Located just off the kitchen in a waterfront home near Annapolis, this bold bar space was designed to make entertaining easy and enjoyable. And, says architect Scarlett Breeding, “we also wanted to celebrate the character of the property with nautical and maritime-inspired details.”
She and project designer Richard Anuszkiewicz collaborated on the space, seamlessly concealing an under-counter ice maker, refrigerator, and wine cooler behind the royal blue cabinet doors to create a ship-shape look. They selected a hand-hammered copper sink and knurled Waterworks hardware for rustic appeal. Graphic wallpaper on the ceiling accentuates the height of the room and adds a whimsical—and affordable—
design note.
The casework resembles fine furniture rather than stock cabinetry, while the teak countertop provides water resistance, durability and a nod to finely crafted yachts sailing by the home.
Architecture: Scarlett Breeding, AIA; Interior Design & Casework: Richard Anuszkiewicz, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Contractor: Bayview Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.
THE DETAILS Cabinetry: kountrykraft.com. Wood Countertop: glumber.com. Copper Sink: waterworks.com. Faucet: thompsontraders.com.
Designing a kitchen on the expansive top floor of an old North Carolina tobacco warehouse-turned-residence demanded a number of outside-the-box solutions.
“Finding a way to hide the working parts of the kitchen was our biggest challenge,” says designer Paul Bentham, “along with providing adequate storage without having to use wall cabinets.” A quartet of pantries installed on the room’s only interior wall cleverly solved both dilemmas. Retractable pocket doors in grain-matched paldao veneer conceal shelves and drawers, an extra dishwasher and sink and a coffee station when they’re not in use, leaving the walkway unobstructed by cabinet doors. The opposite wall houses the refrigerator, freezer, stacked ovens and an induction cooktop.
Two parallel islands provide plenty of workspaces. Materials ranging from contrasting wood surfaces to concrete floors and black-leathered granite create a bold interplay.
Kitchen Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: W.L. Bishop, Hillsborough, North Carolina. Carpentry: Darren Coultrap Carpentry; 919-559-3327.
THE DETAILS Appliances: mieleusa.com. Faucet: dornbracht.com. Cabinets: premiercb.com. Countertops: glumber.com. Wine Refrigerators: subzero-wolf.com.
This makeover completely transformed the cramped, poorly functioning kitchen of a 1920s DC row house. Working together, architect Carmel Greer and kitchen designer Davida Rodriguez enlarged the space by removing a pantry and powder room. Their design introduced an open, streamlined floor-plan featuring plenty of space for storage and their clients’ new appliances—including an Urban Cultivator (next to the ovens) that grows herbs and organic greens all year round.
“Opening up space from the front of the house to the back created a dramatic effect,” says Rodriguez. “The vertical lines of the cabinetry add to the drama, drawing the eye up.”
Two-toned contemporary cabinetry and waterfall quartz countertops convey a modern aesthetic, but the project also preserves the home’s original rustic brick and beams. A copper backsplash brings texture and reflectivity into the finished space.
Architecture & Interiors: Carmel Greer, AIA, LEEP AP, District Design, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Davida Rodriguez, CKD, Davida’s Kitchen + Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Contractor: Oscar Tellez, H.I. Contractors LLC, Bethesda, Maryland.
THE DETAILS Brookhaven Cabinets: wood-mode.com. Refrigerator: subzero-wolf.com. Dishwashers & Range: kitchenaid.com. GE Cafe Series Oven: geappliances.com. Hood: mieleusa.com. Urban Cultivator: urbancultivator.net. Chandelier: potterybarn.com.
A small, dark and outdated kitchen made way for this cleverly planned, light-filled redo in Potomac. Though the footprint stayed the same, the new design allows for added workspace and storage.
Says kitchen designer Shannon Kadwell, “The inspiration for this project came from the clients’ love of the European farm kitchen.” A classic Lacanche range from France, as well as honed marble countertops, recall visits to the French countryside.
Tall glass storage cupboards and a butler’s pantry lined with open shelves store necessities within easy reach. Shallow drawers in the seating area under the island stow away linens.
“The island also creates a comfortable resting spot for light meals,” says Kadwell, “and an efficiently functional space for prep and clean-up.”
Architecture: Marian Vaias, AIA; Interior Design: Keira St Claire, Allied ASID; Kitchen Design: Shannon Kadwell, CMKBD, Allied ASID; Lead Carpenter: George Noble; Project Manager: John Botkin; Contractor: Anthony Wilder Design/Build, Cabin John, Maryland.
THE DETAILS Sink: rohlhome.com through ferguson.com. Marble Countertops & Backsplash: marblexinc.com. Cabinets: elmwoodkitchens.com through jackrosen.com. Sub-Zero Refrigerator, Bosch Dishwasher, Vent-a-Hood Hood & Sharp Microwave: adu.com. Visual Comfort Lights: dulleselectric.com.
The first move designer Paul Bentham made in this bathroom remodel was to tear out a lowered ceiling and its fluorescent fixtures that blocked the room’s vaulted skylights—brightening the mood considerably. By ditching a bathtub the owners rarely used, Bentham was able to install floating vanities that face one another. He also added frosted-glass panels to screen the water closet and shower.
“The client wanted to create a calming, spa-like feel with warm wood tones and no jarring or stark color combinations,” explains the designer. Nara beige ceramic wall tiles by Porcelanosa, he adds, “have a wave texture dragging through them to create a beautiful, calming movement.” And concrete-like ceramic floor tile, also from Porcelanosa, complements the stronger taupe of the walls and the darker wood cabinetry.
Bath Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Mike Thornton & Sons, Woodbine, Maryland. Stylist: Charlotte Safavi.
THE DETAILS Vanities: premiercb.com. Medicine Cabinets: robern.com. Countertops: caesarstoneus.com. Sconces: techlighting.com. Sink, Faucets & Toilet: kohler.com. Shower Fixtures: grohe.com/us. Towel Bars: graff-faucets.com. Floor & Shower Tile: porcelanosa-usa.com.
Gone are the vestiges of the dated French Country-style kitchen that came before this clean-lined, minimalist renovation. Designer Sarah Kahn Turner kept the narrow space as open as possible for a husband and wife who both love to cook. She anchored the dual ovens and refrigerator/freezer at the far end of the space, making way for a central island with storage and workspace on either side. Double sinks create separate and efficient zones for prep/clean-up and cooking. A coffee station tucked into the pantry next to the ovens keeps the Caesarstone countertops uncluttered.
The material selection started with handmade backsplash tile by Heath Ceramics. Says the wife, a San Francisco native, “Heath Tile has a quintessential mid-century look—and it originated north of San Francisco, so it reminds me of great times with family.”
Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Contractor: Llaveroes Services LLC, Germantown, Maryland. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
THE DETAILS Cabinets: qualitycabinets.com. Light Fixtures: illuminc.com. Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Freezer & Hood: mieleusa.com. Wolf Range & Double Ovens: fretz.com. Sharp Microwave Drawer: ferguson.com. Caesarstone Countertops: stoneandtileworld.com. Hardware: pushpullhardware.com. Duravit Fixtures: tsomerville.com.
The renovation of a drab and dreary bathroom turned it into a clean-lined oasis. The challenge facing designer Jonas Carnemark was finding a way to accommodate the large shower with multiple fixtures and the design elements his clients wanted without overpowering the modest space, which encompassed a dormer window facing the front yard.
A slender basin sink maintains a low profile over a bamboo towel holder. Above, a mirrored medicine cabinet contains internal lighting and outlets. A separate space to the left houses the WC.
To the right, Carnemark created an oversized shower with a cathedral ceiling and rain-shower fixture. A bench is tucked under the dormer window, which is protected from water by a panel of frosted glass.
A modern material palette prevails, from the quartz sink to the large-format porcelain tile that envelops the entire space and, says Carnemark, “creates congruous warmth throughout.”
Bath Design & Renovation: Jonas Carnemark, CKD, Carnemark design + build, Bethesda, Maryland.
THE DETAILS Floor & Wall Tile: architecturalceramics.com. Sink: silestoneusa.com. Sink, Shower Fixtures, Basin & Towel Rack: kohler.com/us. Medicine Cabinet: maax.com/en.
The redesign of an 1868 Georgetown row house paid homage to the building’s classic origins. Kitchen designer Paul Bentham and architects Ankie Barnes and Matthew Fiehn created a look that would not only reflect the home’s vintage but also make a strong design statement. The cabinetry is finished in black; a matching custom hood above the range creates a focal point under the room’s trio of windows. A white subway-tile backsplash, farmhouse sink and marble countertops lighten the darker tones, as do open shelves that highlight the backsplash behind them.
Bentham designed a large island, also with open shelving at one end, to create a spot for casual meals. Combining brass pendant lights and handcrafted nickel hardware from England, he says, “allowed us to stay up with the trends without being too trendy.”
Architecture: Ankie Barnes, FAIA, LEED AP; Matthew Fiehn, AIA, LEED AP, Barnes Vanze Architects, Washington, DC. Kitchen Design: Paul Bentham, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Builder: Falcon Construction, Rockville, Maryland. Stylist: Charlotte Safavi.
THE DETAILS Cabinetry: qualitycabinets.com. Hood: rangecraft.com. Speed Oven & Dishwasher: mieleusa.com. Range & Refrigerator: subzero-wolf.com. Fixtures: rohlhome.com. Hardware: horton-brasses.com.
This glass-enclosed bath suite, conceived as part of a whole-house renovation, is perched in the treetops of a Northwest DC property. The functional and minimalist design by Mary Douglas Drysdale features separate glass enclosures for the shower and WC, along with a soaking tub, dressing room, coffee station, private deck and even a workspace with a white-lacquered wood desk.
Drysdale instilled a sense of calm and order, deftly connecting the various spaces through a simple yet refined material palette of Thassos marble and matching Caesarstone. This clean, white backdrop also allows the outdoor colors to take center stage.
“I was concerned about privacy even though my client wasn’t,” admits Drysdale. “Our compromise was rollover shutters on windows facing the street side of the home.”
This luxurious suite, which replaced a mundane, 1950s-era bathroom, provides the homeowner with a true escape in her own house.
Interior & Bath Design: Mary Douglas Drysdale, Drysdale, Inc., Washington, DC. Builder: Falcon Construction, Rockville, Maryland.
THE DETAILS Thassos Marble: architecturalceramics.com. Glass: Ultra Clear through showerdoorexperts.com. Vanity: robern.com. Vanity Sink & Soaking Tub: dxv.com.
Empty nesters building a custom home in Bethesda envisioned a kitchen that would revolve around entertaining and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Architect Anne Decker and kitchen designer Sarah Kahn Turner crafted a sophisticated space that would meet these needs and more.
The window side of the kitchen focuses on food prep, with a cooktop and downdraft vent on the island. An adjacent wall of tall, white retractable doors conceals the refrigerator and freezer, a smoothie station with its own fruit-and-vegetable fridge and a steam oven. Opposite the window wall, a wet bar features cabinet doors bound in faux leather. A black-and-white color scheme with unlacquered brass accents creates a French industrial vibe. Hot-rolled-steel shelves echo the metal-frame windows.
Says Kahn Turner, “I love how each component completes the whole. Although there’s a lot going on, the finishes work in harmony.”
Kitchen Design: Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen & Bath, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Architecture: Anne Decker, AIA, Anne Decker Architects, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: Gibson Builders, Washington, DC. Styling: Charlotte Safavi.
THE DETAILS Perimeter & Wet Bar Cabinetry: artcraftkitchens.com. Island Cabinetry: qcci.com. Cooktop, Downdraft Vent, Dishwasher, Steam & Convection Ovens: mieleusa.com. GE Monogram Microwave: ferguson.com. Refrigerators & Freezers: subzero-wolf.com. Countertops: countercollective.com. Metal Shelf Fabrication: akmetalfab.com. Chandelier: lindseyadelman.com. Bar Stools: rhmodern.com. Wallpaper: harlequin.uk.com.
Salsa is blaring and mojitos are flowing on the terrace at Colada Shop, a new DC café where Washingtonians normally on the move trickle in and out as slow as molasses.
This effect is exactly what co-founder Daniella Senior and her partners envisioned when they launched the shop’s first outpost in Sterling, Virginia, last year. “We wanted to create a place where you can hang out all day and have a quick snack, a coffee or a cocktail—not necessarily a whole meal,” explains Senior, who hails from the Dominican Republic. “I miss that so much.”
For inspiration, she and partner Juan Coronado visited Cuba, photographing the faded architecture, the scenery, and the people. Then they worked with Rebecca Bartlett, creative director of San Francisco’s Bartlett Brands, to distill their impressions into a look for the shop.
“Cement tiles were everywhere,” recalls Senior. “We played with all the textures and tried to make it slightly more modern—keeping that sense of nostalgia but in a fun way. We didn’t want to make space look too ‘Disneyland-ish.’”
The finished design incorporates vibrant tiles, weathered wood, and murals of Cuban women who left lasting impressions on the travelers. “They’ve had a harsh life but keep smiling,” says Senior.
The menu takes guests from morning café Cubano and cream-cheese pastelitos to savories such as meat and vegetarian empanadas, croquetas and Cuban sandwiches. Though the bar menus vary by location, DC’s cocktail list includes quenchingly good mojitos, daiquiris and piña coladas.
“The whole goal was to transport people,” says Senior. “We want you to forget you’re in DC.” coladashop.com.
TROPICAL ESCAPE From the beachfront pool to the tranquil spa and yoga for serenity, a soothing vibe prevails at Naman Retreat in Danang, Vietnam. Après swim, guest can hit the links at two neighboring golf courses or explore World Heritage Sites nearby. Accommodations include hotel rooms and private stone-and-bamboo villas. From $265; namanretreat.com
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND As part of a $180 million makeover, a new suite was built atop the InterContinental New York Barclay. Designed by Stonehill & Taylor, the 4,000-square-foot Harold S. Vanderbilt Sky Suite embraces the hotel’s opulent Federalist style throughout its two bedrooms, three baths, sitting area, and private terrace. From $25,000; intercontinentalnybarclay.com
CITY DEBUT The One Barcelona Hotel has opened in the city’s Eixample district. Designer Jaime Beriestain masterminded the interiors of the 89-room property, from public spaces finished in pale marble and oak to luxurious guest rooms featuring electric blinds and original artwork. A gym and rooftop terrace round out the action. From $336; hotelstheone.com
OUT OF MOROCCO Arroz—Mike Isabella’s latest venture, located in the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC—is earning rave reviews for its contemporary spin on the cuisines of Morocco and southern Spain. Interiors by Natalie Park Design Studio evoke Moorish style. Pictured, right, top and bottom: a sherry sour and aged-duck bomba rice. 901 Massachusetts Avenue, NW; 202-869-3300. arrozbymic.com
VIVE LA FRANCE Inspired by French-brasserie style, the new Le DeSales in Dupont Circle features oak beams, custom millwork and a white-stone bar (left). While the décor by Areetoon Jayanan Architecture & Interior Design creates a warm, inviting vibe, the menu focuses on classic French cuisine with a modern twist. Look for foie gras; crudités with anchovy and garlic Hollandaise; and cod with confit turnip, grapes, clams and mustard leaves. The extensive wine list includes nearly 30 options by the glass.1725 DeSales Street, NW; 202-506-6856. ledesales.com
FRESH CATCH An avid fisherman, chef Robert Wiedmaier casts a wide net at Siren (above), his new restaurant in The Darcy hotel near Logan Circle. He and executive chef John Critchley focus on raw-bar offerings, chilled poached seafood, ceviches, sashimi and caviar. With deep-blue leather banquettes (bottom) and mermaid murals, the interiors by StreetSense evoke the mystery of the sea. 1515 Rhode Island Avenue, NW; 202-521-7171. sirenbyrw.com
Kravet has teamed up with the Echo Design Group to create a new line of vibrant fabrics that brings a chic, summery aesthetic to any home near the shore. The Echo Ibiza Indoor/Outdoor Collection includes large-scale suzanis, ikats, paisleys, stripes and whimsical polka dots and mosaics in colorways that range from Tropical Lime, Tangelo and Sea Glass to neutrals such as Beach, Boardwalk, and Gull. The fabrics are designed to withstand heavy use and won’t fade in the sun. Available at the Kravet showroom in the Washington Design Center or via the website curatedkravet.com.
The second edition of Chesapeake Country celebrates the nation’s largest estuary and its environs with stunning images by photographer Lucian Niemeyer and insightful text by journalist Eugene L. Meyer. Brilliantly capturing the Chesapeake’s unique history and scenic towns, architecture, waterman culture, natural beauty and ecology, this volume is sure to inspire both long-time residents and visitors to the region. Abbeville Press, New York, New York, 2015; $49.95.
How do you accentuate a water view in your design projects?
When designing a waterfront home, my general philosophy is less is more. Views should always be the focal point. This is best accomplished in one of two ways.
You can either take your palette from the view beyond the space; incorporating blues, greens and sandy neutrals will lead the eye beyond the room to the outdoor environment. Using neutrals is another effective approach, particularly in a more contemporary design. By keeping the elements of the room simple and color to a minimum, you create a backdrop that allows the views to work as an ever-changing work of art. —Lisa Publicover, Lisa Publicover Interior Design, Annapolis, Maryland
Cabinets: Kitchen Encounters, Annapolis, Maryland. Builder: Riley Custom Homes, Annapolis, Maryland.
