Perched on the highest point of Maryland’s Gibson Island, a 1940s ranch-style home offers dazzling views of the Magothy River. Tapped to renovate this vacation retreat, architect Laurie JB Stubb made the water vistas a focal point in her eco-friendly design. Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors in the upper-level sitting room “allow natural light to fill the space and create an indoor-outdoor experience,” she says. Stubb lightened the original red-oak floors with a semi-transparent white stain and installed cable railing “that you can almost see through” on the adjacent ipe deck. As the architect explains, “I wanted the light colors of the paint and floors to evoke a sense of peace and serenity.”
Architecture: Laurie JB Stubb, AIA, place architecture:design, Brooklandville, Maryland. Contractor: Owings Brothers Contracting, Eldersburg, Maryland.
In front of a Craftsman-style house in a leafy McLean neighborhood, a tiny tricycle, a soccer net and intricate chalk drawings on the flagstone walkway are telltale signs that little ones live here. This fact was not lost on designer Kristin Peake, who initially upgraded and furnished this new, five-bedroom home when her clients, then expecting their first son, purchased it from Madison Homes in 2012. Peake revamped some rooms a couple of years later when they welcomed a daughter, and again this year when they had another son.
“This house has been able to evolve every time they’ve had a child,” says the designer. The owners first approached Peake after visiting a friend’s residence that she designed. They loved the scale and open layout of their new home, as well as the flexible office and play spaces located on split levels off a large stairway. But they needed help transforming what was a blank slate into a comfortable retreat that would reflect their lifestyle and aesthetic.
Peake presented them with a plan that would add architectural detail—from larger-scale moldings to built-ins, shiplap, and indoor transoms—throughout the main level as well as upstairs. “The millwork is a beautiful thread that is woven through the whole house,” says Peake. “There’s not a ton of architecture, but enough to really make an impact.”
While they selected furnishings and finishes that are durable enough to withstand the wear and tear that come from one dog and three residents under the age of five, Peake infused the home with sophisticated style so that it shines just as well for a grown-up dinner party as it does for a toddler play date.
“We wanted it to look nice but didn’t want to live in fear, following the kids around with rug cleaner,” jokes the wife.
Peake presented the couple with an easy-going scheme that emphasized linens in neutral palettes, textural rugs and accent pillows delivering dashes of color. As the designer recalls, “She wanted a casual, coastal flavor. He wanted it to be a little more Ralph Lauren. We found a happy compromise.”
A reading room with an inviting sofa and cozy armchairs greet guests to the left of the entrance, in lieu of a formal living room that the couple said they would seldom use. “It’s a great reading space, a great spot to put your feet up,” says the wife. “And as the kids get older, I think we’ll use it even more.”
The facing dining room also serves up some refreshing changes. Chairs are covered in washable slipcovers and a Hickory Chair bench can seat a gang of youngsters at large gatherings. Rather than installing a chandelier, the owners opted for recessed lighting so furniture can be arranged with flexibility. A distressed Lorts table, a Tritter Feefer sideboard that Peake had painted milk-white and an antique mirror strike a tone that, she says, “feels collected, not contrived.”
The entryway leads past the stair hall and into the open family room/kitchen, where the designer’s millwork additions add both aesthetic and functional appeal. Shiplap siding flanks a custom built-in and accents the fireplace in the family room. And a custom banquette paired with a small table creates a corner perch for snack time or a family game. More built-in shelving helps to define the adjacent dining area near the open kitchen and a convenient breakfast bar.
The family room opens to a screened porch, where the residents enjoy meals by an outdoor fireplace. And behind the home, manicured grounds, an upper deck and a ground-level terrace complete with outdoor kitchen and fire pit—all created by McHale Landscape Design—offer al fresco fun for all ages.
Indoor play spaces abound on the lower level, which features an art room, a built-in “village” Peake designed for make-believe games, a home theater, and a gym. She recently completed a new guest room on this floor, since the original upstairs guest quarters made way for the new baby’s nursery.
Custom touches embellish all four upper-level bedrooms. Each kid’s room boasts a window seat and a personalized decorative-paint treatment—including a magnetic wall depicting a world map in the oldest son’s room, so he can track his father’s frequent business trips.
As an antidote to the parents’ busy schedules, Peake created an oasis of calm in the master suite, which features a sitting room and kitchenette. “He’s always traveling and always connected,” she remarks. “So they wanted their bedroom to be a haven where they can disconnect from the world.”
The couple is thrilled with how their residence has evolved. As the wife reflects, “Kristin took a great frame from the builder and turned it into a place that feels like us. It’s very versatile and can go lots of ways. Now, it really feels like home.”
Interior Design: Kristin Peake, Kristin Peake Interiors, Rockville, Maryland. Landscape Design: McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT Renovation Millwork Fabrication: Randy Flemming with Nantucket Homes. Rugs: thefloorgallery.com.
Reading Room Sofa, Sofa Fabric & Main Pillow Fabric: drexel-furniture.com. Side Chairs & Fabric: lillianaugust.com. Pillow Trim: kravet.com. Coffee Table & Round Table: noirfurniturela.com. Floor Lamp: visualcomfort.com.
DINING ROOM Table: lorts.com. Chairs: caracole.com. Custom Cuff on Chairs: Antonio Martinez Upholstery; 301-770-3939. Sideboard: tritterfeefer.com. Mirror: Antique. Lamps: visualcomfort.com. Window Shades: gretcheneverett.com. Custom Bench & Fabric: hickorychair.com. emilune & Mirror: lillianaugust.com. Pouf: vanguard.com. HALL Demilune & Mirror: lillianaugust.com. Pouf: vanguard.com.
FAMILY ROOM Sofa & Fabric: hickorychair.com. Coffee Table & Round Table: classichome.com. Storage Stools: tlsbydesign.com. Stool Fabric: kravet.com. Armchair & Ottoman: lillianaugust.com. Armchair & Ottoman fabric: fabricut.com. Window Treatments: gretcheneverett.com. Straight Lamp & Curved Lamp: curreycodealers.com. Banquette: stanfordfurniture.com. Banquette Fabric: sunbrella.com. Pendant: visualcomfort.com.
KITCHEN/BREAKFAST AREA Table: curationslimited.com. Bench: hickorychair.com. Bench Fabric: janusetcie.com. Chairs: drexel-furniture.com. Window Shades: gretcheneverett.com. Stools: hickorychair.com. Stool Fabric: janusetcie.com. Custom Cabinet Finish: swatchroom.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com. Backsplash: walkerzanger.com.
SCREENED PORCH All Furniture & Fabrics: janusetcie.com.
MASTER BEDROOM Bed, Armchair & Armchair Fabric: hickorychair.com. Lamps: barbaracosgrovelamps.com. Sectional & Fabric: drexel-furniture.com. Floor Lamp: visualcomfort.com. Ottoman: bellacor.com. Master Bath Vanity & Mirror: rh.com. Sconces: reginaandrew.com.
The political intrigue that fuels Netflix’s “House of Cards” bears an uncanny resemblance to today’s reality in Washington. “People must think the writers have a crystal ball. Since we film well in advance, it’s amazing how on point they’ve been throughout the seasons,” says the show’s set decorator, Tiffany Zappulla.
Also on point: the sets Zappulla and her team craft for this Emmy Award-winning drama.
On a recent tour sponsored by the Washington chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, Zappulla offered a behind-the-scenes look at how the series’ dystopian world takes shape. When they’re not shooting on location around Baltimore, the 200-plus cast and crew members work 12- to 14-hour days on production and filming in cavernous warehouses north of the city. In the set decoration warehouse, antiques, lamps, mirrors, and props cram floor-to-ceiling shelves. Upholsterers, carpenters and seamstresses fashion sofas, chairs and draperies in open work areas. Reproductions of original artwork, hand-painted by scenic artists, hang in waiting for their moment on screen.
Behind a bare dividing wall, a labyrinth of spaces including the Situation Room, the Press Briefing Room, the Roosevelt Room and the Oval Office were primed for Season Six, which would begin filming in October.
“House of Cards” revolves around the roguery of President Francis Underwood and First Lady Claire Underwood (Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright), both driven to dominate Washington at any cost. They hide their scandalous ways behind a polished veneer of respectability—and tastefully conservative interiors that convey both power and restraint. “By the time Francis and Claire got to the White House, they were both pretty nefarious,” says Zappulla. "It was about de-saturating the colors and showing their dark sides.”
She and her staff base their work on painstaking online research and intelligence gathered on tours of the actual White House. “We are slaves to detail and meticulous about keeping the proportions correct,” says Zappulla, who has also designed sets for HBO’s “Veep.”
After “dressing” space, she photographs it to assess how well it reflects her subjects. “The sets are a very important supporting actor,” she explains. “You can create a beautiful space, but if it doesn’t make sense for the character, you’ve missed the target.
“There’s never anything in these rooms that are filler,” Zappulla adds. “It’s all very thought-out.” For instance, in a nod to Francis Underwood’s Southern heritage and affinity for the Civil War, his Oval Office displays miniature cannons, pineapple motifs and tobacco jars from his home state of South Carolina.
Channeling Claire’s character, Zappulla landed on birds, which grace the First Lady’s boudoir. “Birds look so delicate,” she reasons, “but they can fly. That’s Claire.”
A vast amount of what’s seen on set is produced by the show’s own artisans. Their creations range from upholstered sofas and 24-foot-long conference tables to sculpted busts, acanthus leaf and rosette moldings, faux-marble floors and “brass” torchieres. There’s even a working cooktop in the White House kitchen fabricated for a scene that called for Claire to fry an egg in full camera view.
What they can’t make Zappulla purchases on frequent shopping sprees around DC and Baltimore. “We take a lot of pride in this being a Maryland-based show and do as much as we can to purchase here,” says the Baltimore native. “When we’re filming, I inject close to $60,000 into the Maryland economy every 10 days.”
The decreased demand for antiques, also known as “brown furniture,” has been a plus for the show. “We’re so fortunate to be in this area and have benefitted quite a bit from that shift in design taste,” Zappulla says. Her go-to emporiums include Cornerstone and Clearing House, Ltd., near Baltimore and Goldsborough Glynn in Kensington.
Given the sinister plot twists on “House of Cards,” the designer benefits from another decorating trend: the rise of all things gray. “That palette is so popular now,” says Zappulla. “I have beautiful options at my disposal.”
She also frequents the Washington Design Center, where she recently splurged on Scalamandré fabric for a couple of entry-hall chairs. “The [real] White House is full of Scalamandré fabric, but my budget is not full of Scalamandré,” she laments. “But I’m a purist and had to be able to say we have Scalamandré in our White House too.”
Zappulla acknowledges that her department is one of many focused on nailing every “House of Cards” scene. “It takes the right lighting, the cameraman, everyone working in unison, to create what you see on TV and hopefully what you enjoy.”
Ultimately, the goal is to blur the lines between truth and fiction. “We want the audience to believe the cast is sitting on Air Force One or in the Oval Office,” Zappulla says. “If it starts to look like a set, then we haven’t done our job.”
With its emphasis on the nuclear family, the U.S. housing market falls short meeting the needs of today’s rising populations who are living with roommates or extended family members or aging in place. “Making Room: Housing for a Changing America,” an exhibit at the National Building Museum, explores alternatives to conventional housing models. For example, on view is a 1,000-square-foot “home” by Italian architect Pierluigi Colombo that contains movable walls and multi-functional furnishings from Resource Furniture.
The exhibit also spotlights successful housing paradigms from around the globe, including WeLive micro-apartments in Crystal City, complete with communal kitchens, and Arizona’s Las Abuelitas rental units, where patios and play spaces were designed for grandparents sharing childcare duties. On view from November 18 to September 16, 2018. nbm.org
Origami Wallpaper Though it’s completely flat, Graham & Brown’s digitally printed Origami Wallpaper creates a sculptural, 3-D effect, whether applied on an accent wall or throughout an entire room. $75 per roll. grahambrown.com
Origami Paper Lamps Gold Leaf Design Group's Origami Paper Lamps fill interiors with glowing light and prismatic forms. They range from 13.5 to 20 inches tall. A 7W LED chandelier bulb is recommended; wall arms and floor stands are available. $75; goldleafdesigngroup.com
Origami Table Lamp Designed by François Champsaur for Holly Hunt, the Origami Table Lamp makes an angular statement in a study or living space.
It’s 14 inches high and comes in Lacquered Steel, Raw Brushed Copper and Raw Brushed Brass. To the trade; hollyhunt.com
Apotema rug With a name that translates to “apothem” in Italian, the Apotema rug reflects mathematical precision with its cascade of interlocking triangles made from alternating cotton and chenille yarns. It was designed by Michele Menescardi for Calligaris in two striking palettes: warm yellows and cool blues. $1,035. calligaris.us
Clint table Mario Mazzer’s modern Clint table for Alma Design marries a thick slab of wood with an angular steel base, bent and molded like a piece of origami. Available in multiple finishes and measuring from 55-inches-square to 78-by-39 inches in size. $3,400. alma-design.it/en
Crease Zoffany's Crease fabric evokes folds of origami by juxtaposing matte and shiny yarns. This subtle texture plays up four dreamy colorways, including Taupe. Available to the trade through stylelibrary.com or in DC at hinescompany.com.
PERFECT SWING
Designed for precision and consistency, PXG’s 0311 milled wedges (inset) feature intricate performance-enhancing details. The new carbon-steel body works against wear-and-tear while an improved milling process incorporates deeper and more precise grooves—an ideal set-up for the perfect shot. Clubs are available in four styles and Chrome or Xtreme Dark finishes. From $650. pxg.com
ONE TOUCH
Bang & Olufsen’s BeoSound 2 wireless speaker delivers powerful, 360-degree sound and integrates with Bluetooth and all major streaming services. Via simple taps and twists, users control the sculptural aluminum device, which is part of the company’s Multiroom Technology system. $1,995. bang-olufsen.com
SPEED DEMON
The 2018 Lexus LC performance coupe combines the brand’s latest automotive technology with flowing lines and sporty style. Models include the LC 500, featuring a high-performance V8 engine, and the LC 500h, with a Multi-Stage Hybrid powertrain. The cockpit employs cutting-edge audio, navigation and connectivity capabilities as well as a 12-speaker Pioneer surround-sound system. Pricetags: $92,000 for the V8 and $96,510 for the hybrid. lexus.com
Cecilia Zanetta and daughter Veronica Franzese combined their love of fashion and design by founding handbag brand Maria Castelli in 2014. The architects, who trace their roots to Buenos Aires and are now based in New York, recently released a 2017 Fall/Winter collection aimed at chic urbanites. Among the new bags to covet: the 12-inch-wide Byrant Backpack, crafted in New York from Italian leather and Toscana lambskin. $560; mariacastelli.com
NEW ENGLAND STYLE
The Salt Line on DC’s Capitol Riverfront shines a light on seafood caught within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant. Chef Kyle Bailey’s menu offers classic New England fried clam bellies, coddies and stuffies, as well as innovations like swordfish mortadella, seafood sausages and crudos. Interiors by Grizform Design Architects blend rustic boathouse style with custom mid-century light fixtures and handmade tile work. 79 Potomac Avenue, SE; 202-506-2368. thesaltline.com
CHARM CITY REVIVAL
Tapping into Baltimore’s industrial-era pub culture, Rye Street Tavern has opened next to Sagamore Spirit Distillery in Charm City’s Port Covington neighborhood. Its menu spotlights seasonal local fare, from Wood-Fired Seafood Bakes to Bloody Mary Blue Crab Salad. Patrick Sutton designed the interiors, featuring rich leather, wood, concrete-and-steel accents and a fireplace. Upstairs, a glass-enclosed wine room awaits. 13 Rye Street; 443-662-8000. ryestreettavern.com
At 70, Ian Schrager of Studio 54 fame is not resting on his disco laurels. Schrager’s latest venture is Public, a hotel designed by Herzog & de Meuron on the Lower East Side. From its 367 rooms noted for “effortless, timeless, purist design” to The Roof (pictured), where indoor and outdoor porches deliver panoramic 360-degree views of Manhattan, the property was conceived to provide democratic “luxury for all.” Rates from $150. publichotels.com
FRESH START
A couple with young boys saw potential in the 1980s-era Arnold, Maryland, the home they’d recently purchased, though they knew it needed substantial work. They hired Owings Brothers Contracting of Eldersburg, Maryland, to complete a major overhaul, from modernizing the outdated kitchen and baths to opening up the interiors to views of the Severn River. They also traded a dark, clunky wooden staircase for lighter hickory wood stairs framed in glass—and incorporated an indoor slide that the boys now enjoy when heading down to their playroom on the newly finished lower level.
TRANQUIL RETREAT
Tasked with renovating a drab master bath in Great Falls, Virginia, AV Architects + Builders started by reconfiguring its dysfunctional layout. Shifting what had been a large walk-in closet to a disused side of the adjacent bedroom, they gained valuable space for an oversized tub; an open shower with rain, hand-held and regular shower heads; and a WC screened by frosted glass. Oversized porcelain tile from Marble Systems covers the walls and the floors, which are equipped with radiant heating; a new window bathes the room in light. Meanwhile, double vanities and a built-in bench beckon on the other side of this modern, spa-like space.
A young couple with three children under the age of seven fell in love with a new, six-bedroom house in McLean after targeting its specific neighborhood in their search for a larger home. “We liked that McLean has a little downtown area, but it’s still close to DC,” says the wife. “The schools are really good and there are a lot of families with young kids.”
They bought the home, but faced a common quandary: how to create chic, grown-up interiors that would withstand the rough-and-tumble lifestyle of active little ones?
Luckily, they hired designer Celia Welch, who captured her clients’ sense of style while keeping a practical eye on durability. “The house was an empty shell and didn’t say anything about who they are,” Welch recalls. “It was a matter of carefully working with existing architecture to bring in their personalities.”
Another priority was minimizing clutter. “Initially, toys were everywhere,” the designer continues. “We needed to integrate the children into space but hide their things so it wouldn’t feel like a kids’ space all the time.”
As Welch and her clients worked on a furniture plan, they blended retail finds with custom pieces—including an office credenza, a breakfast table and sideboard and a family-room storage unit, all designed by Welch and fabricated by a local woodworker. By sketching out the details and proportions and specifying the exact wood grain and finish for these pieces, she gave her clients lasting, one-of-a-kind furnishings that perfectly fit their needs.
Dark-stained floors and pale gray walls set the tone for rooms on the ground level, while blue accents add just the right measure of color. Artwork sourced at Kaller Fine Arts in DC also makes a bold statement, from the abstract piece that greets guests in the main entrance to the bright photographs printed on aluminum that hang in the wife’s home office. With paneled walls painted in glossy charcoal, this study is more sexy than sedate. Marble tops the desk and custom blue-velvet upholstery adds a touch of glam to a Restoration Hardware chair.
A serene vibe prevails in the living room, where pale blue Romo upholstery on the A. Rudin sofa and a painting called “Winter” add soft hints of blue.
The center hall leads to the facing dining and family rooms. In the former, blue Cowtan & Tout grass cloth provides texture above crisp white wainscoting; an Arteriors chandelier adds industrial flair. Tight-backed sofas, leather chairs and a leather-topped ottoman in the family room withstand marauding youngsters, who store their belongings in the corner unit that Welch carefully designed to hold every last little car and truck. “Keeping things in their place creates a sense of order,” says Welch. “Once people know there’s a space for everything, they’re more relaxed.”
The wife agrees, “The family room is sleek and clean, but it’s functional. The kids climb all over the place. When they go to bed, I put all their toys away and it looks really nice.”
The adjacent breakfast nook serves as another kid-friendly yet stylish hangout. A blue accent wall offsets family photos displayed on narrow metal shelves. Welch designed the wooden table and matching bench to be comfortable for all ages. To guarantee easy cleanup, she selected simple metal chairs from Design Within Reach. And the sideboard, also designed by Welch, neatly stores books and toys along with serving pieces.
The family loves to cozy up on the screened porch, complete with a fireplace and flat-screen TV. Restoration Hardware furniture and a rug from Crate & Barrel make it a fun gathering spot well into fall.
Now that they’ve settled into their new home, the owners enjoy every space, whether they are reading with the children or throwing an elegant dinner party. “This project shows my core philosophy,” reflects Welch. “Things look beautiful and refined but are still very comfortable and easy. I truly believe that if there’s simplicity in the design, it creates an ease in the way you live.”
Interior Design: Celia Welch, Celia Welch Interiors, Bethesda, Maryland.
The home should be the treasure chest of living,” the modernist Le Corbusier once wrote.
This insightful nugget would likely have resonated with one couple preparing to design and build a new home in Bethesda. Both CEOs who frequently travel for work, they envisioned a holistic refuge for their family of four that would cosset their way of life.
“We wanted it to feel like a resort so we wouldn’t have to leave to get that feeling of a vacation,” says the wife. They also wanted space for entertaining large groups and, she adds, “enough storage to keep everything behind closed doors—clean lines and no clutter.”
The team assembled to design and build this Shangri La embraced their clients’ requests wholeheartedly. Architects George T. Myers and Mark Kaufman, designer Sophie Prévost, landscape designer Joel Hafner and builder Phil Leibovitz collaborated from start to finish, delivering such five-star amenities as a gym concealed behind frosted glass and a pool with a swim-up bar.
After the couple purchased a compact lot in a stately Bethesda neighborhood, they started by reviewing several of GTM’s existing floor plans. “We combined different elements from each into a new custom plan that met the clients’ goals,” says Kaufman.
Avowed modernists, the owners made modifications to the classic design for a more streamlined, pared-down whole. Instead of a stone exterior, they opted for gray stucco. Window mullions and a custom door with bands of mahogany and glass emphasize horizontal lines. “We removed some of the traditional visual cues and went with less decorative trim on the interior,” Kaufman notes.
The “distilled center-hall colonial,” as he calls it, ushers guests into a foyer flanked by living and dining rooms. It leads to an open kitchen and family room rimmed on the back by walls of glass. The lower level features a great room, an arts-and-crafts room, a gym and a bunkroom that sleeps the owners’ two young daughters plus four friends for overnights. Meanwhile, both executives can tend to business in his-and-her offices without leaving the house.
Prévost, who designed two previous homes for the couple, considered furniture plans and color schemes early on. “They wanted something bright, fresh and elegant—but not ostentatious,” she says. “They want to come home to a very Zen space, but one that doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
As the wife recalls, the palette arose during a discussion about the “beachy” resort concept. “One of my favorite colors is aqua,” she reflects. This sparked an overall scheme of tranquil blues, crisp white and subtle silver—along with glass accents—a palette that evokes glints of sunlight sparkling on azure shores. (One exception is the husband’s top-floor study—decked out in dark woods and clubby leather.)
Prévost blended streamlined, modern furniture with unique lighting and bold art in every space. “It’s important to mix materials and textures, especially when we stick to a theme of color,” she explains. In the dining room, a custom walnut table is an organic oasis in a sea of blue. The living room’s pale yellow palette offers the perfect counterweight. Christian Liaigre sofas upholstered in leather and linen speak more to comfort than a formality. Translucent sheers, she adds, “have a nice little shimmer.”
A playful, casual attitude prevails in the kitchen and family room. A Patricia Urquiola sofa upholstered in cozy wool, says Prévost, “is like an island” that harbors the entire family for TV viewing. Folding doors lead to a porch with retractable screens. When everything is open, guests can meander out to the pool as though they were at a resort in Bimini—not Bethesda. Designed by Kaufman and Hafner for carefree living, the entire space is paved in cast-stone pavers, with swaths of faux turf to add color and tickle bare feet.
No resort is complete without a spa—and this property’s awaits in the master bath, which features a double shower and cocoon-like tub. Simplicity also reigns in the owners’ bedroom, where oversized pendants and a Gene Davis painting enliven the tranquil mood.
No doubt, a holistic approach contributed to the project’s success. “We all started as a team from day one,” Prévost says. “It’s important for things to connect so that all the pieces are part of the same whole. There should be an aesthetic and a language that flow, inside and out.”
The ultimate test came when the family moved in, just one year after they signed the builder contract. “Every day when I walk through the door, there’s a beautiful sense of peace and joy,” says the wife. “It’s like a big sigh of relief. The home really is our refuge.”
ARCHITECTURE: George T. Myers, AIA, principal; Mark Kaufman, AIA, LEED AP, associate, GTM Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: Sophie Prévost, ASID, ColePrévost, Washington, DC. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Joel Hafner, Fine Earth Landscape, Inc., Poolesville, Maryland. BUILDER: Sandy Spring Builders, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland.
RESOURCES
THROUGHOUT Windows: jeld-wen.com/en-us. Home Automation: htarchitects.com. Pool: crystalpools.com. Garage Doors: zieglerdoorsinc.com. Floral Arrangements: Suha Kaidbey through leprintemps.com.
DINING ROOM Dining Chairs & Chair Fabric: bebitalia.com. Table: Custom through bddw.com. Light Fixture: lindseyadelman.com. Carpet: starkcarpet.com. Sideboard: poltronafrau.com. Vase: georgjensen.com. Artwork Behind Host Chair: by Willem de Looper through hemphillfinearts.com. Paint Color: benjaminmoore.com.
LIVING ROOM Sofas: christian-liaigre.us. Sofa Fabric: christian-liaigre.us. Pillow Fabric: christian-liaigre.us. Glass Bowl: annatorfs.com through hollyhunt.com. Side Tables: mgbwhome.com. Table Lamps: Clara and Esha Bassa through donghia.com. Wooden Chairs: Hans Wegner through furniturefromscandinavia.com. Side Table by Window: hollyhunt.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Drapery Fabric: starkcarpet.com. Drapery Workroom: JK Drapery Inc via 703-941-3788. The artwork in Corner (right): by Thomas Hempel. The artwork in Corner (left): marenkloppmann.com. Paint Color: Falling Star through benjaminmoore.com.
KITCHEN Cabinetry: wood-mode.com. Countertop& Supplier: Island: rbratti.com. Perimeter: glbtileandmarble.com. Stools: hermanmiller.com through dwr.com. Chandelier: moooi.com through illuminationslightingonline.com. Kitchen Table: by Arne Jacobson through furniturefromscandinavia.com. Kitchen Chairs: hermanmiller.com through dwr.com. Drapery Fabric: chellatextiles.com. Backsplash Tile & Supplier: stonesource.com. Drapery Workroom: JK Drapery Inc via 703-941-3788. Paint Color: Horizon and Madison Avenue through benjaminmoore.com.
FAMILY ROOM Sectional: bebitalia.com. Sectional Fabric: bebitalia.com. Chair & Ottoman: bebitalia.com. Chair & Ottoman Fabric: bebitalia.com. Side Table: mgbwhome.com. Rug: pattersonflynnmartin.com. Poufs: arper.com through suiteny.com. Sideboards: Custom by coleprevost.net. Artwork: colbycaldwell.com through hemphillfinearts.com. Paint Color: Horizon and Madison Avenue through benjaminmoore.com. Fireplace: stonesource.com.
POOLSIDE Stonework: cstpavers.com. Chaise Lounges: by Richard Schultz through knoll.com. Side Tables: by Richard Schultz through knoll.com. Day Bed: bebitalia.com. Blue Pillows On Day Bed: chellatextiles.com. Umbrella: tuuci.com. Planters: oreintl.com. Grey Lounge Seating: bebitalia.com. Round Table: knoll.com. Patio Chairs: knoll.com.
PORCH Fan: bigassfans.com. Dining Table: teak.com. Chairs: by Richard Schultz through knoll.com. Sideboard: Custom by coleprevost.com.
MASTER BEDROOM Bed: hollyhunt.com. Headboard Upholstery: mooreandgiles.com. Bedding: matouk.com. Coverlet: matouk.com. Rug: pattersonflynnmartin.com. Hanging Pendants: nessenlighting.com. Nightstand: Custom by coleprevost.net. Chair & Ottoman: hayonstudio.com through furniturefromscandinavia.com. Cushions and Ottoman Fabric: kvadrat.dk. Side Table: mgbwhome.com. Bench: chrisian-liaigre.us. Art: by Gene Davis through hemphillfinearts.com. Paint Color: Timid Blue through sherwin-williams.com.
MASTER BATHROOM Floor Tiles & Source: jeffreycourt.com through architecturalceramics.com. Cabinetry: wood-mode.com and custom front panels through ivancdutterer.com. Countertop & Source: glbtileandmarble.com. Stool: rejuvenation.com. Bathtub & Source: mtibaths.com through ackerandsonsinc.com. Mirrors and Sconces: robern.com. Bath Fixture & Source: dxv.com through ackerandsonsinc.com.
FOYER Hanging Light Fixtures: terzani.com through illuminationslightingonline.com. Rug on Landing: Custom by claudiamills.com.
WIFE’S OFFICE Wraparound Desk: wood-mode.com. Hanging Cabinets: wood-mode.com. Desk: by Carlo Mollino through zanotta.it. Desk Chair: hermanmiller.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Paint Color: Baby’s Breath through benjaminmoore.com. Sofa: vitra.com through contemporaria.com. Sofa Fabric: vitra.com. Side Table: mgbwhome.com. Chair: by Poul Kjaerholm through furniturefromscandinavia.com. Coffee Table: hermanmiller.com through dwr.com. Art: fineartmenorca.com.
HUSBAND’S STUDY Millwork: Custom by coleprevost.net. Cabinetry: ivancdutterer.com. Sofas: dellarobbiausa.com. Pillows: colefax.com, rogersandgoffigon.com, janechurchill.com, and zoffany.com. Side Table: Custom by coleprevost.net.
Developers challenged architect Mark McInturff to transform three neighboring 1960s-era Rockville warehouses into a sustainably designed, state-of-the-art office building that will serve as a technology hub. McInturff and his team connected the stripped-down structures via a sleek, glass-enclosed atrium and green space (above) while embracing the edginess of their original materials. “We did what a lot of office buildings don’t,” the architect says. “We didn’t cover up the exposed concrete and steel, and we used a lot of glass and as little drywall as we could.” Now complete, the 103,482-square-foot Greencourt Innovation Center boasts offices and conference rooms, wifi-enabled courtyards, a green roof and optimized energy systems; LEED-Silver certification is pending.
Architecture: Mark McInturff, FAIA; Peter Noonan, AIA, LEED BD+C; David Mogensen, AIA, LEED AP, McInturff Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: Meridian Construction Corporation, Inc., Rockville, Maryland.
When called upon to overhaul a 12-foot-wide, 1870s-era house in DC, designer Kerra Michele Huerta summoned “every trick in the book” to make the finished interiors appear larger. She also opened up the choppy floor plan, reconfigured the kitchen and master bath and added a powder room on the main floor. “From there,” she recalls, “I added architectural detail because often when people blow out the walls in a historical home and make it super-modern, the character is lost.”
Her clients, government consultant Patrick Carberry and Elizabeth Carberry, founder of arts management agency ArtSee, were expecting their first child, so a nursery was also part of the plan. “I tried to mix the historical aspects of the home with the young, fun art-world couple living there,” Huerta explains.
The designer blended classic materials and practical furniture with playful accessories and art. Custom features abound, including a dining room mural of hexagons—a recurring motif in the home—and a shower door with an iron frame that conjures an industrial vibe.
Finished in time for the arrival of the couple’s son, Cannon, the redo was a resounding success. “Everything works for them functionally,” says Huerta. “They are just so happy.”
HOW DID YOU PAY TRIBUTE TO THE HOME’S PAST?
To respect the home’s history, I added architectural details like latticework
on the main wall that runs from the front to the back and up the stairs. I also exposed little pockets of original brick in the kitchen and dining room so the house wouldn’t feel like a blank, white modern box.
DID YOU TURN ANY FLAWS INTO ASSETS?
When we opened up the living and dining rooms, there was one structural beam that had to stay, but it wasn’t pretty. I had it wrapped in wood, then added a few more so it looked like they were supposed to be there. This also eliminated having one solid ceiling surface from the front to the back of the house.
WHAT TRICKS MAKE THE LIVING ROOM APPEAR LARGER?
The latticework adds depth and movement to space. Since we didn’t have room for a sofa, I chose two swivel chairs from Room & Board and a chaise that’s open on one side. And the enormous mirror from Anthropologie makes you feel like there is more space than there actually is.
HOW DID YOU ACCESSORIZE THE BUILT-INS?
I painted the cabinets white and changed the fireplace tile to create depth. Then I sourced items from as many places as possible, including vintage and antique shops. I always pick a color palette first so everything feels cohesive, and layer in natural elements like metals, stone, and wood because using all manmade elements can feel flat.
HOW DID YOU INTEGRATE THE KITCHEN INTO THE OPEN PLAN?
I like kitchens to feel like an extension of the rest of the house. Because it’s a historic home, I picked classic white cabinetry. To punch things up, I added leather cabinet pulls and walnut trim around the upper cabinets to give them a little bit more detail.
WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO MIXING FABRICS?
I take patterns that are otherwise completely unrelated but in the same color palette and pick the ones I like, along with a couple of solids. I call it “power-clashing.” DC tends to be obsessed with symmetry, but I prefer balance. A lot of my spaces will have an odd number of pillows to make things more interesting and a little quirkier.
HOW DO YOU MARRY MASCULINE AND FEMININE STYLES?
Patrick is into leather furniture and lodge-type items, while Elizabeth is very fashionista and into the modern art scene. In the bedroom, I went with a duvet set that is menswear-inspired—a lightweight flannel that feels like a dream—and layered it in pink, blue and metallic pillows.
HOW WILL THE NURSERY WORK POST-BABYHOOD?
I’m a believer that the permanent elements in a room should be neutral and sophisticated. I focus on accessories that are easier to change as a child gets older. In Cannon’s room, the wallpaper will be classic forever; we added elements like the sheep and vintage chest to make it feel whimsical.
DESIGN PET PEEVE?
TVs above fireplaces! If you can avoid it, do.
SECRET TO A WELL-DESIGNED SPACE?
Balance. I try to mix an equal number of organic and graphic patterns with natural and manmade elements to craft a warm, lived-in feeling.
WHY IS ART IMPORTANT?
Art is a reflection of the homeowners and personalizes a space. Without it, even a beautifully designed home can feel generic.
IS IT OKAY TO MIX METALS?
Mix with abandon! I feel the same way about metals as I do about color; decide from the get-go on what kind of look you want, then commit.
MISTAKE TO AVOID?
Using small furniture in small spaces. Rooms feel more spacious when you use fewer, larger pieces rather than lots of small ones.
RENOVATION & INTERIOR DESIGN: Kerra Michele Huerta, Kerra Michele Interiors, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: Laura Metzler.
Mid-Century Modern fans might be surprised to learn that there are many examples of the vernacular in the DC area. In Montgomery Modern: Modern Architecture in Montgomery County, Maryland, 1930-1979, author and local architectural historian Clare Lise Kelly documents these enduring mid-century relics, from office towers and high rises to storefronts and tract homes, that reflect post-War optimism and materials of the Atomic Age. Published by the Montgomery County Planning Department, the 2015 book also chronicles the architects, landscape architects, planners and developers behind these designs.
On October 8, a Montgomery Modern bus tour will visit Potomac homes from this era, along with the mid-century Charles E. Smith campus in Rockville. And on October 16, the author will speak at George Washington University Museum. montgomeryplanning.org/planning/historic/montgomery-modern/
HANDCRAFTED Interwoven metal curves form the base of the Niermann Weeks Tissage Dining Table. Handcrafted in the company’s workshop near Annapolis, the sculptural creation is topped with a floating, bevel-edged glass top. Price on request. niermannweeks.com
LIGHT SHOW The polished-brass Jasmine pendant by Mitzi, an offshoot of Hudson Valley Lighting, sports an eye-catching, “open-cage” design. Available in two sizes; $198 and $248. hudsonvalleylighting.com
BOLD STATEMENT Part of Christian Lacroix Maison for Roche Bobois, the Maison Lacroix Chair makes a bold statement. The beech chair is upholstered in graphic Cabanon fabric, with legs finished in contrasting brass. $1,470. roche-bobois.com
CHIC CURVES At 60 inches wide, the Bacharach Settee by Jonathan Adler is ideal for small spaces. The curvaceous seat is upholstered in Rialto Ash velvet and paired with an architectural, brushed-brass base. $3,950; jonathanadler.com
