4.29.2014

D.C Design House Part II

We left off yesterday in the family room of the D.C Design house. This home has been decked out! Off the family/entertainment room is an absolutely delightful children's space (designed by Katherine Vernot-Jonas Designs) where there is space to draw, read, climb up a rope or a wall. The colors in this space are playful and even the star lighting is fun. 

Down the hall is the library, with it's original paneling and built-ins with a "faux bois" look to the walls. The designer, Nestor Santa-Cruz, decided to keep the panels to show how timeless this look is. He used a mixture of modern Scandinavian and European classical design as his approach.
Next to the library is the formal living room by Kelley Interior Design (She has been featured many times in House Beautiful and other major publications). The homes original built-ins received new white paint and the walls were sprayed with a high gloss gray to give a lacquered finish to the walls. The ceiling is also painted a pale blue. The tones in here are soft and sophisticated. I really liked the large mirror behind the oil painting above the mantel, which gives it more of a layered look and light to the room.

This is a bit dark of a picture, but it shows these Lucite Chinese Chippendale chairs in front of the bay window. Lots of unexpected surprises.

Once you leave the living room you climb the stairs to see a beautiful geometric wallpaper with chartreuse green ceilings and gorgeous light fixtures.
This is a little alcove for the back stairs that lead to the kitchen. I love how a lot of older homes have these'back stairs'.
An upstairs bedroom by Cleveland Hall Design has bright pops and vibrant patterns throughout. The wallpaper was the bouncing off point for the design. Do you see how beautiful the radiator is covered with a raspberry paint? 
All the closets in this house do not disappoint either. They're all painted a beautiful color and have some kind of mirror in them. 
                                        I love the symmetry to this room and the rug is so soft!
One small room upstairs was turned into a office. The designer, Chald Alan designed and custom orders an inside-out bookcase using the shape of a high boy. It's so unique!
In one of the third story bedrooms, the designer, Melissa McLay used a thin red banding detail to highlight the room's architectural shape. The peacock upholstered headboard is whimsical and so is the whole space. 

Another third floor bedroom has a timeless style and delicate mint and aqua tones. The designer Doyle Interiors uses French fabrics in this space. I really love the the fabric above the headboard, which give provides more height to the bed. 
The room also features these two unique half windows that are separated by a screen. The screen is a genius idea because it breaks up the two spaces of the room the bed and the sitting area.
The master bedroom designed by Design Partners is a sophisticated and relaxing space. The luxurious silk backdrop behind the bed with the four poster all look so beautiful.
Attached to the master bedroom is a spa-like bathroom designed by Cindy Grossmueller. The tile by the shower is the feel and look of shells. The cascading coin chandelier is a beautiful focal point also. I could move right in to this bathroom! 
This concludes our tour of the D.C Design house. There were some rooms and bathrooms I couldn't even get to so you'll just have to go here if you live in the area. Now that we have all been inspired I feel a list of projects for my own home coming soon. How can I not want to do some projects after I saw lacquered closets, detailed ceilings and gorgeous wallpapers? How about you? Do you feel inspired?


4.28.2014

D.C Design House


This weekend I had the privilege to visit the D.C Design House. Every year top designers from the area are selected to design a home to raise funds for the Children's National Health System. This year there were 24 designers chosen for the 29 room home in NW D.C. This house was inspiring to tour and I took so many pictures for you that I will break up this post into two.
The almost 8,000 sq. foot stone home was built in 1929 by Marshall B. Coyne and family who owned the Madison Hotel in D.C and collected art and antiques. 
As you enter the glossy turquoise front doors you see a beautiful painted checkerboard pattern entrance with a gorgeous three story staircase. 
To the right, you enter the dining room designed by the talented Marika Meyer who incorporated symmetry with Chinoiserie motifs  inspiration and plenty of pattern play that is quite sophisticated. 

                                                       I love this fretwork detail on the ceiling.
After the dining room, you enter the luxurious butler's pantry designed by Aidan Designs. They incorporated a rich navy blue cabinetry with gold modern hardware. Even the radiator is gorgeous with the gold meshing and navy trim to cover it. And the gold modern chandelier is amazing!

Off the pantry is a sun room that used to be a covered porch, but the designer (Victoria Sanchez) enclosed it and used a lot of windows for the space. This neutral room has quite a bit of amazing pattern play in here. Even the ceiling was wallpapered with a light geometric design that matches with the window treatments.
Off the sun room is is an amazing custom gourmet kitchen, again by Aidan Designs. Burnished cherry cabinets hide the enormous refrigerator and freezers and gives a warm element to the room and look amazing with the dark soapstone counters. The back splash looks like marble, but it's porcelain marble look. 

               I loved this peacock wallpaper in the main floor powder room designed by Gatega Inteiors.
Don't even get me started on the landscaping- which is amazing! There is so much variety here- a pergola of your dreams, stone patio and pea gravel sitting area, pool and hot tub- you get the idea. 

This tile just blew me away! How fun! The bathroom/locker room off of the pool area is a great idea and so chic.

Off of the pool area is a living room and entertainment room (desinged by Akseizer Design Group) and peaking through to the next room is a dreamy children's play room.
The tone on tone colors of this room is beautiful. How amazing is that built in modern fireplace with t.v and shelves? And you could just go through the french doors out to the pool again. Truly, a stunner.
Want to see more? I will show you the rest of this amazing house tomorrow. If you live in the D.C area I highly suggest going! It's truly inspirational in every room and it supports a great cause.