A new 10,995-square-foot aerie clad in slate and handmade brick enjoys panoramic vistas of the Severn River. Architect David Neumann took inspiration from the William Paca and James Brice homes, both 18th-century, Georgian-style residences in nearby Annapolis. He adapted the plans to the waterfront site, noting, “It is largely one-room deep, allowing all major rooms to have light and views in two or more directions.”

Custom builder Winchester completed the project, which required a high level of craftsmanship. “Subtle, handcrafted detailing captures the historic context,” says project manager Mike Campbell. In the primary bedroom, custom bay windows by Tradewood are equipped with automated Lutron shades.

Interior designer Mary Nelson Barnett embraced the clients’ request for a peaceful retreat. “The Iatesta Studio bed is oriented so that the water is the first thing the owners see in the morning,” she enthuses. “And a chaise by Hickory Chair adds a relaxing spot for reading.” A light and airy color palette plays up the surrounding scene.

The owners of a cottage-style home overlooking Spa Creek in Annapolis called on McHale Landscape Design of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to design and maintain the grounds of their one-third-acre property. Landscape architect Steve McHale drew up a plan that accentuates water vistas while strategically screening neighboring homes for privacy. A plunge pool and spa are nestled next to the home while an inviting lawn, mature trees and ornamental beds line the shore.

“The plant selection for this location primarily consists of salt-tolerant species that can withstand strong winds coming off the water, including fragrant viburnum and Nikko blue hydrangea,” says McHale. “One challenge is winter weather, as evergreen shrubs are susceptible to winter burn. However, since most of the landscape consists of perennials, this is largely mitigated.”

Eco-friendly measures protect the estuary environment. “We filled a dry creek bed on the left of the property with River Jacks gravel to slow runoff and promote infiltration,” he adds. Led by Emily McHale Pike, the maintenance team adheres to a largely organic turf program to avoid chemical runoff.

Potted red geraniums, the owners’ favorite annual, add a bold splash of color. In the surrounding beds, a verdant blend of Schip laurel and boxwood are surrounded by daylilies, echinacea and lacecap hydrangea. “The clients ask us to leave spent flowers on flowering plants,” notes Pike. “They attract song birds that are regular visitors to the property.”

The new owners of a weekend retreat on the Wye River in Queenstown, Maryland, needed help transforming the once-unremarkable, five-acre grounds into an inviting oasis where they could entertain friends and family. They tapped landscape architect Michael Prokopchak of Annapolis-based Walnut Hill Landscape Company to orchestrate a master plan that encompasses a reimagined front driveway, a pool, a large patio with a firepit and a cabana complete with guest quarters—all positioned to capitalize on water views. Throughout the property, masses of shrubs, perennials and grasses were thoughtfully planted to provide year-round color and texture.

Prokopchak and team worked with local authorities to minimize the project’s impact on the river and its delicate estuary environment. “From the outset, it was crucial to navigate the intricate permitting process while ensuring the design met the client’s expectations for a stunning, functional retreat,” he recalls. For instance, native species including Virginia sweetspire, hibiscus, mountain mint, purple coneflowers and sweetbay magnolia were planted to mitigate runoff, stabilize the soil and meet requirements to increase the lot’s plant coverage.

The end result, observes Prokopchak, “stands as a testament to the delicate balance that must be struck between development and preservation, proving that with thoughtful design and careful planning, it is possible to create a space that satisfies both regulatory requirements and client aspirations.”

Though their hillside cottage afforded sweeping views of the Magothy River, its residents were concerned about erosion on the steep waterfront embankment. They enlisted Hyattsville-based Clinton + Ries Landscape Architects to remedy the situation. “With extreme rain events becoming more frequent due to climate change, the slope posed a danger and contributed to significant sheet flow into the river,” recalls landscape architect Kate Ries.

She and project manager Xing Chen proposed planting the backyard with a native meadow, which would not only solve the erosion problem but also boost visual appeal. A small “sunset terrace” mid-slope features a spot for lounging.

Now complete, the program treads lightly on the protected, quarter-acre site, where re-grading and major construction are prohibited by the county. Implemented and maintained by Walnut Hill Landscape Company, the meadow now lures surrounding flora and fauna. “Pollinators are naturally attracted to the new habitat,” says Chen. “What was once a blank expanse of lawn now is a colorful swath of native perennials that can be enjoyed from inside the house and the water as well.”

The project may reap other rewards too. “Many people may not know that you can achieve a wide array of colors and interest through native perennial planting,” Ries reflects. “Educating others is a lesser- recognized benefit of this project.”

Located in Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley, Longwood Gardens is home to 1,100 acres of formal landscapes, woodlands and meadows. A recent, 17-acre expansion offers day-trippers yet another reason to visit this gem founded more than a century ago by industrialist Pierre S. du Pont.

A centerpiece of the $250 million project is the West Conservatory, a new, 32,000-square-foot glasshouse designed by the New York firm Weiss/Manfredi. Noted for its asymmetrical, crystalline roof forms, the building appears to float on a pool of water.

“The structure’s pleated roof, branching columns and tapered perspectives extend the marriage of architecture and horticulture that is intrinsic to Longwood’s identity,” says principal architect Marion Weiss. Geothermal heating and cooling and a passive ventilation system that tempers fresh air are among the project’s sustainability initiatives.

Inside, an immersive Mediterranean Garden designed by New England-based Reed Hilderbrand invites visitors to walk among islands, pools, canals and fountains. Sixty species of plants, from agaves and aloes to cypress and bay laurel, flourish in the permanent installation.

“The West Conservatory’s Mediterranean Garden celebrates the particular beauty of species that thrive in that region’s dry climate,” says Kristin Frederickson, a principal of Reed Hilderbrand, “expanding understanding of one of our planet’s most diverse ecozones and its beauty, mutability and resilience.”

TABLE TALK Made in Italy, the Venus dining table by Cantoni marries a sculptural base wrapped in leather with an oblong, ceramic-stone top. Find at the brand’s Upper Georgetown showroom; cantoni.com

THREE’S COMPANY The Audra sectional in creamy bouclé invites guests to lounge in style on three adjoining modules. On offer at the new Vivere Luxury shop in Tysons. vivereluxury.com

EASY RIDER Giorgetti and Maserati unveiled a furniture collab at Milan Design Week. The debut includes the sleek Lorelei armchair, composed of two shells that echo the profile of car seats. At Salus Homes in Bethesda; salus-homes.com

STONE AGE Designed by the Dutch firm Dozsa & van Dalfsen, the Eki Table Lamp casts a subtle glow through an orb made of Carrara or Rosso Levanto marble. Find at Lignet Roset in Friendship Heights. lignet-roset.com

CAFÉ CULTURE Italian designer Francesco Favaretto’s Blitz chair for Bernhardt reinterprets the classic café chair. It’s made of ash in an array of finishes. bernhardt.com

MUM’S THE WORD The 39-inch-tall Yume vase in spray-enameled clay is emblazoned with a hand-applied chrysanthemum transfer. Available at Roche Bobois in DC and Tysons. roche-bobois.com

PERFECT FIT Jean-Marie Massaud’s Ernest tables for Poliform can be used individually or fitted together like a puzzle. Options include solid wood, marble or travertine. In Cady’s Alley; poliform.it

A Mediterranean Revival manse built in 1910 captured the fancy of potential buyers on a tour with their architect, Christian Zapatka. But beyond its stucco façade, carved-limestone balustrade and stately entry hall, chinks in the armor emerged. Among them: compromised bearing walls, a dank and unlivable basement and a 1980s-era solarium ready to fall apart.

“It was probably the first time on a go-see that I said, ‘I need to return with my structural engineer,’” Zapatka recalls.

Nevertheless, Jackson Palmer and Ron Martin could see beyond the red flags. “We felt confident we could transform the Kalorama property into an elegant, gracious home that would be an artistic expression of who we are,” Palmer notes. “The rooms are large for a Washington row house and its scale allows for a lot of light.”

The twosome, both attorneys, closed the deal and enlisted Zapatka and Peterson + Collins builders to reimagine and expand the four-story grand dame while respecting its pedigree. The owners envisioned “a club house” where they could easily host casual get-togethers and formal functions indoors and out. Also on the wish list: a light-filled apartment for Palmer’s octogenarian mother, Barbara.

No stranger to preserving historical Washington residences, Zapatka took a learned approach. His sweeping makeover shored up shortcomings and subtracted flaws, including the flimsy conservatory out back. A full basement excavation raised six-and-a-half-foot ceilings to a standard eight. And a new rear addition introduced a basement bedroom, ground-floor kitchen/family room and a rooftop terrace serving the primary suite.

“A lot of heavy lifting went into making it a usable house and giving us a really good, workable envelope for the interior overlay,” contends the architect.

In 2021, the owners finally moved into the now-4,500-square-foot home with Barbara, their two Corgis—and very little furniture from their former Georgetown digs. After an introduction by Zapatka, they hired DC interior designer Tom Preston on the spot.

Preston got to work developing a layered plan that would tap into his clients’ love of color, modern art and playful yet sophisticated style. “We tried to give them a traditional shell because the house is kind of neoclassical,” he observes. “I built on that with a fusion of modern pieces mixed with antiques. This juxtaposition sparks a dialogue among periods and styles and creates something unique rather than run of the mill.”

Case in point is the foyer, where an 18th-century Italian settée cloaked in fuchsia wool is flanked by a mid-century chrome side table and an oversized Gaetano Pesce vase made of rubber. Mod Fornasetti wallpaper and a high-wattage Missoni rug for Stark pump up the volume.

To fashion such a mélange, Preston channeled the idea of a 1970s apartment in Paris. “It involves Old World boiserie and plasterwork on the walls and antique pieces that may have been accumulated by a family, mixed in with some modern curveballs,” muses the designer, who is also an antiques dealer.

In the living room, original window casings and crisp crown molding play backup to an eclectic mix of furnishings and art. The space combines a green, abstract painting, a geometric Design Within Reach rug and antique French chairs covered in a 1940s Josef Frank motif. Meanwhile, the room’s original fireplace mantel received a coat of bright-yellow paint.

“Jackson and Ron have an exuberant sense of color,” says Preston. “I love color too, but I had to reel them in a bit.” The designer envisioned the dining room, awash in coral, as a “nighttime jewel box,” its ceiling burnished in a Champagne glaze from Modern Masters. A Paul Evans table and chrome sideboard, vintage Italian chairs and a striking abstract in blue by Power Boothe conjure a glam, post-modern vibe.

The updated floor plan extends sightlines from the foyer and living room back to the open family room/kitchen. A stair hall separates spaces on the living room side while the dining room sits between the foyer and the new kitchen, decked out in marine blue Waterworks cabinetry.

Zapatka salvaged the original staircase, where natural light streams in from a skylight above. Stairs lead to the walkout basement, the second floor’s library and primary suite, and a guest room and home office on the third level. An elevator connects the basement and ground floor.

Benjamin Moore’s Downpour Blue drenches the primary suite, anchored by a French Moderne-style bed in ivory leather. An alcove screened by Brunschwig & Fils drapery opens to a garden terrace extending the full 22-foot width of the house—as does the library.

In that clubby space, Zapatka established order with a bank of low cabinets that neatly envelops existing radiators. “It provides storage, but also creates a cohesive visual line,” says the architect. Residents can read on the window seats or the cozy Lewis Mittman sofa. A Jacob Kainen painting pops on a wall saturated in glossy green.

Musing on their home’s bold palette, Palmer explains, “People are often shocked by our use of color. But pattern and color are hallmarks of our style. They may remind us of a place that is meaningful, or harken the memory of a loved one.”

The owners are delighted with their home’s dramatic transformation. As Palmer reflects, “When you use interior design to honor parts of your life—and lives together—it consciously and subconsciously brings you joy.”

THROUGHOUT
Drapery Fabrication: Goncalves & Sons; 703-528-5272. Front Window & Door Restoration: thecraftsmengroup.com. Rear Windows & Doors: loewen.com.

FOYER
Wallpaper: fornasetti.com. Rug: missoni.com through starkcarpet.com. Antique Italian Bench: averydash.com. Pillows: pierrefrey.com; bellafreud.com. Table: goodwooddc.com. Mirror: roomandboard.com. Prints, Sculpture, Pedestal & Table Lamps: thomasprestoninteriors.com. Console Table: martinandbrockett.com. Murano Glass Chandelier: 1stdibs.com. Ceiling Paint: Iceberg by benjaminmoore.com. Front Door Paint: Brinjal by farrow-ball.com.

LIVING ROOM
Rug: dwr.com. Sofas: jonathanadler.com. Coffee Table: chairish.com. Wall Paint: Stonington Gray by benjaminmoore.com. Ceiling Paint: Iceberg by benjaminmoore.com. Painting: Owners’ Collection. Side Table & Table Lamp: thomasprestoninteriors.com. Antique French Chairs: jean-pierreantiques.com. Fabric on Antique Chairs: Josef Frank. Fireplace Marble: rbratti.com. Mantle Paint: Lemon by benjaminmoore.com. Art Above Fireplace: Owners’ Collection. Metal Table: Vintage. Roman Shade Fabric: pierrefrey.com. Pillow Fabric: saved-ny.com; fornasetti.com.

DINING ROOM
Wall Paint: Fan Coral by benjaminmoore.com. Table & Sideboard: Paul Evans. Chandelier: rh.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Chairs: chairish.com. Blue Painting: Power Boothe. Benches & Sconces: vintage. Mirror: thomasprestoninteriors.com.

FAMILY ROOM
Wallpaper: cwstockwell.com. Sofa & Sofa Fabric: m2l.com. Twin Tables: chairish.com. Side Table & Rug: thomasprestoninteriors.com. Table Lamp: vintage.

KITCHEN
Cabinets & Hardware: waterworks.com. Cabinet Paint: Slate Teal by benjaminmoore.com. Wall & Ceiling Paint: Morning Sky Blue by benjaminmoore.com. Marble: rbratti.com. Stools: roomandboard.com. Pendants & Plumbing Fixtures: visualcomfort.com.

TERRACE
Custom Railing Design: christianzapatkaarchitect.com. Table & Chairs: rh.com.

STAIR
Wall Color: Stonington Gray by benjaminmoore.com. Painting: Owners’ Collection. Runner: missoni.com through starkcarpet.com. Sconce: kellywearstler.com.

PRIMARY BEDROOM
Bed: Mariette Himes Gomez for hickorychair.com. Lamps: hollyhunt.com. Night Tables: thomasprestoninteriors.com. Curtain & Roman Shade Fabric: Brunschwig & Fils for kravet.com. Ceiling Fixture: visualcomfort.com. Rug: starkcarpet.com. Paint: Downpour Blue by benjaminmoore.com. Art & Floor Lamp: Owners’ Collection. Bedding: missoni.com. Leather Chairs: 1stdibs.com. Chest of Drawers: jonathanadler.com.

LIBRARY
Paint: Amazon Moss and Lavender Ice by benjaminmoore.com. Roman Shade Fabric: kravet.com. Table, Cocktail Table, Table Lamp & Chair Fabric: thomasprestoninteriors.com. Chairs: vintage. Sofa & Sofa Fabric: ferrellmittman.com. Rug: Custom design by thomasprestoninteriors.com for missoni.com through starkcarpet.com. Armchair & Pillow Fabric: kravet.com. Blue Painting: davidbell.art. Art: Jacob Kainen through hemphillartworks.com.

A two-bedroom unit in The Representative, a 1970s-era high-rise in Arlington, checked all the boxes for Ken Kero-Mentz and Neil Cannon. Downsizing from a home in DC’s Mount Pleasant, the couple sought a roomy pied-à-terre in a building with a 24-hour concierge, pool, gym and prime location near Metro and the airport.

Icing on the cake were “amazing views of the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the Potomac,” says Kero-Mentz, a retired foreign service officer.

But a less than optimal floorplan and outdated interiors cried for help. Despite enviable views, the apartment’s front door deposited guests at a dark, dead-end wall. Meanwhile, six-foot-wide French doors exposed the guest room directly to the living area. In the lackluster kitchen, a secondary entry door dominated one wall. And as for overhead lighting, there was none.

The owners acquired the property and soon enlisted architect/interior designer Charles Almonte to remedy the layout and refresh its dated aesthetic. He devised a plan that would largely gut the 1,600-square-foot home and instill it with better flow and functionality, lighting and storage. “Ken and Neil like to entertain and envisioned an open-concept scheme that would make the condo feel more spacious,” says the designer. “I wanted to go with a ‘Mad Men’ vibe in a nod to the modern architecture of the Brutalist structure.”

After investigating which walls could be altered without affecting building utilities, Almonte made some sweeping changes. “We removed a partition separating the entry and living area, which brought in daylight and views,” he explains. “We also closed off the doorway between the guest quarters and living room and took out a wall between the dining area and kitchen, creating the illusion of a larger space.”

Interior architecture and material selection also did the trick, establishing a clean slate where the owners’ furniture and art collections could shine. Old wall-to-wall carpet and glossy tiles gave way to pale, cork floors. “Cork makes the interiors feel brighter and more spacious—and provides sound insulation,” Almonte observes. Slatted-wood panels embellishing walls in the dining area and kitchen also reduce ambient noise; interior doors were stained to match the panels. “I chose these warm, natural elements so the apartment wouldn’t feel too stark,” says the designer.

Clever lighting solutions preserved crisp, new drywall ceilings that replaced passé popcorn. “We didn’t want extensive overhead lighting and since the building is concrete construction, we couldn’t really drill through the ceilings anyway,” Almonte reasons. “On walls and ceilings, we opted instead for recessed or embedded linear LED lights that only needed one inch of space.” Inlaid LED strips animate new hallways leading to the bedrooms. The system allows the owners to control lighting levels and colors to match their mood and even connects with their Spotify account to sync lights with their music playlists.

The redo also upped the ante in the now-sleek and efficient kitchen. German-made FORM cabinets in deep green and white rim the U-shaped space. Three-dimensional backsplash tiles reminiscent of tiny fish add playful movement. “The kitchen is a dream to work in—highly functional with everything just where it needs to be, whether we’re cooking meals for friends and family or just the two of us,” says Cannon, a retired attorney. A perch on the far-right countertop serves as a mini-office, with computer gear concealed behind closed cabinet doors.

In the nearby powder room, shades of green spring up on Farrow & Ball wallpaper that marries geometric and bamboo motifs. “We picked up the green from the kitchen and then found a sculptural, contemporary-looking vanity online,” says Almonte, who also revamped the home’s primary and guest baths.

Sleek, low-slung furniture helps realize the ‘Mad Men’ vision. An iconic Warren Platner table for Knoll and vintage Saarinen Tulip chairs make a statement in the dining room. In the living area, mid-century-style pieces from the clients’ previous residence, mostly sourced at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, create several conversation vignettes. “I wanted to convey a loungey feel in the living room,” Almonte explains. “Color-wise, we kept it neutral because they have a lot of artwork.”

The residents, who also share a second home in Europe, are thrilled with their Arlington aerie. “Charles was instrumental in helping us accomplish our goals, particularly because we have divergent styles,” Cannon admits. “Ken’s take was traditional and eclectic, while I preferred a minimalist, modern approach. Charles was able to integrate those visions, helping us create welcoming interiors with some groovy, ’70s Mod influences.”
Kero-Mentz concurs, “It’s the place we look forward to returning to every time we’re away.”

DRAWING BOARD
Q&A with architect/designer Charles Almonte

How do you determine if a condo is a good candidate for renovation? 
Condo units have shared duct chases, plumbing walls, etc., so moving and reconfiguring walls needs to be carefully considered. We typically ask for blueprints so we can trace where utilities are located.

What’s your secret to narrowing down tile selections? 
I tell clients to visit brick-and-mortar stores to see and feel tiles and take lots of photos. Then I help narrow down the options based on their style, preferences and lifestyle.

Identify amenities you recommend splurging on in a makeover. 
The architect in me says find the best general contractor you can afford. With a skilled, creative and communicative contractor, everything will fall into place. The interior designer in me says well-made cabinets, appliances and plumbing fixtures are always worth a splurge.

About to outgrow their townhouse, a couple of Italian expats with one youngster and a baby on the way set out to find larger digs in the District. A 1980s-era center hall Colonial in Spring Valley struck their fancy for its kid-friendly neighborhood, just-big-enough proportions and abundance of natural light. “We saw a lot of new construction that just felt really big, whereas this house seemed sort of human-sized,” says the wife, who works for an international organization. “It has nice, generous spaces, but feels cozy and not excessive. We didn’t want spaces we wouldn’t use every day.”

Their search was over. But the modernists who collect mid-century furniture had some improvements in mind before moving in. A friend recommended architects Catherine and VW Fowlkes, husband-and-wife principals of Fowlkes Studio. “We were drawn to their work and its simplicity, attention to detail and craftsmanship,” says the homeowner. She and her husband, a director at a tech company, engaged the firm. 

Though the architects considered the existing home a bit “cookie-cutter,” as VW puts it, they discovered their clients were anything but. “They’re daring, urbane and sophisticated,” he notes. “They were open to having fun.” Plans unfolded to steer the builder-grade home in a contemporary and playful direction while retaining a thread of its traditional DNA. 

Requirements included an overhaul of the dated and disjointed kitchen; an infusion of storage space throughout the 4,000-square-foot, five-bedroom abode (which somehow lacked a coat closet); upgrades to the primary bedroom and most of the lackluster bathrooms; new windows; and an exterior facelift. 

In the architects’ grandest gesture, walls came down to orchestrate a new, open kitchen and dining area to the right of the foyer. “Food is what brings us together and we like to host,” avows the wife. 

The redo replaced the entire right wall of the center hall with banks of bespoke cabinets—one of which contains a coat closet. Jettisoning a partition between the kitchen and dining room made way for a long table that easily seats 12. “Our clients wanted a kind of ceremonial table where life would happen, so that played into our thinking about how the dining room and kitchen would be one space,” VW says. 

Subtle shifts in the living and family rooms to the left of the foyer had a striking effect. The tall, existing windows with low sills made the nine-foot ceilings appear higher. “They added a dash of elegance and tradition without feeling stodgy,” notes VW; he and Catherine played up this asset in the living room by trading its ho-hum wainscoting for molding that suggests tall wall panels. And they added extra dimension with an understated shadow line between the drywall and ceiling, which is canted around the edges. 

The same angled detail is repeated on the new quartzite fireplace surround in the adjacent family room. A coffered ceiling and modern crown molding lend character to this casual space that opens to the backyard and kitchen. 

The tall cabinetry anchoring the hub of the home stops shy of the ceiling. “This makes the space light and airy,” says Catherine, “and suggests the cabinets are more like furniture than built-ins.”

Centered around a large island used as a workspace, the kitchen boasts a cooktop overlooking the backyard with adjacent cupboards enclosing a coffee station. To the right of the stove, a laundry room was transformed into a butler’s pantry. 

Outside, a streamlined exterior immediately signals to guests that this home has shed its 1980s mantle. Heavy, decorative shutters were removed and a coat of creamy paint covers the original red brick. The architects replaced choppy, double-hung windows with simpler casements by Marvin. New outdoor lighting and an orange handrail complete the update. The refinished lower level boasts a playroom, and there’s a wine cellar in the works.

Throughout the home, authentic, Old World materials have been applied in a contemporary way, from marble countertops to the kitchen’s oak cabinets, which rest on walnut bases. Newly refined interior architecture and a serene palette create the perfect backdrop for the owners to showcase their furniture by noted Italian, French and Danish designers and their bold, modern art. 

Upstairs in the primary bedroom, an oak partition separates the sleeping area from a new wardrobe that borrowed space from adjacent quarters. An overhaul of the outmoded primary bath delivered a serene retreat featuring a custom double vanity, oversized shower and soaking tub. At their clients’ request, the Fowlkes team detailed the space with materials paying homage to the owners’ Italian roots—terracotta floor tiles and walls finished in Venetian plaster. 

The couple is thrilled with the project, which exceeded their expectations.  “Our clients didn’t want to do something sterile or one-note,” VW reflects. “They liked the historic element of the architecture—not that it was particularly authentic. But it had connotations that remind us of a home to hold on to.”

A three-story warehouse on Capitol Hill—reputedly a bakery in the early 1900s—was carved into six apartments in the 1970s. It was left untouched until 2017, when a couple rescued the 4,000-square-foot diamond in the rough, hiring DC’s Architrave P.C. Architects to transform it into a livable loft. Avid design buffs, pediatrician Eric Rosenthal and Jeffrey Menzer, a public health consultant, envisioned the home as an edgy, industrial-style backdrop for their collection of Mid-Century Modern furniture, ceramics and art.

The architects gutted the place, preserving exposed-brick walls, concrete floors and unfinished wooden ceilings. They created a three-story tower near the stairs that connect the three levels; it houses utility spaces and cozy hangouts in the otherwise airy abode.

In 2019 while construction was still underway, the owners tapped designer Nicole Lanteri to mastermind the interiors. Curating a trove that includes iconic pieces by Frank Gehry, George and Mira Nakashima and Eileen Gray, she and her clients feathered the now-complete nest with a heady mix of new and vintage furniture and exquisite textiles. A lively color palette and quirky spirit bring new life to a relic that time forgot. A Q&A details the process.

What was most genius about Architrave’s makeover?
When you start to open things up, a home can feel cavernous and not proportional to how you live. But they created cozy areas amid open, unstructured spaces. Orienting everything around a center stair column was beautiful because it lets light in as you come up the staircase and provides an element of surprise at each turn. I also like how they owned the building’s imperfections—like the family room’s concrete floors—and worked around them.

Explain your goals from the get-go.
A few rooms were darker than Eric and Jeffrey anticipated, so brightening them up was important. They wanted color and also wanted to be able to host a lot of people in the public spaces.

Describe the vibe you were after.
I’d call the overall style Mid-Century Modern meets Japanese loft.

Detail how the design phase unfolded.
We started with the dining room because they had the Nakashima table and Risom chairs. We met a couple times a month and showed them a few more pieces each time, while Jeffrey searched out vintage items. The process, which took about a year, had a nice rhythm. It felt like we were collecting on a purposeful timeline.

Share techniques that helped avoid a cavernous feel.
I used layers to ground the space and counteract the tall, unfinished ceilings. We started with rugs that have a nubby texture. We were able to use a lot of large, soft furnishings without worrying about things feeling too upholstered because of the raw finishes everywhere. In the living room, the Moroso poufs have the same effect as a sweater; there’s a handmade quality to them.

What impressed you about your clients’ art and accessories?
I couldn’t have asked for a better collection. Their things are not fancy—it’s just stuff they like. You need meaningful objects to make a place feel like a home.

How much of the furniture is new?
About 80 percent is new, much of it from M2L. When we bought new, they were forever pieces. About 70 percent of the lighting, accent chairs, art and pottery is vintage, from the owners’ collection or newly purchased.

Why do vintage pieces add character to interiors?
There’s a patina and warmth that’s unique to every piece; each has its own identity. They talk to each other and bring in a bit of quirkiness. For example, the vintage Frank Gehry chairs have a sculptural quality, almost like works of art.

Define your philosophy on bringing color into the home.
I often find myself pushing clients to choose more color. But when they really love it, I have to explain that it can be too attention-grabbing. Eric wanted things to be super-colorful and kind of out there; we had to pare things back a little to find the right balance.

Reveal your current paint color crush. 
Backdrop, a maker of sustainable paints, has a new shade called Cake Shop. It’s a periwinkle that would look amazing with red, gray or blue.

Share a product you're excited to check out. 
Marrimor, a Massachusetts atelier, sent me details on their Draft Rug line. The carpets are irregular and organic in shape; I’ve never seen anything like them.

What piece in your home will you never part with?
Our dining table. My husband and I got it in a New York vintage shop when we were in our 20s. Stained ebony with curvy legs, it’s now paired with modern Eames chairs.

Name a film or TV set that resonated with your inner designer. 
In "The King’s Speech" starring Colin Firth, the walls in a distressed paisley pattern were so cool. They looked like someone had peeled off wallpaper and found another layer.

RAISE ME
Noted for its helical base, the Mirabilia poker table by Vismara ups the ante with a hidden bar that ascends via the touch of a button. The piece is available in 18 lacquer hues and four metallic finishes. vismara.it

GLASS ACT
Conceived by Adriano Design for Impatia, the Filotto pool table marries a glass frame with leather pockets and an Italian slate base. The Simonis cloth playing surface comes in 25 bold colors. impatia.com

CHECK MATE
Christopher Guy’s Chantal game table is an ode to French chess player Chantal Chaudé de Silans. Topped with marble, it boasts a mahogany base and pull-out shelves and drawers. christopherguy.com

RETRO VIBE
Bellavista & Piccini took inspiration from the 1950s in the design of the curvy Oskar Foosball table for Vismara. Its floating figurines are riffs on works by Bauhaus master Oskar Schlemmer. vismara.it

ON A ROLL
Poltrona Frau and Giobagnara have collaborated on a Games Collection featuring wooden sets covered in luxe leather. Think backgammon (pictured), mahjong, dominoes and more. poltronafrau.com

BLACK + WHITE
RS Barcelona has unveiled the Monochrome Edition of its You and Me ping pong table. Suitable for indoor and covered outdoor use, the all-steel model comes in black (pictured) and white. rsbarcelona.com

Rome is abuzz with the arrival of the new Palazzo Talìa Hotel. The 26-room escape occupies a restored, 16th-century gem. Studiolucaguadagnino, led by the film director of Queer and Call Me by Your Name, designed public spaces such as the reception hall, graced by a bespoke rug and museum-quality chandelier. The firm also outfitted the Terrace Suite, which features a fireplace and an al fresco perch. Rates from $740. palazzotalia.com

James Beard Award-winning chef Nancy Silverton and restaurateur Stephen Starr have opened Osteria Mozza in Georgetown. The offshoot of Silverton’s Italian hot spot in LA occupies an 1865 emporium most recently home to Dean & Deluca. New York-based Roman and Williams reimagined the 20,000-square-foot outpost. Guests can enjoy the plant-filled Solarium; a market showcasing Italian delicacies; a dining room graced by marble-topped tables, arched windows and exposed brick; and rustic fare with a focus on wood-fired entrées and handmade pastas. 3276 M Street, NW; 202-292-4800. osteriamozzadc.com

HOME MOVIES
Samsung has expanded its MICRO LED TV portfolio, unveiling the MS1B and MS1C. With screens ranging from 89 to 114 inches, the models deliver infinite depth, stunning picture quality and breathtaking brightness. An advanced AI processor depicts scenes in 4K resolution, while 3D Arena Sound also accentuates the viewer experience. From $109,999; samsung.com

CADILLAC’S NEW ELECTRIC RIDE
The 2024 CELESTIQ marks a new era in Cadillac history: Each model of the all-electric, ultra-luxury sedan is personally commissioned. The vehicle boasts a 111 kWh battery pack and a two-motor, all-wheel-drive propulsion system that packs an estimated 600 horsepower and a driving range of 300 miles on a
full charge. From hand-finished metalwork to a 42-speaker sound system, CELESTIQ offers amenities galore. From $340,000; cadillac.com

EVEN-HANDED GLOVES
Powered by a rechargeable battery, HeatTouch Hellfire Gloves by Seirus keep users toasty. Internal panels evenly warm hands and fingers from four to 12 hours, depending on heat setting. The gloves feature a waterproof insert and a premium leather shell. Find in men’s and women’s sizes. $499; seirus.com

Fringed by manicured beds of boxwood and hydrangea, the lawn of an Annapolis home slopes down to Mill Creek, where yachts gleam on nearby moorings. But the dated, 1980 home on the property did not make the most of this coveted view. The longtime owners, a business executive and his wife, a healthcare professional, had raised three kids in the four-bedroom residence. Now empty nesters, they were ready for a change.

Among the flaws to be addressed were the main level’s choppy layout, a cramped dining room and bulky millwork. Case in point: A double-height living room wall dominated by a trio of stacked mantels framing a fireplace, large TV and display shelf.

The couple called on designer Katalin Farnady, who had updated their primary bedroom and created a chic home office for the wife a few years earlier. “I wanted to introduce a modern vibe and make the rest of the home feel brighter and lighter,” says the wife. After Farnady invited architect Peter Miles into the fold, a close collaboration ensued.

“Everything felt very disconnected,” recalls Miles. “The living room was cut off by arches and there was no place to put a table in the dining room because of existing columns. Our goal was to make little changes so that all the pieces fit together and made sense.”

A plan took shape to scrap useless partitions; even out haphazard ceiling heights; replace columns supporting a second-floor walkway with hidden steel beams; and install two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows to play up views of the creek and lush landscape.

With remodeling in the hands of Bayview Builders, disarray gave way to open, airy spaces defined by a mélange of textures and finishes. The revamped layout revolves around easy entertaining. The foyer delivers guests into the open living/dining area and kitchen—which was treated to a game-changing facelift. The former, boxed-in dining room is now a glam music lounge. Miles and Farnady also retooled the laundry and mudroom, creating an abundance of storage.

The update introduced a sophisticated palette of architectural details, from the reimagined fireplace wall covered in Venetian plaster to a custom, wrought-iron railing that replaced heavy white pickets on the main stair and second-story walkway. “We created a light, earthy aesthetic that infused the house with new energy,” says Farnady.

Inspired by the wife’s love of nature and her favorite color—green—the designer wove verdant accents throughout the interiors, from foyer stools dressed in olive velvet to leafy Lee Jofa wallpaper in the adjacent powder room. No barriers block entry to the living/dining area, where a Montoro marble fireplace surround stands out against seating swathed in textural, tone-on-tone fabrics. To avoid clutter, the team crafted an arched niche that houses a Four Hands chest displaying ceramics collected on the owners’ travels.

Miles went the extra mile to be sure the mullions of the new, oversized Loewen windows and doors lined up horizontally. “We tried to stay away from high contrast between windows and trim, since we wanted to draw attention outside,” he explains.

Positioned between the seating area and kitchen, a dining table beneath a glassy Arteriors chandelier makes hosting a breeze. As does the adjacent music room, where velvet Kravet swivel chairs convey a clubby vibe. A wet bar sheathed in Patagonia quartzite is centered in a new wall of cabinetry; a hanging shelf keeps glassware at arm’s reach.

“Our clients love everything that is natural,” notes Farnady, who sought earthy materials and pared-down furniture with organic forms. “Woven textures and natural stone connect to the outdoors, bringing in a sense of calm. We have so much of nature’s beauty in the house that you really don’t need anything else.”

Cosmetic changes to the existing kitchen garnered dramatic results. Dark cabinets were treated to new hardware, doors and a gray-green finish; Taj Mahal quartzite replaced the dated backsplash and countertops; and a custom hood in a metallic-copper patina added gravitas. “It’s a brand-new kitchen now,” relates Farnady. “I’m a big believer that if cabinets work and are solid wood, there’s no need to replace them. I can give them a full life.”

Reflecting on the finished project, she continues, “Though I love a bit of glamour and the unexpected, it’s also about functionality. This house became much more organized and that gives me so much joy.”

The wife, who tends beehives and a vegetable garden on the property, says the redo has enhanced her sense of well-being. “Getting out in nature, gardening and meditation are a huge part of my self-care; our home now complements all those things,” she asserts. “It’s serene, beautiful and I feel tremendous gratitude that I get to wake up in such a special space.”

Renovation Architecture: Peter Miles, The Drawing Board, Washington, DC. Interior Design: Katalin Farnady, Farnady Interiors, Annapolis, Maryland. Renovation Contracting: Bayview Builders, Annapolis, Maryland.

ENTRY
Table: cb2.com. Chandelier: kellywearstler.com. Painting: olystudio.com. Paint: Aged White by sherwin-williams.com.

KITCHEN
Cabinet Refinishing: artstar.com. Countertop & Backsplash: inhomestone.com. Hardware: walterworkshardware.com. Paint: Aged White by Sherwin-williams.com. Bar Stools: gabby.com. Pendants: Thomas O’Brien for visualcomfort.com.

BREAKFAST AREA
Table: noirfurniturela.com. Chairs: bernhardt.com. Paint: Aged White by sherwin-williams.com.

DINING AREA
Table: gabby.com. Chair Fabric: interludehome.com. Chandelier: arteriorshome.com. Candlesticks: collectedbyschwung.design.

LIVING ROOM
Wall Treatment: artstar.com. Fireplace Surround: inhomestone.com. Sectional: bernhardt.com. Coffee Table: Custom. Side Chairs: Donghia for kravet.com. Side Chair Fabric: kravet.com. Chest: fourhands.com. Rug: fabricut.com. Windows: loewen.com.

MUSIC LOUNGE
Swivel Chairs & Fabric: kravet.com. Ottoman: Custom. Ottoman Fabric: kravet.com. Rug: fabricut.com. Wall Covering: Lee Jofa for kravet.com. Ceiling Fixture & Pedestal Tables: arteriorshome.com. Cabinets: custom. Bar Stone: inhomestone.com. Shelf: davefields.com.

HOME OFFICE
Wallpaper on Ceiling: christopherfarrcloth.com. Sofa: vanguardfurniture.com. Sofa Fabric: kravet.com. Coffee Tables & Desk: noirfurniturela.com. Side Chairs: Vintage. Chair Fabric: Stroheim through fabricut.com. Rug: jaipurliving.com. Table Lamp: kellywearstler.com. Side Table: customfurniturela.com. Desk Chair: vanguardfurniture.com. Art Above Sofa: bblafineart.com. Pillow Fabrics: romo.com.

POWDER ROOM
Mirror: Vintage. Sconces: julieneill.com. Wall Covering: Lee Jofa for kravet.com. Paint: Modern Grey by sherwin-williams.com.

Designer Joe Karlik of Locust Grove Studios knew he had a diamond in the rough when clients hired him to overhaul a dated 1980s home in Pasadena, Maryland. After stripping the structure down to its original concrete-and-glass core, he brought it into the 21st century with an “industrial light” aesthetic, combining a muted palette of amber and honey hues with dark-steel accents.

Karlik developed a common vocabulary in all the home’s serene, spa-like bathrooms. Glass walls and a custom steel grid enclose a spacious shower in the largest guest bath. Double vanities of Locust Grove’s design are topped with dark concrete slabs, and black tile clads walls where built-in niches are rimmed in bronze. The space opens to a balcony overlooking the Magothy River.

The equally opulent primary bath centers on a stone tub. Lutron shades can be lowered at the touch of a button. In both bathrooms, porcelain floors interspersed with marble mosaic “carpets” are warmed by radiant heat; drapes by Everett Design dress floor-to-ceiling windows. “I did everything from designing the bathrooms to buying the baskets and accessories,” Karlik notes. “We wanted to ensure owners and guests would feel like they are at a resort every time they use the baths.”

Bath Design: Joe Karlik, Locust Grove Studios. Contractor: Delbert Adams Construction Group Inc. 

THE DETAILS
FLOOR & MOSAIC TILE: tilemarketofde.com. CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS: mackinawcreations.com. PENDANTS: curreyand company.com. METAL SHOWER ENCLOSURE: blacksmithsawyer.com. DRAPES: gretcheneverett.com. PAINT: sherwin-williams.com. VANITY FABRICATION & HARDWARE: sunnyfields cabinetry.com. TUB, SINKS & FAUCETS: kohler.com. AUTOMATED SHADES: lutron.com.