Country Chic

Country Chic

With its lush lawns and myriad horse farms, Great Falls, Virginia, is the perfect image of the American dream. But step through the front door of interior designer Natascha Folens’s Great Falls, Virginia, farmhouse and you leave behind any reminders of Americana. True, the home Folens shares with her two children and boyfriend Luc Dejager is situated on five acres, with stables and a large riding ring for the family’s three horses. But the Belgian-born designer’s retreat is a decidedly sophisticated take on the country home, absent of folk art and bright hues, and abundant in rich colors and textures. “Some homes are so overdone. My vision is an old country home you would see in Europe,” says Folens, who favors clean lines over gingerbread and saturated, harmonious colors over white-trimmed windows and doors.

A stable and riding ring attracted Natascha Folens to the five-acre property.

The atmosphere is refreshing and immediately inviting. The foyer is a lofty room where a large oil painting of a horse created by one of her close friends, Belgian artist Nele Cornelis, is a focal point. A simple table provides display space for treasured photos, and a spare metal rail adorning the staircase—which replaced a heavy wood banister—keeps the room open and airy.

An oil painting by Belgian artist Nele Cornelis is a focal point in the foyer.

The transformation of the home—which comprised numerous outdoor overhauls including a stucco treatment applied to the exterior of the house by a specialist from Belgium and the addition of a spacious back deck and pool—is a testament to Folens’s ability to carry out her vision. When she and Dejager first saw what was then a very traditional Colonial, they couldn’t even bring themselves to walk through the front door. “It was all red brick, with really no character. We drove up the driveway and told the realtor we didn’t want to go in,” she says.

A velvety brown paint treatment envelops the living and dining rooms.

Eventually the location and horse-friendly grounds won them over, and Folens got to work paring down trim, and rethinking the interiors. In the kitchen, she kept the existing wood cabinets but replaced the dark granite countertops (“too shiny for me,” she notes) with monotone buff CaesarStone. What had been an “overly decorative” built-in plate rack now serves as a small bar. The chunky kitchen table, a Crate and Barrel find that’s one of the designer’s only pieces from the States, stands under prominent metal pendant lights Folens found at a flea market during one of her monthly sojourns to Belgium.

“What sets me apart is that I use so many [international] sources. People are getting tired of what they see here over and over again,” she says.

In the family room, the designer covered the brick fireplace in drywall; a 200-year-old beam salvaged from a monastery is used as a mantel.

The kitchen opens to a gracious family room, where a terra-cotta accent wall draws the eye toward a handful of well-placed collectibles: An aboriginal painting hangs near a commanding wooden floor lamp. The fireplace mantel and simple wall shelves were carved from support beams from a 200-year-old European monastery.“I’m very minimalist by nature,” Folens notes. “It’s all about finding the beauty in an object. I like everything to be balanced.”

A plush carpet, feather lamps from France and silk custom shades add warmth and texture to the clean-lined furnishings in the master bedroom.

Balance and simplicity prevail in the living and dining rooms, which the designer joined by knocking down a wall to form an elegant, cavern-like space enveloped in a velvety brown paint that covers the walls and ceiling. In the living room, a deep brown silk sofa resides near a similarly hued ottoman, both from Spain. The dining furniture is lighter in color but still fits squarely in the “naturals” category, which makes an oversized floral painting simply pop. “I don’t like to use colors that are too bold. I prefer objects to stand out more than, say, the curtain color,” Folens says.

Folens created a cozy retreat in her home's lower level.

Folens has purposely created rooms in her home for enjoyment during the cold winter months. Reflecting on the living room, she explains, “We wanted to create a cozy winter space inside. It’s a place where you can come and drink a glass of brandy and feel comfortable.”

Small wonder the family enjoys their time outdoors. A tiered patio that spans the back of the house leads down to the pool and hot tub. In another nod to Europe, the pool is surrounded on three sides by grass. “I very much wanted the Provence look and feel,” Folens says. A nearby garden includes ample lavender plants and shrubs. The designer and her daughter frequently exercise their horses and practice jumping in the riding ring.

A shower for two.

Not surprisingly, Folens bypassed the traditional American concept of basement as recreation room for children. Instead, steps from the pool area lead down to a large spa complete with a generous steam room and separate shower. Folens credits Dejager with the idea. “He really wanted a spa, and for the basement to be a retreat when it’s cold out.”

Indeed, the spa is an ideal transition space to what is perhaps the coziest room in the house. Devoid of a glaring television or cluttered built-ins, this lounging space contains a comfortable sectional, a plush white rug scattered with oversized pillows and petite tables carved from the same wooden monastery beams, all situated in front of a substantial stone-faced fireplace. Adding further ambience and function, a sizable wine cellar is housed behind a wall of glass.

Folens designed the pool and spa. A cocktail table by Domani of Belgium doubles as a wine cooler when filled with ice.

“In the winter we can come here right from the hot tub, light a fire and relax,” Folens says. “It’s just like being on a vacation.”

Catherine Applefeld Olson is a writer based in Alexandria, Virginia. Stacy Zarin Goldberg is an Olney, Maryland-based photographer.

INTERIOR DESIGN: Natascha Folens, NF Interiors, Great Falls, Virginia.

LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN

Delicious Design

Plusmodo by Poggenphol.

Spanish designer Jorge Pensi melds the seemingly contradictory concepts of display and disguise in the Plusmodo counter system for Poggenpohl. Underneath solid, six-inch countertops, glass pull-out trays showcase dishes and deep drawers eliminate the need for hinged doors. Sliding doors on the overhead cabinets allow you to display what you desire—and hide what you don’t. Choose from elm-fronted cabinets, or white, blue or gray lacquer, and laminate or glass countertops. Visit www.poggenpohl-usa.com.

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Artisan farmhouse sink

For a deep, functional sink to suit the clean lines of a modern kitchen, look no farther than the stainless-steel farmhouse sink from Artisan. It is resistant to stains and corrosion, with a fully coated and padded underside to minimize noise and maintain water temperature. Call (212) 967-2100.

Urban Inspirations Contempo series by Houzer.

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The “Urban Inspirations” Contempo Series of sinks from Houzer includes five models, all handcrafted of 18-gauge premium stainless steel. Designs range from a prep sink or gourmet single sink to a 50:50 or 70:30 double sink. Call (800) 880-3639, or visit www.HouzerSink.com.

Parma pull-out by Danze.

Whether you are watering a potted plant or simply filling a large pasta pot, faucets with extra reach are definitely in, and Danze has added new designs to its selection. The Parma pull-out faucet boasts minimalist European styling, and is available in chrome or stainless steel. Call (877) 530-3344, or visit www.danze.com.

Kohler Iron/Tones collection.

Colorful and graceful, the Iron/Tones cast-iron sinks by Kohler offer organic shapes in trough sinks and divided options. The six sink designs come in warm, inviting colors, and the soft contours are a fresh departure from more geometric designs—plus add ease to cleaning as there are no sharp corners to trap dirt. Visit www.kohler.com.

Thermador induction cooktop.

For controlled, professional cooking at home, Thermador now offers a line of state-of-the-art induction cooktops. Utilizing electromagnetic technology, induction cooking focuses heat directly into the pan, leaving the surrounding surface cooler to the touch than standard stovetops. Easy-to-use touch controls feature a wide range of settings and power levels. Call (800) 656-9226, or visit www.thermador.com.

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Vario 400 by Gaggenau.

The Vario 400 Series from Gaggenau features a series of professional quality built-in units. Mix and match from a variety of large, stainless-steel appliances, including an indoor barbeque grill, an electric deep fryer, an in-counter steamer, a gas wok burner or an induction cooktop. Simple, twist-function knobs offer quick ignition. Call (800) 828-9165, or visit www.gaggenau-usa.com.

Wind Crest induction cooktop.

Induction cooking tends to be faster, safer, cleaner and more economical than traditional cooking methods, so it’s no wonder that induction cooktops are growing in both popularity and availability. The 30- and 36-inch induction cooktops from Wind Crest offer 11 temperature settings and a special feature that automatically adapts power to the pan size. Visit www.windcrestcnp.com

Slated Extractor Hood by bulthaup.

For a sleek, modern kitchen, try the Slatted Extractor Hood from bulthaup. Its clean, triangular form angles up, away from the wall, to allow for more head room over the cooking area. When not in use, the hood’s aluminum slats fold flat against the base, leaving a simple, sculptural form. Call (800) 808-2923, or visit the Web site www.bulthaup.com

Silestone by Cosentino's Mountain Series.

From the Smokey Mountains to the Grand Canyon, the rich colors and dimensions of nature’s looming beauties inspired Silestone by Cosentino’s Mountain Series. Black, browns, golds and grays mix in this non-porous natural quartz surface to offer the depth and richness of natural stone—without the maintenance. Call (800) 291-1311, or visit www.silestoneusa.com.

Custom hood insert from GE.

When working with a custom tile or woodwork design around your stove, why should it stop when you get to the hood? GE Monogram Custom Hood Inserts fit into your own hood designs. Available in three sizes, the hoods feature a control panel that can be remote-mounted on a nearby wall or countertop. Visit www.ge.com.

Quality Cabinets' Axiom line.

For a graceful, modern kitchen without the designer prices, Quality Cabinets has introduced Axiom, a line of sophisticated and clean cabinet designs in an elegant maple veneer available with a wide range of decorative hardware choices. Visit www.qualitycabinets.com.

Fusion by Merillat.

Merillat cabinets also joins the ranks of companies producing clean, contemporary options with the introduction of Fusion. Part of its Classic collection and available in either maple or cherry, Fusion has full-overlay, slab-style door fronts perfect for a modern kitchen. Visit www.merillat.com.

Transitions cabinets from Wm Ohs.

The Transitions cabinetry line from Wm Ohs breaks the company from its previous mold of Old World styles. All hand-crafted and hand-finished in the U.S., the cabinets are defined by elegant details and contemporary elements in three new designs: Asian, which is serene and simple (shown); American, featuring wider cabinet doors, bold proportions and stainless-steel accents; and European, mixing warm wood doors with minimalist styling. Visit www.wmohs.com.

Siemens hiDefinition dishwasher.

The Siemens hiDefinintion dishwasher has more specialty cycles and convenient features than ever before, from an Auto Wash feature that allows you to vary cycle time, water and energy usage and temperature, to the xPress feature, which reduces the wash time if you prefer to pre-rinse before loading. An optional Sanitizer setting can be used on any of the main wash cycles. Visit www.siemens.com.

La Perla by Miele

The La Perla model of Miele’s G 2000 Series dishwashers features the Navitronic control system, allowing you to navigate through an expansive touch-screen menu of wash options. Miele’s signature third-level cutlery tray is split into two individual sections in the G 2000 series, allowing even greater flexibility of use. Visit www.miele.com.

Sheer kitchen island

More than just another countertop, this innovative kitchen island from Italian company Sheer combines a fully functional workspace with a spectacular light source. When the island is not in use, the top part of the globe glides down to create a sculptural lamp that fills the kitchen with a soft, intimate glow. Available locally through Sogol Décor. Phone (301) 656-6006, or visit www.sheer.it.

Resources
The National Kitchen and Bath Association Web site provides useful information on kitchen and bath products, designs and trends. It also helps homeowners locate professionals among its 25,000-plus membership. The association sponsors the annual Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference, the largest international event in its industry. The next Confer- ence takes place in Las Vegas from May 8 through 10. Phone (877) 652-2776 or visit www.nkba.org. For more information on the Conference, visit www.kbis.com.

Private Tour- A Subtle Sense of Style

On a bleak morning in February, the living room in the Chevy Chase, Maryland, home of U.S. Senator Kit Bond and Linda Bond is positively radiant. Pale shades of cream and gray create a sense of calm. The muted color scheme and unexpected accents, including a pair of antique window frames hung on a wall in lieu of art, immediately convey that this is not your typical Washington-area Colonial.

In the living room the Bonds selected a pair of antique shutters salvaged from a Swedish castle.

A former gatehouse to the mews of Chevy Chase, the 1937 property possesses good bones, with tall windows and original molding. When she and her husband, a fourth-term Republican senator and former governor of Missouri, purchased the home in 2007, Linda Bond set her sights on updating its traditional interiors. “I knew when I moved that I wanted to really make a transition to a lighter, country look,” she says. “We have a home in Missouri that is a very substantial Georgian Colonial, the house that Kit’s mother built. It’s a little different here. It could be a little more creative. I wanted a fresher, sophisticated cottage-style look.”

Senator Kit Bond and his wife Linda pictured with their dog Tiger.

Linda Bond was drawn to the simple, unpretentious style of Swedish antiques. These imports often mimic their English or French counterparts in line but were painted, ostensibly to brighten up homes in a country where daylight hours are precious few during the winter months. Bond likes Swedish antiques for their refined lines and for the patina that makes the furniture “less intimidating,” she says. “With their layers of paint, they don’t look like antiques that you don’t want to sit in. They look like antiques that have been worn and are homey and inviting. At the same time, there’s a formal look about them.”

Her plans clicked when she discovered Tone on Tone, a Bethesda shop specializing in Swedish antiques. “Linda came in one day and just absolutely loved what we had,” says co-owner Loi Thai. “I think that it [our collection] really appealed to her because it’s so understated and not pretentious. I explained how the pieces could work with the English and French pieces they already had.”

An 18th-century Swedish clock in its original paint welcomes visitors into the Chevy Chase home.

The two hit it off right away. Thai helped Bond hone her collection, selecting pieces with clean, delicate lines and sending many of the couple’s English antiques down to their home in Mexico, Missouri. He explained that despite their pale coloring, the Swedish pieces do have subtle undertones of blue, green and beige and must be combined with care. But while Thai offered advice on furniture, it was Linda Bond who drove the design process. “Linda has an artistic eye and she knows what she likes,” says Thai.

One of the first steps she took was to bleach and whitewash the wooden floors throughout the home. Then she selected a light gray wall paint to create “a very calm and unified” ambience.
To ground the Swedish furniture, the Bonds retained some of their existing mahogany antiques in the Maryland home, including the three-pedestal Regency dining room table and the Federal mahogany sofa in the living room (one of a pair; its twin now resides in Missouri). “They give the rooms a little more weight,” says Bond. Natural linen upholstery reinforces the simplified look. The icing on the cake is the silk gray Holly Hunt drapery that frames the tall windows with a hint of glamour. “They are a heavyweight silk, which really does contrast with the peeling paint and linen fabric,” says Bond. “I thought they gave the room a formal feel.”

From the foyer, French doors open into the living room and dining room.

Except for a few botanical prints, the Bonds kept traditional artwork at a minimum. Instead, unadorned architectural elements make bold yet monochromatic statements. A pair of early 19th-century columns discovered at an antiques show in Annapolis flanks a Swedish settee in the living room. On the opposite wall, Bond hung window frames that were once part of a castle in Sweden. “I was going to put some gold or antique mirrors on that wall,” she says. “The frames ended up being simpler, but more interesting.”

The setting provides the perfect backdrop for the Bonds’ silver and china collections displayed in niches in the living and dining rooms. “All of the silver is from Kit’s mother,” says Linda Bond, who grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. “She was a real collector. I never knew her but I feel like I’ve gotten to know her through all of the things that we have here and the things we have in Missouri. She had great taste.”

The master bedroom echoes the home’s subdued color palette.

Ironically, Kit Bond’s mother and wife both collected Old Paris china, which dates back to the 1800s. “When we were married, I discovered that Kit’s mother had all of this Old Paris china. I have one tureen and platter that were hers and one tureen and platter that I collected and it looks like they’re matching pairs.”

The Bonds frequently entertain friends and colleagues in their home. Kit Bond, who serves on four committees in the Senate, is Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Linda Bond is a consultant for not-for-profit organizations including the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation. Their dinner guests have included ambassadors and members of Congress. Linda Bond says that first-time guests are often pleasantly surprised by the subtle palette in her home. “When you first walk in,” she says, “it’s a little hard to put your finger on. It’s almost more of a feeling than a look.”

Toile wallpaper by Pierre Deux creates a playful look in the attic guest room.

Loi Thai agrees. “It’s not just the aesthetic. It’s how it makes you feel. It really is beyond furniture.”

Thai credits the Bonds for having the vision and confidence required to pull off the project. “They really surprised me, because in Missouri their house is so traditional,” he says. “But they really appreciate and understand patina and surface. They got it right away.”


* Photographer Lydia Cutter is based in McLean, Virginia.

Luxury home plans

Sleek + Serene

On a quiet Kalorama street lined with embassies, a modern building stands out amid the stately façades. Given the neighborhood, it’s only fitting that one of its four spacious condominium apartments harbors a veritable United Nations of design. Its homeowner has amassed a collection of European furniture, lighting, rugs and accessories with help from designer Douglas Burton, a principal at DC’s Apartment Zero. It is a serene refuge that is cutting-edge modern and at the same time warm and inviting.

Rich textiles, including a wool rug from Holland, add warmth throughout the home.

The client, a creative and marketing executive, hired Burton years ago to remodel and decorate her home in Chevy Chase. She had always dreamed of moving to Kalorama and jumped at the opportunity in 2008, when she discovered the clean-lined new brownstone designed by Wnuk Spurlock Architecture. She loved the apartment’s open layout, voluminous windows and well-appointed kitchen but turned to Burton to make it feel like home.

The client’s modern art collection adds some drama to the serenity, including the bold tulip print by DC-based photographer Amy Lamb in the dining room.

They started planning color palettes and furniture groupings before the building was even complete. “She loves the outdoors and she loves earth-tone colors,” says Burton. “She wanted it to be soothing but at the same time she wanted some iconic design pieces in her home.” They honed in on furniture with simple, organic forms from the dozens of European lines that Apartment Zero carries (the retailer also offers the services of two designers and an architect on staff).

Nature takes the lead in the apartment’s color scheme, which includes shades of sand, olive and chocolate brown pumped up with jolts of red and white. “On the walls, we chose an olive palette and we mixed a little bit of white into it so each room is a different riff on that olive color,” Burton explains.

A Herman Miller coffee table keeps a low profile above the plush New Zealand wool and horsehair rug in the TV room.

Despite the muted colors, the interior is anything but drab. To the left of the entrance, guests are invited to lounge on low-slung sofas and chairs in the open living room. “We chose pieces that were comfortable but with a lower profile so your eye wouldn’t be broken with any kind of barriers,” says Burton. The view travels back to the dining area, where bright red Little Tulip chairs by Pierre Paulin echo the motif of a bold print of a tulip by local photographer Amy Lamb. A Bocci chandelier of hanging orbs adds a sense of drama. The dining area faces the open kitchen appointed with sleek appliances and granite countertops.

Rugs and fabrics add warmth and texture throughout the home. In the TV room located off the dining room, the Polder sofa by Vitra was inspired by the patchwork fields of the Netherlands countryside; each section is upholstered in a different shade and textile. It sits on a thick shag rug from Belgium made of New Zealand wool and horsehair—heaven to the touch.

The kitchen features Italian pendants by Prandina and a portrait by the late photographer Herb Ritts, taken in Africa in 1993.

To the right of the main entry, an open area serves as a home office that faces the light-filled living area and balcony. Beyond the office, the master bedroom and bath provide a soothing refuge where the olive wall color gives way to cream. The bed, upholstered in green fabric, sports cream and dark brown linens for added contrast. A large Paulin Tulip chair with a matching ottoman makes a cozy spot for reading.

Burton achieved a soothing vibe in the master bathroom.

The client’s fascinating collection of art and photography adds another layer of personality and meaning to the home. A striking portrait of an African woman by the late photographer Herb Ritts makes a bold statement in the kitchen. And in the living room, two pieces depicting polished women’s fingernails hang next to the stone fireplace. “It’s nice to have a couple of strange images mixed in. You don’t want it to be so perfectly clean that it’s boring,” Burton says. “It needs to be sophisticated and crisp but it also has to have a little bit of drama.”

In the bedroom, cream walls and green and brown linens and upholstery reinforce the home’s natural color scheme.

Jalan Tanjung Opens 1-way Today for 2 Weeks

A week after Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim made the announcement to re-open the road to ease traffic congestion, the Bandar Utama City Corporation (BUCC) had granted permission to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to remove the barricades on Monday night.

In an unexpected turn of events, the Bandar Utama Residents Association (Bura) representatives also showed up in front of the 1 Tech Park to prevent the road from being opened.

Bura chairman Datuk Manpal Singh had informed those present that they had at 6pm on Monday night filed a writ summons and application for injunction against BUCC and MBPJ to prevent them from opening the road.

Making their stand clear: The banners put up by Bandar Utama Residents Association around the Jalan Tanjung area calling for the road to be closed.

It was scheduled to be opened at 9pm but MBPJ officers and BUCC representatives debated the legality of opening it for more than an hour before deciding against it.

In the end, BUCC relented and re­opened the road at about 2.30am.

BUCC general affairs manager Paul Fernandez said they decided to reopen the road out of goodwill to facilitate the traffic study as requested by the Mentri Besar.

He said all legal matters would go ahead and they would attend the hearing fixed for Dec 8 at the Shah Alam High Court.

Meanwhile, the joint action group against the road closure headed by Tropicana Residents Association Mohamed Shukri Zain called for an emergency meeting yesterday morning at the Tropicana Golf and Country Resort to discuss the matter.

The group decided that they too would file an application for an injunction by Thursday but would discuss it with their solicitors on who to file it against.

About 50 people attended the meeting including those from Tropicana Residents Association, Riana Green, Citra Damansara, Palm Springs and Casa Tropicana.

During the meeting, some of the issues raised by the representatives of the joint action group included:

·The application of injunction filed by Bura, which would go against the Mentri Besar’s request to reopen the road to facilitate a traffic study;

·The setting up of a booth at the 1 Utama shopping centre by Bura to collect signatures for their petition to keep the road closed, raising questions to the credibility of the signatures collected; and

lThe putting up of banners along Jalan Tanjung to protest the reopening of the road by Bandar Utama residents, which is seen as in bad taste.

Meanwhile, the Selangor government thanked BUCC for re-opening Jalan Tanjung in Bandar Utama as agreed with the state, MBPJ and Dijaya Corporation at the meeting on Nov 22.

Khalid said as agreed at the meeting, the reopening of the road for two weeks would not prejudice the ongoing legal disputes between BUCC and Dijaya.

The move will now allow MBPJ to study the feasibility of widening Jalan Tanjung to a four-lane road from its current two-lane road.

He said this study was not limited to the widening of Jalan Tanjung and was part of a holistic traffic dispersal study to other access routes in search of long-term solutions to the problem of bad traffic conditions in Dama-nsara.

Apart from the reopening of Jalan Tanjung, MBPJ plans to implement the short-term measure to ease traffic congestion which includes reassigning the U-turn at the junction of Jalan Tropicana Selatan and Jalan Hilir Bandar Utama near a nursery further up in the area; and building a road to link Jalan PJU1A/1 in Ara Damansara to Persiaran Tropicana.

The state is committed to finding long-term measures to address the problem and will be calling all developers in Damansara to take part in the process.

SOURCE

[tags : opaldamansara condo property home residents sunway semid condominium ODJMC]

Classical Contemporary

Classical Contemporary

For two decades, the Georgetown couple walked past a Colonial Revival brick house near Tudor Place and wished it could be theirs. “We admired the simplicity and elegance of the architecture,” says the attorney husband. “The home is somewhat unique because it is freestanding rather than a row house. It came with one of the deepest gardens in Georgetown.”

When he and his wife, a telecommunications consultant, discovered their dream home was finally for sale, they jumped to buy it. The interiors needed updating so they turned to Rob Brown and Todd Davis, who had remodeled rooms in their previous house. “They know how to integrate clean, modern furnishings with older homes in which the preservation of the historic details is essential,” says the wife. Brown and Davis, who have offices in Bethesda and Miami Beach, are best known for decorating the Washington, DC, and Chappaqua, New York, homes of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, as well as Hillary Clinton’s former Senate office.

In the living room off the stair hall, Brown and Davis unified the seating groups with a Chinese-inspired rug of their own design.

Hardly the typical Washingtonians whose conservative tastes run to wing chairs and Oriental rugs, the well-traveled homeowners prefer more stylish, pared-down designs. “In essence, we are Bauhaus admirers,” says the husband. “We dislike clutter, excessive ornamentation and overly decorated spaces.” At the same time, he and his wife appreciate the historic charm of Georgetown and made sure renovations respected the architectural character of their 1883 home. “The challenge was to find the right balance between preserving the best of a 19th-century structure and furnishing it with designs that are clean, simple and elegant,” he says.

In the dining room, golden drapes warm the north-facing windows. The rosewood table, upholstered chairs, banquette and rug were designed by Brown Davis.

Brown and Davis addressed both modernity and history by setting sleek furnishings into rooms outlined in elegant architectural details of their own making. “The façade is gorgeous but the interiors did not match that,” says Brown. “To either side of the central hallway was a jumble of rooms. It was time to give the house new life.” On the main level, archways between the hallway and flanking spaces were widened and raised to improve flow. A small room behind the living space was replaced with a coat closet and a powder room with a sculptural stone sink.

Brown Davis designed new paneling in the family room, where they repurposed furniture from the couple’s previous home. The print is by Robert Motherwell.

At the rear, the kitchen was completely overhauled by Poggenpohl with contemporary cabinets, glass backsplashes and stainless-steel appliances. It now opens to the rebuilt back porch overlooking the terraced garden and pool. The room across the hall from the kitchen was framed in new paneling and built-in cabinetry to create a family space. Chairs and sofas were recycled from the couple’s previous home and reupholstered to provide comfortable seating for reading and watching TV.

Throughout the house, the décor reflects what Brown and Davis call “classical contemporary,” a luxurious but streamlined look that has become their signature. “One of our trademarks is the juxtaposition of old and new, and bringing colors together in unexpected ways,” Davis says.

The contemporary was revamped by Poggenpohl.

The more formal rooms at the front of the house exemplify this mix of traditional and modern elements. In the living room, Brown and Davis replaced the fireplace mantel with a carved limestone surround and installed new architectural moldings to create a classical backdrop to stylized, Deco-inspired furnishings. Instead of pairing sofas around the fireplace, they arranged seating areas at either end of the room and connected them with a floral-patterned carpet of their own design. “It was inspired by a late 19th-century Chinese import rug for another client,” explains Brown. “The furniture has a Deco flair and in terms of Deco interiors, Chinese rugs were often used.” Ivory upholstery on the chairs and sofas provides a contemporary twist within the room’s traditional setting.

The husband’s cherry-paneled study centers on four chairs originally designed by Brown Davis for the British Embassy.

Across the hall, a similar contrast is evident in the dining room, which also serves as a music room for the couple’s three children. A baby grand piano faces upholstered chairs pulled up to a rosewood table and a banquette in front of the windows. As in the living room, the piano and furnishings are linked by a large rug in subdued tones to match the upholstery. In both living and dining rooms, marigold silk draperies add a jolt of color. “These rooms tend to be dark because they face north,” says Brown. “We chose a golden tone to warm them up.”

Abstract prints by noted American artists Robert Motherwell, Robert Rauschenberg and Richard Serra, and large paintings by Spanish artists Miguel Angel Campano and José Freixanes underscore the contemporary feeling. “We think the art reinforces the importance of simple furnishings—the furnishings do not collide visually with the art,” says the husband.

In the master bedroom, Donghia wallpaper provides a dark backdrop to light-colored furnishings and a sleek stone fireplace mantel.

Upstairs in his study, Brown and Davis extended the same strategy applied to the living and dining rooms, but reversed the approach. Instead of ornamenting the walls with intricate moldings, they used streamlined cherry paneling and shelving as a modern backdrop to traditional furnishings, including four chairs the designers originally created for the British Embassy.

Contrast continues in the master bedroom, where light-colored bedding, drapes and upholstery are set off by raisin-colored silk wallpaper. “We were asked to make it a cocoon,” says Davis. “So we used materials to absorb sound from the street.”At one end of the room, a print by British artist Henry Moore hangs over a fireplace framed in a simple stone surround. “It’s our favorite room, especially in winter with the fireplace burning,” says the husband. “We are often there, reading or working late at night when the house and the city outside are quiet.”

INTERIOR DESIGN: Rob Brown and Todd Davis, Brown Davis Interiors, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland, and Miami Beach, Florida.

The Evolution of Home

The Evolution of Home

For Cynthia and Stuart Smith, their 1916 Mediterranean-style home

in Baltimore’s upscale neighborhood of Guilford is more than a reflection of their design style. It represents the evolution of their relationship—from the early days when serenity was key to today, when a bit of whimsy is in order.

A Murano glass chandelier hangs in the seating area adjacent to the kitchen.

The couple teamed with designer Patrick Sutton of Baltimore to create this progression of sorts, a home that, as Sutton puts it, “has worked with them as their family evolved.” The result is an intriguing juxtaposition of space that soothes with simplicity on one end, and then bursts with a bold palette on the other.

The formal dining room, part of the home that Sutton designed in a serene transitional style.

“When I did the first home for this homeowner [Stuart], he was going through a divorce and wanted a fresh start. His Harbor Court condominium was all about something new, something modern,” recalls Sutton. “Then he met Cynthia, and there was a lot of change, including the move to this home in 2001.” Both Stuart and Cynthia have children from previous marriages so the two families were coming together as well during this transitional time. “There was a real desire to keep everything calm and soothing,” says Sutton. The formal spaces in the home—the foyer, living room, dining room and sunroom—all reflect this desire for simplicity.

Fuchsia silk drapes with tangerine embroidery meet the homeowners’ desire for bold punches of color.

To transform this once “over-decorated” home, which the previous owners filled with deep red and yellow hues and heavy traditional furniture, Sutton opted for cleaner, simple lines, accented by art the couple had collected over time. “I wanted to be respectful of the tradition of the home,” he says, “but make it more contemporary to reflect the homeowners and their lifestyle.” In what he calls a transitional approach, Sutton balanced the home’s Mediterranean architecture with the more modern pieces that once bedecked Stuart’s urban penthouse.

Chef-grade appliances flank the custom-made kitchen cabinetry in figured etimoe, an African hardwood.

Black wrought-iron light fixtures and timely additions such as the “beautiful, romantic” Fortuny silk-screened light fixtures in the sunroom complement the home’s vernacular. “Because there is so much glass in the sunroom, I used soft, linen shears to take away the wall space between the windows,” Sutton says. The monochromatic palette—from the cream-colored walls to the light brown suede armchairs—reinforces the soothing style.

Once they had lived in the home for about six years, however, both Cynthia and Stuart decided it was time to experiment with the design in the adjacent rooms on the main floor, in what would hopefully become a family-friendly kitchen and gathering space.

Sutton chose Lagos Azul limestone to top the island and white Caesarstone quartz for the remaining countertops.

The first challenge Sutton addressed was how to propel the Smith house into the 21st century. “The servants’ kitchen was a series of smaller, butler’s pantry-type rooms,” he recalls. “It was buffered away and disconnected from the rest of the house. Nobody lives like that anymore.”

To open up the space, Sutton demolished two walls that sectioned off what is now the modern kitchen complete with a sitting area, breakfast room and cozy family room. The newly renovated areas have great flow and are Cynthia’s favorite part of the home. “It’s where we spend most of our time,” she says.

In contrast, the newly completed family room features mod throw pillows and a Roman shade in Suzani-inspired fabric.

But it’s the high-end finishes and custom features that truly make this sleek project a conversation piece. Chef-grade appliances flank the custom-made cabinetry in figured etimoe, an African hardwood. Sutton chose Lagos Azul limestone to top the island and white Caesarstone quartz for the remaining countertops. He also covered the entire wall behind the stove in grassy-green and earth-toned rectangular glass mosaic tiles. “They mimic the garden outside the windows,” he says.

Cynthia also wanted to have some fun with color in the new rooms. “She wanted to brighten things up,” Sutton says. “She has a very young spirit and wanted to pop it up a bit.” Although she admits that fuchsia and lilac aren’t necessarily her favorite colors, Cynthia truly loves the way they brighten her home, especially the whimsical Murano glass chandelier adjacent to the kitchen. “It is my favorite piece in the whole house,” she says, “probably because it’s just so different.”

The key to using bold colors, cautions Sutton, is proportion. “Just like you wouldn’t load up all your heavy furniture in one corner of the room—you would spread it around so that it is balanced,” he explains. “We did the same thing here with color.” He points to the lilac chandelier in the sitting room, the fuchsia silk drapes with tangerine embroidery in the breakfast room and the throw pillows and Roman shade in Suzani-inspired lilac, fuchsia and acid-green fabric in the family room as examples of color extensions.

In his initial design of the home’s formal living room, Sutton opted for clean and simple lines.

“The color is not all in one spot,” Sutton says. “It’s always a question of being appropriate.” Balance also means contrasting boldness with neutral shades. For example, darker design elements help to anchor the rooms, including the custom mahogany-stained distressed cabinet with gathered tangerine orange linen fabric and the chocolate brown medallion-style oval rug by New York-based textile designer Madeline Weinrib in the kitchen. The creamy plaster finish on the walls offers a texture that Sutton feels is important to make the home feel rich.

Patrick Sutton approached Cynthia and Stuart Smith’s home not as a challenge but rather as an opportunity to express his clients’ new, bolder aesthetic and infuse their home with color. “You can always tell someone who has approached the design of their home defensively because it is all beige,” he says. “They are afraid of making a mistake so they pick everything that matches. But when you do something from a place of joy, you can really have fun with it.”