On EcoDomo’s factory floor, free-form platforms in light-gray, hand-stitched recycled leather are spread out like giant puzzle pieces. Once complete, they’ll be installed as raised seating in a Watergate office designed by Gensler; 150 columns and a reception desk will be covered in the same material.
Gaithersburg-based EcoDomo has long been a go-to source for commercial clients such as Marriott, Starbucks and Cartier; in fact, EcoDomo leather wraps bar fronts in 2,500 Starbucks worldwide. But DC-area designers and architects are just beginning to take notice of the company’s products—from flooring and wall and door panels with nail-head trim to countertops and headboards designed for hotels, restaurants, spas and private homes around the globe.
As Christian Nadeau, who founded EcoDomo in 2005, avers, “Whatever can be done with wood, we can do with leather.” The only challenge they’ve turned down so far? An all-leather bathtub.
EcoDomo’s raw material is an eco-friendly byproduct of the leather industry. Like wood veneer made from compressed paper, the product is composed of vegetable-tanned leather remnants that are pulverized and mixed with small amounts of tree bark and natural latex. A final layer of resin renders the product highly impervious to wear and tear.
Imported from Europe in roll or panel form, this recycled leather is first customized to order in EcoDomo’s Upstate New York plant. Here, employees emboss the material with textures including crocodile, shagreen, walrus and buffalo; dye it in an array of colors; and even print it with custom motifs. Then it’s sent to EcoDomo’s 12,000-square-foot Gaithersburg facility, where artisans fabricate all to-the-trade orders. The company also works with hide leather, but estimates that recycled leather costs 50 percent less.
“We’ve extended the appeal of leather to surfacing for interiors. Our product has the same elegance that leather brings to a purse, a car interior or a sofa,” says Christian. “But it has the performance of a laminate, and our floors have a softer and nicer feel underfoot. As a bonus, there’s the recycled aspect.”
EcoDomo also fashions decorative wall panels, headboards and floors from upcycled leather belts. First conceived as a wall panel for Nike, the application has become so popular, “we go through 1,000 belts a month,” says Bernice Nadeau, who runs the company with husband Christian.
Last year, the Nadeaus launched a new venture, Lord Fabrik, which produces stain- and water-repellent canvas suitable for wall covering, upholstery and area rugs; orders are already pouring in. “Its performance is comparable to vinyl, but it’s all natural and American-made,” explains Christian.
Available in multiple colors and textures, the all-cotton canvas collection carries on the Nadeaus’ commitment to environmental stewardship. “We are in business because we wanted to create something sustainable and authentic out of waste material,” Christian reflects. “We really care about that part of it.” ecodomo.com; lordfabrik.com
Traversing the streets of Georgetown, even harried passersby can’t help but pause to admire the neighborhood’s charming homes. Row houses steeped in period detail harken back centuries. But today, there’s no telling what awaits behind those quaint façades. While district regulations protect exteriors, many Georgetowners take their interiors in entirely new directions.
Consider, for example, the new owners of an historic 1820 row house. The couple with three grown children decided to leave their long-time residence in DC’s Wesley Heights in favor of Georgetown, where they could walk to restaurants, movies and the riverfront. Avid art collectors, they were drawn to the Federal-style home’s generous proportions. “The high ceilings and great wall expanses created space for larger-scale art that we never had before,” explains the husband, a real estate executive.
But the property also presented conundrums. The front living room segues back to the dining room and the kitchen at the rear. The two latter rooms—part of a previous addition tacked onto the original, four-story volume—felt dim and claustrophobic. What’s more, the kitchen was blocked by stairs to a second-story study that was otherwise cut off from the rest of the house.
The owners tapped architect Robert M. Gurney to remedy these drawbacks. “We wanted to honor the historic fabric of this 200-year-old home and make it compatible with our modern life and taste,” says the husband, who’d worked with Gurney on a commercial project. Also on board: landscape architect Kevin Campion and New York-based designer Sybille Schneider, who decorated the owners’ Cape Cod vacation retreat.
Gurney and project architect Kara McHone explored ways to improve circulation and connect the front and back of the 120-foot-deep main level both physically and visually. The architects turned a small, throwaway space between the living and dining rooms into an open stairway leading down to the basement and up to the office and master suite on the second floor. Above this dramatic steel-and-wood structure, new clerestory windows illuminate the center of the home. “We took the most awkward space and made it one of the better ones that ties the whole project together,” Gurney observes.
A bridge between the new stairway and the husband’s office meant the old office stairs could go, allowing extended sight lines from the living room to the kitchen and rear patio.
As the plan progressed, the designers focused on comprehensive upgrades, articulating a modern vocabulary into the home’s classic framework. “We did more than meets the eye,” Gurney reflects.
Two off-kilter fireplaces in the living room made furniture placement a challenge. So Gurney clad the fireboxes with elongated marble surrounds that lend symmetry to Schneider’s seating arrangements. “Since the living room is very large, we needed to interrupt it by making it two living rooms,” asserts the designer. A pair of mid-century Gio Ponti chandeliers purchased at auction in Paris defines the two sections, furnished with new and vintage finds. “I liked the idea of bringing back a little of the old, mixing a bit of antique with contemporary,” she says.
Large, pivoting interior doors screen off the kitchen during soirées; made of steel and fluted glass, they’re a nod to the industrial era. Similar custom doors enclose the entry vestibule and the wife’s office.
The owner’s art collection—which includes work by Yayoi Kusama, Sol LeWitt and Donald Judd—was also a driver. For example, Schneider explains, she kept rug choices “quiet and still because I wanted the art to be the most powerful part of the room.”
The designers developed a simple material palette that they applied throughout the project. Though existing floors on the second level were an uneven patchwork of heart pine and Douglas fir, they were retained for authenticity. “I like them because they look historical,” says Gurney. “We stained them dark and carried the idea to the main level, where new, quarter-sawn white-oak floors were stained dark to match.” The floors informed other choices, from the gray millwork in the master bedroom to the marble in the master bath.
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The question of whether to retain or relinquish period detail popped up often. “We decided to keep a lot of the molding because the proportions were good,” explains Gurney. “The difficult part was finding where to start and stop.”
A minimalist vibe prevails in the kitchen. Though timeless, materials such as leathered granite, marble and acacia wood define the central island, floors and cabinet wall in expansive, unadorned slabs. The hand-glazed, brick-tile backsplash plays off the home’s façade and brings the outdoors in—as do new steel-framed windows and doors.
Landscape architect Kevin Campion put a modern spin on an existing terrace and revamped the side garden, which is now visible from the main entry. “Our goal was to catch people’s eye at the front door and draw them back to the garden,” he says.
Working with builder Peterson + Collins, the design team infused the home with a high degree of form and function. The upgraded lower level now encompasses a gym, media room, all-new mechanicals and copious storage. The only spaces to receive just minor tweaks were the third- and fourth-floor bedrooms—one for each of the owners’ adult children—plus a TV lounge.
The family is pleased with their reimagined urban abode—as is Robert Gurney. “We wanted be sure, at the end of the day, that it was a really good synthesis of architecture, art and furniture,” he says. “I like the fact that the historical and modern can coexist.”
Architecture: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, principal; Kara McHone, project architect, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Sybille Schneider, Leroy Street Studio Interiors, New York, New York. Landscape Architect: Kevin Campion, ASLA, principal; Nick Ries, project manager, Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Contractor: Ted Peterson, Peterson + Collins, Washington, DC.
RESOURCES
GENERAL
Audio/Visual: atlcontrol.com. Millwork: solidhardwooddoors.com and affinitywoodworking.com. Steel Windows & Doors: hopeswindows.com. Wood Windows & Doors: parrettwindows.com. Paints & Stains: benjaminmoore.com. New Flooring: Classic Floor Designs: classicfloordesigns.info. Steel & Glass Door Fabrication: akmetalfab.com.
FRONT LIVING ROOM
Living Room Fireplaces: abcworldwidestone.com. Rug: edwardfields.com. coraggio.com. Two Chairs: Dangles & Defrance, Vintage. Chair Fabric: pierrefrey.com. Divan: Custom. Divan Fabric: hollandandsherry.com.
REAR LIVING ROOM
Rug: edwardfields.com. Coffee Table: Vintage Ferando and Humberto Cambana. Gold Chairs: Vintage Melchiorre Bega. Gold Chair Fabric: pierrefrey.com. Blue Sofa: lemardeley.com. Blue Sofa Fabric: coraggio.com.
NEW STAIR
Stair Rail Fabrication: masterstairbuilders.com; metalspecialties.biz. Suspended Light Fixture: semeurdetoiles.fr/en.
DINING ROOM
Chandelier: Vintage Angelo Lelli. Tables: Custom. Chairs: Vintage Giuseppe Scapinelli. Rug: armadillo-co.com. Sconces: Vintage Gio Ponti. Drapery Fabric: hollandandsherry.com. Drapery Fabrication: ecrobinsonupholstery.com. Chest of Drawers: eggcollective.com.
KITCHEN
Flooring & Stone: abcworldwidestone.com. Hand-glazed Brick Tile: urbanarchaeology.com. Cabinets: boffi.com. Hanging Shelves: amuneal.com. Kitchen Faucets: waterstoneco.com. Kitchen Sinks: julien.ca. Pendants: ericschmitt.com. Backsplash Tile: cletile.com. Stools: thomashayesstudio.com.
MASTER BEDROOM
Cast Concrete Fireplace Surrounds: concreteworkseast.com. Chandelier: gabriel-scott.com. Rug: edwardfields.com. Chair: ritzhansen.com. Chair Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Drapery Fabric: osborneandlittle.com.
MASTER BATHROOM
Faucets: kallista.com. Master Bathtub: boffi.com. Sinks & Tub: lacava.com. Frameless Glass Doors: riverglassdesigns.com. Shower Stone: abcworldwidestone.com. Flooring & Field Stone Walls: stonesource.com. Countertop: concrete-collaborative.com. Stool: modernlivingsupplies.com.
STUDY
Chairs: Albini. Chair Fabric: hollandandsherry.com. Chandelier: lemardeley.com. Rug: altforliving.com.
EXTERIOR
Firepit: brownjordan.com. Urns: ore.design. Steel Panels Fabrication: KSI. Outdoor Lighting: nature-unlimited.com Ceiling Light: structura.com.
Set on four wooded acres bordering parkland, a 1927 stone house charmed Baltimore resident Lloyd Burdette, in the market for a new family home. As she recalls, she and husband Tim Burdette, a real estate investor, “were living in a house where everything belonged to our grandparents and didn’t reflect our style.” They decided this gem would give them a chance for dramatic change.
The couple called on designer Katherine Crosby to help them update their new home while respecting its classic roots. Though the footprint remained the same, Crosby orchestrated a total cosmetic overhaul, introducing a neutral palette and a furniture plan that mingled new finds with an edited selection of family antiques.
The owners and their two teenage kids are delighted with the results. Says Lloyd, a former marketing professional,“It brings us joy that we use every inch of this house.”
How did you respect the original architecture?
My goal was not to take anything away that was special to the age of the home, but to remove elements that had been layered on top to suit a prior owner’s needs. We did a lot of stripping down as opposed to adding. In the living room niche, there was a wraparound shelf that went over a radiator and popped up as a weird desk. We took all that out.
What’s your wallpaper strategy?
As you’re developing a collection, wallpaper is a great way to create interest in a room without a lot of art; it is art in itself. The Romo pattern we chose in the dining room is light enough so my clients can layer art on top of it and it won’t diminish the art or the wallpaper.
How did you add drama with your lighting plan?
We changed all the lighting in the house and it made a big difference. I think it’s about mixing classic with more modern fixtures. The dining room chandelier is a classic form, very French in style, yet it’s encrusted with gold beads which keeps it fresh.
How did you develop the living-room furniture plan?
The room is long and narrow, featuring French doors that open onto a koi pond; there’s an original stone fireplace at the far end of the space. After reviewing a number of layouts, we settled on a pair of sofas facing one another, perpendicular to the fireplace, with two comfortable lounge chairs on the far end. In this way, one sofa overlooks the outdoors and the lounge chairs provide comfortable seating for viewing the fireplace and TV.
How did you balance the traditional with the new?
By selecting classic forms. For example, the living-room coffee table has a soft, Asian profile, which is classic, yet it’s covered in shagreen so it has a modern feel. The sofas have square, modern frames and high arms, but they’re tufted so they still feel old. We used the arrangements to focus on architectural elements, such as the stone fireplace. And every room has a vintage or antique piece that’s meaningful to the family.
How do you make neutrals play well together?
It’s all about using different tones. I took a lot of art classes and recall a project where we had to draw a ball all in whites. You realize that white isn’t just white—it has peach and blue and all these different nuances. To make neutrals work, I look at what’s not neutral about a neutral color. The living room is full of taupey neutrals because of the fireplace, which is brown and deep gray. We chose warm neutrals—the deep ochres and copper tones in the stones—and complemented them with the cool blue of the sofas.
How did you revive the outdated kitchen?
The owners didn’t want to do a whole kitchen renovation, so the changes we made were mostly cosmetic. We kept the cabinetry, but painted it in Benjamin Moore’s Whale Gray in a satin finish. We also installed new cabinet hardware and hinges and new wood-grain tile flooring that feels warm and is really durable. It’s a nice complement to the exposed stone.
The den started as a white box; how did you give it personality?
One ceiling beam was structural so we added a grid to make it more interesting. We wanted to use the peacock color somewhere without it being overwhelming, so we kept the room’s built-ins and painted them in Benjamin Moore’s Dark Harbor. And we applied khaki Thibaut grass-cloth wall covering, which has a lot of visual texture. The windows are all different heights; by hanging Roman shades above the casings, we were able to establish consistency.
Why do you think grass cloth is having a moment?
People want natural products by Face Natur and grasscloth is just that. It is interesting even though it’s basically a color.
Do you advise clients to hide or expose their TVs?
We all watch television and it plays a role whether we want it to or not. In this project, we went back and forth discussing whether to disguise the TV in the living room. At the end of the day, we agreed if you want to use your house, be who you are. So there’s a TV above the fireplace, but it’s not the focus of the room.
Interior Design: Katherine Crosby; Kristina Kral, project manager, Jenkins Baer Associates, Baltimore,
Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Larry Paglia, Paglia Contracting Company, Forest Hill, Maryland. Millwork: John Freeman, Stafford WoodWorks, Bel Air, Maryland. Lighting: Jones Lighting, Baltimore, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
Retro Style
The Brionvega Radiofonografo Radio and Turntable revives a 1965 design by Italian architects (and brothers) Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. Made of hand-lacquered wood with an aluminum stand, the conversation piece recalls the golden age of hi-fi. Speakers can be configured on either side of the unit (pictured above) or stacked on top; as shown, the piece is 48 inches wide and 28 inches tall. $9,950; store.moma.org
On the Dark Side
The Cullinan SUV is the latest Rolls-Royce model to join the brand’s Black Badge family—typified by multiple layers of paint and lacquer that create a dramatically dark exterior finish. The Black Badge Cullinan features 22-inch forged-alloy wheels and a 6.75-litre, V12 engine that generates more power and torque than its standard sibling. It excels from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. From $382,000; rolls-royce.com
Smarter Smart Watch
Japanese-based Veldt has unveiled the Luxture Aarde analog smart watch with an eye on sustainability and promoting tech-life balance. Straps are made of eco-friendly materials; among many functions, the watches send users UV and climate-action alerts and track health, lunar phases—and proximity to street art.
From $650. veldtwatch.com
Nestled in Wyoming’s North Platte River Valley, the Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch caters to nature lovers all year round. Snow buffs enjoy a host of winter sports nearby at the resort’s own Green Mountain. Après ski, they can cozy up in the lodge’s timber-frame bar or a guest cabin with its own roaring fire; interiors by Simeone Deary Design Group are the epitome of cowboy chic. The ranch’s winter season runs December 19 to January 5, 2020, and February 13 through April 12. Daily all-inclusive rates from $750 per person. brushcreekranch.com
A Slice of France in Georgetown
At Brasserie Liberté, newly opened in the former Morton’s location, chef Jaryd Hearn celebrates authentic French cuisine and wine. The menu features classics such as boeuf bourguignon, tuna Niçoise and apple pithivier. DC’s Swatchroom spearheaded the swanky interiors, taking inspiration from French history and culture. Rich shades of pumpkin and crimson envelop the main dining room, while the private dining salon features a “Fabergé egg” booth hand-painted by Nicolette Atelier. 3251 Prospect Street, NW; 202-878-8404. libertedc.com
An Italian Debut in Downtown DC
Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj has opened a new Italian spot called Modena in the location of his former Bibiana. New York-based Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates transformed the interiors with a teal and soft-gray color scheme and dark-oak laminate tables surrounded by stylish seating from Italy. Chef John Melfi puts a playful twist on Italian fare with dishes such as the Citrus-Cured Salmon “Ravioli” appetizer and a roving antipasto cart. 1100 New York Avenue, NW; 202-216-9550. modenadc.com
Since Paris-based Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief launched ba&sh 16 years ago, the clothier has opened more than 200 locations worldwide, including a new outpost that brings its feisty yet feminine fashions to Tysons Galleria. Pictured: Piz top ($171), Chloe belt ($205), Juliette skirt ($130) and Catalina boots ($381). ba-sh.com
BOUNTIFUL HOME opened the doors to its newly renovated, 16,000-square-foot building in Easton, Maryland, in September. The location encompasses Bountiful Home, a retailer showcasing furniture, fabrics and wall coverings, antiques and handcrafted items; Bountiful Flooring, which offers carpet, flooring and tile; and Jamie Merida Interiors, the owner’s interior-design studio. Also on-site to fuel weary shoppers: Turnbridge Talbot, a bakery/café. 803 Goldsborough Street, Easton; jamiemerida.com
MAINE COTTAGE, known for its colorful wooden furniture sold online and in catalogs, has opened a 1,200-square-foot outpost in Annapolis. The design center showcases the company’s furniture in vignettes including two living rooms, a dining room and a bedroom. A Color Bar displays fabric samples along with take-away paint cards and fabric swatches. Design services are available; open by appointment only. 1205 West Street, Annapolis; mainecottage.com
ERIN PAIGE PITTS HOME is an 850-square-foot boutique that Annapolis interior designer Erin Paige Pitts opened next door to her studio. She was inspired to launch a shop after passersby stopped into her studio, inquiring about accessories, original art, and organic beauty products stored there en route to clients’ homes. Defining her inventory as “Hamptons meets Annapolis,” Pitts distills a collection of sophisticated home furnishings, accessories and original art. 105A Annapolis Street, Annapolis; erinpaigepitts.com
A pair of prints by Chicago artist Josh Young flanks the entry to designer Jay Jenkins’ apartment. Atop these photographs of staid, 19th-century portraits, slashes of thick yellow paint obscure the subjects’ eyes.
“They’re traditional works that have a modern edge,” notes Jenkins—an observation that applies to his apartment as a whole. Antiques and classic pieces abound, but thanks to bold, contemporary art and a restrained palette, the interiors are fresh, engaging and anything but fussy.
Jenkins and his husband T.J. Hindman, who also share a four-bedroom weekend home in Easton, bought the apartment in Baltimore’s Guilford neighborhood in 2015. Given the option of an 11th-floor unit with sweeping city views or a fifth-floor residence overlooking the 1932 Scottish Rite Masonic Temple, they instantly chose the latter. No doubt, the historic landmark flaunting a columned portico and Corinthian capitals informed Jenkins’ design direction.
His first move was to relinquish the prior resident’s turquoise-and-pink color scheme for something a bit more subdued and instill better flow and order in the dated, convoluted floor plan. Jenkins’ redo created a sense of arrival via a new entry hall and carved out a functional, eat-in kitchen in lieu of its awkward predecessor. A den off the foyer serves as a media room and an office for Hindman, who works in business development. On the far side of the main living space, the master suite encompasses a spacious dressing room and a well-appointed bath.
The couple typically spends four nights a week in Baltimore, then heads to Easton, where they love to entertain on a larger scale. (Jenkins describes recent dinner parties for 30-plus guests in their shore house, where he maintains 15 sets of china.) In contrast, the city apartment was conceived as a comfortable perch for two. Says Jenkins, “We wanted a cute, sexy little pied-à-terre.”
A Rockville native, he earned his stripes at the Maryland Institute College of Art when it still had an interior design program. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me,” says the designer, now principal of Jenkins Baer, a busy, 23-person Baltimore firm. In his practice, he explains, “I don’t do full-blown traditional or full-blown modern work. It has to be warm and clean at the same time.”
His apartment reflects this balance. “Clearly, I’m a fan of classicism—I try to do things that are a modern, edited interpretation of that,” he observes. “The shapes of everything I own tend to be classic in the traditional sense, but it’s about how you upholster them. Mixing heralded shapes with modern, simpler textures helps create that edited feel.”
The main living area is a study in this philosophy. Jenkins has artfully combined antiques, custom pieces and recent finds with bold, contemporary art. With a neutral, pared-down backdrop of white walls, stained- and cerused-oak floors and a sisal rug, the space feels open and airy. Banks of recessed bookshelves not only save space but also create graphic relief—as does an installation of 60 limited-edition silkscreens from Josef Albers’ seminal 1964 “Interaction of Color” series. “Each one sort of tells its own story,” says the designer, “and when you play with scale like that, you’re visually expanding the space.”
Jenkins and Hindman base their art acquisitions not on pedigree or provenance but on what resonates with them. “Art is very important to us,” Jenkins reveals. “I’m looking for something that sparks a conversation. There’s always got to be some amount of tension in it—and integrity.”
Case in point is a pair of prints Hindman unearthed at Goodwill that now hangs above the couple’s bed. “We put $1,000 frames on them and they turned out to be really pretty,” quips Jenkins. A large abstract painting given to him by his aunt inspired the bedroom’s soothing khaki wall color, brightened by two turquoise night chests. These in turn inspired the designer to finish the white ceiling in textured blue wallpaper by Holland & Sherry. “It brought the ceiling down a little bit and at the same time sort of uplifted it,” he observes. “One of the things I was taught in school: Why is the default to have a white ceiling?”
Furnishings in the den pay homage to Hindman’s penchant for Mid-Century Modern design. In fact, he is so passionate about the period that he opened an Easton antiques store, The Modern Bulldog, focused on the genre; Hindman and the couple’s French bulldog, Beatrice, can be found there most weekends, tending shop. While Jenkins appreciates mid-century style, “it doesn’t reach the tenor I want when you have a building like that right out the window,” he notes, pointing to the Scottish temple.
No detail escapes Jenkins in his quest to combine classic and edgy elements in his home. A Tech Lighting monorail system perfectly illuminates the living room while its black-painted bronze hardware creates an architectural grid on the ceiling. Doors and window frames are painted deep espresso for crisp contrast. And gilded accents throughout add a measure of glam. “I think I have a little gypsy in me: I still like gilded finishes,” Jenkins admits. “When you put those things in an environment that’s somewhat edited, it allows everything to sing.”
This environment dovetails delightfully with the classic Beaux Arts masterpiece just outside Jenkins’ bedroom window. “I’ll lie in bed reading and get up to look at that building, which they light up every night,” he marvels. “All the columns are lit and it’s a little bit magical.”
Interior Design: Jay Jenkins, Jenkins Baer Associates, Baltimore, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Ulman Home Creations, Parkville, Maryland. Home Automation: Starr Systems Design, Baltimore, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
FORMAL DINING AREA
Table: henredon.com. Chairs: alfonsomarina.com. Sofa: hickorychair.com. Sofa Fabric: mrandmrshoward.sherrillfurniture.com. Sofa Trim: samuelandsons.com. Floor Lamps: jones-lighting.com.
ENTRY
Antique Leather Chair: Owners’ collection. “Bullseye” Art: Ruth Adler through artstar.com.
MAIN LIVING SPACE
Ceiling Lighting System: jones-lighting.com. Gilded Chairs: alfonsomarina.com. Coffee Table: mclainwiesand.com. White Skirted Chair: mrandmrshoward.sherrillfurniture.com. Skirted Chair Fabric: fschumacher.com. Skirted Chair Trim: osborneandlittle.com. Sofa & Sofa Fabric: mrandmrshoward.sherrillfurniture.com. Printed Chair: dennisandleen.com. Rug: floors-etc.com. Pillow Fabric: fortuny.com through pillowsalon.com. Round Side Table with Black Top: Through jenkinsbaer.com. Table Near Bedroom: bunnywilliamshome.com. Table Lamps: jones-lighting.com. Paint Color: Simply White through benjaminmoore.com.
DESK AREA
Desk: louisjsolomon.com. Painting of Woman: peterkeil.com. Two Works of Art: Robert Motherwell and Ellsworth Kelly.
KITCHEN
Custom Cabinetry: Tillette’s Cabinets Plus, Inc.; 410-252-0909. Countertops: caesarstone.us through jeffresstone.com. Backsplash & Source: annsacks.com. Stove, Hood & Cooktoop: subzero-wolf.com through Appliance Source: jarvisappliance.org. Hardware: topknobs.com. Sisal Rug: floors-etc.com.
BREAKFAST AREA
Custom Table: jenkinsbaer.com. Chairs: knoll.com. Chandelier: jones-lighting.com.
BEDROOM
Bed & Chair: hickorychair.com. Bedding & Drapery Fabric: estout.com. Side Chests: lillianaugust.com. Table Lamps: jones-lighting.com. Paint Color: Burlap through qa.ralphlaurenhome.com. Ceiling Wallpaper: hollandandsherry.com. Custom Bedding: through Penny Green Custom Linen; 410-484-0996. Pillows: pillowsalon.com. Mirrors: jenkinsbaer.com. Drapery Trim: Mokum through jamesdunloptextiles.com. Drapery Fabrication: draperycontractors.com.
DRESSING ROOM & BATH
Custom Cabinetry: Tillette’s Cabinets Plus, Inc.; 410-252-0909. Rug: floors-etc.com. Vanity Chest: mrandmrshoward.sherrillfurniture.com. Vanity Countertop: rocktopsfabrication.com. Sconces: jones-lighting.com. Paint Color: Burlap through qa.ralphlaurenhome.com. Rug: floors-etc.com.
While working for more than 10 years at California Closets—where he orchestrated organized spaces for a range of residential and commercial clients—DuVäl Reynolds discovered he had a knack for design. Encouraged by designer clients, he enrolled in Westwood College’s interior design program, attending night classes while working full-time. “I honed my skills in detail and precision at California Closets,” he reflects. “And when I got my degree, I found I had a greater passion for design than I’d expected.”
In 2017, Reynolds launched his own firm and hit the ground running. He recently completed a “West Coast vintage” project for a family in Vienna. “My objective is to give clients what they don’t know to ask for and what they’re too afraid to try,” he explains. “In the end, I want them to feel like their house reflects who they want to be, with no judgment.”
Reynolds married Sara Baglin last year and they recently bought a four-bedroom townhouse in Fairfax. First up: a kitchen makeover. Describing the home’s current state as “a hot mess,” the designer is now in planning mode. “Your own house,” he laments, “is the hardest thing to do!”
Interior Design: DuVäl Reynolds, DuVäl Design, Inc., Fairfax, Virginia. Builder (Vienna): Jefferson Homes, Oakton, Virginia.
After studying architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Catherine Ebert “took a detour” when she discovered the field wasn’t for her. She eventually enrolled in the Corcoran’s design program while her husband was in law school in DC—and never looked back.
They moved to New York, where Ebert launched her own firm. In 2014, the couple returned to Washington—this time with one-year-old twins in tow. Though they chose DC for its kid-friendly lifestyle, most of Ebert’s work so far—from a 6,500-square-foot Manhattan duplex to a modern Connecticut retreat—has taken her back north.
The designer infuses projects with functionality and a dose of surprise. “I encourage people to push their boundaries with the unexpected,” she explains. “But I also want to design enough function into each space so every area gets used.”
Having completed a redo of her own home, Ebert looks forward to spreading her wings in DC. “I hope I can find people who have the excitement factor to try new things,” she says.
Interior Design: Catherine Ebert, Catherine Ebert Interiors, Washington, DC. Renovation Architecture: Mark Kaufman, AIA, RA, LEED AP, GTM Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Renovation Contractor: Thorsen Construction, Alexandria, Virginia. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
Little did Vesper Mei know she’d landed a diamond in the rough when she purchased a Capitol Hill row house in 2002. The 100-plus-year-old, wood-framed structure “was in terrible shape,” she admits. But its period charm, garage and proximity to Eastern Market outweighed its drawbacks. Besides, the price was right.
Over the years, the then-single attorney made minor improvements to the home’s dated kitchen and bathrooms. Later, she married attorney Mark Bellermann, who adopted one of the home’s three bedrooms as his office. By the time their daughter arrived, the 1,360-square-foot residence and its choppy rooms had begun to feel downright cramped.
At the recommendation of a contractor, the couple approached architect Stephen Lawlor and learned that the property was a good candidate for expansion. The lot’s generous, 25-foot width and its rear yard, which housed a ramshackle garage and worker’s shed, provided enough real estate for a significant makeover.
Lawlor envisioned an overhaul that would double the size of the house while respecting its history. To the left of the original structure, he devised a new entry hall and mudroom leading back to a two-story rear addition. The addition mirrors the gabled form of the original abode, housing an open kitchen and family room on the ground floor that spill out to a rear terrace. “They wanted a big, combined room where they can hang out and watch TV—a space they didn’t have in the old house,” says Lawlor.
A new staircase replaced one near the front door in the original plan; it’s located in an airy gallery that connects the front and rear volumes. The architect entirely reconfigured the second floor to include a master suite, the daughter’s bedroom, a home office, a guest room and a hall bath.
On the lower level, Lawlor carved out a new living area by excavating what was an earthen basement with six-foot ceilings. “It looked like a coal mine down there,” he recalls.
After careful study during pre-construction, he and his clients realized that the existing structure was barely salvageable. “The walls had termite damage and were not in a condition you could build on. And the whole house had to be realigned and adjusted,” Lawlor explains. “So everything was gutted and taken down to the studs.” Even the living and dining rooms, which retained their positions in the original structure, boast new walls and insulation.
The owners moved out for the eight-month construction phase. “During excavation,” Lawlor recalls, “the house was supported on four corners and there was a whole story missing below. Digging the basement out and underpinning the structure was fairly challenging, but once we got out of the ground and started moving up, things pretty much went as planned.” In the process, all new electrical, HVAC and data systems were installed, along with radiant-heat flooring and energy-efficient Weather Shield windows and doors.
Despite its modern amenities, period details preserve the home’s architectural legacy. On the exterior, Lawlor specified materials such as painted clapboard and standing-seam roofs that are “sympathetic” to the guidelines of the Capitol Hill Historic District. Inside, Shaker-style kitchen cabinetry and simple oak floors balance furniture that strikes a contemporary note.
Decorator Nicole Lanteri helped the owners feather their updated nest in a way that felt polished but not fussy or formal. “Each room mixes vintage details with modern accents,” she says. A Room & Board sofa in green tufted velvet imparts a classic touch to the living room, while deep-red Cole & Son wallpaper and an antique table lend the dining room gravitas—offset by a modern Marset chandelier. Gray walls warm the light-filled family room, which centers on an Ikea sofa and Room & Board chair.
Mei and Bellermann are delighted with their revamped residence—especially the family room and kitchen.
“Our old kitchen was sort of a box. There was not a lot of work space or cabinets and the counters were always cluttered,” says Mei. “Our new kitchen is twice as big and there’s room for everything. Now we spend all our time in the kitchen and family room.”
Looking back on her 2002 real estate purchase, Mei reflects, “I think it turned out to be the best investment I’ll ever make. We have the same house, but now it’s so much better.”
Renovation Architecture: Stephen Lawlor, AIA, principal; Roberto Ramirez, senior project architect, Lawlor Architects, Washington, DC. Interior Decoration: Nicole Lanteri, Nicole Lanteri Design, Arlington, Virginia. Renovation Contractor: Impact Remodeling and Construction, LLC, Washington, DC.
What are the benefits of gutting a renovation rather than remodeling piecemeal?
Stephen Lawlor: You can install modern amenities that an older house doesn’t have, such as insulation and new heating and cooling. Everything can be done to the current building codes, which foster less energy consumption.
Why should owners live in a home before remodeling it?
Living in a home first almost always yields a better project because the owners understand the light, the neighborhood and the vibe of the property.
What’s your advice on dealing with historic review boards?
There’s always a certain vocabulary that historic districts are willing to let you work within. When the massing and materials are compatible with their rules, they tend to be more understanding.
When does installing radiant-heat flooring make sense?
Since it involves installing pipes in floor-joist cavities and changing the boiler, radiant-heat flooring wouldn’t be appropriate on a smaller job. But if you’re doing a whole-house remodel, it’s a nice way to make your house comfortable—especially in the winter.
Designer Lauren Liess is having a moment. Her second book, Down to Earth: Laid-Back Interiors for Modern Living (Abrams; $40), came out on October 8. Then she was off to High Point to launch furniture collections for Taylor King and Woodbridge. But she is not resting on her mountain laurels: Between now and 2020 Liess is also introducing a tile line for Architectural Ceramics, sinks and plumbing fixtures for Atmosphyre, kitchen cabinetry for Unique Kitchens & Baths and assorted home fragrances—all imbued with her easygoing aesthetic that celebrates nature.
Liess segued into product design by necessity after realizing pieces she sought out for client projects simply didn’t exist. “I decided to make exactly what I wanted,” reports the designer, who will also unveil a knife company, Generations Cutlery, with her father next year.
Given that in 2019 she was busy filming “Best House on the Block”—a DIY Network series she co-stars in with husband, David—it’s hard to fathom how the mother of five found time to pen a book. Writing Down to Earth, Liess reveals, helped her make a conscious choice to step back from the everyday and appreciate the wonders in and around her home. “I’m always trying to figure out how to make life more relaxed and functional,” she says. “The book ties that up using design as a means to contentment. It’s a decorating book, but it’s also a living philosophy.” laurenliess.com
Champagne flowed at Georgetown’s Calloway Fine Art during the October 2 launch party for the 2019 limited edition of MOOD By Christofle—an artful tabletop piece containing silver-plated flatware service for six. Following a 2018 design by Karl Lagerfeld, music icon Pharrell Williams and chef Jean Imbert were tapped to conjure the current release. Embracing the joy of friendship, the duo lacquered the steel exterior yellow and adorned it with a frieze depicting their family and friends. The smaller MOOD Coffee contains six espresso spoons, engraved with the word ”share,” written in Williams’ hand. At Christofle in CityCenterDC. $2,900 for 24-piece; $800 for six-piece. christofle.com
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THE BOYS CLUB In her show house space, designer Quintece Hill-Mattauszek set out to transform a lackluster bedroom into “The Boys Club,” a swanky mid-century-style lounge. Contending with a blank, windowless wall, she created a wow factor that would pull visitors into the space.
But first, she researched the period. “I started looking at parquet floors and figuring out how to modernize them,” Hill-Mattauszek explains. “I came up with a big, graphic pattern, then created the design with CAD to make sure it would work.”
She built the removable wall herself in four sections using plywood panels stained Summer Pecan, a hue that, she says, “screamed mid-century to me.” Narrow channel lights added drama to the final installation. Removing the bay window’s mullions left a cleaner backdrop for floor lamps from Century that conjure an old Hollywood film set and a custom modular sectional upholstered in Romo fabric. A Zhishu light fixture imparted a mod touch.
Show houses can inspire homeowners to rethink their own interiors. “Reimagining the architecture of a space really does change it—and you don’t necessarily have to remodel the whole room,” Hill-Mattauszek insists. “Take a step back and don’t design your space around what it is, but around what it can be.”
Interior Design: Quintece Hill-Mattauszek, Studio Q Designs, Alexandria, Virginia.
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THE FAMILY ROOM Designer Paula Henry overhauled the show house Family Room, where an underwhelming fireplace rimmed in terra cotta tile and a ramshackle built-in cabinet occupied one wall. “The scale of the fireplace was completely dwarfed,” recalls the designer, who set out to introduce style and functionality to the space.
“The fireplace is typically a focal point in a room,” she explains. “You want it to tell a story.” Henry played up this one by covering it in 12-by-24-inch porcelain tiles by Ceramica Sant‘Agostino, sourced at Hunt Valley Tile & Stone. “I chose this tile because it has so much texture; it reminds me of a herringbone pattern,” she says. “And installing it vertically brings your eye up.”
A floating mantel shelf—specified in walnut to match the floors—contains hidden storage via a “door” that opens at one end. “It’s the perfect place to put a TV remote or fireplace starter,” Henry explains, adding that this solution would also work in a foyer or hallway. Reconfiguring the adjacent built-in added display space.
Henry urges clients to consider the unthinkable—such as painting or covering an outdated brick fireplace surround. “By doing something relatively small,” she avers, “you can transform an entire room.”
Interior Design: Paula Henry, Simply Put Interiors, Inc., Reisterstown, Maryland. Millwork Fabrication: Summerhill Cabinets, Westminster, Maryland.
Venezuela-born chef Enrique Limardo opened DC’s Seven Reasons in April to rave reviews. The former chef at Baltimore’s Alma Cocina Latina has created a menu of small, medium and large plates—including octopus with black lentils and aji amarillo sauce. Miami designer Valentina Story furnished the brick-lined interiors with furniture from Turkey and lighting from Greece. The bar serves island-inspired libations such as the Tranquilo y Tropical. 2208 14th Street, NW; 202-290-2630. sevenreasonsdc.com
