NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Virtual Trip
Sony’s new, head-mounted HMZ-T1 is the first personal 3D viewer. Users experience a cinema-quality virtual screen and surround sound in both 2D and 3D modes. Equipped with ultra-small high-definition color OLED panels, the device delivers HD picture quality. Available in November 2011. $799; sony.com
Wireless Sound
Filling your home with music no longer requires hours of wiring bulky, unattractive speakers. Libratone Live speakers stream audio wirelessly from an iPod, iPad, iPhone, PC or TV. Using a free iTunes app called Airplay, the compact speaker can be moved around from room to room, optimizing sound according to its placement. It blends into any décor and the exterior covers are available in five colors of wool or cashmere. From $699; libratone.com
Bring Home the 3D
Toshiba’s 55TL515U 55-inch HD TV delivers 1080p HD resolution in 2D and eye-popping 3D technology for movie-watching and gaming. Four pairs of 3D glasses are included. $1,800; toshiba.com
Smart Remote
The Beacon universal remote by Griffin lets users control audio/visual components with the touch of an iPod, iPad or iPhone. Using Bluetooth technology, the device allows consumers to change channels, adjust volume and control a DVR with their Apple products. The Beacon runs on four AA batteries, eliminating the need for cables and wires. $80; available in Apple stores and at apple.com
High Fidelity TV
Bang & Olufsen has gone 3D with its popular BeoVision 7, a 55-inch TV with an integrated Blu-ray player—one of a few flatscreen TVs in the world to combine these technologies. A beam-shaped speaker below the screen provides superb acoustic performance, rivaling many hi-fi systems. Price upon request. bang-olufsen.com
Streaming Video
Warpia allows users to stream online content from videos, slide shows and movies onto a flat-screen TV in 1080p resolution. The device also provides surround sound, creating a true cinema experience. The Warpia is compatible with Windows 7, Vista SP2 and XP SP3 technology. $160; warpia.com
Recline in Style
The award-winning Transformer brings comfort and style to the home theater. The club chair has a single-motor mechanism that powers the reclining function; no clearance space is needed behind the chair even in its fully reclined position. It’s available as a chair, love seat or sofa in leather or fabric. acousticsmart.com
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
The crisply detailed Victorian, with its wraparound porch, bay windows and cedar-shake exterior, looks as true to its century-old roots as the other homes lining its peaceful Chevy Chase street. But beyond the prim façade, tradition gives way to the 21st century and a thoroughly modern interior unfolds.
Initially, the owners had no intention of embarking on a large-scale project; they simply wanted to finish their basement so that their three sons would have an indoor play space. The existing basement, according to builder Laurence Cafritz, was a wet, leaky mess with low, six-foot ceilings. “It was pretty grungy down there,” he says.
Creating usable space in the basement would involve major excavation. As the owners weighed their options, they decided to expand the scope of the work and renovate the entire house, which had other pitfalls including an antiquated kitchen and an awkward 1980s rear addition.
Tearing down the house would be faster, easier—and far less expensive—than retaining part of the original. But the owners were concerned about preserving the historical integrity of their street. “They wanted a modern home,” says Cafritz. “But they didn’t want to disrupt the whole streetscape. They wanted to save the front and certain elements that are really appealing.”
The owners approached architect Andreas Charalambous to execute their vision, preserving the façade and front rooms of the original house, then transitioning to a modern, open program. Charalambous drew up the conceptual plan and then architects Steven Spurlock and J. Garrett Pressick of Wnuk Spurlock took over, completing the working drawings and finish details. About 1,000 square feet of the original house remain intact, with 7,000 square feet of the new or remodeled space making up the rest in the first and second floors and new, fully finished basement.
Beyond the foyer and front living room on the main floor and front bedrooms above, the existing house was demolished. Cafritz and his team had to design and build support systems to preserve the old structure and its roof during the excavation and new construction. “We had to put our heads together and build temporary frames, columns and beams,” he recalls. “Then we had to figure out how to build the new and remove the temporary without compromising anything. When it’s done, you have no idea that we had to go through that process.”
Today, visitors enter what Spurlock and Pressick call a “portal” where the now-restored stair rail, moldings and double-sided fireplace mantels convey the home’s architectural heritage. The traditional detail gives way to modern in the gallery, with its recessed flush baseboards and halogen lighting. On the right, the gallery leads to the dining and family rooms, where the octagonal 1980s addition once stood.
To the left, the gallery opens onto a completely refurbished kitchen with Poggenpohl cabinetry, a custom raised breakfast bar and TurboChef ovens. A former screened porch has been converted into a keeping room with a built-in desk for homework. Abutting the kitchen, a new entrance leads to a mudroom where lockers for each family member keep clutter at bay. It contains a family powder room, while a more formal powder room is located off the gallery. Both gallery and kitchen offer access to a terrace in the backyard, where the clean-lined rear façade reflects the home’s new modern aesthetic.
Second-floor updates include an airy landing with skylights, a master suite with a spa-like bath complete with a steam shower, and new bedrooms and bathrooms for the boys. The sons now enjoy a full basement with a home gym and a large play area where “abuse-resistant” walls can withstand incoming hockey pucks. There is also a drum room for budding musicians, a full kitchen, a guest room and a full bath with a large, tiered steam room.
The transition between the new and old sections of the home are seamless, both indoors and out—no easy feat to accomplish. “It’s really hard to explain to clients how incredibly difficult it is to make something look simple and clean,” says Spurlock. “It’s a lot easier to make it look fussy.”
Greg Hadley is a photographer in Fairfax, Virginia.
RENOVATION ARCHITECTURE: ANDREAS CHARALAMBOUS, AIA, FORMA Design, Washington, DC; STEVEN SPURLOCK, AIA, LEED AP, partner in charge; J. GARRETT PRESSICK, AIA, LEED AP, project manager, MARCY GIANNUNZIO, AIA, LEED AP, project architect, Wnuk Spurlock, Washington, DC. BUILDER: LAURENCE CAFRITZ, Laurence Cafritz Builders, Bethesda, Maryland.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Perched on a crest overlooking the Potomac River in Glen Echo, Maryland, the steel, concrete and wooden house stands just as majestic as the parkland surrounding it. Washington architect Robert M. Gurney designed the boldly modern main house, the detached garage/home office and the open, airy spaces they contain to celebrate this enviable site with minimal impact on the sylvan landscape.
After purchasing the property and tearing down its outdated house, a Washington developer approached Gurney to design his residence. The owner’s wish list included a swimming pool, an unexpected material palette and an emphasis on the views. Preserving mature-growth trees was also a priority.
Gurney carefully considered the site and the challenges it posed. He located the house on the previous home’s foundation to minimize excavation. He wanted to integrate the pool on the home’s main living level—but the lot’s steep incline would make that next to impossible. Gurney solved the dilemma by literally suspending the pool off the rear living space. This dramatic feat of engineering (the pool is supported 20 feet off the ground with massive concrete buttresses) creates a visual drop-off from the living room to the shimmering water to the untamed woods beyond.
“Because we suspended the pool, we didn’t have to take down one mature tree, which is pretty amazing given that in essence this is a wooded lot,” Gurney explains. “Sixty percent of the house was built on the existing foundation; we only increased the footprint by 40 percent with the garage. We were able to design a decent-sized house without taking down many trees, which is one of the nice things about the site. You really feel as though you’re in a tree house.”
On approach from the street, visitors are greeted by an orderly pea gravel courtyard framed by stucco walls. The main house, clad in Red Balau wood and soft gray terne-coated stainless steel, sets a decidedly modern tone. A tranquil reflecting pool separates the residence from the detached garage, which also houses an office and a guest suite. After sunset, the garage appears to glow, thanks to panels of Kalwall, a translucent material resembling Shoji screens. “The idea,” says Gurney, “was to allow the garage to act as a lantern and light up the whole carport in front of the house.”
The reflecting pool serves as a threshold, ushering visitors from the everyday into another realm. Gurney laid out the floor plan in a linear fashion, oriented along the ridge so that every room on the first and second floors—with the exception of one bedroom—enjoys dramatic views.
Once inside, subtle detailing defines the living, dining and kitchen areas in what is essentially an open space surrounded by trees. A quarter-sawn white oak built-in concealing a TV and media system, and a wide panel of lava stone containing a fireplace, anchor the living room. Gurney juxtaposed the horizontal direction of the stone with a vertical slot that opens to the front hall. “The whole piece floats away from the wall at the far end of the living room,” he says.
White oak built-ins also rim one side of the dining area. In the kitchen, two islands—one housing ovens, a cooktop and down-draft exhaust fan and the other a sink and dishwasher—provide plenty of space for cooking. The refrigerator, freezer and small appliances are hidden away in aluminum-faced cabinetry.
With so much room for storage, the clutter-free living spaces are defined by carefully crafted organic elements, from the Pompeii Scarpaletto floors to the lava-stone fireplace surround. “I tried to break up the space with a series of elements—the fireplace element, the built-in element in the dining room,” explains Gurney. “I didn’t create spaces with walls but did it with millwork and finish materials.” Interior designer Therese Baron Gurney, who is married to the architect, selected pared-down furnishings with a low profile that are perfectly proportioned to the space.
The minimal palette allows the views to take center stage. Says Gurney, “It’s a site where you’re really close to downtown DC but you feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere.”
The second floor features two guest bedrooms with en suite baths plus a large master suite encompassing a bedroom, a small office and a luxurious bath. The lower level, with a living area, game room and mechanical space, opens to the backyard at grade, since the pool is suspended above it.
Gurney and builder Lewis Bloom worked hard to design and build the project sustainably. They employed structural, precast concrete planks as a floor base, which minimized construction time and waste and also enabled them to easily install energy-efficient radiant heat flooring. Large overhangs reduce solar gain in the summer. “Basically, between the radiant-heat flooring and the overhangs on the south and west, the owner’s utility bills are minimal despite all the glass,” Gurney says.
With his office ensconced in the detached garage, the owner was also able to lighten his carbon footprint by eliminating a commute. “He wanted the office to feel like he was not in the house, but to be part of this complex so he didn’t have to drive to work,” says Gurney. “The office is a very nice space, but you have to leave the house to get to it.”
Photographer Maxwell MacKenzie is based in Washington, DC.
ARCHITECTURE: ROBERT M. GURNEY, FAIA, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Washington, DC. INTERIOR DESIGN: THERESE BARON GURNEY, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: LEWIS BLOOM, Bloom Builders, Washington, DC.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.
When DC architect Andreas Charalambous traveled to Miami to help a client find a retirement condo, he had no intention of buying one himself. But while touring properties, he was drawn to a building on Biscayne Bay with views of the Miami skyline on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Suddenly the “crazy idea” hit him and Charalambous made an offer on a two-bedroom apartment on the eleventh floor; his client bought a property a few blocks away.
“I always enjoy Miami because it’s an international city and I have friends there,” the architect says. “In this apartment, it’s all about the view. You watch the sun set and it’s completely removed from reality.”
This spur-of-the-moment decision rested on a few practicalities. First, the price was right due to the region’s economic slump. Even more compelling was the fact that Charalambous, known for his distinctly modern work, saw potential in eventually developing new business in a city that embraces a vibrant, contemporary aesthetic. In addition, with two renovations underway at once he and his client could save time and resources by working with many of the same vendors and contractors.
His first step was to gut the place. With its wall-to-wall carpet and 1970s-era kitchen and bathrooms gone, Charalambous then constructed a minimalist tableau that would accentuate the views rather than compete with them.
“The plan changes that I made were minor but I think important,” Charalambous says. He shifted the master bedroom door, separating it from the guest bedroom entry and aligning it with the apartment’s main corridor. “The line of vision is much longer and it also gives the bedrooms more privacy.” He replaced a large walk-in closet in the master bedroom with a smaller closet to create more living space. “It allowed me to fit a king-size bed and bigger furniture into the room and let the whole space ‘breathe.’ There’s no reason, at least for me, to have a walk-in closet in a beachfront property; you want to use it for living.”
Charalambous’s design is an exercise in restraint. He sheathed the entire apartment in white, from the walls and ceilings down to the two-by-two-foot porcelain floor tiles throughout. Even the baseboards are made of the same porcelain material. “I had made the decision from the beginning that this is primarily a beach apartment and it’s all about the water,” Charalambous says. “It’s all about the blue outside, so everything inside was going to be white with splashes of color.”
For “relief” from the slick surfaces in the living room, the architect designed a suspended wall of mid-century-style wood panels, backlit with LED lights to create an ambient glow at night. And his own mixed-media art, which he painted on the apartment’s balcony during his first weekend in the home, creates bold strokes of color against the seamless white background in all of the rooms.
Furniture is kept to a minimum to avoid a sense of clutter; Charalambous honed in on clean-lined, modern pieces that he employs almost like sculptures in the space. He also selected low-slung beds to bring a greater sense of volume to both of the bedrooms.
“It was more about making strategic decisions that would have big impact versus doing it all. This was a very restrained solution to the space, but one that I think is powerful in its simplicity,” he says. “You can see the skyline of Miami across the bay from all the rooms—that is the feature.”
He also applied a less-is-more sensibility in the kitchen by avoiding upper-level cabinetry along the two main walls to keep the space open. Under-counter refrigerator, freezer and microwave drawers eliminate the need for tall appliances that would interrupt the symmetry. An ornate white mirror reflects the bay even in this windowless space.
A stone accent wall in the kitchen evokes images of pebbles and sand along the shore. The same organic texture is also applied in the master bath and guest bath in another nod to the outdoors.
Now that his second home is complete, Charalambous takes a break from his busy schedule in DC to visit Miami once a month. He finds that, though brief, his trips to the tropics recharge his batteries, both on a personal and professional level. “Visiting Miami takes me away from the everyday,” he says. “Sometimes we get bogged down by things that in the big picture are really not that significant. It just helps remove you from the situation for a weekend. I think getting away and putting things in perspective and coming back and re-adjusting the issue is really very healthy.
“In Miami, everything that’s being built is very modern; it’s very today,” he continues, pointing out the many resources he now taps in the Miami Design District. “It also helps me get inspired. Going down to Miami and being exposed to a different way of doing things is informing our projects here in Washington as well.”
Photographer Geoffrey Hodgdon is based in Deale, Maryland.
ARCHITECTURE: ANDREAS CHARALAMBOUS, AIA, IIDA, FORMA Design, Inc., Washington, DC.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
During Lori Graham’s renovation of an entire house in Arlington, the 1970s master bath in particular was a cry for help. Not only was it poorly proportioned, it was also “unworkable,” with a small prefab shower and an eight-person whirlpool tub placed only inches away from an exposed toilet and bidet. Tiny windows denied the owners views of the surrounding woods.
Graham reconfigured the bath, creating a modern yet welcoming space with a luxurious tub and glass-enclosed shower, generous windows and a separate water closet. “An exposed toilet,” she says, “is a cardinal sin in a master suite.”
Integrating the tub and shower not only makes efficient use of available space, but the “wet room” approach allows the homeowners to bathe their young children “without splattering water in every direction,” says the designer, principal of Lori Graham Design. Amenities include a rain shower, a standard shower and a handheld showerhead in the tub that also reaches the shower.
Soft colors create a relaxing vibe, from the Waterworks honed limestone tiles on the walls to the French Blue stone floors from Ann Sacks. A custom vanity in high-gloss pewter is topped with a thick poured-concrete surface. A mirrored wall behind the vanity makes the space feel larger.
“The backsplash, the seamless look of the tile and the natural light,” says Graham, “all create glam in a simple, understated way.”
BATH DESIGN: LORI GRAHAM, Lori Graham Design, Washington, DC.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
Some would say the ultimate luxury is enjoying a steam room and sauna in the privacy of your own home. Even better is when these amenities are tucked into a space as tranquil and soothing as a world-class spa.
Such is the case in a new Bethesda home designed by Marci Brand of Marci Brand Interiors with colleagues Christina Dutton and Sara Magovern Leahy. The team set out to create a spa bath with a cool, relaxing vibe, located next to the home’s gym. They started out by selecting glass tiles for the steam shower in the client’s favorite palette of pale blue, green and orange.
The curved seat in the shower was molded to match the contours of the homeowner’s body. A powder room and sauna flank the steam shower while a floor of river rock soothes bare feet. A glass vessel sink “floats” above a custom vanity and window seats on either side provide extra storage.
The “feel-good” look is enhanced with walls, ceiling and furniture painted in a lemon chiffon lacquer. “It took a lot of trial and error to get that finish looking nice,” says Brand. “I wanted the color, the richness and the sheen to be right.”
The room’s elegance lies in its simplicity. “It’s one of the simpler rooms in the home, but a lot of thought went into it. “Not all the elements are unique, but it’s about how they were put together,” says Brand. “It really feels like a place you want to be in and relax—so peaceful and pretty.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: MARCI BRAND, CHRISTINA DUTTON AND SARAH MAGOVERN LEAHY, Marci Brand Interiors, Bethesda, Maryland. ARCHITECTURE: THEODORE L. OLDHAM, principal, Theodore Oldham Architect, Portland, Maine. JAMES LYONS, AIA, consulting architect, Lyons Architecture, Silver Spring, Maryland. CONTRACTOR: GRIFF GOSNELL and JEFF HANES, superintendent, Monroe Development, Vienna, Virginia.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
The master bath designer Jana Abel created in a Mid-Century-Modern Bethesda home looks nothing like its predecessor, which still had its original Formica counters intact when she gutted it. During the renovation, says Abel, principal of J. Abel Interiors, the goal was to design a spa-like retreat balancing natural materials with modern luxuries and technology.
Abel used the space wisely. To preserve a wall of windows, she placed the shower and tub along other perimeter walls. As a focal point, she designed a floating, back-to-back his and hers vanity. Its walnut drawers conceal toiletries and electrical outlets and are sheathed in a marble surround.
Organic materials, from the wall tiles from Ann Sacks to the lava stone floors, pay homage to nature. Meanwhile, automated features abound. One TV is built into the shower while another is mounted opposite the bath. The shower is equipped with steam, dual showerheads and multiple body sprays; a ceiling-mounted showerhead rains into the oversized air-jet tub.
Every dimension, says Abel, was carefully calculated to make the project a success—down to how the wall of mosaics meets the marble slab in the shower. But behind all the precision, the designer celebrates the room’s natural elements, including the handmade wall tiles—no two of which are alike. “Their imperfections,” she says, “are what make it beautiful.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: JANA ABEL, IIDA, J. Abel Interiors, Ltd. Potomac, Maryland.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
When the owner of a 30-year-old home in Mount Vernon got married, he knew the time had come to update his master bath. Not only was it cramped, but it was also decorated in the masculine red-and-gray colors of his alma mater, Ohio State.
The couple turned to designer Pamela Harvey, principal of Pamela Harvey Interiors, to create enough space in the bathroom for a large shower and two vanities. They also asked her to hone in on a fresh look that would complement views of the Potomac River and wooded surroundings.
By reconfiguring a walk-in closet in the master bedroom, Harvey was able to create a large shower in the bath complete with a skylight centered above it. “I also carved out dead space on an upstairs hallway landing and created a private WC, which made the main bath more functional and gave us room for a sit-down vanity,” she explains. The designer hung the vanity on the wall to keep the space feeling open and light.
Harvey’s goal was to create a “clean, modern look with some warmth.” Peruvian travertine in 18-by-18-inch square tiles paves the heated floors while the same material in alternating nine-by-nine- and nine-by-18-inch formats clads the shower walls. Iridescent glass tiles add interest to the backsplash and tub surround. “In the shower,” says Harvey, “the river stone floor gives it a spa feeling.”
BATH DESIGN: PAMELA HARVEY, Pamela Harvey Interiors, LLC; Oak Hill, Virginia.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
No other space in the house is more about its owner than the bathroom. Though visitors come and go in the powder room, family bathrooms can be tailored to suit individual likes and dislikes from both an aesthetic and a functional standpoint. Whether you are creating a new master suite or a tiny guest bath, many complex decisions lie ahead, simply because there have never been more options on the market for tile and stone, countertop surfaces, plumbing fixtures, tubs and sinks, finishes and more. With an infinite array of looks and styles to choose from, the process can be daunting. Luckily, bath designers are adept at helping clients hone in on a particular theme—and stick to it in a subtle yet coherent way.
Sonny Nazemian, designer and principal of Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, Inc., in Fairfax, Virginia, says that he first interviews clients to determine how they plan to use the bath. “Do they want a sanctuary or a spa? Or is it a place to take a shower and get out?” he asks. Once he has a “wish list” in place, he defines a particular look that “follows the footsteps of the rest of the house.”
On a recent project in a modern home in Centreville, Nazemian replaced an outdated, compartmentalized bathroom with a sleek, contemporary space, incorporating glass-block tile, stainless-steel cabinets and a freestanding, sculptural tub. “This client knew exactly what she wanted, but many customers don’t,” he says. “In that case I visit their homes, get to know them and see where they stand.”
When Carol Luke, a designer and principal of KSA Kitchens in Purcellville, Virginia, first meets with clients, she asks them to clip photos of projects they like, which provides an excellent starting point. “Often, a look is triggered from things they’ve said or shown me,” she says.
Luke urges clients to choose a style and then stay with it. “If you go down the road, go all the way. Be consistent with it. Otherwise, you won’t have a finished look,” she says. “You might have a contemporary vanity, but it’s still a traditional room. You don’t want it to be too pat or too ordinary.”
On a recent project, a couple invited Luke to collaborate directly with their teenage daughter on the design of her bath. “Mom and Dad are very traditional, but she is avant-garde,” says the designer, who delighted in her young client’s “edgy” taste. In the finished bath, a wall of vertically hung, black glass tile creates a striking look in the shower; it’s surrounded by walls of “slides” and a leathered-tile floor.
Luke stresses the value of working with a designer because a professional will make sure a homeowner’s choices work well together. By visiting a showroom or design center on their own, consumers may merely scratch the surface in terms of understanding all of their options. “They will see many elements that they like, but there are so many things they won’t know about,” Luke explains, “whether it’s touch-latch closures or medicine cabinets with built-in electrical outlets.”
Luke recently worked with interior designer Alice Busch of Great Falls Distinctive Interiors, Inc., on an elegant bath. Busch helped the clients select everything from the Carrara marble that clads the oversized shower to the crystal chandeliers that hang above the vanities. “Alice did a great job. Without the experience of a designer, people won’t get as much as they can achieve,” says Luke. “Pulling it together is much harder than most people realize.”
Davida Rodriguez, owner of Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles in Gaithersburg, Maryland, would agree. She recently completed a turn-of-the-century-style powder room in a historical cabin located on her client’s Potomac property. She selected design elements in a rustic theme, including a hand-scraped door, a hammered sink and walls covered in pebbles “that could have been gathered in the creek out back.”
Rodriguez believes that when working with a theme it’s important to put all the pieces together to be sure they mesh as a whole, pointing out “I’ve never seen a mistake made when people plan ahead.”
She cautions against being too “matchy-matchy” in terms of color or design elements. “Don’t go overboard, for example, on a beach house tropical theme, using shell lamps, shell towels, etc. That can be very monotonous,” she says. “There are all kinds of different textures and accessories other than the obvious.”
Homeowners should also keep in mind that designing a bathroom is more complex than selecting tiles and cabinets.“If it’s done wrong,” says Carol Luke, “it can ruin your home. For example, you need to know what your plumber is doing. He might be great—but he might not. With a designer, you have access to people who are exceptional.”
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
Some of the best designs are borne out of necessity. Such was the case when homeowners with two children called on Ernesto Santalla, an architect who specializes in interiors, to renovate three second-floor bathrooms—all of which were plagued by leaks. Santalla updated them in a clean-lined, modern style, enlarging the cramped master bath by “borrowing” space from an existing closet. His clients were so pleased with the outcome that they asked Santalla to refurbish their master bedroom and remodel their basement.
A few years later, the homeowners called him again, this time for a more ambitious project: to renovate the main floor of their Colonial-style home. Its typical 1970s layout consisted of a center hall leading to a living room and library on one side and a dining room, kitchen, den and laundry area on the other. The homeowners wanted more space and better flow for entertaining, but had no idea how to achieve these goals.
“The second project came about because we showed them the possibilities,” says Santalla. “They realized that we could get the house to be much more open. And that we could make the space much more meaningful.”
From the original foyer, guests could see through the dining room and the kitchen all the way to the door to the garage—a less than optimal view. Beyond the dining room, a corridor led to a den that was “out of sight, out of mind,” as Santalla recalls. Another corridor separated the den from a small laundry room.
The architect’s solution opened up the small rooms and created a sleek, polished look throughout. His first move was to widen the corridor leading from the foyer to the kitchen and construct columns on both sides. This “loggia” opens to a new family room, which was created by removing the walls separating the original den and utility room. The loggia also leads to the kitchen, allowing Santalla to eliminate the passage from the dining room to the kitchen and in its place create a focal wall for artwork.
The spacious family room now houses a comfortable seating area, a custom-designed table in espresso-stained oak that serves as a casual dining spot and workspace and a “dressed up” laundry area concealed by cabinetry. A large flat-screen TV hung on a matching oak panel covers the room’s original fireplace at the request of the owners, who are in the advertising business and wanted a comfortable room for screening media. New French doors bathe the room in natural light and provide views to the backyard. “We designed larger openings to create a stronger connection to the outdoors,” Santalla explains. “We put in the French doors, which help create a much better flow from the front of the house all the way to the back.”
A subtle color palette of golden tones creates a cohesive transition from room to room. Santalla helped his clients select furniture with clean, simple lines, blending timeless, modern pieces from Donghia and Holly Hunt with the couple’s own antiques and art. The “soup to nuts” upgrade also included a new lighting plan for all of the main-floor spaces.
In the living room, a slightly more feminine look prevails. The Tibetan carpet of Santalla’s design is based on a motif he sketched of magnolia leaves. “We were very conscious about mixing traditional and modern elements in this particular room,” he says. He designed contemporary cabinets to store his clients’ silver collection and paired them with traditional paintings, while hanging abstract art above antique chests.
The living room opens to the wife’s home office, where she displays rare china inherited from her mother. In lieu of “old lady curio cabinets,” Santalla chose modern shelving from BoConcept and an armoire to offset the collection. He reupholstered a pair of Barbara Barry chairs so they would complement the new look.
By simply repurposing dysfunctional rooms, Santalla created more space for enjoying the home and entertaining without changing its footprint. “We often come across the issue of under-utilized space,” he explains. “There is a tendency to say, ‘It doesn’t work so let’s add an addition.’ But there was no need for more space. This house was great for four people and occasional guests.”
With the new floor plan, he continues, “All of these rooms work in tandem and it’s visually more elegant. I’ve been here for parties and it just really flows nicely.”
ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN: ERNESTO SANTALLA, AIA, LEED AP, Studio Santalla, Inc., Washington, DC.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
SAVOUR FARE
The Phillips Collection celebrates one of its most famous paintings, Renoir’s "Luncheon of the Boating Party," by partnering with the elegant Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square (left) on a special weekend package through September. Guests can enjoy a multi-course, Renoir-inspired luncheon and tickets to the gallery. Rates from $330 per night. sofitel.com
MOORISH STYLE
The new Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech is an oasis in the middle of Morocco’s most vibrant city. A modern take on Moorish architecture, its pavilions are surrounded by pools, gardens and pathways. A lavish spa pampers guests
with body scrubs and massage. Rates from $470. fourseasons.com
ROAD TRIP
With a name that means “bend” or “shift” in French, Aston Martin’s Virage fills a niche between the carmaker’s DBS and DB9 models. Virage marries high performance with the comforts of a luxury ride. Its six-liter, V12 engine delivers 490 horsepower while interiors boast hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather and a fully integrated satellite navigation system. From $209,995 at Aston Martin of Tysons Corner. astonmartin.com
TWO-WHEEL IT
As part of a sponsorship, BMW Group has handed over 400 of its bicycles
(in addition to a fleet of energy-efficient diesel-powered and electric cars) to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games for use before and during next summer’s Olympics. Stateside, aspiring athletes can tool around on a BMW bike of their own. The BMW Cruise Bike boasts an aluminum frame, concealed cables and a cantilever brake. $1,199; shopbmwusa.com
SUPERIOR SOUND
The D-Premier amplifier by Devialet of Paris has won numerous accolades on both sides of the pond. Employing new hybrid amplification technology, it delivers unadulterated sound. We also like its sleek design. The 32-mm-thick amplifier made from a single aluminum casting can be hung vertically or horizontally and is controlled by a radio-linked remote. About $16,000. devialet.com
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
ON THE EDGE
Owner David von Storch describes his new 901 Restaurant & Bar in Penn Quarter as “a wonderfully edgy, urban dining experience that provides a playful vibe.” In the lounge, a seven-foot, wall-encased fireplace offers the perfect backdrop for sampling keg draft beers crafted exclusively for 901. The small-plate menu features Asian and American fare. 901 Ninth Street, NW; 202-524-4433. 901dc.com
ALL FIRED UP
Pizzeria da Marco serves up authentic Neopolitan-style pizza n Bethesda. Chef Dino Santonicola, who learned the craft in his hometown of Naples, turns out chewy-crusted masterpieces using a custom brick oven. GTM Architects outfitted the space with exposed brick, iron chandeliers and mosaics. 8008 Woodmont Avenue; 301-654-6083. pizzeriadamarco.net
CENTER STAGE
James Beard winner RJ Cooper is crafting 16- and 24-course tasting menus in his new DC restaurant, Rogue 24. Diners surround a central, open “stage,” where the chef and his team turn out such creations as heirloom corn, chanterelle, espelette and vanilla. 922 N Street NW; 202-408-9724. rogue24.com
ALL THAT GLITTERS
The Ashlyn Necklace by Elizabeth Cole Jewelry combines pear-shaped, turquoise-colored crystals and faceted, pear-shaped brass baubles with a large curb chain in 24kt gold plate. $185 at Wink in Georgetown. 3109 M Street, NW; 202-338-9465. shopwinkdc.com
ON THE RUNWAY
Style watchers can preview the latest trends for fall and winter at 2011 ALL ACCESS: Fashion at Tysons Galleria from September 22 to 24. Runway shows spotlight Tory Burch, Karen Millen, Elie Tahari and more. Pictured: Tahari’s Marie Skirt, $448; Edita Blouse, $328; and Felicity Belt, $148. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. allaccessfashion.com
OXFORDS GO GLAM
The Pearlized Oxford Bootie by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin adds a decidedly feminine touch—and a four inch heel—to the traditional staple. A ribbon lace-up tie cinches the deal. Made in Italy of patent leather with grosgrain piping. $1,050. neimanmarcus.com
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
When DC architect Andreas Charalambous traveled to Miami to help a client find a retirement condo, he had no intention of buying one himself. But while touring properties, he was drawn to a building on Biscayne Bay with views of the Miami skyline on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Suddenly the “crazy idea” hit him and Charalambous made an offer on a two-bedroom apartment on the eleventh floor; his client bought a property a few blocks away.
“I always enjoy Miami because it’s an international city and I have friends there,” the architect says. “In this apartment, it’s all about the view. You watch the sun set and it’s completely removed from reality.”
This spur-of-the-moment decision rested on a few practicalities. First, the price was right due to the region’s economic slump. Even more compelling was the fact that Charalambous, known for his distinctly modern work, saw potential in eventually developing new business in a city that embraces a vibrant, contemporary aesthetic. In addition, with two renovations underway at once he and his client could save time and resources by working with many of the same vendors and contractors.
His first step was to gut the place. With its wall-to-wall carpet and 1970s-era kitchen and bathrooms gone, Charalambous then constructed a minimalist tableau that would accentuate the views rather than compete with them.
“The plan changes that I made were minor but I think important,” Charalambous says. He shifted the master bedroom door, separating it from the guest bedroom entry and aligning it with the apartment’s main corridor. “The line of vision is much longer and it also gives the bedrooms more privacy.” He replaced a large walk-in closet in the master bedroom with a smaller closet to create more living space. “It allowed me to fit a king-size bed and bigger furniture into the room and let the whole space ‘breathe.’ There’s no reason, at least for me, to have a walk-in closet in a beachfront property; you want to use it for living.”
Charalambous’s design is an exercise in restraint. He sheathed the entire apartment in white, from the walls and ceilings down to the two-by-two-foot porcelain floor tiles throughout. Even the baseboards are made of the same porcelain material. “I had made the decision from the beginning that this is primarily a beach apartment and it’s all about the water,” Charalambous says. “It’s all about the blue outside, so everything inside was going to be white with splashes of color.”
For “relief” from the slick surfaces in the living room, the architect designed a suspended wall of mid-century-style wood panels, backlit with LED lights to create an ambient glow at night. And his own mixed-media art, which he painted on the apartment’s balcony during his first weekend in the home, creates bold strokes of color against the seamless white background in all of the rooms.
Furniture is kept to a minimum to avoid a sense of clutter; Charalambous honed in on clean-lined, modern pieces that he employs almost like sculptures in the space. He also selected low-slung beds to bring a greater sense of volume to both of the bedrooms.
“It was more about making strategic decisions that would have big impact versus doing it all. This was a very restrained solution to the space, but one that I think is powerful in its simplicity,” he says. “You can see the skyline of Miami across the bay from all the rooms—that is the feature.”
He also applied a less-is-more sensibility in the kitchen by avoiding upper-level cabinetry along the two main walls to keep the space open. Under-counter refrigerator, freezer and microwave drawers eliminate the need for tall appliances that would interrupt the symmetry. An ornate white mirror reflects the bay even in this windowless space.
A stone accent wall in the kitchen evokes images of pebbles and sand along the shore. The same organic texture is also applied in the master bath and guest bath in another nod to the outdoors.
Now that his second home is complete, Charalambous takes a break from his busy schedule in DC to visit Miami once a month. He finds that, though brief, his trips to the tropics recharge his batteries, both on a personal and professional level. “Visiting Miami takes me away from the everyday,” he says. “Sometimes we get bogged down by things that in the big picture are really not that significant. It just helps remove you from the situation for a weekend. I think getting away and putting things in perspective and coming back and re-adjusting the issue is really very healthy.
“In Miami, everything that’s being built is very modern; it’s very today,” he continues, pointing out the many resources he now taps in the Miami Design District. “It also helps me get inspired. Going down to Miami and being exposed to a different way of doing things is informing our projects here in Washington as well.”
Photographer Geoffrey Hodgdon is based in Deale, Maryland.
ARCHITECTURE: ANDREAS CHARALAMBOUS, AIA, IIDA, FORMA Design, Inc., Washington, DC.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home design and building/remodeling features. Wonderful visuals of custom homes and eco-friendly resources are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design and remodeling projects to life.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011
Design buffs looking to overnight or host a special event near DC should check out the new Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia. Its sleek interiors designed by ForrestPerkins celebrate motion in homage to its location on a transportation nexus bridging the Potomac River, Reagan National Airport and what was once the capital’s largest rail yard. A bentwood sculpture by Charlie Whinney, made from a single beech tree felled on his rural English property, provides a slowly rotating focal point in the lobby (pictured). Custom lighting, furnishings and finishes abound in the sleek public spaces of this eco-friendly hotel—including a terrazzo floor in the lobby containing recycled glass. LEED certification is pending.
ARCHITECT OF RECORD: Cooper Carry, Alexandria, Virginia. INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN: STEPHEN PERKINS, AIA, ISHC, principal; JOHN CARHART, AIA, vice president, architecture; BROOKE TRAEGER, ASID, lead interior designer; MORRIAH MRYSZUK, ASID, design
associate, ForrestPerkins, Washington, DC. PHOTOGRAPHY: KENNETH M. WYNER.
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs and coverage of luxury living. Wonderful visuals of luxury getaways and dining options are combined with inspired decor to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing luxury to life in home interiors and beyond.
JULY/AUGUST 2011
The 2011 DC Design House transformed a 1925 English Tudor home in Washington’s stately Forest Hills neighborhood last April. Twenty design teams worked their magic, polishing this faded gem into a showcase of cutting-edge 21st-century style; we feature their work on this spread and the following pages. Proceeds of the month-long event benefit Children’s National Medical Center.
Living Room
Patrick Sutton of Patrick Sutton Associates stripped layer upon layer of white paint from the living room ceiling and beams (above), restoring a sense of grandeur to the dramatic space. Treated with a lime finish, the original wood beams and Farrow & Ball covering on the walls and ceiling now create an elegant backdrop for a well-edited mix of antiques, new furnishings, art and mementoes collected around the globe.
Exterior Front Portico
The renovated portico extends a warm, inviting welcome. Jim Rill and his team from Rill Architects altered the trim above the entry and painted it in contrasting colors to accentuate the home’s Tudor style. A new wrought-iron bracket and lantern at the gable add character. The team removed an existing screen door to show off the details on the home’s original front door; overflowing planters add a finishing touch.
Entry & Stair Hall
Liz Levin of Liz Levin Interiors eliminated the dark wood trim that once obscured the windows in the entry and stair hall, allowing sunlight to pour into the space. Pairing a Bohemian glass chandelier with an Ikat rug, she put a novel spin on the traditional foyer. “It’s elegant,” Levin says, “but kind of edgy.” A metallic motif, hand-stenciled on the walls by Billet Collins, creates a subtle sheen. ”
Dining Room
Camille Saum of Camille Saum Interior Design proves that even in an historical home the dining room need not be taken too seriously. With a painted checkerboard floor, a glamorous taffeta table skirt, patent leather seat cushions and moss growing on the fireplace, Saum’s design boldly serves up style and whimsy. A lantern by Niermann Weeks hangs from the ceiling painted in Farrow & Ball Dutch Pink—another unexpected detail.
Library
Inheriting a library with dark-stained paneling, Nancy Colbert of Design Partners, LLC, created a fresh, updated room with staying power. She painted the bookshelves and millwork in Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone with a glazed finish and covered the ceiling in an iridescent paper by Studio E. A loveseat in tone-on-tone chenille and a pair of conversation chairs make this a perfect spot to enjoy a good book and afternoon tea.
Family Room
Barbara Franceski of Barbara Franceski LLC christened the original family room a “moose lodge” for its 1960s paneling and bar. She tamed the long, narrow space by creating several seating areas that work well together, thanks in part to the curve of the William Yeoward sofa that takes center stage. Quirky elements—from the “modern ancestor portraits” by Dave Peterson to the graphic carpet—create a playful vibe.
Sunroom
Gary Lovejoy of Gary Lovejoy Associates, Inc., selected the sunroom because it was the most “quirky” space in the house. He overcame the challenge posed by openings in every wall by floating the furnishings around a leather-bound cowhide rug. Low-slung M2L chairs and a comfy chaise counter the low ceiling height. A leather screen by Poltrona Frau creates a sense of privacy without blocking the garden view.
Koi Pond
Landscape architect Scott Brinitzer’s design of the koi pond brought the faded original back to life. Once he and Jeff Potter of J&G Landscape Design removed the overgrowth and a poorly designed add-on terrace, “we saw the beauty and elegance of its form,” Brinitzer recalls. Complementing the shape of the pond, Brinitzer designed curved walkways and fluid sweeps of pea gravel to enliven the garden in the early days of spring.
The Pool
The estate’s pool, originally installed in the 1940s or ’50s, has a “hip, cool, martini vibe,” says landscape architect Scott Brinitzer. He and Jeff Potter of J&G Landscape Design redefined its original lines, then reinforced the Hollywood glam look with retro modern chairs and teal umbrellas. They also gave a new identity to the adjacent dance floor, enveloping it with innovative columns of arborvitae and an abundance of rhododendrons.
Pool Kitchen
Nadia Subaran of Aidan Design transformed the pool kitchen, which she believes was part of a 1950s addition to the main house. Rift-cut cabinets by Wood-Mode and a minimal stainless-steel hood provide a modern foil to touches of nostalgia in the soapstone countertops and Rohl farmhouse sink. The color palette of Farrow & Ball Dove Tale gray on the brick wall, light Champagne cabinetry and a charcoal-gray porcelain floor is simply seductive.
Garden Room
A modern-day interpretation of the traditional conservatory, the garden room by Whitney Stewart of Whitney Stewart Interior Design celebrates nature with a potting console designed for flower arranging and indoor gardening, an array of plant life and bold botanical art. A birdcage chandelier by Artisan Lamps adds a whimsical touch. Comfortable seating makes it easy to enjoy the lush environment over a book or casual meal any time of year.
Pool Room
Erin Paige Pitts of Erin Paige Pitts Interiors resolved the home’s lack of a proper porch by creating an open, al fresco ambiance in the pool room. She struck a balance between sophisticated and soothing with a combination of Jim Thompson linens, sisal rugs and David Edward settees, which she had converted into swings. “Everyone in DC is so busy,” says Pitts. “This room is a little vacation from life.”
Powder Room
In the powder room, Denise Willard of Décor by Denise began by covering the exposed plumbing under the home’s existing Greek key sink with a skirt in fabric by Rodolph. She also retained the wall tile, but dressed it up with a multi-layered Venetian plaster treatment above the mosaic trim. Crystal and gold details create a jewel-box effect, and decorative sconces by Fine Art Lamps add a sophisticated touch.
Secret Garden Bath
Jason Hodges of J. Hodges & Associates, LLC, freshened up the secret garden bath adjacent to the teenage girl’s bedroom with crisp wainscoting concealing “unattractive” white tile. A ledge above it provides a spot to store make-up and small accessories. And a sleek new vanity with a glass top and vessel sink and a zebra-striped mirror hand-painted in purple and cream by Avery Studios complete the look.
One for the Guys
Responding to the dearth of rooms designed for men in most show houses these days, David Mitchell of David Mitchell Interior Design infused his One For The Guys bedroom with what he calls a “new masculine” flair. A mix of antiques, found objects and industrial elements creates a rustic, lived-in look. Graphic notes, from the whip-stitched pattern on the cowhide rug to the bold prints by 17th-century Swedish explorer Olof Rudbeck, add a modern sensibility.
Secret Garden Bedroom
Samantha Friedman of Samantha Friedman Interior Designs, LLC, created the secret garden bedroom for a modern teenage girl. The cozy wool rug in a floral motif grounds neutral furnishings that have been livened up with vibrant orange and purple textiles. The Baker bed in ivory can be paired with new fabrics as styles evolve. A wooden swing in the entry nook (not pictured) provides a fun hangout for a lady of any age.
Cerulean Sancturay
Cindy McClure of Grossmueller’s Design Consultants, Inc., updated the Cerulean Sanctuary bath by concealing blue tile walls with white bead board and replacing the existing shower door with a simple glass panel. A custom stained-glass mosaic inspired by a china pattern called “Flow Blue” creates a fabulous mural on the main wall. New vintage-style fixtures, including a water fountain similar to the one found on the original sink, lend period detail.
Master Bedroom
Iantha Carley of Iantha Carley Interiors fell in love with a geometric David Hicks print and used it on the canopy and drapes in the master bedroom. It adds a lively contrast to the walls in Farrow & Ball’s Charleston Gray—selected “because I wanted to consider the male point of view.” But in the adjacent dressing room (not pictured), Carley opted to go glam with a mirrored table and tufted fuchsia chair.
The Hideaway
In the Hideaway, Lauren Liess of Lauren Liess Interiors embraces the “fairytale” feel of the vintage home. She incorporates chic textiles and furnishings of her own design, including the Mad Hatter wing chairs and the black and white Ikat drapery fabric. The window seat piled with heaps of cushions à la The Princess and the Pea makes an idyllic spot for an afternoon nap.
Master Bath
Allie Mann of Case Design/ Remodeling made the most of limited space in the master bath. A sleek new custom vanity combines a marble countertop with sepia cherry cabinetry. Mann converted the bathtub into a luxurious shower (not pictured). Botanical prints and Calcutta Chablis marble floors with a subtle stripe add a touch of classic elegance.
Photographer Gordon Beall is based in Bethesda, Maryland.
RESOURCES
EXTERIOR FRONT PORTICO
James Rill, Linda Gallegos, Richard Rossi, Rill Architects, PC
Resources: Antique brick lattice planter: Loftstyle; Hathaway Tudor pendant: Rejuvenation; Monrovia console table: Salvations Architectural Furnishings; Richmond outdoor hanging lantern: Shades of Light; Tall Wickford urn: Restoration Hardware; Venetian settee bench by Brown Jordan: American Eye.
SPECIALISTS: General Contractor: Wood Haven Contractors; Landscape Design: Cynthia Ferranto of Cynthia Ferranto Landscape Design; Metalwork: Mark Van Duser of Ivy Hill Forge; Outdoor Lighting: Mark Oxley of Outdoor Illumination.
ENTRY & STAIR HALL
Liz Levin, Liz Levin Interiors
Resources: Alexa Hampton Basil Ceiling Light Fixture: Visual Comfort; Andre Arbus Christal Chandelier: Baker; Artwork: The Art Registry; Bohemian Glass Foyer Chandelier: Michael-Cleary; Center Table: Baker; Demi Lune Consoles: Crate and Barrel; Gold Twig Sconces: Vaughan Lighting; Horse Sculptures: Kravet; Ikat Rug: Timothy Paul Carpets; Mirrors: Made Goods; Rock Crystal Lamps: Kravet; Silver Leaf Annecy Arm Chairs: Niermann Weeks; Stair and top floor hall carpet: Stark; Thom Filicia Faux Bois Chair: And Beige.
SPECIALISTS: Artistic Wall Paint: Billet Collins Studio; Carpet Installation: Floor Crafters LTD; Construction and Paint: Medvascar Construction; Electrical: D&P Electric; Floor Refinishing: Classic Floors.
LIVING ROOM
Patrick Sutton, Patrick Sutton Associates
Resources: Accent Chairs: Patrick Sutton Home; Area Rugs: Greenspring Carpet Source; Art and Accessories: Alan Gilbert Photography, Evelyn Avery, Marston Luce Antiques, Patrick Sutton Home; Belgian Commode, Antique: Patrick Sutton Home; Bergere Chairs and Tabouret, French 19th Century: Cote Jardin Antiques; Bookcases: Patrick Sutton Collection; Center Table & Chandeliers: David Iatesta, Holly Hunt; Coffee Table: Patrick Sutton Collection; Decorative Wall Brackets: Patrick Sutton Collection; Fireplace Pedestals and Birch Logs: Patrick Sutton Collection, Slaysman Forge, JN Firewood; Library Table: Patrick Sutton Home; Louis Chair, Antique: Patrick Sutton Home; Loveseat: Patrick Sutton Home; Mirrors: Evelyn Avery; Ottomans: Patrick Sutton Home; Pedestal: Formations, Holly Hunt; Picture Lights: Dorman’s Lighting; Pillows: Patrick Sutton Collection; Settee: Patrick Sutton Collection, Edward Ferrell; Side Tables: Rose Tarlow, Holly Hunt, Dennis and Lean, Holly Hunt; Sofa: Hickory Chair; Swivel Chairs: Lee Industries; Table Lamps: Patrick Sutton Home; Tin Framed Chairs, Antique: Patrick Sutton Home; Upholstered Screens: Patrick Sutton Collection; Wallpaper and Paint: Farrow and Ball; Wing Chair: Hickory Chair.
SPECIALISTS: Art Installation: Kramer Installation; Bookcase Faux Finishing: Baltimore Artstar; Books: Book Escape; Custom Cabinetry: Pyramid Builders, Millwork; Custom Cabinetry Materials: American Cedar; Decorative Wall Brackets: Duncan Cabinetry; Drapery Fabrication: Drapery Contractors; Electrician: Cook Electric; Framing: Furst Bros. Company; General Contractor: Pyramid Builders; Louis Chair Finishing: Mitchell Yanosky; Moving and Delivery: Childs Express; Painting/Beam Finishing: Pyramid Builders; Screen Fabrication: Springwood Construction; Upholstery and Pillow Fabrication: Josh Levin & Associates; Wall Paper Installation: Rob Black.
POOL ROOM
Erin Paige Pitts, Erin Paige Pitts Interiors
Resources: All Fabrics: Jim Thompson Fabrics; Benches: David Edward Furniture; Throws on Swings: Sferra; Murano glass vases and lamp: Otium, NYC; Art: Pamela Phillips – artist; Henredon showroom; Hines Showroom.
SPECIALISTS: Benchmark Painting; Drapery Design and Manufacturing: Stark; Ibello Upholstery; Rugger Electric; Karen Robertson; Painted floor and faux paint detail on doors: Twin Diamonds Studio.
THE POOL
Jeff Potter/Scott Brinitzer, J&G Landscape Design, Inc.
Resources: Plants: Manor View Farm, Monkton, MD; Outdoor Umbrella: Crate and Barrel.
SPECIALISTS: Painting outdoor furniture: Horizon Houseworks.
POOL KITCHEN
Nadia Subaran, Aidan Design
Resources: Cabinetry: Wood-Mode thru Aidan; Appliances: Viking thru HADCO; Farmhouse sink and faucet: Rohl thru Appliance Builders Wholesale (ABW); Countertops: supplied by Marva, fitting and fabrication by Norwood; Stainless Steel Shelves: AK Metal Fabricators; Flooring Tiles: Architectural Ceramics; Lighting Pendants: LucePlan available thru AIDAN; Cabinetry Hardware: HAFELE available thru Aidan; Artwork: Avery Studios; Walnut Butcher Block: Grothouse thru Aidan.
SPECIALISTS: Gruber Renovations (Brian Gruber, Matthew Gruber, Michael Gruber); Keller Design and Build (Steve Schwabb, David Keller, Brian Keller); J.H. Hymiller and Associates (Jack Hymiller, Jim Benchoff); Norwood Marble and Granite; Ak Metal Fabricators (Wade Hall, Eric Rice); Caribbean Remodeling (Brian Arjune); Baldwin’s Furniture Service (Kevin Baldwin).
GARDEN ROOM
Whitney Stewart, Whitney Stewart Interior Design
Resources: Window Treatments and soft furnishings: Fabric Accents by Emily: Furniture: American Eye; Pillow fabric (Beauregard Rose): Pierre Frey, through Hines & Co; White hide Rug: Patterson, Flynn & Martin; Birdcage Chandelier: Artisan Lamps; Paint: Farrow & Ball; Large framed Botanical photograph: Collection of Whitney Stewart.
SPECIALISTS: General Contractor: John Juenemann; Plant Material: Potomac Floral Wholesale; Special thanks to Christina Griffin and Gay Barclay.
SUN ROOM
Gary Lovejoy, Gary Lovejoy Associates, Inc.
Resources: Lounge Chairs: M2L Collection; Gehry Cardboard Table/Stool: M2L Collection; Chaise: Stewart Furniture; Fabric: Pollack fabric & Knoll & Kravet; Arm Chair: Donghia
Leather, Townsend Leather; Metal Screen: Poltrona Frau; Round End Table: A. Rudin through Michael Cleary; Drum Table: Sandback through Willem Smith; Drink Table: Century Furniture; Etagere: Walter’s Wicker; Parentesi suspension Light: Illuminations; Mirror: Architrave through American Eye; Area Rug: Edelman cowhide; Drapery Fabrication: Coleman Interiors; Drapery Fabric: Chella through Michael Cleary; Seat Cushion on Bench: L.P. Oliver & Sons, Inc.; Fabric: Edelman cowhide; Woven Bench: Niedermaier; Stacking Chairs: Donghia; Accessories: JANUS et Cie and Ani Kasten; American Eye Table with Glass Top: Lovejoy Assoc.; Bel Pre Glassworks.
SPECIALISTS: Painting Contractor: Chapin International Wall Designs; Electrical Contractor: Contract Electric; Faux Finisher: Fine Art Finishes; Ceiling Light Fixtures: Patricia Stanley at Dominion Electric, Tech Lighting.
KOI POND
Scott Brinitzer/Jeff Potter, Scott Brinitzer Design Associates
Resources: Larry; Seat Cushions: M.C. Interiors, Kevin Jung; Chairs: Sherwood Design, Marina Simmons.
SPECIALISTS: Koi Pond: Harmony Ponds, Al Short; Lighting: Outdoor Illumination.
LIBRARY
Nancy M. Colbert, Design Partners, LLC
Resources: Paint: Farrow and Ball; Wall Covering: Studio E through Niermann Weeks; Avery Fine Art: Leather Library Books, Go-Home, Ltd., Michael Getz Antiques, Inc., Miller and Arney Antiques; Hickory Chair; Masland Carpets, Inc.; Global Views, personal collection from Nancy Colbert.
SPECIALISTS: Painting Contractor: William Patterson; Custom Millwork: Holleman Contracting; Decorative Painting: Studio 33; Wall Covering Installation: Murphy Decorating; Window Treatment Fabrication: Knightsbridge Interiors; Electrical Services: Contract Electric, Maria Morga.
DINING ROOM
Camille Saum, Camille Saum Interior Design, LLC
Resources: Rendering: Camille Saum Interior Design, LLC, Nicole Hansen; Table Settings: Consider It Done, Timothy Albrecht; Watercolor Artwork: Debra Nicholas Portrait Studio; Back Chair Fabric, Drapery Fabric, Table Skirt Fabric: F. Schumacher & Co; Paint: Farrow and Ball; Custom Art Frames: Framer McGee's, Ginger Hopkins; Napkins: Gore Dean; Accessories: Grants Antiques; Front Chair Fabric, Valtekz: J. Lambeth & Co.; Dining Chairs, and Upholstery: Karges & Caron; Alter Crosses: Michael-Cleary; Breakfront Accessories: Neiman Marcus; Antique Mirror Top, Silver Leafed Mirror, Lantern: Niermann Weeks; Center Piece: Pier 1 Imports; Marble Fireplace: Stone and Tile World, Goran Zukic; Bamboo Heater Cover: Stonehenge Building, Tom Salter; Antique Breakfront: The Great British Pine Mine; Swedish Gustavian Sideboard, Danish Rococo Chest of Drawers and French Brass Wall Lanterns: Tone on Tone, Loi Thai.
SPECIALISTS: Faux Finishing Check Floors, Stenciling Breakfront: Atelier Artists, Ali Nasari; Moss Designer: Carol Inskeep, AIFD; Sand and prepared floor for faux-finisher: Classic Floors; Moss Supplier: David L. Powers, AIFD, Potomac Floral; Drapery Fabrication and Installation, Table Skirt Fabrication: Design Logistics, Inc.; Painting, Paneling, and Wood Repair: Hann & Hann; Fireplace Demolition: Linden Wood Working; Hearth Demolition: Midas Construction; Furniture Delivery: N-Route.
SECRET GARDEN BATH
Jason Hodges, J. Hodges & Associates, LLC
Resources: Custom Art in Entry Area: Nia Stratos; Framed Butterflies and Flower, Custom Mirror in Bathroom: Avery Studios; Carpet/Runner in Hall: Masland Carpets; Paint: Farrow and Ball; Garden Stool at Vanity: Michael-Cleary, The Washington Design Center, To the Trade Only; Shower Curtain Fabric: Pindler - Purchased through Danah Distributors, To the Trade Only.
SPECIALISTS: Painting, remodeling, and custom millwork for wall detail and desk: Xtreme Painting & Remodeling, LLC, Daniel Jasinski; Lighting and Vanity: Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. Margaret Anne Saunders Shower Curtain Fabrication: Danah Distributors, To the Trade Only.
SECRET GARDEN
Samantha Friedman, Samantha Friedman Interior Designs, LLC
Resources: Custom Drapery and Pillows: Rockville Interiors; All fabrics: Duralee; All paint: Farrow and Ball; Bed: Baker Furniture; Mirror: Baker Furniture; Carpet: Carpet Impressions; Wall Sconces: Vaughn featured at Hines and Company; Artwork: Avery Studios; Bedding: Sferra Bedding featured at Timothy Paul Bedding and Home; Dressers: Bungalow 5.
SPECIALISTS: Custom Millwork of trees, nightstands and radiator covers: Linden Woodwork; General Contractor and Painter: XTreme Painting and Remodeling; Electrical: Michael & Son Services.
CERULEAN SANCTUARY
Cindy McClure, Grossmueller’s Design Consultants, Inc.
Resources: Plumbing Fixtures- Newport Brass, Speakman: Atlantic Bath and Brass; Custom Shower Screen: River Glass Designs; Electrical Fixtures: Robert Abbey Tyrone Sconce; Paint: Farrow and Ball.
SPECIALISTS: Custom Carpentry Installation: ART Design Build, Inc.; Tile at the Tub surround- Mixed Up Mosaics from Mosaic Tile; Tile Installation: Galdamez Construction; Plumbing Installation: Mark Brew Plumbing and Heating, Inc.; Sound System Installation: ABE Networks; Electrical Installation: JKJ Electric.
THE HIDEAWAY
Lauren Liess, Lauren Liess Interiors
Resources: Fabrics on chairs and window seat: Peter Dunham and Jasper Michael Smith {can be ordered through John Rosselli}; Curtain fabric by Lauren Liess Textiles; Sisal Rug, Diamond Pattern by Stark; Grisaille and various artwork: Matthew Moore; Grasscloth by Seabrook; Various accessories/antiques: John Rosselli Antiques; Llama sconces by Porta Romana; Glass lamps by Stray Dog Designs; Curtain hardware by Brimar; Bamboo Shades by Horizons.
ONE FOR THE GUYS
David Mitchell, David Mitchell Interior Design
Resources: Bed Reupholstery: JK Drapery; Bedding: Sferra Bedding Provided by Timothy Paul Bedding and Home; TV: Ultraudio, Larry Packer; Desk: David Mitchell for Salvations Architectural Furnishings; Wall Light: Circa Lighting; Rug: David Mitchell Interior Design; Dresser: David Mitchell Interior Design; Mirror: David Mitchell Interior Design; Round Table: David Mitchell Interior Design; Artwork: David Mitchell Interior Design; Bench: David Mitchell Interior Design; Desk Chair: David Mitchell Interior Design; Accessories: David Mitchell Interior Design.
SPECIALISTS: Paint, Construction: John L. Juenemann; Drapery, Upholstery: JK Drapery; Delivery Service: Handle with Care; Art Hanger: Craig Cahoon; Rug Delivery: Normandy Carpet; Audio Visual: Larry Packer; Designer: David Mitchell; Designer: Elizabeth Baebel.
MASTER BEDROOM & DRESSING ROOM
Iantha Carley, Iantha Carley Interiors
Master Bedroom
Resources: Fabricator – Atelier Draperies, Inc.; Bed Canopy/Drapery Fabric: Lee Jofa; Bed Linens: Sferra available through Timothy Paul Bedding & Home; Side Tables/Headboard/Accessories: Century Furniture; Sconces: Niermann Weeks; Desk /Lacquered Tray: Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams; Chair: Lee Jofa; Chair Fabric: Romo Fabrics; Garden Stool: American Eye Showroom; Credenza: The New Traditionalists; Light Switches: Forbes and Lomax available through Iantha Carley Interiors; Shutters: Hunter Douglas available through Iantha Carley Interiors; Original Art: The Art Registry, Holger Griebl; Lamps /Etagere/Accessories: Baker Furniture.
SPECIALISTS: General Contracting/Painting: Lackford Painting; Design Assistant: Beverly Ross.
MASTER BATH
Allie Mann, Case Design/Remodeling
Resources: Specialty Tile: Architectural Ceramics; Vanity Cabinet: Crystal Cabinetry; Counter Top: Norwood Marble and Granite; Glass Enclosure and Mirror: Sterling Mirror; Paint: Farrow and Ball; Specialty Artwork: Avery Art.
SPECIALISTS:
Electrical: Berardi Electrical; Plumbing: GreCo Plumbing; Specialty Plumbing and Lighting Material: Ferguson Enterprises.
POWDER ROOM
Denise Willard, Décor by Denise
Resources: Chandelier and Sconces: Fine Art Lamps; Decorative Accessories and Linens: Valerianne; Mirror: Uttermost; Sink Skirt Fabric: Rodolph; Sink Skirt Trim: Houles; Window Shade Fabric: Highland Court; Window Shade Beaded Trim: Robert Allen; Decorative Wall and Trim Finishes: Beth Goldsmith Creative Works.
SPECIALISTS: Base Painting: Byers Wallpaper & Painting; Wallpaper Removal: Star Painting; Window Shade Installation: Robert Shoemaker; Construction and Electrical: Metro Kitchen and Bath; Custom Fabrication: Leang So; Wall Artwork: Broadway Gallery.
FAMILY ROOM
Barbara Franceski, Barbara Franceski LLC
Resources: Accessories: Barbara Franceski LLC; Acrylic Accent Table: Gus through homebody; Alpaca Bolster: Holland & Sherry; Area Rugs: Patterson, Flynn & Martin; Art (Original Portraits): Dave Peterson, BrandDave; Art (Abstract): Verdigris Antiques; Bench (Leather, on Casters): Lee Industries through American Eye; Ceiling Fixture: JH Lighting & Brassworks, Inc. through Michael-Cleary, LLC; Clam Shell: Century Furniture; Club Chair (Upholstered): Donghia; Club Chairs (Leather, Stainless Steel Base): Donghia; Desk: Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman; End Table (Round): Hickory White through American Eye; Fabrics: Clarence House, Designers Guild, Donghia, and Pollack; Fanback Wing Chair: Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman; Lamp (Floor): Judco; Lamp (Table): Baker Knapp & Tubbs; Lion Bench: Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman; Loveseat: William Yeoward; Lucite Pedestal: Baker Knapp & Tubbs; Ottoman (Large Square): Donghia; Ottomans (Small Square): Lee Industries through American Eye; Paint (Wall & Trim): Farrow & Ball (Oxford Stone No. 264 – Eco Dead Flat); Paint (Ceiling): Farrow & Ball (Dimity No. 2008 – Estate Emulsion); Trim: Fabricut through J. Lambeth; Sofa: Lee Industries through American Eye; Stool (Blue Leather): Erik Jorgensen through Furniture from Scandanavia; Swedish Club Chair: Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman.
SPECIALISTS: Artwork Installation: Art and Mirror Hanging, LLC; Contractor: Foxcraft Design Group, Inc.; Custom Roman Shades and Pillow Fabrication: J. K. Drapery, Inc.; Delivery Service: N-Route LLC; Electrical Work: Rugger Electric; Floor Refinishing: Classic Floor Designs; Painting: Washington Wallcovering
JULY/AUGUST 2011
Marika Meyer launched her Bethesda firm, Marika Meyer Interiors, after earning a degree in fine arts, studying design at the Corcoran—and working at the Corporate Executive Board in DC. “Learning project management and business skills was crucial in enabling me to run a business successfully,” she says.
One early project that tested her mettle was the complete makeover of a Georgetown rowhouse for a client who was downsizing; it involved gutting and renovating the entire house. “I managed the project on my own,” Meyer recalls. “It gave me a lot of confidence. After that, my business just started growing, even in the downturn.”
In the narrow kitchen of that home, Meyer designed banquette seating with storage above and below as a “space-saving maneuver.” The designer prides herself on listening to clients and understanding their likes and dislikes. She recently helped a young, budget-conscious couple furnish their Logan Circle home using vintage furniture and created an elegant living room in Georgetown with built-in millwork for clients bent on displaying their books.
Meyer says that one of her design philosophies is that “there has to be a merging of form and function. The majority of our clients are families, so we make sure there is realistic, approachable space that they can live in.”
**Out of the array of interior design magazines, Home and Design magazine stands out as a primary idea source for luxury home designs. Wonderful visuals of inspired décor and lush landscapes are combined with expert advice to provide a fundamental reference point for bringing amazing home interior design ideas to life.
