”

Working with cabinet and stone selections the couple had already made for the kitchen and master bath, Fitzgerald presented them with plans that marry comfort and a shot of “glam.” Her subtle palette not only creates a soothing vibe but also lets stunning views of the Washington Monument and Taft Bridge take center stage.

Now that the job is complete, the owners’ grown daughters enjoy staying over on Murphy beds in the loft. Strauss and Karmin also love to entertain guests in their chic city haven—and on its renovated roof deck. “We just pull out the margaritas,” says Karmin, “and feel like we’re on vacation.”

EXPLAIN HOW THE COLOR PALETTE CAME ABOUT.
Before the project got underway, my clients discovered the work of artist Mindy Weisel and bought four of her colorful glass pieces. We wanted them to be front and center, flanking the fireplace. We decided on a neutral palette so the pieces would sparkle.

HOW DID YOU CREATE A SENSE OF DRAMA?
We knew the fireplace needed to be a dramatic focal point when you step into the space. One of my favorite ways to accentuate a fireplace wall is to create a “tower” of stone; we surrounded this one with dry-stacked black quartzite. Once the fireplace was done, we pulled the thread all the way through the house. We stained the white-oak floors black, painted the orangey oak spiral staircase black and selected black finishes for the furniture. This created drama because all of these elements sort of talk to each other.

WHAT CRITERIA DROVE YOUR FURNITURE SELECTION?
My goal was to make the home look like it had evolved. I can’t stand a space that looks like everything was trucked in the same day and it all matches perfectly. Our goal was for each piece to have a personality of its own but to work with the ensemble. Each item should be exciting, but not so exciting that it takes up too much attention. For example, the acrylic table in the loft almost looks like a piece of art.

HOW DOES TEXTURE ACCENTUATE THE AESTHETIC?
Metal accents on the furniture, shimmery textures and rich, glossy wood finishes lent themselves to the glam feeling we were after. On the Powell & Bonnell chair in the seating area, there’s an exquisite Romo satin—and we also used the satin for a kidney pillow on the facing chair, which is covered in rich, supple mohair. The fabric on the sofa is quiet, but it also has a slightly sexy shimmer.

WHY IS ART SO INTEGRAL TO A FINISHED PROJECT?
Art makes all the difference in the world. There’s nothing that makes a space more interesting and individual than the art people collect. It’s always such a pleasure to work with clients who already have excellent art collections or appreciate original art. When people say they need help finding art and they don’t want to spend a lot of money, I say go down to Torpedo Factory and find art that makes you happy.

WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGES?
There are no straight walls in the home because of the angles of the building. The bedroom was particularly problematic since the window wall has an incredible angle. A sofa—one of the only pieces the owners kept from their previous home—was perfect along that wall. And drapes behind it also help minimize the angle.

WHAT TOOK YOUR CLIENTS OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE?
I showed them Phillip Jeffries’ beautiful Bloom wallpaper for the powder room. At first they said, “That’s not really what we envisioned.” But I told them this room could be a tiny jewel box if we could just introduce a little flavor and color. Finally they agreed, and now they love the space. They call it “Joanne’s powder room.”

HOW DID THE LOFT’S BLUE COLOR SCHEME EVOLVE?
Hardwood Artisans, who made the Murphy beds, offers a blue cabinetry finish. It dawned on me that instead of more expected colors, this would put a twist on the rest of the scheme. Plus, the loft is like a tree house. I thought, “How cool to walk up to this ethereal ‘sky space’ and find a gorgeous blue that verges on hyacinth?” We found the blue rug, which is a work of art on its own and echoes the blue shade downstairs in the powder room.

WHAT DESIGN ELEMENT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED?
Using standard “ceiling white” paint is a lost opportunity. Painting a ceiling in a unique color brings subconscious warmth and interest to a space.

NAME A PRODUCT YOU CAN’T WAIT TO TRY.
I just discovered an eco-friendly surface called Iron Moss by Neolith. It looks just like iron and would be great for kitchens, baths or fireplace surrounds.

WHAT AFFORDABLE FIND DELIVERS HIGH IMPACT?
One thing that’s getting more accessible is really interesting tile. There are tiles that mimic wood, tiles that mimic linen and beautiful encaustic-cement tiles. They’d all make an enormous impact in a renovation.

EXPLAIN YOUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH WALLPAPER.
Today’s wallpapers are breathtaking. What you can get for the price and style it brings to a house is amazing. It’s really great when they’re washable and are going to last for 10 years.

IS THERE A TREND THAT YOU DREAD?
I’m worried that shabby chic is coming back. That’s not a style I ever loved.

Interior Design: Joanne Fitzgerald, Gatéga Interior Design, Washington, DC. Contractor: Sandy Spring Builders, Bethesda, Maryland. Deck Renovation: Landis Architects/Builders, Washington, DC.

When the owners of Hidden Harbor Marina in Deale, Maryland, tapped Devin Kimmel to design a freestanding bar on site, the Annapolis architect decided to go nautical. Critical-area laws ruled out siting the bar directly on the waterfront, but another idea dawned on him: “floating” it within view of the water and boatyard in a retrofitted boat.

As luck would have it, they discovered Southern Belle, a 1960s deadrise oyster boat, languishing in drydock. “She had an elongated shape, flat sides and great horizontal lines, which made her ideal for a bar,” Kimmel recalls. The owners bought the 39-foot Belle and the architect had its cockpit outfitted with the inner-workings of a bar. Teak counters were installed on her sides and a coat of sealant preserved her weathered patina.

Kimmel also designed an open-air, Tidewater-style boat shed to enclose the bar. It’s built with wood salvaged from a century-old tobacco barn nearby that, he says, “makes it look like it has some history to it.” A firepit lures guests on chilly nights.

Opened in 2017, the bar became an instant hit at the marina, which also encompasses the Anchored Inn. “You’re surrounded by boats and you can see the water when you sit there,” reflects Kimmel, principal of Kimmel Studio Architects. “It just feels like the Chesapeake Bay.”

The Boat House Bar is open from March through November; theboathousedeale.com.

The new owners of a home on Gibson Island hired landscape designer Annabelle Sailer to update the property, perched on a bluff, and improve access down to the Chesapeake Bay. After removing overgrown grasses and shrubs, Sailer planted the slope with three sustainable species: mountain mint, little bluestem and evening primrose, which erupts in pink blooms every May. “These are all native plants that support a wide variety of biodiversity,” she explains. “They attract tons of bees and butterflies.” Along existing stairs, the designer installed new rail posts and rope handrails. A hammock near a shady crape myrtle, she marvels, “offers expansive water views.”

Landscape Design & Photography: Annabelle Sailer, Annabelle Sailer Garden Design, Annapolis, Maryland.

Lafayette 148 New York, a purveyor of high-end, customized women’s apparel and accessories, recently opened its first DC-area store in Tysons Galleria. Though most of its sales happen online, storefronts allow discerning buyers to touch, try on and customize the company’s signature knits, leathers and woven pieces—all fashioned in a state-of-the-art workshop in Shantou, China. The early spring collection includes the Esma Pencil Skirt in Italian lambskin ($998), the Luther Jacket ($698) and the silk Scottie Blouse ($448). lafayette148ny.com

Passementerie—a catch-all name for the tassels, trim, fringe and pom-poms that dress up drapes and upholstery—is akin to jewelry for the home. So it wasn’t a stretch when New York textile and wall-covering designer Lori Weitzner, who creates passementerie for Samuel & Sons, decided to create a line of jewelry and accessories under her eponymous brand.

“I’ve always loved jewelry. Even as a little girl, I’d go into my mother’s jewelry box and try on all her pieces,” says Weitzner. “I thought, ‘If I can design it for the home, why not for people?’”

Launched in December, her collection features necklaces fashioned from gossamer metallic strands, suede bracelets encrusted with shimmery baubles and eye-catching clutches embroidered with tiny glass beads.

“It’s all very textile-infused, with techniques like beading, embroidery and special-stitching,” explains Weitzner. Made by hand in India and the Philippines, the pieces are priced between $95 and $305 each.

In style, they run the gamut from romantic to edgy. “We wanted both older and younger people to enjoy the collection, so we were determined to find that balance,” Weitzner reflects. “I want all wearers to feel beautiful—and individual.” shop.loriweitzner.com

FREE-WHEELING FASHION
Badgley Mischka Home’s Senso bike takes the designer duo in a new direction. It unites high-performance, carbon-fiber components with embellishments such as a 24-carat gold-leaf finish and a handlebar and saddle sheathed in fine Italian leather. $25,382; badgleymischkahome.com

DATA DRIVEN
The aerodynamic Elemnt Bolt GPS Bike Computer syncs with an array of cycling sensors and apps. At just 2.2 ounces, the handle-mounted device places an array of functions, from navigation to performance tracking, at a rider’s fingertips. $250; wahoofitness.com

LIGHTING THE WAY
Developed by Google engineer Zach Vorhies, Zackees Turn Signal Gloves improve biker safety and visibility. Pressing the thumb against a sensor on the index finger activates bright, blinking LED lights to indicate a turn. Made of breathable mesh spandex with leather palms, the gloves are machine washable and recharge via USB. $74.95; zackees.com