As a child growing up in the Philippines, Charles Almonte kept his Lego and crayon collections close at hand. “I always knew I was going into the creative field,” he explains.
He studied architecture in Manila and earned a master’s degree in historic preservation at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Almonte then landed in DC at an architectural firm, where he specialized in preservation as well as interiors.
“I guess my boss saw something in me,” he recalls. “I kept getting interiors work from her, so I figured I should take exams for architecture and interior design.”
After a stint at Thomas Pheasant, in 2008 Almonte decided to venture out on his own. He says that in his practice today, most projects involve both interior design and construction.
Almonte sees his role as design arbiter. “People know what they like,” he says. “It’s a matter of us helping them execute it. I tell clients, ‘We’re here to guide you and apply principles of design—color, symmetry, and balance—but you have to tell us what you like. Because in the end, you’re going to be living here, not me.’”
Interior Design: Charles Almonte, AIA, ASID, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Ever since she fashioned “rooms” in the bamboo forest near her childhood home in Silver Spring, Kate Ballou knew she wanted to be a designer. Her mother, a ceramics artist, encouraged her to take art courses at the Corcoran during high school and build a portfolio. “I was lucky to have that push from home,” she recalls.
Ballou studied textile design at the Rhode Island School of Design before earning an interior design degree at Parsons. After college, she landed prestigious positions at Matthew Baird Architects in New York and, following a move back to DC, Jacobsen Architecture and Robert Shields Interiors. “I couldn’t have asked for better experience,” she reflects. “I learned very quickly what to do and what not to do.”
Since launching her own studio in 2013, Ballou has completed residential projects and is also designing The Avery Georgeton, a boutique luxury inn opening this fall.
Working with Baird and Jacobsen, both minimalists, shaped Ballou’s design process. “I’ve been trained to look at furniture in a very specific way,” she explains. “I like basic forms and that definitely stems from those influences.”
Interior Design: Kate Ballou, Hendrick Interiors, Washington, DC. Photography: Aboudi Kabbani.
When Nicole Lanteri first began dating her future husband, she waited a month or two before helping him fix up his New York apartment. “I got him new furniture too and, unbeknownst to him, matched it to mine in case things worked out,” recalls Lanteri, who was a corporate lawyer at the time.
Things did work out. But after practicing law for five years, Lanteri decided to make a career change and dove into interior design. “I’ve always been into design and spatial arrangements and had an appreciation for how good space can make you feel,” she says. The couple moved to an Arlington loft which Lanteri decorated, and in 2009 she founded her eponymous design firm.
She did her first job for free. “It was an amazing feeling to help someone with their space,” she recalls. “My client cried, just like on TV.”
Lanteri brings a playful, modern aesthetic to her work. “I make each space feel like the client,” she reflects. “One of the best compliments I can get is when someone says, ‘This doesn’t look a designer came in and did my house. This looks like the best version of me.’”
Interior Design: Nicole Lanteri, Nicole Lanteri Design, Arlington, Virginia.
Liza Holder entered the design field almost by accident. It all started when the former lawyer and healthcare-policy consultant began decorating her family’s new Bethesda home. “Oddly enough,” she recalls, “I became obsessed with Etsy when we moved and I was buying artwork for our home.”
Holder saw an opportunity and started to sell her curated Etsy finds at trunk shows. Customers loved her taste and asked her to help them fix up a room or two in their homes. Before she knew it, she had quit her day job and launched Homegrown Decor.
Two and a half years later, Holder helps clients design interiors that reflect every member of the family. “I go in wanting to understand who the family is—not just the person who called me,” she explains. “And I design for reality, understanding what people’s busy lives are like but also that they want to love where they live.
“When you walk into your home, that’s your refuge and your escape,” Holder continues. “That’s where you should be the happiest and the most comfortable. It has to be able to be dressed up when you have people over, but live for real life every day.”
Interior Design: Liza Holder, Homegrown Decor, LLC, Bethesda, Maryland.
If the mark of a successful landscape is that it looks as though it’s been in place forever, then Scott Brinitzer’s recent project in McLean, Virginia, fits the bill. The landscape architect organized a quarter-acre of empty front and back lawns into a lush retreat with inviting living areas, colorful beds and secret gardens connected by stone pathways.
Brinitzer had several challenges to overcome. One was blending the house—newly built on a teardown lot—into its neighborhood of 1940s-era homes. An “intermediate bed” in the front yard planted with liriope, Miami crape myrtle and Endless Summer hydrangea softens the façade and affords privacy; it shields a lawn where the owners’ two children play volleyball and badminton.
Another goal was to mediate a steep slope from the front entryway walk to the driveway, which leads to a lower-level garage. Indiana limestone steppers now connect the driveway to a new front walk. “The children love to run up and down the steps,” says Brinitzer.
In the backyard, a spacious terrace encompasses an outdoor kitchen and dining area, a fireplace and a seating area. A custom iron trellis enveloped in wisteria defines the space and, as Brinitzer explains, “gives overhead ‘protection’ to the big, open area.”
Adjacent to the terrace, a laurel hedge conceals a vegetable patch where the kids experiment with new crops every spring. In addition to this “special hidden nook,” says Brinitzer, a pea gravel walk leads through beds of ornamental grasses to a 30-foot-square play lawn “large enough for a good soccer game.”
Brinitzer, who carefully planned the project to evolve for generations to come, takes pride in how much joy the kids derive from it. “This garden is meant for roasting s’mores in the fireplace and digging in the dirt,” he says. “It’s meant to be enjoyed and not just looked at.”
Photographer Roger Foley is based in Arlington.
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE: SCOTT BRINITZER, Scott Brinitzer Design Associates, Arlington, Virginia.
Golfers looking to combine a few rounds with a relaxing holiday might consider the Golf Escape package at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa, and Marina in Cambridge, Maryland. The package includes unlimited golf for two on the resort’s 18-hole, waterfront course designed by Keith Foster, cart rental, club storage and rental and discounted golf lessons. After hitting the links, golfers can unwind in the spa or Water’s Edge Grill—one of seven dining spots on the property. The package starts at $289 through December 31. 410-901-1234; chesapeakebay.hyatt.com
Chef Robert Wiedmaier (Marcel’s, Brasserie Beck) has opened an outpost of his Mussel Bar & Grille in Baltimore’s Harbor East. Recalling nightspots of the chef’s native Brussels, the new restaurant features a bar serving a wide selection of craft and Belgian beers. General manager Pete Stalla presides over the restaurant that dishes up fresh Cove mussels from Washington State prepared in a variety of ways, along with appetizers such as pepper- and coriander-grilled rare ahi tuna, soups, salads and entrées. 1350 Lancaster Street; 410-946-6726. musselbar.com
For more than a century, the Baltimore Harbor Light has served as a beacon for ships entering Maryland’s largest port. More recently, the historic lighthouse guided DC architect Cynthia Shoup Schiffrin in the design of a weekend getaway on the nearby shore. In 2011, Schiffrin and her husband discovered a waterfront property near Annapolis and fell in love with its views of the Magothy River at its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay. A fisherman’s cottage on the lot posed too many problems to be a candidate for renovation, so they decided to tear it down and build anew.
The modern home Schiffrin designed pays homage to the lighthouse—as well as its estuary habitat—in more ways than one. “My goal was to build something simple that didn’t put any more strain on the environment than was necessary,” she says.
Based on county regulations, the size of the new house was limited to 2,500 square feet. Despite its compact footprint, Schiffrin managed to create an open, airy structure, completed last year. A central, two-story volume houses a living, dining and kitchen space, while a lofted area above forms a raised section in the roof that echoes the lighthouse shape. “I love looking at the lighthouse,” Schiffrin explains. “The house is oriented to acknowledge it and capture the warmth of the winter sun. Meanwhile, the center section is a gesture towards our own lighthouse.”
Schiffrin and her husband, who have a teenage son, purchased the property jointly with her brother and sister-in-law, who have two kids in their 20s. So her design needed to accommodate all seven family members comfortably. She created two identical master suites with private baths for the couples—one on the ground floor and the other directly above. Two additional bedrooms include one shared by Schiffrin’s son and nephew and another for her niece. A TV room on the main level with a sleep sofa welcomes guests.
Getaways to the house revolve around the outdoors, especially in balmy weather. A screened porch off the kitchen with a sundeck above and an expansive rear deck overlooking the pool provide plenty of al fresco options. “We spend as much time outside as possible,” affirms the architect. “In the summer, we eat most meals on the screened porch. And we also like to sit down on the dock.”
Committed to designing a sustainable home, Schiffrin adhered to the principles of Passivhaus, a German building standard she discovered at a recent American Institute of Architects conference. “The concept is to build a house that is highly insulated, airtight and makes use of passive heating and cooling,” she explains. Before construction began, Schiffrin hired Baltimore-based salvage company Second Chance to dismantle the cottage and recycle as much material as possible. Wood was used instead of steel in every support beam and roof truss in the new home since steel can cause condensation that leads to mold. The house is oriented for passive solar heating, with large, operable windows taking advantage of natural ventilation. In addition to a highly insulated roof and walls, Schiffrin employed an exterior layer of mineral wool insulation. “Almost like a jacket,” she says, “it cuts down on heat gain and loss.” The white rubber roof reflects heat and triple-glazed Intus windows provide airtight seals.
Outdoors, Schiffrin converted the existing pool from chlorine to saltwater to minimize the use of chemicals and selected native plants in the landscape. A rain garden filters runoff before it flows into the bay.
The families now enjoy the house in all seasons. Whether she’s relaxing in the loft space or the hot tub, Schiffrin loves watching vessels passing on the water. “We get cruise ships, container ships and sailboats coming by,” she says. “We’ve all been captivated by the ever-changing moods of the water and the sun. The colors of the house were chosen to reflect those various moods.”
Schiffrin, whose architecture practice has focused primarily on non-residential work, had never designed a house before this one. Despite what she describes as a “learning curve” during the design phase, the outcome was familiar. “I really enjoyed coming out here during construction and our contractor, Rich Lang, was a terrific collaborator,” she recalls. “It was so exciting seeing the house come to life. That’s one of the things I enjoy most about being an architect—seeing something you’ve done on paper become reality.”
Judy Davis is a principal at Hoachlander Davis Photography in DC.
ARCHITECTURE: CYNTHIA SHOUP SCHIFFRIN, AIA, Washington, DC. STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: Keast & Hood Co., Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: RICH LANG, Lang, and Company, Arnold, Maryland.
There’s nothing more relaxing than a day spent cruising the Chesapeake. Watermark offers a variety of motorized cruises and private charters on a fleet of 13 vessels embarking in Annapolis and Baltimore, from early spring to fall. Its flagship, 95-foot Catherine Marie, accommodates up to 240 guests in style for private catered events. Scheduled public cruises include a jaunt to watch Annapolis’s Wednesday evening regattas and a trip to view a Blue Angels show. cruisesonthebay.com; yachtchartersonthebay.com
1. FRONTGATE'S CAPTAIN'S TABLE
Yacht Entertaining Collection sets a classic nautical tone. Its beverage tub ($399), ice bucket with lid ($299) and serving tray ($279) boast exterior wood panels and stainless-steel handles reminiscent of boat cleats. frontgate.com
2. TOUCH OF THE SEA
Sur La Table’s Seaside Starfish Servers ($9.95) conjure up a day on the sand. The melamine pieces are durable and dishwasher-proof, making them ideal for easy meals all season long. surlatable.com
3. MARINE SCENE
Pottery Barn’s Playa Sea Life napkins ($28 for a mixed set of four) celebrate denizens of the deep. Made of a cotton-linen blend, the 20-inch squares are the perfect complement to a seafood feast. potterybarn.com
4. LIGHT MY FIRE
The Starfish ($14.95) and Sea Urchin ($10.95) tea-light candleholders from Crate & Barrel create a romantic touch on any tabletop. Made of textured aluminum, they accommodate a standard votive or tea-light candle. crateandbarrel.com
5. BOWLED OVER
Jonathan Adler’s Large Fish Bowl ($198), made of high-fired stoneware, doubles as a playful serving piece or accessory. Other members of the school include its Small ($98) and Medium ($148) siblings. jonathanadler.com
Built in the 1770s in the heart of Annapolis’s historic district near the Naval Academy, The Annapolis Inn coddles guests in period style. Its three stately guest rooms are appointed with European linens, tapestries and antiques. They also boast luxurious bathrooms, including the bath in the Murray Suite featuring a whirlpool tub, vanity topped with Botticino marble and imported gilded mirrors. Three-course breakfasts served in the elegant dining room may include homemade scones with clotted cream, fresh fruit and entrées of your choice. 144 Prince George Street; 410- 295-5200. Rates from $259. annapolisinn.com
The owner of a new custom home on the Magothy River wanted a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces—and the master bathroom was no exception. Architect Scarlett Breeding and the design team created a spa-like retreat where the stone and glass-tile shower opens directly to a matching outdoor shower and a hot tub with an expansive water view.
Inside the bath, two identical vanity areas are separated by a hall leading to facing master closets. In addition to the glass-enclosed shower, there is also a glass-enclosed water closet. Strategically placed glass panels and high windows provide light, air, and privacy. Fixtures by Holly Hunt add dimension.
Casework made by Premier Custom-Built is seamlessly integrated into the architecture—plinths of German raked-oak that soften planes of stone, glass, and steel employed throughout the home. Vanities in Macassar ebony cleverly eliminate clutter as do mirrored medicine cabinets that swivel open to reveal storage shelves.
ARCHITECTURE: Scarlett Breeding, AIA, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: Helen Sullivan, Helen Sullivan Interiors, Washington, DC. BUILDER: Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland. CABINETS: Premier Custom-Built, New Holland, Pennsylvania. STONE: R. Bratti, Alexandria, Virginia. TILE: Sonoma Tilemakers. FIXTURES: Alape and Frattini.
During the refurbishment of their client’s 165-foot, Dutch-made Feadship yacht, architect Scarlett Breeding, and project manager Richard Anuszkiewicz were presented with a design challenge: to create a striking centerpiece in the main salon featuring a media center on one side and a refrigerated wine display and serving station on the other. At its core, the unit would need to house electronic and mechanical systems, including custom-designed marine refrigeration and media controls. If that weren’t challenging enough, the team also had to engineer a way to secure 150 bottles of wine in high seas.
The finished project packages technology with materials that complement the yacht’s elegant interiors. On the media side, the unit boasts a fumed eucalyptus chest trimmed in polished stainless steel. A screen can be raised for viewing TV and movies or lowered to expose an antiqued-glass mirror backdrop. On the dining side, bottles are secured on mirrored, floor-to-ceiling shelves. Drawers in the piece’s side panels stow away table settings, linens, and serving pieces.
CUSTOM CASEWORK: Scarlett Breeding, AIA, and Richard Anuszkiewicz, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: Patrick Knowles, Patrick Knowles Designs, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. CABINETS: Premier Custom-Built, New Holland, Pennsylvania. TILE: Ann Sacks. PHOTOS: Billy Black.
Homeowners with an inefficient builder-grade kitchen hired designer Davida Rodriguez to renovate the space. The clients’ primary goals were to upgrade the cabinetry, create a clean-lined aesthetic that would still blend well with their home’s traditional interiors and add an area for wine storage.
Rodriguez reconfigured the layout, moving the cooktop from the center island onto an L-shaped wall also housing the sink, dishwasher, and cabinetry. The opposite wall features dual ovens, a large stainless-steel refrigerator, and a separate wine refrigerator, above which cabinets with glass doors store glasses in easy view. A new island with a Taj Mahal quartzite top is now dedicated to food prep.
Rodriguez created a focal point with a backsplash of Encore custom-blended mosaic tile in a fence pattern above the cooktop. The rest of the L-shaped wall is covered in smoky-hued handmade tile. The countertops and backsplash on the dry bar, clad in the same quartzite as the island, beautifully complete the kitchen’s new look.
KITCHEN DESIGN: Davida Rodriguez, Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland. STONE FABRICATOR: The Paradise Stone, Elkridge, Maryland. TILE: Encore Ceramics, Rockville, Maryland. CABINETRY: Brookhaven. Appliances: Thermador. HOOD: Zephyr. WINE COOLER: Perlick.
On a visit to Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, a homeowner and her interior designer, Mindy Tarzy, were drawn to a display juxtaposing two styles of cabinetry: Brookhaven cabinets in an off-white glaze and modern Wood-Mode cabinets in a charcoal finish. “The owner had requested a ‘California contemporary’ look,” recalls kitchen designer Davida Rodriguez. “I knew that the combination would give her exactly what she desired.”
Using the complementary shades and styles of cabinets as a starting point, Rodriguez and Tarzy selected porcelain floor tiles resembling travertine, Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and a subtle ceramic backsplash tile to complete the material palette.
The finished plan functions well for the owners’ large, busy family. Keeping clutter at bay was a priority, so full-height tambour doors conceal small appliances. On the free-form island with a waterfall edge, a raised bar top serves meals on the go. The island is also equipped with pop-up outlets for charging laptops and phones. Stainless-steel appliances add an industrial element to the mix.
KITCHEN DESIGN: Davida Rodriguez, Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: Mindy Tarzy, Donley’s Design, Rockville, Maryland. CABINETS: Brookhaven and Wood-Mode. TILES: Encore Ceramics. PENDANTS & APPLIANCES: Existing.
In the design of his modern home on the Magothy River near Annapolis, the owner envisioned a kitchen as clean-lined and precise in design as the rest of the house. Architect Scarlett Breeding heeded his request for a minimalist, European-style kitchen in which all of the appliances, millwork, and surfaces would be seamlessly integrated. Working closely with interior designer Helen Sullivan, Premier Custom-Built cabinet-makers and Pyramid Builders, Breeding succeeded in realizing the client’s vision. Along one side of the kitchen, appliances are built into a massive fireplace wall. On the other side, the Gaggenau cooktop virtually disappears as it’s built flush into stainless-steel counters. A thick slab of solid quartzite covers the center island and wine chills in an adjacent butler’s pantry.
The kitchen celebrates the waterfront scenery in many ways, from its easy access to the indoor-outdoor dining pavilion and patio to the window that swivels open as a pass-through
to an al fresco grill.
ARCHITECTURAL CASEWORK: Scarlett Breeding, AIA, Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. INTERIOR DESIGN: Helen Sullivan, Helen Sullivan Interiors, Washington, DC. BUILDER: Pyramid Builders, Annapolis, Maryland. CABINETS: Premier Custom-Built, New Holland, Pennsylvania. STONE: R. Bratti, Alexandria, Virginia. TILE: Walker Zanger. STOVE & OVENS: Gaggenau. REFRIGERATION: Sub-Zero. ESPRESSO MACHINE: Miele.
