Interior designer Gwen Seidlitz had a clear vision of the look she wanted to achieve in her teenage son’s bathroom in her family’s new Great Falls home. She wanted it to be masculine and convey an Old World style, but also wanted to avoid anything too traditional or fussy.
Seidlitz turned to kitchen and bath designer Davida Rodriguez to help make her vision a reality. Given the architecture of the long, narrow space, installing a bathtub and a separate shower wasn’t an option. Seidlitz chose to forgo the bath, since there are several other tubs in her home, and opted for a spacious shower clad in textural travertine. To create interest, Rodriguez added a chair rail detail to the shower, above which she created a diagonal tile pattern on the wall. She also designed a diagonal pattern on the shower floor to complement the walls.
“The travertine is a new material from Turkey,” says Rodriguez. “There’s only one quarry that makes it. It just has this beautiful movement, which really adds a lot of interest.”
As the focal point in the room, Seidlitz selected double-vanity cabinetry by Habersham in a distressed wood finish. The natural material palette also includes an ebony-stained hickory floor, which is used throughout the house. Rodriguez suggested a Cosmic Black granite countertop to tie together the dark floors and the travertine, which has dark striations.
Plumbing fixtures in a dark, “live” finish are the final touch. “They actually change tone and develop a patina over time,” says Seidlitz.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Gwen Seidlitz, Sage Interiors, Great Falls, Virginia; Bath Design: Davida Rodriguez, Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles, Gaithersburg, Maryland; photography: Bob Narod, Sterling, Virginia
RESOURCES: Vanity: Habersham. Plumbing Fixtures: Rohl. Travertine Tile & Countertop: Davida’s Kitchen & Tiles.
Toto's Ethos Collection
Toto’s Ethos Collection pays tribute to great American cities. Celebrating New York’s Art Deco movement, the Design N II Pedestal Lavatory and Widespread Faucet shown here are sleek and simple but sophisticated enough to work in any style of bathroom. The faucet is polished chrome with contoured lever handles. Visit www.totousa.com.
Available in brushed nickel, the eight-inch Sunray showerhead plays to the whimsical side of shower lovers’ tastes. It features five adjustable shower spokes that radiate from the center spray hub; it mounts to any standard shower arm. Visit www.danze.com.
After introducing the square WaterTile shower spray last year, Kohler debuted the WaterTile Round Shower Spray in 2008. Both products were designed to eliminate the visual clutter of multiple showerheads. The round tile covers the same basic footprint as its square counterpart, comes in two spray intensities and can be adjusted up and down and in all directions. Visit www.kohler.com.
JACLO’s Rain Canopy is designed to transform the mundane shower into a luxurious day at the spa. Rain canopies are available in round, square, oval and rectangular models and in a range of sizes from 12 to 20 inches. Visit www.jaclo.com.
Los Angeles-based Alchemy Glass & Light recently introduced the Celestial Series of sinks, which are crafted from geometric shapes reminiscent of a meteor shower. The Mosaic sink shown here incorporates glass shards and pebbles in a brilliant spectrum of color. Visit www.alchemyglass.com.
Perfect for a powder room or compact bath, Stone Forest’s space-saving Slab Vanity marries a Carrara marble top with a sleek stainless-steel stand. The top is also available in honed basalt. Visit www.stoneforest.com.
Kohler’s new Revival wall-mount faucet creates a clutter-free countertop space that is easy to clean. This wall-mounted version is a new design of one of the company’s most popular faucet collections, perfect for both traditional and transitional settings. It is available in several finishes, including brushed nickel, gold, bronze and brass. Visit www.kohler.com.
THG’s latest line of faucetry is made of Bernardaud porcelain, emulating the finest French dinnerware. The Capucine Mauve motif shown here combines painted purple butterflies with a gold finish. Other styles are stamped with metallic accents or drizzled with garlands of black and gold bay leaves. Visit www.thgusa.com.
The Sirius faucet by Danze makes a sleek, sculptural statement in the bath with its ribbon-like spout. Available in brushed nickel and chrome, the Sirius collection includes a full line of accessories, including shelves. Visit www.danze.com.
Freshen up for spring with Waterworks’
newest line of bathroom accessories. The collection includes toothbrush holder, lidded containers, tank tray and wastebasket (not shown) in iceberg and crepe. Visit www.waterworks.com.
Ann Sacks’ new Mirror tiles bring a modern aesthetic to the bath. The product’s smooth surface and metallic effects—available in silver or copper—convey a minimalist vibe. Intense polishing imparts these porcelain tiles with their reflective surface. Visit www.annsacks.com.
Designers Danny Christmas and Shannon Woodward
helped them update the once-drab space using
sophisticated furnishings and a warm color palette.
At home for a short break from the campaign trail in January, ABC News senior political correspondent Jake Tapper plays with six-month-old daughter, Alice Paul, in his sun-filled great room. In two days, Tapper is scheduled to fly down to Fort Lauderdale to catch up with the Giuliani campaign and then to Simi Valley, California, to cover a Republican debate. Where he goes after that is anyone’s guess. “If I get to run home and see Alice during this busy time, I always take the opportunity,” he says as she nods off in his arms. “This makes the three-hour flight worth it.”
With election year in full swing, Tapper will be on the road for weeks on end. But fortunately, the family’s new home in a forested enclave bordering Rock Creek Park offers a peaceful refuge from the fray when Tapper just happens to be in DC. “There’s nothing like coming back here after an intense day of political melodrama and sitting on the porch,” he says. “It’s quiet and isolated. Even though it’s just a few blocks away from one of the busiest streets in DC, it feels like another world.”
A self-described “political dork” who grew up in Philadelphia, Jake Tapper, 38, has lived in Washington since the 1990s. He began his journalism career in print, covering politics for Washington City Paper and later Salon.com. After stints on the CNN talk show “Take Five” and a VH1 series on pop culture, he landed a job with ABC News. Tapper now contributes regularly to “Good Morning America,” “Nightline,” “World News with Charles Gibson” and “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”
Tapper met Jennifer at the 2004Iowa presidential caucus. They made plans to go to dinner back home in DC the following night. “After that first dinner with him, I knew something was going to happen,” says Jennifer, who does advocacy work on women’s issues. The couple married in 2006 in Jennifer’s home state of Missouri. “We got married at President Truman’s old men’s club,” says Jennifer. “It felt very East Coast because of the history and the politics.”
After a few months in Jake’s Adams Morgan bachelor pad (black leather sofa, James Bond poster), the couple decided it was time to find a more permanent residence. When their agent showed them the four-story home on Rock Creek, they were instantly drawn to the property and its leafy surroundings. “There was so much natural light. I had a deep emotional connection to it on one level because it reminds me a lot of my grandparents’ house...from the bookshelves in the living room to the light to the trees,” says Jake. They made an offer within hours and the house was theirs.
The Tappers turned to mother-daughter design team Danny Christmas and Shannon Woodward for help with the interiors. “Every wall was white,” recalls Jennifer. “There were these thick curtains in the great room. It seemed kind of closed-in and dark. We wanted to make it feel more like a home, give it some warmth and make it a happy place to walk into.”
In close collaboration with Jennifer, Christmas and Woodward set out to create spaces that reflected the couple’s style. They selected a warm color palette of creams and golds and replaced the heavy cornices with dupioni silk drapes. They upholstered new furniture—including a pair of love seats and a sofa in the great room—with rich fabrics in gold, raspberry and toile. And in the dining room, they fashioned custom drapes in a vibrant silk plaid.
“We wanted it to be youthful,” says Woodward. “It’s their first home and Jennifer wanted to be able to entertain more and wanted it to be sophisticated but still fun.”
The Tappers couldn’t be happier with the outcome. “I think having this home be such a reflection of who I am and who Jake is makes me feel very comfortable,” says Jennifer. “Even when he’s not here, it doesn’t seem like he’s very far away.”
The great room of the home.
The Tappers moved into the house in May 2007, just a few months before Alice was born; most of the work was complete in time for her arrival. The nursery is done up in pink—Jennifer’s favorite color. Above the changing table is a painting that Jake created for their daughter in the months before her birth.
To spend as much time as possible with the family, Tapper has a soundproof study equipped so that he can feed audio from home. He also posts daily commentary on his ABC News blog, Political Punch.
In the world of round-the-clock news online and on TV, does this political junky have a hard time disconnecting from the never-ending stream of political drama and punditry? “With 24/7 [news] and Blackberries and email, it can be a challenge,” Tapper admits. “But if Alice is awake, it’s pretty easy to put the Blackberry away.”
Photographer Bob Narod is based in Sterling, Virginia
INTERIOR DESIGN: Danny Christmas, ASID, and Shannon Woodward, Interior Magic, Chevy Chase, Maryland
Part of the beauty—and the challenge—of renovating a home is preserving the spirit of the original structure while creating a new whole. This was the task facing Yuri Sagatov of Sagatov Associates, Inc., when he embarked on a plan to overhaul and expand the 1960s Arlington contemporary that he and his wife Michelle purchased in 2003.
Built on a quiet cul-de-sac, the home is perched on the edge of a wooded ravine. A meandering creek below flows into the Potomac River nearby. Wooded properties located a few minutes from Washington, DC, don’t get much better than this one.
Despite the home’s shortcomings, Sagatov envisioned the full potential of the residence, whose previous owner was the architect who designed it. Like most homes of its era, it contained a series of small rooms, including an outdated kitchen, and had little connection with the surrounding landscape. But its clean lines and dramatic positioning had strong appeal. “The idea was obviously to make the house a lot different,” says Sagatov. “The previous house had really no windows across the back. The goal was to open up the back of the property and leverage the view.”
Sagatov approached the design carefully, taking time to get to know the house and the lay of the land. He devised a plan that would double the size of the original 2,500-square-foot structure with a four-story addition. The finished project would include a spacious new kitchen and great room, an airy loft, two new bedrooms and two new baths plus a lower level complete with an office, a rec room with a home theater and a bar and an exercise room. Careful massing would create a “dialog with the landscape” and conceal much of the new volume from the front of the property, where the façade would in many aspects remain true to its original form.
“I worked on the plans for about two years before we actually started,” says Sagatov. “A lot changes over two years. What you think you want changes. One of the advantages to living in a house prior to renovating is that I got to go through the seasons and got very familiar and intimate with the lot. Having that time to let the plans kind of gestate in the long run allowed me to best leverage the views and the orientation.”
Sagatov cites one of his greatest challenges as “trying to integrate the house so it architecturally looked like one, as opposed to an addition.” He selected exterior materials that would help blend the original structure with the new. The addition is clad in cedar and HardiePanel siding, while the brick on the original façade was painted a complementary dark forest green. Inside and out, natural surfaces and finishes reinforce a well-honed modern aesthetic.
In the foyer, an ascending staircase was removed to make way for a new bedroom on the second floor. To create a smooth transition from the foyer into the new volume, Sagatov concealed a 20-foot steel support beam in the floor system above. “The general idea was to create kind of an acceleration when you walk in. You come through the door and into this view,” he says.
The entry leads through the original part of the home, where the living room and dining room are still located, into the dramatic new space beyond, housing a gleaming kitchen and a great room with 24-foot-high ceilings ascending to an airy loft. By skewing the great room seven and a half degrees from the main bias of the home, Sagatov diverted the view away from the neighboring property. Massive windows frame nature’s glory all year round.
Designed with entertaining in mind, the kitchen features a 48-inch professional range, two full-sized sinks and dishwashers, a built-in espresso machine and wine cooler, and a large U-shaped island with bar seating. The kitchen/great room opens to a large screened porch perched over the ravine.
Throughout the home, natural materials echo its surroundings. “The goal was to create an organic contemporary, to blend a lot of exterior materials and bring them inside the house,” says Sagatov. “We used a lot of slate, Carrera marble and dark woods to create a blending with the forest.”
With no formal training in design or architecture, the “self-taught” Sagatov, 31, learned his trade on the job, working for the family-owned company his father Lou Sagatov started in 1985. “I grew up in the family business,” Yuri says. His experience paid off when the firm was awarded a 2007 Contractor of the Year award for his home in the category of entire house over $1 million.
Ready for the next challenge, Sagatov put this award-winning property on the market late last year. Construction is almost complete on his family’s new home in Arlington, built to be environmentally friendly from the ground up. “It’s extremely green. It will be the first house in Arlington with a full green ‘living roof,’” he says. “We think it will be the greenest house built in Arlington from the systems involved to the insulation to the green roof. It’s going to be a pretty cool house.”
Dan Mesches had a kitchen that hardly reflected his profession as a restaurateur and the chief executive of Star Restaurant Group (Zola, Indigo Landing and formerly Red Sage). Its outdated cabinets, baseline appliances, Formica countertops and linoleum floors had to go. “It was a dark and unwelcoming space,” he recalls.
The Mesches family turned to interior designer Melissa Broffman to renovate the kitchen, breakfast and family rooms; add a mudroom and butler’s pantry; and relate these spaces to the dining room and living room. “The goals were to unify the space of the four main rooms both physically…and aesthetically, to more clearly articulate the Arts and Craft movement reflected in the rest of the house,” says Mesches.
Broffman set out to design a 21st-century kitchen steeped in period charm. She was able to gain space in the layout by combining the former kitchen and breakfast room, once divided by a long bar/countertop, into one large room. Contractors were able to remove a large ceiling soffit that also had divided the space. Broffman integrated a layered lighting plan that includes period pendants, recessed cans, task directionals, under-cabinet pucks and tabletop and floor lamps, all of which are on dimmers. “We do not like harsh, artificial light and the combination of xenon and dimmers allows us to mimic daylight while still providing important wattage for kitchen tasks that require it,” says Mesches.
Broffman emphasized the Arts and Craft aesthetic, utilizing fabric and wallcoverings in William Morris designs that she discovered at J. Lambeth in Washington, DC. Oil-rubbed bronze and nickel faucets, a hammered copper sink and a custom 3.5-inch-thick maple butcher block with a distressed finish by Brad Mizell complete the au naturel look. “There are layers of texture and detail,” says Broffman. “Plenty for the eye to see.”
INTERIOR DESIGN: Melissa Broffman, Allied Member ASID, Melissa Broffman Interior Design, Arlington, Virginia. CABINETRY: Judy Bracht, Stuart Kitchens, McLean, Virginia. CONSTRUCTION: Merrill Contracting, Arlington, Virginia. PHOTOGRAPHY: Lydia Cutter, Arlington, Virginia
They knew the galley kitchen was cramped, the bathrooms were outdated and the tiny windows all but concealed the spectacular views outside. In their minds, the location made up for the home’s lack of character. “It was one of the ugliest houses in the neighborhood,” recalls Karen Grissen. “But Dave was very attracted to the lot being set back here…because of the freedom in the back, not seeing other homes and being able to walk down to the [C & O] Canal.” They bought the 1960s-era center-hall colonial realizing the potential for expansion on its secluded lot.
During their home search, the couple was also drawn to the work of architect Jim Rill, who was designing several unique Craftsman-style homes in the Potomac community of Merry-Go-Round Farm. As soon as they moved in, they set up a meeting with Rill to discuss a renovation.
Little did they know, that initial conference marked the beginning of a decade-long collaboration that would encompass not one, but two, major additions to their home. The Grissens first approached Rill to create a larger, more open kitchen with a breakfast area, a three-car garage and a family room where they could gather with their two young sons. The homeowners envisioned a typical remodeler’s bump-out from the rear, but Jim Rill had other ideas.
“One of the things we really responded to was the site,” Rill recalls. “The house had no connection to the yard, either physically or visually. The kitchen ran across the whole back [of the house] but had a little tiny window. So when you walked in, you saw nothing.” Behind the house was a spartan kidney-shaped pool surrounded by a concrete deck.
Rill proposed building a new wing on the north side of the house set at an angle so that it would not overwhelm the original structure. It would encompass a new garage on the lower level and a light-filled, vaulted family room above it. The home’s former family room would become a spacious kitchen opening to the new family room. What was once the galley kitchen would become a butler’s pantry connecting the new kitchen to the dining room.
Rill’s plan, completed in 2001, also opened up the interior to improve traffic flow throughout the house—and take advantage of the woodsy views outside. Now, there’s an instant visual connection to the outdoors through French doors in the dining room and plenty of windows in the kitchen and family room. A major overhaul of the existing pool by Rowan Landscape Company—including the addition of a waterfall flowing into a hot tub—greatly enhanced the back-yard setting. “By angling the addition a little bit, we were able to give it some drama,” says Rill.
To lend the home character and architectural detail, he honed in on Karen and Dave Grissen’s fondness of Craftsman and shingle-style design. “We call it Colorado rustic Arts and Craft,” says Karen Grissen. “I’m from California, Dave’s from Michigan. We spend a lot of time in Colorado. We just love the architecture out there.”
Rill enhanced the home’s façade with a new front porch and a breezeway with a dormer above that connects the main house to the new wing. A change of materials helped transform the typical colonial into something more eclectic without sending shockwaves through the established neighborhood. “We went with shingles on the second floor and we changed to copper roofs for the breezeway connection,” explains Rill. “We put the balustrade around the front of the house to give it some formality.” Crafstman-style elements also distinguish the interiors, from the custom trusses and the dry-stacked fieldstone fireplace in the family room to the slate floors in the kitchen.
“The second addition kept that inspiration going,” says Rill, describing the most recent phase of the program, which he designed with colleague Kay Kim. An executive in the hospitality industry, Dave Grissen hosts frequent business events at home and liked the idea of creating a large space for entertaining. In addition, the Grissens had grown tired of their small master bedroom and bath in the original part of the home. The idea of building a new wing on the southwestern side of the house was born.
Rill and Kim designed a three-story addition, to be connected to the side of the home by a three-story breezeway. The new master suite, located on the main level, boasts a bedroom with coffered ceiling; a luxurious bath overlooking the woods; a spacious closet with custom-designed cabinetry; and a splendid screened-in porch overlooking the pool. A stairway leads from the suite to Dave Grissen’s third-floor private office, where he can truly focus on work away from the activity of the household.
A curved gallery from the original home’s living room (now used as a den) leads to the master suite and Rill and Kim’s pièce de résistance: an open, freestanding curved mahogany-and-steel stair leading down to the wing’s ground-level entertainment room. “This curve is like a signature by Jim Rill,” says Karen Grissen. “To me, it is like a piece of art.”
The lower level is home to billiards and shuffleboard tables, a seating area surrounding a stone fireplace and flat-screen TV, a full granite-topped bar equipped with another TV and beer on tap, a home gym and a spa bathroom complete with changing room, sauna and steam shower.
On the outside, the architects and builder extended the patio surrounding the pool and paved it with flagstone. They also created a large outdoor fireplace—a last-minute request from the Grissens that got plenty of use during several recent dinner parties.
Rill can hardly contain his enthusiasm when describing how much fun is packed into the entertainment space. “It’s a cabana, it’s a tavern, it’s a terrace, it’s a deck, it’s a family room, a living room, a game room. It’s all those things tied into one. Containing it so that it actually feels like it’s not busy was probably the biggest achievement here,” he says.
Throughout the basement space, materials achieve a rustic but sophisticated look, from the flagstone floors to the mahogany-paneled coffered ceiling and vintage wooden beams. “We wanted the floor to be flagstone so the pool material came right into the house to make it feel like it’s a part of the outside,” explains Rill. “By painting the ceiling coffers green, we also tie into the natural surroundings.”
Despite the clubby feel, the room is full of natural light with windows and French doors wrapping two sides of the space. “Having this much glass in the basement was a real feat too,” continues Rill. “We didn’t want it to look like an addition sitting on a glass block, so we worked on that with columns and brackets and porches. You always get a sense of light from all parts of the house and strong connections to the beautiful views.”
Rill credits his clients for their receptiveness to the playful design elements that make their home complete. “We had a lot of freedom to play with and create fun, eclectic stuff and work with different materials,” he says. “And the builder made it very possible.”
“The new wing has allowed us to entertain more,” says Karen Grissen. “We had 85 people here recently, and it didn’t seem crowded at all. We probably could’ve had another hundred.”
When they first bought the original house, the Grissens never would have imagined what the typical colonial would become. Reflecting on the latest phase of the project, completed one year ago, Karen Grissen says, “When I wake up in the morning, I see a great view from the house and the porch, and the [sound of the] waterfall carries when we open up those French doors. I’m enjoying being home more.”
Photographer Lydia Cutter is based in Arlington, Virginia.
The curved mahogany-and-steel staircase was an engineering
challenge for the architects and builder.
The curved staircase leads to the lower level of the new wing
—an entertainment center complete with a granite-topped bar,
a stone fireplace and seating area, and pool and shuffleboard
tables. Rill suggested painting the ceiling coffers green to tie in
with the outdoors. Flagstone floors, mahogany ceiling panels
and rough-hewn vintage beams create a rustic feel.
The newly expanded pool terrace complete with outdoor hearth
is a great spot for parties all year round. A far cry from the
original home with its tiny windows, the new three-story
wing incorporates the entertainment room on the ground
level, the master-bedroom suite on the main level and an
office space and additional bedroom on the third floor.
Large windows, French doors, porches and catwalks
establish a strong connection to the outdoors.
When the time came to update their 28-year-old kitchen, Potomac residents Kelly and Steve Schorer turned to interior designer Linda Steimke and kitchen designer Lois Kennedy to design a highly functional space using the latest appliances and technology. Yet the look they envisioned was Old World, rustic and homey.
The designers gutted the original kitchen and devised a new floor plan that would include plenty of cabinet and counter space, a large center island, a breakfast bar and a separate desk area for Kelly Schorer.
The island is equipped with two refrigerated drawers and two dishwasher drawers on either side of the prep sink. Kelly has found this is the ideal set-up for making lunches for her two teenagers, while the adjacent round table with stools is the perfect spot for a quick breakfast before school.
Kennedy was instrumental in detailed cabinet design throughout the kitchen. She carved out a dedicated space for small appliances on the main countertop and concealed pull-out spice racks in the columns that flank either side of the range. The carved hood incorporating griffins and other mythical creatures is a replica of a similar one Kennedy designed for an NSO show house; the Schorers saw photos of it and requested one of their own.
Kennedy and Steimke worked together to select finishes and colors in the kitchen. “It’s Old World elegance with ease,” says Steimke. “It’s not stuffy or formal.” They honed in on rustic materials that would suggest this kitchen had withstood the test of time, such as the wide-plank, hand-scraped floors and the custom copper farmhouse sink that will develop a rich patina over the years. The designers varied the cabinet colors to avoid monotony. “I enjoy working with different colors,” says Kennedy. “It’s a way to create rhythm and movement and keep it from being too boring.”
KITCHEN DESIGN: Lois Kennedy, CKD, Portfolio Kitchens, Vienna, Virginia. INTERIOR DESIGN: Linda Steimke, Steimke & Associates, North Potomac, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Lydia Cutter, Arlington, Virginia.
The Fairfax County home that Richard and Jane Braun purchased in late 2004 came with its own slice of history: a pre-Revolutionary War log cabin that, legend has it, was part of an estate owned by the family of one of Martha Washington’s daughters.
Previous owners of the five-acre property painstakingly restored the cabin, and used it as a guesthouse. So when the Brauns moved into the main house (which is around 20 years old) and started a major kitchen renovation, they took inspiration from the log cabin. The idea was to design a rustic country kitchen using details in synch with those found in an 18th-century home. They turned to Lois Kennedy not only to help them plan a functional kitchen, but to create an ambiance evocative of their property’s historic past.
The overall plan enlarged the kitchen, bumping it out toward the backyard and the log cabin. The new space accommodates a large bi-level island, a professional-grade stove with dual ovens, a separate third oven, two sinks plus a wet bar. The layout works well whether the homeowners are having a quick breakfast, a family meal or a party for 50. The new kitchen also opens to the spacious family room, an ideal setup for entertaining.
From floor to ceiling, the finishes Kennedy and her clients selected exude a worn, rustic patina. Ceramic floor tiles resemble aged terra cotta. Reclaimed solid wood beams line the beadboard ceiling.
Kennedy used antique brick around the stove to suggest an old-fashioned hearth with chimney. Reclaimed barn wood on a cabinet above the stove conceals a television. The same wood fronts the cabinetry beneath the hammered copper sink.
A variety of cabinet and countertop finishes creates visual interest. On the central island, distressed concrete tops rustic barn wood shelves, while the adjacent cabinetry is topped with honed granite. Around the main kitchen sink, a deeper, olive green granite was used.
There are also three types of cabinetry in the space: Cherry that Kennedy had distressed and crackled, antiqued golden cabinets and knotty butternut wood cabinets with leaded glass doors in the bar area.
Jane Braun’s home office just off the kitchen is her “control central,” says Kennedy. “She wanted a little desk area that was out of sight but just off the kitchen.” A cupboard with beadboard doors in Williamsburg green carries the country feel into her space, which leads to a full pantry.
The Brauns are thrilled with the results of their renovation. “It’s wonderful when you have people who aren’t afraid of having some personality and want to give a signature character to a space,” says Kennedy.
KITCHEN DESIGNER: Lois Kennedy, CKD, Portfolio Kitchens, Vienna, Virginia. PHOTOGRAPHER: Lydia Cutter
Illuminated at night, the pool evokes a resort feel in the courtyard of the stucco-clad residence.
On the left, the freestanding pool house encloses a wet bar and a changing room for guests. The pool house doors are collapsible NanaWalls that can be opened completely.Like a stage set, a simple stone façade greets guests outside this Northwest DC home. Curious passersby might assume the structure is a museum or an embassy - until they enter and discover an expansive living room decked out with palm trees and a gold shag rug. Beyond, a wall of glass overlooks the pool, complete with fountains and a pool house awash in white drapes.This is a modern custom home where the vibe is decidedly more Delano than DC. It was built for serious entertaining by a single, 40-something real estate developer who refuses to take himself too seriously. Humor and political innuendo create a common thread in the pop art and sculpture thoughtfully placed throughout the home. A sci-fi fan, the owner even designed a logo for his new abode—a rocket ship—and commissioned an outdoor sculpture and dozens of monogrammed pool towels to reinforce the playful theme.
But there is more behind the project than sleek design and pop culture. The owner was compelled to build the home during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. "I was so upset by the condition of our country. I thought I could create a venue where people could meet to talk about things and to raise money for change." Though he often hosted fundraisers for 80 or 90 guests at his former DC home, he wanted to go even bigger.
So he bought an infill lot on a street of Victorians and Colonials and started talking to architects. Though he wanted the home to have a formal façade that would blend into the neighborhood, he sought a modern interior with large rooms that could be used for multiple purposes. "The original concept I wanted is a stage set. I wanted a façade that was very serious. But you open up the curtain, and it's actually playful," he says.
After two "big-name" architects drew up concepts that he felt did not reflect his vision, the owner was ready to throw in the towel. Then mutual friends introduced him to John Sage and John Coplen, two young architects who had recently launched their own firm, Alter Urban LLC, in Baltimore. The homeowner scheduled a meeting with both the architects and Josh and Emily Rosenthal of Rosenthal Homes, the custom building firm he was close to hiring. "John Sage sketched out exactly what I was talking about in front of us on a napkin," the homeowner recalls. "Emily Rosenthal said, 'That will work,' and we salvaged the project." He hired Rosenthal and Alter Urban on the spot. Also on board were Christopher Rice, who was involved in the concept stage and acted as architect of record; DC lighting designer Scott Guenther; DC landscape designer Thorne Rankin; and interior designers Sam Ewing and Gail Winn of Winter Park, Florida-based Ewing Noble & Winn. (Ewing and Winn had designed three previous residences for the client, who also owns a home in Florida.)
The project would be a collaborative effort among all the members of this group. "The team was excited by the chance to create something young and fresh and embraced Alter Urban's outside-the-box approach," says the homeowner. The architects embarked on a design program that would satisfy a number of requirements. As the scope of the structure grew to encompass 9,500 square feet, they wanted to downplay the size of the house from the street. They were faced with creating the volume their client wanted on a half-acre, wedge-shaped lot. With neighboring properties on all sides, establishing privacy presented another challenge.
Sage and Coplen sited the main, rectangular part of the house parallel to the street. They carefully scaled the façade so that the second story housing the master suite would be barely visible from the front. "Although the house is seemingly tall, the façade is still only one story," says Sage. "It helps bring down the scale of the rest of the house behind it."
To fit the oddly shaped lot, they angled a guest wing from the west side of the main house toward the rear of the property and added a free-standing pool house at the same angle on the east side. The structures form a triangular perimeter, screening the pool and courtyard from neighboring properties.
From the façade inward, the house progresses from formal to casual to intimate. The most formal spaces—the dining room and office—are located along the façade, their walls faced with the same cast stone used on the exterior. These spaces spill into the open living room and kitchen, which in turn lead to the bedrooms and the pool and courtyard beyond.
The home's cast-stone façade lends it a serious and solid presence. The architects scaled this exterior wall to mask the home's second story and minimize its mass from the street.Dark-stained bamboo kitchen cabinets and inked-maple floors in the kitchen and living room offset a colorful array of art and furnishings. The kitchen leads to a mudroom and a caterer's kitchen. With the two kitchens combined, the house is equipped to handle elaborate affairs with the countertops serving as stylish buffet and bar stations and the catering kitchen reserved for food storage, prep and clean-up.From the great room, a corridor housing an Andy Warhol series on the JFK assassination and a Keith Haring sculpture leads to a formal powder room, a large open stairway and the guest wing. With luxurious bathrooms, custom closets and access to the pool courtyard, the two guest suites rival any five-star hotel. Upstairs, far removed from the action below, the master suite boasts custom furniture, a dressing room by Poliform and a large bathroom with a steam shower and an oversized Italian tub hand-carved from a single block of marble.The home's lower level was designed to accommodate guests in style. A fully stocked bar, polished concrete floor and cascading "Mr. Bubbles" chandelier create a glamorous effect in the game room. It leads to another luxe powder room, a plush home theater and a gym.
Throughout the interiors, a clean-lined, minimalist sensibility prevails. A premium was placed on top-of-the-line lighting, appliances and finishes, from the glass-beaded Maya Romanoff wall covering in the main powder room to the crystal-orb chandeliers in the dining room. "It's important that the house have a solid textural feel," says the homeowner, who also had the property wired with a state-of-the-art Lutron lighting system and audio-visual automation.
The design team reviewed countless magazine clips and photographs their client collected to hone in on selections that would complement—and not compete with—the overall interior scheme. Says John Coplen, "There was a very conscious choice to make sure there was a simplified palette throughout the house. You'll notice that his furniture is very bright in color. It was really all about dimming the background and letting the furniture speak for itself."
The client wanted to be sure that the interiors didn't come off as cold, as is the case in some ultra-modern spaces. Designer Sam Ewing says they achieved a warm feel through the liberal use of color and texture. "Putting those huge trees in the living room totally changes the mood of the room," he says.
The same cast-stone used on the exterior lines the walls of the formal dining room, where Schonbek crystal-orb chandeliers make a glamorous statement. The dining room overlooks the entry courtyard and the office beyond.
"There is a continuity in the feel of everything we did that flows through the house. You don't feel disjointed when you go from one room to the next," says Gail Winn. "There's a certain whimsy to it, too, that makes it comfortable, even in the artwork. It doesn't look forbidden. It looks like you're meant to have fun."
Part of the reason the project was such a success is that all of the players were involved from its inception. "It was definitely a democratic process," says John Sage. "A lot of decisions were kind of thrown out there at meetings…In the end, whatever decision was made was never far askew from the original concept. It was an unusual situation in that the builder was included from the very beginning conceptual design, which was really nice because when we actually got to construction, there were no surprises."
The builders also made a concerted effort to be sure everything would come together seamlessly. "Rosenthal was very good about taking a very educated look at materials and putting the time into doing that," says John Coplen. "A lot of contractors don't want to deal with that."
The fruits of this collaboration are most apparent in the kitchen. The architects devised and roughly sketched the concept of a kitchen "in the round," with a large center island. Knowing the client's plan for entertaining on a large scale, Emily Rosenthal and kitchen designer Jerry Weed of Kitchen and Bath Studios in Chevy Chase drew up detailed plans that would function efficiently whether a meal was underway for two or 200. In turn, Ewing and Winn helped specify the finishing touches, such as the colorful bar stools and the stainless-steel cabinet hardware.
One of the team's priorities was to make the house as green as possible without compromising its aesthetic qualities. It features spray-in Icynene insulation; Energy Star-rated appliances; low-VOC paints; double-insulated, argon gas-filled windows; and basement floors made from recycled rubber. "We always try to bring it [green design] to the forefront," says John Coplen, "not so much to push clients but to educate them. Hopefully, when this client does his next project, it's not a question, it's a direction."
Their client is, in fact, contemplating his next DC project—an Indonesian-style glass house with a pool on the roof. When he's ready, he says, he'll be using the same design team. "If you have a strong vision of what you want to do, it's very important that you deal with people who want to realize it and not people who want to fit you into a box," says the homeowner. "I wanted something unique. It's not a new house built to look like an old house with all the chopped-up rooms that people used 100 years ago. It's a contemporary house with contemporary flow, which I think makes it stand out."
Architecture: John Coplen and John Sage, Alter Urban LLC, Baltimore, Maryland. Architect of Record: Christopher Rice, AIA, Austin, Texas. Contractor: Rosenthal Homes, Rockville, Maryland. Interior Design: Sam Ewing and Gail Winn, Ewing Noble & Winn, Winter Park, Florida. Landscape Design: Thorne Rankin & Associates, LLC, Washington, DC.
Stone Forest’s Farmhouse Sinks are hand-carved from
honed basalt, papiro cream marble and Carrara marble.
Available in single- or double-basin styles, the sinks measure
33 inches wide, 22 inches deep and 10 inches high.
Visit www.stoneforest.com.
Bronze and copper are popular finishes on the latest kitchen
products, from appliances to hardware. Brizo’s new Baliza
pull-out faucet (above) boasts a brushed bronze finish. It
features a four-function spray feature and a magnetic docking
system to prevent the faucet from dangling.
Visit www.brizo.com.
The new Bellefleur kitchen faucet by Danze was inspired by
the organic shape of a “beautiful flower.” A two-function pull-
down spray spout is fashioned into the flared end of the piece.
Available for kitchen or prep sink. Visit www.danze.com.
Kohler’s new Prologue stainless-steel kitchen sink was designed
to meet the needs of the serious home chef. It features a large
nine-inch-deep basin, a wet work surface, a wire colander that
nestles into the basin and a hardwood cutting board that slides
across the basin and over the colander. The cutting board and
colander can also be stored in an optional drawer system that
fits under the sink. Visit www.kohler.com.
Modern Marvels
High-tech hoods and modular solutions create a sleek look
Siemens's avangGarde multiMedia HoodMulti-tasking chefs
—and their guests—will enjoy hanging out in the kitchen
with Siemens’ avantGarde multiMedia Hood (right). A
high-resolution, 17-inch LCD is built into the 36-inch
chimney-style hood. The unit, which operates by remote,
also plays DVDs and audio CDs.
Visit www.siemens-home.com.
The new Sc61 (below), part of SieMatic’s Modern Classics
kitchen collection, marries form and function. The walnut
wall structure supports cabinets with smoked-glass doors
and open shelves for decorative display. The onWall Rail
features a lighting system and offers easy access to
cooking essentials (inset). Visit www.SieMatic.com.
Stone Forest’s Custom Kitchen Island boasts a top and
sink carved from a single block of a homeowner’s preferred
stone. Homeowners can also customize the material of the
cabinetry and the island’s size. Visit www.stoneforest.com.
Graham & Brown has introduced the CONTOUR wallpaper
collection as an alternative to kitchen tile. The splash-proof
and durable papers include the Mondrian-inspired Geo
five other designs ranging from florals to an Art Nouveau
motif. Visit www.grahambrown.com.
Cabinetry brings a rustic Craftsman look into the kitchen.
Composed of knotty alder, an abundant species in parts
of the Western U.S., the line has beveled edges and the
option of either arched or square tops.
Visit www.canackitchens.com.
Chefs, start your engines. Poggenpohl has partnered
with the Porsche Design Group to create the innovative
Kitchen P’7340, aimed at the growing number of men
who are passionate about cooking and place a premium
on good kitchen design. The modular system is based on
aluminum frames that can be configured any way the
homeowner wants as freestanding units or along a wall.
High-quality glass and textured wood surfaces juxtapose
high-tech styling with natural materials. The kitchen also
features built-in lighting and audio-video systems. All electric
appliances are supplied by Miele. The Porsche Design kitchen
hits U.S. shores in summer 2008. Visit www.poggenpohl-usa.com.
Gaggenau’s RW 414/464 Wine Storage Unit features two
separately adjustable temperature zones for storing white
and red wines, plus a separate storage area for decanters,
opened or over-sized bottles. An optional humidor can also
be placed in the unit, where regulated temperature and
humidity are optimal for cigar storage. The modular piece is
available in either 18- or 24-inch columns.
Visit www.gaggenau-usa.com.
MGS Design’s Vela, crafted from 100-percent stainless steel,
now comes in a new carbon finish to complement the hot
metallics showing up on some of today’s latest appliances.
It also looks great with contemporary black fixtures.
Visit www.mgsdesigns.com.
The Ariston Experience Coffee Center brings ease of use and
flexibility to in-home coffee making. Just 12 inches deep, the
machine can be built into cabinetry, suspended under an upper
cabinet or displayed on a countertop. Programmable controls
adjust the strength, flavor and size of every espresso,
cappuccino or latte. Visit www.aristonappliances.us.
Plan-It Granite & Marble’s new location in Sterling, Virginia,
is a one-stop idea center for kitchen and bath design. In
addition to a wide selection of stone and tile, the showroom
displays a variety of fully designed kitchens to help builders,
designers and consumers choose the features they want f
or top-to-bottom design and installation. It’s an ideal starting
point for remodeling. Call (703) 709-3551
or visit www.plan-itgranite.com.
Liebherr’s new SB-245 refrigerator combines food and wine
storage in a 48-inch, side-by-side solution. The model features
five separate temperature zones for optimum storage, including
a two-zone wine cabinet complete with a glass door. All of
German-manufacturer Leibherr’s refrigeration products are
Energy-Star rated. The company is also the first manufacturer
to comply with RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous
Substances) standards worldwide. For more information,
visit the Web site www.liebherr-appliances.com.
A true kosher kitchen, with separate areas for milk, meat and “pareve” food preparation, demands a generous amount of space. The Wolasky family, whose Baltimore kitchen was too small to accommodate these three separate zones, approached the designers at Baltimore’s Studio One to update their home and create a complete kosher kitchen.
“The original kitchen was very small and difficult to maneuver as a kosher kitchen. There was not enough space for each task,” says Marie Schwartz, who proposed a plan with colleague Rebeka Gurfinchel that would add more space to the kitchen in the front of the house. This addition would be balanced by a new loggia on the opposite side of the property.
The new front space became a large, light-filled dining area, where decorative painting on the walls reinforces a garden feel.
A breakfast bar connects this area to the main kitchen space, where there are three separate sinks and dishwashers. “The breakfast bar is for ease of dining without having to travel to the main body of the kitchen, as it is now very long,” says Schwartz. “We are partial to breakfast bars of varying sorts—we love the ‘bed and breakfast’ feel.”
Hearth-style cabinetry surrounds the main cooktop, with pull-out spice storage keeping essentials close at hand. A hand-painted tile backsplash creates an Old World look—as do the porcelain floor tiles from Italy.
The kitchen not only meets the family’s dietary requirements, but it’s also an elegant new spot for entertaining.
KITCHEN DESIGN: Rebeka Gurfinchel and Marie Schwartz, Studio One, Baltimore, Maryland. PHOTOGRAPHY: Anne Gummerson, Baltimore, Maryland.
Ginna Leatherbury and her husband were not strangers to living amid nature. In the early 1990s, they completed a weekend mountain house, designed by Mobley and built of wood and stone on 50 unspoiled acres near Little Washington, Virginia. For years, the couple had been thinking about trading the McLean condo where they lived during the workweek for a new home in a more pristine setting—if only they could find the right spot.
The McLean lot Bob Mobley discovered for them fit the bill. It was close to town, but its wooded setting and river views made the property a true escape. Before long, the land was theirs, and Mobley hit the drawing board. “They told me they didn’t want this one to look like the mountain house. On the new house, it was pretty clear that they wanted something more formal, and something that would take advantage of the river view.”
The sloping lot dictated where the house needed to be. “The site was configured in such a way that we didn’t have a lot of space to move the house forward or backward,” explains Mobley. Intent on designing a home that would blend in with rather than dominate the landscape, he proposed a plan: to build the house into the slope, maintaining a low profile on the front elevation. The finished home has four stories plus a roof deck, but the lower two levels are only visible from the back.
“We decided to do a ‘vertical’ house,” says Mobley. “From the street, it’s two stories. The two lower floors are partially in the ground but still have floor-to-ceiling views to the north and the river. We tried our best to give every room a view of the river.”
Drawing from the Arts and Crafts style, Mobley emphasized the horizontal lines of the home on the exterior. Clad in engineered but completely realistic-looking stone with a standing-seam metal roof, the house blends unobtrusively into its surroundings. “I wanted a house that looked like it belonged on the river,” says Mobley.
The architect played up the drama of the setting in his interior plan. From the front of the home, visitors have no visual clues that the house is set above the Potomac. The single-story foyer opens into a soaring 35-foot-high great room with a wall of windows that finally reveals the river below.
Despite its low profile, the home consists of 12,000 square feet of highly functional space. It incorporates an exercise room complete with an indoor “endless” pool and sauna, plus a dedicated fly-tying room, where the husband prepares for fishing trips, on the lowest level; two guest rooms, a media room, a wine cellar and a complete guest apartment on the next level; and the foyer, great room, dining room, kitchen and an office for Ginna Leatherbury on the main entry level (actually the third floor). Upstairs is the master suite with a sitting room and luxurious bath, as well as a trophy room where the husband, an avid hunter, displays many of his conquests. Above it all, a private roof deck with a hot tub, fireplace and fabulous river views beckons. There are eight fireplaces, seven bathrooms and an elevator on either side of the home.
During the planning stages, Ginna Leatherbury and her husband engaged interior designer Linda Houghton, who also decorated their mountain house. “Once we had the final plans, Linda was involved,” says Ginna Leatherbury. “She made so many changes I never would’ve thought of. I couldn’t recommend working with a designer at that stage more highly.” Houghton made some valuable suggestions on materials and art lighting well before construction began.
“Though they travel, their real joy is in their homes and in entertaining,” says Houghton of her clients. In the great room, she explains, “The expanse of vistas and the view of the river expand as you come into the house. We wanted to create a place where you could sit and enjoy the view and the architecture of the space. The color scheme was critical to that, with browns, beiges and strong red accents. It still has the feeling of the great outdoors, but it’s a totally different kind of retreat.”
Once they selected a color palette, “the hunt began,” says Houghton. She and Ginna Leatherbury embarked on the detailed process of choosing furniture, fabrics, rugs, art and accessories for the new home. “It became very eclectic as we went along,” says Houghton. “There are a lot of traditional lines in the house—the columns, the moldings. The furnishings are transitional. We realized the artwork would be modern—a good counterpoint to the house and furnishings.”
Despite its soaring height, Houghton brought the great room down to earth with comfortable upholstered pieces, panels of gossamer fabric that merely frame the massive glass windows and a custom rug of her own design.
The great room opens directly to the dining room, where a dropped coffered ceiling establishes a sense of intimacy. A decorative paint treatment on the ceiling, which is lit around the rim, adds a patina of elegance to the space. The granite-clad fireplace is a mirror image of the larger one in the great room.
The adjacent kitchen is sleek and modern with a curvy low-voltage lighting system, stainless-steel appliances, lacquered cabinetry from Studio Snaidero and even a wood-burning pizza oven. The husband, a gourmet cook, also enjoys grilling on the large deck located right off the kitchen.
Now settled in to their new “city” home, the couple enjoys the change of seasons in their aerie, where they often spot eagles soaring above the treeline. From the main garage, a driveway winds around to a garage behind the house, where the husband keeps a fishing boat that he built himself. He hauls the 17-foot craft down to the river with an all-terrain vehicle. In accordance with environmental regulations, the path to the river turns from pavement to gravel as it nears the Potomac; contractors managed to establish the path without disturbing a single tree.
“In the summer, it’s an oasis. Everything is so lush,” enthuses Ginna Leatherbury on a sunny fall afternoon. “In less than four weeks, you’re going to be able to see forever. We’ll be able to see if the water is clear or muddy and what the current is like. We have a drop-dead view of the river when the leaves are down.”
Construction entries included a "Take-Out Hunger" carryout carton by Gensler-Arlington
A design/build competition helps wipe out hunger
Fourteen teams of architects and builders created inventive sculptures out of canned food at the American Institute of Architects/Northern Virginia Chapter’s Fourth Annual Canstruction Competition. When the event was over, more than 22 tons of canned goods were donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC), a non-profit organization providing supplemental groceries to families in need.
Held at Ballston Common Mall on March 30, the event was open to visitors, who could watch the outrageous structures take shape. This community-service event is also a design competition, with a panel of judges selecting winners in four categories. This year, the Juror’s Favorite award went to “e-RACE Hunger,” a race car model by Samaha Associates made of 3,433 cans.
Canstruction is a national program with dozens of competitions taking place every year in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects and other members of the design/build community. The Washington Architectural Foundation will sponsor a Canstruction Competition in DC, starting September 15th, 2007. Proceeds will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. Visit www.wafonline.org. To learn more about Canstruction, visit www.canstruction.org.
—Sharon Jaffe Dan
An intimate portrait of Edward Hopper
In anticipation of a major Edward Hopper exhibit opening at the National Gallery of Art on September 16th, art historian and curator Gail Levin will speak about the artist at the Corcoran Gallery of Art on July 9th. Levin has researched the life of Hopper since 1976 and has written several books about him, including an updated and expanded version of Edward Hopper: An Intimate Biography, recently released by Rizzoli International. Her lecture promises to paint a vivid portrait of Hopper’s true nature and personality, as well as the factors that influenced his art. Admission is $15 for the public and $12 for members of the Corcoran. Call (202) 639-1700.
On the Bookshelf
New releases for design and architecture buffs
Grand Avenues: The Story of the French Visionary Who Designed Washington, D.C. by Scott W. Berg tells the story of Pierre Charles L’Enfant and the creation of the nation’s capital. The French national who volunteered in the American colonial army was hired by George Washington to design the city. As Berg’s fascinating tale documents, an embattled L’Enfant resigned from the project less than a year later, and did not receive credit for his brilliant design until a century had passed. Berg, who holds a B.A. in architecture, teaches nonfiction writing and literature at George Mason University. Pantheon, New York, NY, 2007; $25.
Hugh Newell Jacobsen Architect is the third volume of a series showcasing the work of the visionary Washington, DC, architect whose modern work draws inspiration from vernacular styles. This richly photographed book presents some of Jacobsen’s most recent projects, including residences, university commissions, a winery and more. Rizzoli, New York, NY, 2007; $60.
Dream Gardens: 100 Inspirational Gardens by Andrew Lawson and Tania Compton takes landscape enthusiasts on a tour of modern gardens in all parts of the world, from small urban hideaways to expansive rural landscapes. Stunning photos document the layout of each garden and also spotlight key features and essential details. Dream Gardens is a great reference guide for homeowners seeking outdoor inspiration. Merrell, London, 2007; $39.95.
Rooms to Inspire: Decorating With America’s Best Designers by Annie Kelly features the homes of 12 gurus of style, from New York designers Muriel Brandolini and Jonathan Adler to Kelly Wearstle, a judge on Bravo’s “Top Design,” and Barney’s creative director Simon Doonan. The book offers personal perspectives and advice from the experts, whose homes range from urban apartments to country retreats. Kelly explores the use of color, balance and innovation; her husband, Tim Street-Porter, produced the book’s striking photography. Rizzoli, New York, NY, 2007; $50.
—SJD
A behind-the-scenes pair gains visibility with a new Washington showroom.
Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams aren’t household names, but their popular furnishings have certainly changed households across the country. The duo is responsible for many of the designs sold by Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Restoration Hardware and other national retailers. Their sofas and chairs fill rooms at Ritz-Carltons, Barnes & Nobles and Starbucks; and the sets of television shows like “Sex and the City” and "Friends.”
Now Gold and Williams want Washingtonians to become familiar with their names through the eponymous shop that sells their stylish yet laid-back furnishings. In May, they officially opened Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in a converted Cadillac showroom on 14th Street, NW. “We chose not to go to Georgetown because it’s too touristy,” says Gold. “Furniture stores do better in growing neighborhoods like this one.”
The new emporium joins a dozen other freestanding signature stores opened by the pair in the U.S. and Mexico since 2002.Gold oversees business and marketing for the 18-year-old Taylorsville, North Carolina-based company, while Williams serves as president of design.
Welcoming customers are their most recent designs, arranged under the ornate, coffered ceiling of the 1920s car showroom. They include Dr. Pitt, a family-friendly, mosh-pit sectional, and Flo, a 1950s-inspired, kidney-shaped coffee table. Displayed further back are two-seater “sofettes,” leather club chairs, wicker tables, upholstered beds and that Washington staple—the wing chair. Adorning the walls are photographs by Tipper Gore; Gold met the former Vice President’s wife at a 2001 fundraiser for the Human Rights Campaign, decorated her Arlington, Virginia, home and now sells her work.
While there is no single Gold-Williams look, the brand is guided by the constant principle of comfort. “Furniture should make you feel good,” says Williams. “That means a good cushion and good back support in a chair, the right height and depth in a sofa, colors that aren’t too harsh.” He and Gold have just published their tips for creating relaxing interiors in the book, Let’s Get Comfortable (Meredith Books, $34.95), which is showcased in the new store. Future plans include launching a catalog business in September and other stores in the DC area, perhaps in Bethesda and Tysons Corner. “We are still looking for the best location,” says Gold.
Mitchell Gold + Bob Willliams is located at 1526 14th Street, NW; phone (202) 332-3433 or visit www.mitchellgold.com.
—Deborah K. Dietsch
"We CAN Solve the Hunger Puzzle" by Mulvanny G2 Architecture.
Edward Hopper's "Ground Swell"
H&D: How does flooring affect the overall look of a room?
Kelly: Flooring is one of the most important parts of the design process, as well as a substantial part of the overall architecture of any space. Flooring sets the tone for an entire room—it can be formal or casual, traditional or modern. It’s not just something to be walked on; it should also be appreciated.
H&D: What colors should consumers consider when choosing a floor?
Kelly: The interaction of color and architecture is the very foundation of interior design. Personally, I love the serene tone of white distressed floors. Black flooring can be striking in the right setting and can really bring a sense of scale to a room. I do not recommend orange or red floors to my clients, because those colors seem to limit the overall design.
H&D: What are some common mistakes to avoid when selecting hardwood flooring?
Kelly: There are so many flooring options to choose from today. Homeowners should make an effort to educate themselves by asking for professional help when exploring options. Floors will most likely stay with the house for a lifetime, so it’s a big decision. Take your time and really consider how flooring choices will play into the design scheme. Choose a high-quality, versatile floor that you’ll be able to appreciate for many, many years. It all comes down to installation—using the very best installer is a very important part of the process, and not something to be skimped on.
The Carpet Conundrum
Joe Kruper, sales director of Abbey Carpet in Woodbridge, Virginia, offers advice on choosing the right carpet
H&D: At what stage should a homeowner consider carpet choices?
Kruper: Carpet should be considered soon after selecting the fabrics, pillows, and furniture being used in an area. Be careful if time is a concern. Carpet is not always readily available and should be selected at least three weeks prior to the day needed for install.
H&D: How does carpet affect the overall look of a room?
Kruper: Carpet can really determine the mood of a room. You can go formal (low, tight-cut floral, a velvet plush, etc.), relaxed (flecked berber, textured Saxony), colorful or neutral. Each style adds a different feel and look to a room, depending on what the homeowner is trying to achieve.
H&D: What are the best carpet choices for families with children and pets?
Kruper: Families in an active household would do best with a frieze (twist), or low-cut pile pattern with a little darker color. Either of these styles when purchased in a nylon fiber-type would perform well both in durability and cleanability. Just remember carpet is a fiber and all fibers will show traffic and can stain, depending on the chemical make-up of the stain.
H&D: What are the best carpet choices for people with allergies?
Kruper: People are usually not allergic to the fibers. The dust and excess fiber that comes off carpet is what affects them the most. People with allergies would do best to stay away from thick, stapled, cut-pile products. They would do better with either continuous filament plushes or berbers (olefin or nylon).
H&D: What are manufacturers doing to make their products “green?”
Kruper: Manufacturers are building plants that will enable them to break carpet waste down into pellets, melt the pellets and re-use them in new carpet. This will drastically help landfills and the environment. All manufacturers will have labels on the products that can be recycled.
H&D: What are some common mistakes to avoid when selecting carpet?
Kruper: When selecting carpet, a client should first find a salesperson who they trust at a reputable dealer. They then should discuss their needs with the salesperson (adding color, durability, etc.). A common mistake made when selecting carpet for a high-traffic area is using a product that is too light. Do not be afraid to go a little darker. This will help hide any stains caused from a spill or normal traffic. Also, be careful with loop piles when pets are involved.
H&D: What are some of the new trends in carpet?
Kruper: Darker colors and softer fibers are among the new trends hitting the market. Stainmaster (Tactesse) and Anso (Caress) are two fiber companies leading the way, with nylon fibers that feel like cotton, without giving up durability or stain protection. Patterned carpets are also starting to make a comeback in the Interior designer Stan Kelly prefers white-washed wood floors for a relaxed, clean look. He created his own white-washed flooring line, recently used in this office design. Photo by Kevin Allen.industry. Karastan, Staunton, Tuftex and Fabrica are among the manufacturers producing beautiful florals, pin-dots, trellises and diamond-patterned styles. Wool products are still a popular selection for those looking for unmatched durability at a higher price point.
Floor Art
Springfield, Virginia, designer Shanon Munn, ASID, of Ambi Design Studio dishes on decorating with patterned area rugs
H&D: What does a decorative area rug bring to a room’s design?
Munn: The rug plays a huge role in the room’s design. It is the foundation of the space and often sets the tone of the room. In many cases it is the most expensive item in the space, but done correctly it can be a timeless investment as it can be taken from space to space and home to home.
H&D: How do homeowners know when they have too much pattern in their rug to go with other items in the room (fabrics and art)?
Munn: If you love it, there can never be too much pattern in a rug. Combining patterns deals with scale. If there is a large pattern on the rug, smaller patterns might look good on top of it, while a small pattern on your rug may allow for large patterns. Often, patterns that are the same size don’t look very good layered on top of each other.
Art is an investment, and homeowners need to buy what they like. Also, since your art is probably not sitting right on the rug or furniture, it is not as important to worry about the scale of the designs. Rather, it is more important to worry about a painting’s overall scale to the wall it is on and that the colors are compatible.
H&D: If homeowners are interested in incorporating a rug in their home, at what stage in the design process should they make a selection?
Munn: I try to first determine the look of the space using concept or inspiration photos with a client. During this process, a decision is usually made as to whether the room will use a patterned rug or perhaps a simpler bound area rug. Next, I start with the design element that has the least amount of choices. For example, if the client would like a patterned rug I start there, then look for fabrics, then finish with wall colors.
However, if the client wants the room to have more pattern on the furniture and a solid rug base, then I start with the fabrics, go to the rug and finish up with wall colors.
Marc Phillips recently introduced the Metro Collection of
Tibetan rugs with geometric motifs.
Luxurious and environmentally-friendly rug from Odegard;
Lily pattern in titanium.
This concept bath—one of six vignettes on view at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, Wisconsin—incorporates natural and recycled materials without sacrificing functionality and style. Called "Woodland Sanctuary" by its London-based designers, Nikki Blustin and Oliver Heath, this serene sanctuary incorporates Kohler's Escale Suite in dark wenge wood. A floating ceiling panel with leaf-shaped cutouts emulates light filtering through a canopy of trees, while 3form's Eco Resin walls also evoke the forest. For details, visit www.kohler.com.
New Jersey-based Advent Stone creates luxurious soaking baths, basin walls and sinks out of select pieces of stone from South America, Europe and Asia. This bath was carved by hand from yellow travertine and then polished on the exterior for a smooth finish. For more information, call (201) 444-0426 or visit www.adventstone.com.
Jamie Drake Collection's Profil fixture for THG boasts sculptural handles with inlays of horn (pictured) or precious stone. Inspired by Italian Futuristic design of the 1950s, Profil is available in chrome, matte nickel, nickel and luxbrass. Visit www.thgusa.com.
Waterworks has introduced Aqualinea, a new line of precision-cut mosaic tile. Made with water-jet technology, the new motifs are suitable for larger installations such as shower floors. The line encompasses 30 style/color combinations, including (clockwise from above) Pisces, Sinewave, Sachet, Park Place and Parasol. Call (202) 333-7180 or visit www.waterworks.com.
Merillat has introduced Peppercorn, a semi-transparent finish with rich black overtones, on its Masterpiece collection of semi-custom cabinets for kitchen and bath. Peppercorn is available on oak and cherry door styles. The line also includes three new styles of mullion glass doors. For details, visit www.merillat.com.
Forms + Fixtures has unveiled its Serenity collection of Asian-inspired furnishings designed to transform the bath into a soothing retreat. Part of the line is EOS, constructed of wood maple solids and veneers and hand-finished in silver or copper leaf (pictured). There is even storage space inside. Visit www.formsandfixtures.com.
Coming this summer to Architectural Ceramics's five showrooms is the new Tribeca series from Keraben. These ceramic tiles from Spain are rectified (which means they butt closely together, with minimal or no grout joints) and polished to create a mirror effect that mimics the look of glass. Visit the Web site www.architecturalceramics.net.
The ultimate in après-bath pampering is to wrap yourself in a heated towel. Jacuzzi's new Home Spa Towel Warming Drawer does the trick, heating up to four towels at a time to a toasty 120 degrees. The drawer can be integrated to match existing cabinetry and comes in 24- and 36-inch models. Visit the Web site www.jacuzzi.com.
Acryline's new Acryzen bathtubs are contoured to cradle one or two bathers and feature a pair of anatomically comfortable backrests with lower lumbar support and armrests on both sides. All three baths in the collection are available as soaking tubs or with a choice of three different warm air-hydro massage systems. Visit the Web site www.acrylineusa.com.
It's hip for tiles to be not square. These glass rectangular field tiles from the Oceanside Elevations collection, with their convex curves, add shimmer and texture to the bathroom wall. Available through Renaissance Tile and Bath in Alexandria. Call (703) 549-7806 or visit the Web site www.renaissancetileandbath.com.
