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
Housed in a 16th-century mansion that once belonged to the noble Borghese family, Hotel Vilòn opened its doors in 2018 after a dramatic makeover. (Still catering to nobility, the getaway reportedly hosted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in town for a wedding in September). Rome-based production designer Paolo Bonfini crafted the interiors, which include a glamorous bar and 18 guest rooms, their color schemes inspired by 18th-century English scientist Robert John Thornton’s botanical prints. Rates from $630; hotelvilon.com
A software executive seeking a new home knew he’d spotted a gem in DC’s coveted Foxhall neighborhood. Though its formal interiors were not his cup of tea, he saw potential in the Georgian-style home’s good bones, generous size and leafy backyard. He acquired the six-bedroom property, built in 2008, with an all-out renovation in mind.
Assembling a seasoned design team to take on the challenge was a no-brainer: Architect Scarlett Breeding, landscape architect Kevin Campion, interior designers Helen Sullivan and Nancy Twomey and builder Bret Anderson had completed five previous residences for him. With these pros on board, the project took off in early 2017 with the ambitious goal of finishing before the owner’s young son would start school that September.
The team set out to foster easy living, whether their client was hosting a grown-up soiree or a movie night for kids; to freshen up what he called “fussy” architecture while respecting the home’s classical roots; and to create custom finishes and built-in features to elevate form and function.
The main volume of the house squarely faces the street, with the dining room to the right of the foyer and the living room to the left. Set on an angle near the dining room, a separate wing contains the kitchen and family room on the ground floor and the master suite above.
“Part of our program was to work with the geometry of the house,” says Breeding. “We realigned the angled interior portions and instilled the home with the classical order it was crying for.” For example, in the master suite, tiny his-and-her bathrooms and closets made way for an expansive master bath and dressing room. The plan also removed walls dividing the original mudroom, kitchen, breakfast room and family room, creating one large space that embraces light and the outdoors.
Reapportioning spaces not only introduced symmetry to awkward rooms, but allowed the team to install an elevator, which was on the owner’s wish list. “Scarlett made so much sense of the existing real estate,” he says. Breeding and associate Richard Anuszkiewicz (who has since moved to Nashville) created a gourmet kitchen and butler’s pantry where streamlined built-ins eliminate clutter.
Sliding doors seamlessly open the family room to a rear terrace. In the backyard, landscape architect Kevin Campion traded a large play set dominating the far end of the existing pool for a fireplace and terrace that were “strategically located to create a dynamic view across the pool,” he says. “It’s a nice, warm place to sit on summer evenings and in the fall.” A row of Emerald Green arborvitae screens the scene from neighbors; hydrangea, Russian sage and coneflowers add seasonal color.
While the renovation plans took shape, the team orchestrated new interior finishes and furnishings, following the owner’s call for a transitional, unfussy aesthetic. Crisp millwork and bold, oversized light fixtures got the ball rolling. “We wanted to update the look without making it incongruent with the traditional bones of the house,” explains Twomey. She and Sullivan sourced sophisticated yet durable textiles to accommodate guests of all ages.
A serene palette of blues and grays carries through the home. In the dining room, a bold, modern seascape contrasts with the pale walls and glazed-linen upholstery; a bouclé brings texture to armchairs in the adjacent living room. “There’s a menswear quality to the fabrics, from wool plaids to cashmere, checks and stripes,” says Twomey. “It all came together like a nice suit.” The team also introduced a new vibe in the study off the living room, painting its faux-blond wood cabinets a rich taupe and removing Gothic-style trim.
Though the homeowner gave the designers a mandate to avoid precious materials, explaining, “I don’t want to freak out if my son or his friends spill something,” one-of-a-kind casework and architectural details certainly came into play. For example: the butler’s pantry where brass detailing and metallic Zoffany wallpaper dress up custom cabinetry. Or the spa-like master bath where hand-cut strips of marble and brass are inlaid into the vanity drawer fronts.
The staircase leading to the lower level is clad in walnut millwork; its builder-grade handrail was replaced with brass and its balusters wrapped in leather. The former basement now features a custom wine cellar, state-of-the-art media room and gym. “The rest of the house is so light and airy, I wanted the lower level to be an homage to an old yacht club in New York or San Francisco where it’s okay to ‘live dark,’” says the owner. “We wanted a little history; that’s really, in some ways, what we were striving for all over the house.”
Despite this high level of craftsmanship, the renovation was completed on time. “We did 12 to 14 months of work in about six and a half months,” says Pyramid’s Bret Anderson. “It’s one thing to do that in a house with baseline finishes. But this project, with its sophisticated cabinetry and integration of materials and details, was far from that. We had to order parts that were in fabrication before we even completed demolition.”
Reflecting on the finished home, the owner is glad his team took it that extra mile. “In a house so new, we wanted to ground it with some gravitas. It needed to feel its foundation and place,” he remarks. “Good design and quality construction hold up—they’re not just frosting.”
Architecture: Scarlett Breeding, AIA, pricipal in charge; Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, casework and interior architecture design, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Interior Design: Nancy Twomey, Finnian Interiors + Finnian’s Moon, Alexandria, Virginia; and Helen Sullivan, Helen Sullivan Design, Washington, DC. Builder: Bret Anderson, Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: Kevin Campion, ASLA, Campion Hruby Landscape Architecture, Annapolis, Maryland.
RESOURCES
OUTDOOR
Landscape installation: fineearth.com. Outdoor Lighting: outdoorillumination.com. Lounge Seating & Fabric: janusetcie.com.
KITCHEN/BUTLER’S PANTRY
Cabinetry: premiercb.com. Range: lacornue.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com; mieleusa.com. Backsplash & Counters: neolith.com. Backsplash & Counter Installation: rbratti.com. Island Countertop: caesarstoneus.com. Cabinetry: premiercb.com. Plumbing & Hardware: waterworks.com. Custom Bar Stool Design: finnianinteriors.com. Bar Stool Upholstery: hollyhunt.com. Paint Color: benjaminmoore.com. Butler’s Pantry Wall Covering: stylelibrary.com/zoffany. Butler’s Pantry Lighting: bakerfurniture.com. Sink: officinegullo.com/us.
GREAT ROOM
Window Wall: marvin.com. Sofa: Custom through Helen Sullivan Design. Sofa Fabric: jimthompsonfabrics.com. Gray Chairs: finnianinteriors.com. Gray Chair Fabric: robertallendesign.com. Blue Chairs & Fabric: hollyhunt.com. Coffee Table: Vintage through through finnianinteriors.com. Drapery Fabric: jab.de/us/en. Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Gray Throw Pillows: fabricut.com/stroheim. White Throw Pillows: zimmer-rohde.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com. Fireplace Stone: waterworks.com. Fireplace Installation: rbratti.com.
BREAKFAST NOOK
Chairs: Custom through finnianinteriors.com. Bench & Chair Upholstery: hollyhunt.com. Blue Armchair: hickorywhite.com. Blue Armchair fabric: hollyhunt.com. Table: Custom through finnianinteriors.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
DINING ROOM
Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Dining Table: Custom through Helen Sullivan Design. Dining Chairs: hollyhunt.com. Dining Chair Fabric: rogersandgoffigon.com. Light Fixture: hudsonfurnitureinc.com. Drapery Fabric: cowtan.com. Wall Covering: zimmer-rohde.com.
LIVING ROOM
Sofa & Coffee Table: Custom through Helen Sullivan Design. Sofa & Throw Pillow Fabric: markalexander.com. Armchairs, Ottomans, Rug & Throw Pillows: Custom through finnianinteriors.com. Floor & Table Lamps: curreyandcompany.com. Armchair Fabric: romo.com. Drapery Fabric: rogersandgoffigon.com. Fireplace Surround: chesneys.com. Consoles: madegoods.com. Ottoman Fabric: duralee.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
MASTER BEDROOM
Drapery Fabric: robertallan.com. Paint Color: benjaminmoore.com.
STUDY
Armchairs & Ottoman: through finnianinteriors.com. Armchair Fabric: ralphlaurenhome.com. Drapery Fabric: fabricut.com/stroheim. Vintage Rug: galleriacarpets.com. Paint: benjaminmoore.com.
WINE TASTING ROOM
Brass, Leather & Lacquered Cabinetry: premiercb.com. Hardware: waterworks.com. Pendants: robinsonlightingandbath.com.
WINE CELLAR
Flooring: waterworks.com. Light Fixture: visualcomfort.com. Millwork Design: absarchitects.com.
MASTER BATH
Vanity & Cabinet Design: absarchitects.com. Marble on Floor & Walls: waterworks.com. Cabinetry Fabrication: premiercb.com. Stone Installation & Marble Inlay on Vanities: rbratti.com.
Designers go au naturel, transforming the following five dated bathrooms with organic materials and sleek style.
Modern LuxeJennifer Wagner Schmidt revives a dated bath with a sleek, minimalist vibe.
Organic PaletteA design team pays homage to nature in a spa-like master bath.
Bold StatementCase Design overhauls a dull bath with vibrant colors and textures.
Double FantasyJonas Carnemark creates his-and-her baths in a Palisades bungalow.
Asian FlairIn their remake of a DC bath, designers tap into Japanese tradition.
Homeowners whose master bath was stuck in the 1980s were ready for a redo. Tired of its rarely used corner whirlpool tub and uninspiring beige tile, the Ashburn, Virginia, couple tapped designer Jennifer Wagner Schmidt to mastermind an overhaul. “They wanted to make it modern and functional,” recalls the designer, whose first strategy was to optimize real estate in the narrow, 11-foot-wide space.
A debate ensued over whether to include a tub in the new plan or to go solely with an oversized shower. When the tub won, Schmidt proposed a novel idea: create an open-concept, shower-and-bath area enclosed by a simple panel of glass on one side in lieu of a standard shower door. A niche for bath & skincare products is centered between dual matte-black rain-shower heads. A tiny dip in the floor contains water in the shower, where it disappears into a linear drain along the back wall.
A black-and-white palette reinforces the minimalist ideal. Applying the same large-format marble tile on the floor and walls created a uniform aesthetic; Schmidt installed it in a brick pattern on the walls and a chevron pattern on the floors for subtle contrast.
A floating vanity with a black wooden base and thick porcelain top provides plenty of storage; Schmidt selected the floating piece to preserve a sense of airiness. The new plan also tucked in a separate toilet room near the entry.
The owners love their luxe, modern bathroom. “They took the risk and it paid off,” says Schmidt. “It’s the kind of bathroom you’d see in a penthouse or high-end hotel.”
GET THE LOOK:
Floor & Wall Tile: tileshop.com. Tub: badeloftusa.com. Linen Roman Shade: rh.com. Matte-Black Plumbing Fixtures: brizo.com. Vanity: MOB through houzz.com. Medicine Cabinets: robern.com. Glass Fabricator: dullesglass.com. Stool: potterybarn.com.
Interior Design: Jennifer Wagner Schmidt, JWS Interiors, Ashburn, Virginia.
After she updated a client’s DC kitchen in sleek Japanese style, it was no surprise that designer Jennifer Gilmer went in a similar direction when asked to overhaul the couple’s cramped, inefficient master bath.
Working in the existing footprint, the first move was to reorganize a tight layout dominated by an oversized whirlpool tub. Its removal left Gilmer and associate Meghan Browne with enough square footage to create a wider vanity suitable for two and a larger, open shower positioned beside a teak ofuro soaking tub. “When I was in Japan,” explains Gilmer, “I learned that it’s customary to take a shower and then soak in one of these traditional Japanese tubs, so the shower and tub are always located close to each other.” A linear shower drain eliminated the need for an enclosure, which helped make the space look larger.
As the architect project took shape, the designers honed in on organic materials and textures. “Part of the principle in this type of design is to bring the outdoors in using natural products like stone and wood,” explains Gilmer. Accordingly, she and Browne sourced a sculptural limestone sink resembling a smooth rock, applied dramatic slate tile on an accent wall and echoed the soaking tub with a teak countertop, wainscoting and crown molding. “We also found the perfect plumbing fixtures. They look like they could be made out of bamboo, but in a metal finish that feels ancient,” Gilmer adds. An inlay of river rock delineates a step-up to the tub.
The owners love to unwind in their reimagined bathroom, says Gilmer. “It was incredible how this concept made the entire room seem like it was twice as large.”
GET THE LOOK
Vanity: decorcabinets.com. Countertop: glumber.com. Stone Fabrication: rbratti.com. Sink: stoneforest.com through ferguson.com. Plumbing Fixtures: sonomaforge.com through ferguson.com. Hardware: hidatool.com. Tub: zenbathworks.com. Floor & Wall Tile: architecturalceramics.com. Mirror: hutchisonglassandmirror.com.
Bath Design: Jennifer Gilmer, CKD; Meghan Browne, CKD, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Lappas Contracting, Bethesda, Maryland.
After moving into a DC home that had previously been remodeled, a young couple started dreaming up new ideas for a bath renovation to reflect their personal style. While the wife conjured a bright and airy retreat, her husband imagined a dark, masculine spa with a steam shower.
Rather than duking it out, the duo decided to make both visions a reality with help from designer Jonas Carnemark.
First, Carnemark transformed the master bath for the wife, removing its “bulbous” pickled vanity and dated corner tub to create a streamlined layout. Eliminating a small linen closet made way for an oversized shower, centered under an enlarged skylight. A vanity with three drawer columns and cubby recesses provides efficient storage. “We made the mirror frames from the cabinet material so it ties together nicely,” says the designer. “She wanted it to feel natural but also care-free. Quartz countertops and porcelain tile that resembles marble on the walls fit the bill perfectly.”
In his redo of the husband’s basement lair, the designer also sourced organic-looking material—namely anthracite porcelain on the floor and walls. By borrowing square footage from an adjacent utility room, he created space for a luxurious glass enclosure featuring a rain shower, hand shower, steam system and built-in bench. A corner sink with built-in shelving and chrome details completes the picture. “For him, the bath was about relaxing in the steam shower after work or weekend sports,” explains Carnemark.
The yin and yang of their disparate bath styles was not lost on the homeowners. “They played with that aspect,” Carnemark relates. “They thought it was cool.”
GET THE LOOK
White Bath: Vanity: artcraftkitchens.com. Countertop: silestoneusa.com. Sink & Shower Fixtures: us.kohler.com. Flooring: mosaictileco.com. Light Fixtures: pureedgelighting.com. Toilet: totousa.com. Dark Bath: Floor, Wall & Shower Tile: architecturalceramics.com. Steam Shower: us.kohler.com. Sink & Shower Fixtures: brizo.com. Sink: duravit.com.
Bath Design: Jonas Carnemark, CKD, CLIPP, KONST Union, Bethesda, Maryland. Contractor: CARNEMARK design + build, Bethesda, Maryland.
In an age when gray and white bathrooms are all the rage, Arlington clients asked Case Design to saturate theirs with color. As part of a major overhaul of a 1950s rambler, designers Allie Mann and Elle Hunter expanded both the tiny master bath used by the husband and an outdated hall bath (pictured on these pages) that’s the domain of the wife.
“She is a color enthusiast and we wanted something that spoke to her,” says Mann. Texture, balance and scale also came into play as Mann and Hunter created a refuge for this well-traveled client, who collects art from around the globe. The designers widened the space by two feet to accommodate a generous vanity and linen cabinet; a sizable shower took the place of a tub and a new toilet is tucked away opposite the vanity.
At first glance, the combination of glossy-blue ceramic tile, matte-cement floor tile in a geometric motif, and a vanity in richly veined teak might appear haphazard—though it was anything but. Says Mann, “We went through countless iterations, honing in on that blue with different ceramics and layering textures and warm and cool tones. It took time to make the tiles work together.” Though initial plans called for the blue tiles to be installed on a diagonal, she recalls, “at the eleventh hour we decided that a vertical grid would really make the space. The accent wall ties everything together.”
For the benefit of like-minded color enthusiasts, Mann insists, “Don’t be afraid to go for it. It’s nice when someone wants to step outside the box.”
GET THE LOOK
Floor Tile: merolatile.com. Wall Tile: tilebar.com. Shower Floor Tile & Source: mosaictileco.com. Vanity: crystalcabinets.com. Countertop: caesarstoneus.com. Sink & Shower Fixtures: brizo.com through ferguson.com. Sink: us.kohler.com through ferguson.com. Sconces: visualcomfort.com through ferguson.com. Glass Enclosure: steelcityglass.net. Vanity Hardware: atlashomewaresdirect.com. Stool: homegoods.com.
Interior & Bath Design: Allie Mann and Elle Hunter, Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., Washington, DC. Contractor: Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.
A Chevy Chase couple tapped designers Lauren Levant and Paul Bentham to revamp their master suite into a restful retreat. “They spend a lot of time traveling for business, so in a sense the goal was to create a world-class ‘hotel’ at home where they could recharge,” says Levant. After gutting the outdated master bath, the team implemented an aesthetic that would celebrate nature since the space overlooks lush park land.
“We tried to make it feel open while incorporating as much storage as possible,” Levant explains. A floating vanity with generous drawers lines one wall, opposite built-in linen cabinets and a copper Japanese soaking tub. The tub was chosen for its minimal footprint as well as its therapeutic benefits. “It allows water to come up over your shoulders and soothe achy joints,” notes Levant. On the far wall, a shower and separate water closet await behind glass panels partially frosted for privacy.
An organic material palette reinforces the designers’ vision. Cast-concrete bamboo tile on the long walls is a subtle nod to the East and the owners’ collection of Asian artifacts. Natural-slate mosaic tile embellishes a shower column and the tub platform, which doubles as a bench that seamlessly extends into the shower. The designers also incorporated plants and a dried Manzanita tree—a sculpture shaped by desert winds.
Dark ceramic tile on the shower wall lends depth to the room. And, reflects Levant, “We chose a glass enclosure—rather than drywall—for the shower and water closet because it allows light and the views to continue into even the most private spaces.”
GET THE LOOK
Tub: signaturehardware.com. Floor Tile: porcelanosa-usa.com. Custom Vanity: crystalcabinets.com. Concrete Wall Tile: islandstone.com. Silestone Countertop: cosentino.com. Stone Fabrication: stoneandtileworld.com. Plumbing Fixtures: jaclo.com through tsomerville.com. Hardware: jaclo.com. Shower Tile: ceramichelea.it/en. Glass Enclosure: hutchisonglassandmirror.com.
Design: Lauren Levant, interior design; Paul Bentham, bath design, Lauren Levant Interior, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Contractor: M. R. Thornton & Sons, Woodbine, Maryland.
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.
