Whoever says that a pantry space should be hidden behind closed doors has not seen one as unique and finely detailed as this recently completed pantry in a renovated DC residence. Before they considered aesthetics, designers from Alt Breeding Associates had to remediate irregular geometries in the existing space, hide ductwork and accommodate a full-height wine cooler, ice maker and storage. They solved these dilemmas by concealing an HVAC return vent in the crown molding and installing a full-height cabinetry wall to house appliances and storage.
That left room for the sophisticated and chic material palette: a brass-and-stainless steel French sink; a brass soffit and wall surround with hidden storage; tall, high-gloss Premier Custom Built cabinets concealing pantry storage; and a full-height wine refrigerator. Brass Waterworks hardware and cabinet insets finish off the space.
Kitchen Design: Scarlett Breeding, AIA, project manager; Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, casework and interior architecture design, Alt Breeding Associates Architecture, Annapolis, Maryland. Builder: Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.
Details. . .Cabinetry: premiercb.com. Plumbing & Hardware: waterworks.com. Neolith Backsplash: atlasstonefabricators.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com. Wall Covering: stylelibrary.com/zoffany. Lighting: bakerfurniture.com. Sink: officinegullo.com/us
An obsolete kitchen in a 1920s Wardman row house in DC was cut off from the rest of the home and crying for an update. Challenged by the owners to mastermind a solution, designer Meghan Browne devised a clever plan. To create more open space, she removed walls separating the kitchen from the dining room, as well as from a small pantry and hallway leading to the backyard. Existing posts and a dropped beam, needed for support, were clad in reclaimed brick and barn wood, respectively. “Throughout the process, we kept details in mind that you might have seen in and around the home when it was originally built, but with a modern twist,” says Browne. These materials, which conjure an industrial vibe, range from the hot-rolled steel hood to the live-edge walnut and soapstone countertops. Doors on the custom pantry feature an X motif reminiscent of an old carriage house.
Kitchen Design: Meghan Browne, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Abel Canizalez, LLaveroes Services LLC, Germantown, Maryland.
Details. . .Cabinetry: decorcabinets.com. Soapstone Countertop: rbratti.com. Wood Counter: glumber.com. Backsplash: mexicanhandcraftedtile.com through architecturalceramics.com. Sink Faucet: kraususa.com. Stools: bestsellingfurnitureonline.com. Refrigerator: liebherr.com. Pendants: sundancecatalog.com. Ovens: kitchenaid.com. Appliance Source: abwappliances.com.
Clients who are avid cooks and gardeners asked designer Jonas Carnemark to expand the dark and choppy kitchen in their 1960s ranch-style house. They wanted more space for entertaining and also envisioned a stronger connection to the outdoors. Carnemark’s finished plan features a large island with a built-in sink, dual-cylinder stainless-steel hoods and convection and steam ovens. Contemporary, gray-brown cabinets in simulated wood conceal the refrigerator, freezer and temperature-controlled wine coolers. A suspended LED light fixture adds targeted task lighting while oversized windows let in ample light and offer peerless views of the outdoors.
Design & Build: Jonas Carnemark, CARNEMARK design + build, Bethesda, Maryland.
Details. . . Cabinetry: konstsiematic.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com. Hoods: siriuscappe.com/usa. Ovens & Stovetop: mieleusa.com. Faucet: hansgrohe-usa.com.
Working with homeowners whose passion is landscaping and tending to their garden, Lorrie Addison overhauled their 15-year-old kitchen to reflect nature. She sourced organic materials—stone and wood—that would complement the old-growth trees and boulder outcroppings outside. Light Silestone countertops offset the dark-wood Rutt cabinetry; a raised wooden bar top made by Grothouse Lumber and walls in a Venetian-plaster finish add more layers of detail and texture. Wooden shelves suspended on a vertical stone column extend the natural palette. Hubbardton Forge pendants in a dark finish complete the picture.
Kitchen Design: Lorrie Addison, Stuart Kitchens, McLean, Virginia. Contractor: Monticello Homes, Fairfax Station, Virginia.
Details. . . Cabinetry: ruttcabinetry.com. Bar Top: glumber.com. Countertops: silestoneusa.com through nekainc.com. Pendants: hubbardtonforge.com through dominionelectric.com. Stone: stonecenterofva.com. Refrigerator, Oven, Hood & Range: subzero-wolf.com. Built-In Coffee Machine: mieleusa.com. Appliance Suppliers: fretz.com; ferguson.com. Venetian Plaster: timknepp.com. Flooring: executivefloors.com.
A couple who approached Amber Bullock to revitalize their existing master bath had some specific requests. They wanted a linen closet, better light and a sense of style. Bullock’s plan included a wall-hung, cherry-stained vanity, recessed uplift medicine cabinets, a freestanding Clarke Architectural tub and a layered lighting plan. Bullock established a serene aesthetic with an accent wall of three-dimensional tile framed by glossy, large-format porcelain tile. A mosaic niche over the tub and a natural-stone and glass-tile backsplash add subtle contrast. As Bullock explains, “These elements harmonize well to create an edited yet detailed space.”
Bath Design: Amber E. Bullock, AKBD, Allied ASID, AElise Designs LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Co-Designer: Marian Ostach, Bray & Scarff, Alexandria, Virginia. Contractor: All Seasons Construction, Parkville, Maryland.
Details. . . CAD Consultant: Geoffrey Moore, Jr., Blue Room Studio & Design: 301-742-1857. Cabinets: omegacabinetry.com. Sinks: kohler.com. Faucets: brizo.com. Tub: clarkearchitectural.com. Plumbing Source: tsomerville.com. Pendants: jdg.com. Wall Tile Source: mosaictileco.com. Floor Tile: porcelanosa-usa.com. Calacatta Countertop: fernandosmarbleshop.com.
A mother of three tapped designer Maria Causey to transform her 107-square-foot master bath into a relaxing getaway at home. Replacing a dark and depressing predecessor, this light and airy space incorporates a freestanding Signature Hardware tub with a slim-profile Delta faucet, an enlarged shower, a new 36-inch double vanity that accommodates the husband’s height, and wall-mounted and recessed lighting. A navy blue vanity contrasts with the serene material palette. Hexagonal mosaic tiles pave the floor, while neutral Carrara marble and bold Fireclay Tile accents lend the shower color and style.
Bath Design: Maria Causey, Maria Causey Interior Design, Aldie, Virginia. Contractor: Beauchain Builders, Sterling, Virginia.
Details. . . Cabinets: ntimedesignllc.com. Carrara Marble Wall Tile, Floor Tile & Kasbah Trellis Fire Clay Accent Tile: tileshop.com. Marble Countertop: glbtileandmarble.com. Tub, Tub Faucet & Kohler Showerhead: ferguson.com. Shades: graberblinds.com.
Part of the makeover of a 100-year-old farmhouse, this pantry/bar lures guests away from the main prep area while cooking is underway. On one side, a beverage center includes a wet bar, wine storage, under-counter icemaker and dishwasher, with plenty of bar storage above. On the other side, the owners store pantry essentials. Kitchen designer Sarah Kahn Turner detailed the space with Premier Custom Built cabinetry in fumed oak with leaded-glass doors and a new brick archway. The same brick doubles as a maintenance-free floor for dogs coming in and out of the nearby door.
Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Architecture: Richard Williams, FAIA, Richard Williams Architects, Washington, DC. Contractor: Alliance Builders, Crofton, Maryland.
Details. . .Cabinets: premiercb.com. Brick: generalshale.com. Taj Mahal Quartz Countertop & Backsplash: avantimarblegranite.com. Wine Cooler: subzero-wolf.com through fretz.com. Wall-Mount Faucet: newportbrass.com through ferguson.com.
Architect Charles Moore, interior designer Lauren Liess and kitchen designer Hannah Rasa designed a library to complement the Arts and Crafts style of the client’s home. It features custom millwork by CWP Cabinets blending open bookcases and closed components to store the owner’s treasures. The design team chose Shaker-style cabinet doors with quarter-round molding for extra detail. The wall of built-in storage lets the homeowners display—and organize—a range of books, decorative items and family photos. The cabinets are aligned with windows above, which provide views of the garden and plenty of natural light.
Cabinet Provider: Hannah Rasa, LEED AP, NCIDQ, HPR Designs, Rockville, Maryland. Architecture: Moore Architects, PC, Falls Church, Virginia. Interior Design: Lauren Liess, Lauren Liess & Co., Great Falls, Virginia. Builder: Ironstar Building Company, Arlington, Virginia.
Details. . . Cabinetry: cwpcabinetry.com. Paint: sherwin-williams.com.
In their renovation of an Annapolis kitchen, Scarlett Breeding and Richard T. Anuszkiewicz created a vision in white encompassing a dining area with a leather banquette, custom Lucite table and water view. The pagoda-inspired hood boasts polished stainless-steel accents, as do the high-lacquer Premier Custom Built cabinets. The backsplash and an existing fireplace are clad in Neolith marble. A freestanding range wall separates the main kitchen from a rear service kitchen with abundant storage that meets the needs of a large family. The final touch of drama: a white geometric motif hand-painted on the existing dark-wood floors.
Kitchen Design: Scarlett Breeding, AIA, project manager; Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, casework and interior architecture design, Alt Breeding Associates Architecture, Annapolis, Maryland. Builder: Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.
Details. . . Cabinets & Hood: premiercb.com. Range: vikingrange.com. Chandelier: niermannweeks.com. Custom Lucite Table: spectrumcollection.com. Neolith Countertops & Backsplash: atlasstonefabricators.com. Banquette: edelmanleather.com. Plumbing: kallista.com. Floor Painting: artstarcustompaintworks.com
This renovation of an outdated 1970s ranch kitchen bumped out the dining area toward the backyard and installed new windows to filter in daylight. Jonas Carnemark designed the space to reflect the client’s preference for clean lines and a less-is-more mentality. Despite its minimalist profile, the kitchen delivers plenty of functionality and storage. An island in rich truffle brown veneer offsets the peripheral cabinets and hand-blown glass pendants hang overhead. Built-in shelving, a microwave drawer and a Miele Combi-Steam oven ensure a seamless cooking experience.
Design & Build: Jonas Carnemark, CARNEMARK design + build, Bethesda, Maryland.
Details. . . Cabinets: konstsiematic.com. Countertop: caesarstoneus.com. Hood: siriuscappe.com/usa. Ovens & Stovetop: mieleusa.com. Faucet: grohe.com.
Scrapping an outdated sunroom, Sun Design Remodeling orchestrated a new covered porch that connects the clients’ rec room and backyard pool. It features a double-sided fireplace, a Primo Oval ceramic grill that also bakes, roasts and smokes, a Wolf outdoor grill with side burner and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. Motorized retractable screens, controlled by wall-mounted or hand-held remotes, protect the owners and their guests from the elements (and pesky insects). And lighting, as well as an irrigation system, is integrated into the porch columns. All in all, it’s a perfect spot for casual family meals or large gatherings.
Design & Contracting: Bob Gallaher, John Benedetto, Morgan Hutchinson, Sun Design Remodeling, Burke and McLean, Virginia.
Details. . . Framing: twperry.com. Plumbing & Electrical Fixtures: ferguson.com. Grill & Refrigerator: subzero-wolf.com. Smoker: primogrill.com. Granite Countertop: stoneandtileworld.com. Cabinetry: naturekast.com.
Tired of their outdated kitchen and lack of storage and counter space, a Sterling, Virginia, couple decided to renovate. Designer Zied Hammami, on a tight budget of under $40,000, was able to make dramatic improvements. Removing an old bulkhead created room for taller cabinets; a new furniture-style island with a built-in GE Café Series cooktop created better workspace. Shaker-style Wynnbrooke cabinets feature roll-out trays, glass inserts, pull-out shelves and wine storage. To keep costs down, Hammami refinished existing red-oak floors in a lighter shade. Recessed lights brightened the ambiance while Supreme White granite countertops and a gray, glass subway-tile backsplash cinched the polished new look.
Design: Zied Hammami, Abbey Design Center, Sterling, Virginia.
Details. . . GE Café Series Cooktop: geappliances.com. Faucet: hansgrohe-usa.com. Cabinets: wynnbrooke.com. Countertops: Dulles Granite & Marble; 703-498-2728. Undercounter LED Lighting: kichler.com.
SOUTHEAST ASIA MEETS SOUTHWEST DC
Chef Cathal Armstrong and his wife, Meshelle Armstrong, are now celebrating the bold flavors of Thailand, Korea and Meshelle’s native Philippines at their new hot spot, Kaliwa, located in District Wharf. Meshelle designed the restaurant interior in conjunction with Patrick's Design House.The dining room sports a riot of coco-shell chandeliers from the Philippines, while a photograph of a tattooed female figure dominates the bar. The cocktail menu tempts with libations such as the Frozen Mai Tai and the Phuket Sunburn, laced with Thai chilis. 751 Wharf Street, SW; 202-516-4739.
MIDDLE EASTERN MEZZE
Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj (Rasika, Bibiana) has opened an Israeli eatery, Sababa, in the Cleveland Park location of the former Ardeo+Bardeo. Sababa, which means “cool and carefree” in Hebrew, is headed by chef Ryan Moore; the cuisine focuses on salads, hummus, mezze, kebabs and a wide array of vegetarian options. Martin Vahtra of Projects Design Associates dreamed up the interiors, which include a bar clad in antique tile. 3311 Connecticut Avenue, NW; 202-244-6750. sababauptown.com
Housed in an 18th-century building between the Louvre and the Paris Opera, the Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal pampers guests in 68 rooms and suites—some with their own balcony (pictured above). The Romance in Paris package includes flowers upon arrival, Champagne and breakfast for two from $590; grandhoteldupalaisroyal.com
Lounging by the pool and watching sailboats skim by, it’s easy to imagine you’ve landed at an island resort rather than a family getaway near Annapolis. There are drinks at the pool-house bar, plenty of kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to go around and an elegant main residence at your disposal. Like a five-star getaway, this property revolves around rest, relaxation and a refined sense of style.
That’s just what the owners envisioned when they bought the pristine, two-and-a-half-acre parcel on the South River near the Chesapeake Bay. The husband, an entrepreneur, and his wife have a soft spot for Annapolis, where they started dating when he was a Naval Academy cadet. Its proximity to their main DC-area residence meant the couple with a son and daughter, then teenagers could make spur-of-the-moment visits without crossing the Bay Bridge. “We wanted a weekend retreat with room for our friends and their families,” says the wife. “Eventually, we plan to retire here.”
The owners assembled a team of professionals—architect Jeffrey Halpern, Bret Anderson of Pyramid Builders and interior designer Susan Gulick—who would collaborate to make their future home a reality. The design process unfolded organically as they met biweekly to discuss details large and small.
The husband’s request for a dramatic entry led to the concept of a round, two-story foyer with a classical domed ceiling. The wife, in turn, envisioned a spiral stairway framed by an intricate, curving metal rail like one she’d seen in a photograph. And to bring the home’s large volumes down to a welcoming scale, Halpern proposed creating a unique ceiling treatment in every room. “If it all feels large and grand, you don’t feel protected or nurtured,” the architect reasons. Factoring in geothermal heating and systems required to fortify the waterfront home against hurricane-force elements, it soon became clear that this would be no ordinary beach bungalow.
Executing the plans required a complex choreography among Pyramid’s in-house teams, structural engineers and other specialists working to get the job done. “It was a very complicated structure with a lot of hidden steel. We brought our craftsmen on-site to deal with complex forms such as barrel vaults, compounded curves, and domed ceilings—all of which were built from scratch,” says Anderson. “Every aspect of the dome was built and engineered with our carpentry team.”
Artisans from Iron Masters designed and fabricated the hand-forged stair rail in their Frederick, Maryland, studio. Its curving, interlacing elements not only created what the wife calls the “jewelry of the house,” but also had to meet building codes and sustain lateral load forces. Says Halpern, “It all came down to a careful balancing act.”
The architect did some balancing of his own, marrying the home’s formal façade and entry to the more casual spaces that ensue. “From the foyer, there’s a sense of connection to axes moving through the house toward the water,” he explains. Archways in the foyer lead to the music, dining and family rooms. Beyond the music room lies the husband’s home office and an adjoining library where a Murphy bed can accommodate guests. The dining room segues to a butler’s pantry and the kitchen, which is open to the family room. As windows and doors in the family room spill onto the verandah and the pool, pool house, and dock, a casual marine vibe takes over. “The back of the home opens up to the waterfront,” says Halpern. “The house and the pool deck are intimately connected.” The owners hired Walnut Hill to soften the hardscape with containers of seasonal flowers and perennial beds and to screen the property from its neighbors with mature trees.
For the most part, Gulick’s interior plan embraces the home’s relaxed side. The dining room’s silk-and-hemp rugby Niba inspired the color scheme of tranquil blues and neutrals. “The owners wanted easy living and comfort, but they also wanted the home to be nice and not ‘beachy,’” she says. “People feel they can put their feet up and be at ease. It’s a house to be lived in.”
At her clients’ request, Gulick pushed some of the furniture and lighting in a contemporary direction. “I love high-end, fine furniture,” says the wife, who sold contract furnishings before staying home to raise her kids full-time. “I also like mixing elements such as stone, wood, and metals.” A case in point is the master suite, where Gulick’s team designed a dramatic walnut fireplace mantel with stainless-steel accents, and where marble tops the cabinetry in the airy dressing room.
These spaces enjoy dazzling views of the river and nearby marshland, thanks to Halpern, who during the design phase climbed a ladder mounted on a pickup truck to survey the site and its surroundings. “We were very much aware of the connection to the water and wanted to make it feel pretty seamless,” he explains.
The second floor also includes the son and daughter’s bedrooms and two guest rooms—all with en-suite baths. Since a basement wasn’t practical given the property’s high water table, a game room was built above the garage. Complete with a pool table, a kitchenette, and a large TV, it boasts all of the spoils of a rec room but with plenty of windows and natural light.
Now complete, the home has exceeded the owners’ expectations. Whether they’re alone or hosting friends and their families for a long weekend, days are spent playing soccer or volleyball on the lawn, taking out the ski boat or watching a game in the pool house—or pool.
In any season, it’s truly an escape. “It’s where I go to recharge my battery,” says the wife. “The second I see the water, something washes over me. It is so calm and relaxing. To see the reeds in the marsh and the herons flying over the water—the views are magnificent.”
ARCHITECTURE: Jeffrey H. Halpern, AIA, Halpern Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: Susan Gulick, ASID, Susan Gulick Interiors, Reston, Virginia. KITCHEN DESIGN: J. Paul Lobkovich, Lobkovich Kitchens, Tysons Corner, Virginia. BUILDER: Bret Anderson, principal; Bill Harder, project superintendent, Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Michael Prokopchak, ASLA, Walnut Hill Landscape Company, Annapolis, Maryland.
THROUGHOUT
Home Automation: aegistechnologies.com
POOL HOUSE
Rug: transocean.com. Coffee Table: salvationsaf.com. Bar Stools: davidedward.com. Bar Stool Fabric: perennialsfabrics.com. Sofa & Chairs: janusetcie.com. Sofa & Chair Fabrics: delanyandlong.com. Pillow Fabric: quadrillefabrics.com.
FOYER
Rug: therugcompany.com. Runner: fabrica.com Inlaid Tile: newravenna.com. Sofas: ef-lm.com. Sofa Fabric: jrobertscott.com. Light: davidiatesta.com. Sconces: hartlighting.net. Decorative Painting: studiowestdc.com.
DINING ROOM
Chandelier: barovier.com/en. Rug: nibadesigns.com. Table: keithfritz.com. Chairs: ef-lm.com. Chair Fabric: larsenfabrics.com. Sideboard: makersrow.com. Painting: trishhurley.com through fineleaf.net. Decorative Painting: studiowestdc.com.
MUSIC ROOM
Light: aquagallery.com. Rug: tufenkian.com. Coffee Table: salvationsaf.com. Setée & Side Chair: rjones.com. Chair Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Bergamo Settee Fabric: through donghia.com. Painting/Paint Treatment: studiowestdc.com. Armoire: ef-lm.com.
FAMILY ROOM
Rug: tufenkian.com. Curtain Fabric: galbraithandpaul.com. Sofas & Blue Chairs: ef-lm.com. Blue Chair Fabric: donghia.com. Sofa Fabric: brentanofabrics.com. Round Table: trayler.com. Poufs: stewartfurniture.com. Pouf Fabric: pollackassociates.com. Tufted Chair: kravet.com. Tufted Chair Fabric: delanyandlong.com.
SUNROOM
Ottoman: stewartfurniture.com. Ottoman Fabric: arc-com.com. Paint Treatment: studiowestdc.com. Chairs: Owners’ collection.
KITCHEN Stools: bermanrosetti.com. Pendants: clsterling.com. Backsplash: glasstile.com. Cabinetry: signaturecustomcabinetry.com. Countertops: marblesystems.com.
DRESSING ROOM
Calacatta Gold Marble Countertop: marblesystems.com. Cabinets: signaturecustomcabinetry.com. Sconces: hemeralighting.com. Stool: spectrumcollection.com.
MASTER BEDROOM
Fireplace Design: susangulickinteriors.com. Bench: stewartfurniture.com. Bergamo Bench Fabric: donghia.com. Ottoman & Bolster Fabric: arteefabricsandhome. Rug Under Bed: scottgroupstudio.com. Round Rug: therugcompany.com. Bed: makersrow.com. Sofa: hollyhunt.com. Sofa Fabric: kravet.com. Bergamo Pillow Fabric: through donghia.com. Side Table (by Sofa): salvationsaf.com. Ottoman: centuryfurniture.com. Curtain Fabrics: romo.com; Bergamo through donghia.com. Chest of Drawers: swaim-inc.com. Painting: kendallklingbeil.com through fineleaf.net.
A couple with grown kids decided to trade their large DC home for a condo in the Watergate. They were enticed by the landmark building’s enviable location and its dramatic Potomac River views. But the heavy, gilded décor in their 11th-story unit? Not so much.
They approached BOWA, a design/build firm that had already completed a handful of updates in the complex, to bring their interiors into the 21st century with modern finishes and an improved, open floor plan that would accentuate vistas of the Georgetown waterfront.
Though a previous renovation had combined two apartments into the one they purchased, the result was far from desirable. “It was a very disjointed, half-hearted effort,” says BOWA principal Steve Kirstein. “Our clients knew immediately that it had to be a clean slate. We gutted all the walls, the piping, the electrical. Everything was redone, soup to nuts.”
The husband also knew exactly what he wanted, describing a precise vision he had developed for the reworked layout at initial design meetings with Kirstein and architect David Shove-Brown of //3877. “David and I took the owner’s concept and turned it into a buildable plan,” Kirstein recalls. “But it was a very complicated project.”
The makeover would give the kitchen, which was crammed into one end of the existing condo, a prominent presence in the center of the home, open to a spacious living and dining area. A new guest room and bathroom would occupy the space that had previously been the kitchen, while the master bathroom would also move to make way for a large dressing room in a luxurious master suite. The efficient plan also called for a library, a home office and a guest sitting room with a Murphy bed—all of which would enjoy views of the river.
“The owners wanted to live toward the exterior, near the glass walls of the residence. That meant we had to get working plumbing into the far reaches of the project where none had existed before, and we had to make it work in conjunction with the building and code,” Kirstein explains. “We achieved that through some pretty creative uses of the millwork.”
A careful study of previous renovations revealed an old plumbing stack. BOWA got permission to rebuild it, which helped bring plumbing to the new kitchen.
Running a construction site on the 11th story of a luxury building full of residents presented another challenge. “You need to be very organized because you’re shutting down whole tiers of plumbing, electrical and phone within the building, impacting everyone who lives above and below,” Kirstein remarks. During the process, fixtures, appliances, and building materials were salvaged and either recycled or donated to The ReBuild Warehouse in Springfield, Virginia.
Throughout the completed residence, pale rift-maple flooring and crisp, custom cabinetry, also in maple, set a light and airy tone. In lieu of a series of walled-in rooms, open spaces delineated by millwork partitions that don’t block the residence’s curving wall of windows improve circulation and create dramatic sight lines indoors and out. A HomeWorks lighting system and automated Lutron window shades enable the owners to adjust light levels with ease. All exterior glass was replaced with new windows, boosting energy efficiency.
Admitting that he had never before worked with a client who had such a clear vision for a remodel, Steve Kirstein reflects, “When I first met him, I thought, ‘There’s no way we’re going to be able to pull this thing off.’ But we kept at it and, sure enough, by the time we had everything figured out, we got it all to work.”
The owners are thrilled with their new home and never tire of the scene unfolding below. “The Watergate has unparalleled views,” marvels Kirstein. “When you’re up there and all of a sudden a helicopter comes down the river below you, it’s just wild.”
Renovation Architecture: David Shove-Brown, //3877, Washington, DC. Design/Build: Steve Kirstein, principal; John Murray, production manager, Craig Manning, project manager, BOWA, McLean, Virginia. Custom Millwork Fabrication: Woods and Style, Gaithersburg, Maryland.
