Zen, Cowboy, and Napa

I had the opportunity to work with a spectacular design team on this residence in Bethesda, and I hope to visit it soon for more pictures!  Team members included lead architect Joany Janicki of Custom Design Concepts, designer Colleen Brand who now currently resides in San Francisco, and Sandy Spring Builders.  My main focus was millwork and interior architecture- always a favorite of mine!

Are you wondering why Zen, Cowboy, and Napa are in the title of the post?  They are some key words the client and designer often referred too.

Here are just a few images snapped during move in!

A custom table at the end of the island

Look at the copper detailing on the prefab fireplace!

Soft curve drywall edges and caramel colored wood accents

Custom Library including uplighting.  This is His Office, but you should see her office ceiling details and her cowboy inspired chair thanks to Colleen Brand (hoping to take some pictures soon)

a glimpse of the Exterior- in the works.

and the Sport Court

credits:

all images compliments of MBK and Associates Photography

A Victorian Renovation

I am really excited to be working with Superior Home Services on the renovation of a Victorian Home located on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC.  The house was built in the 1800s and it does not have luxurious spacious bathrooms.  The client, who is an avid collector of Victorian antiques, has decided to convert a bedroom into two bathrooms.  Since this project is in design development, I would like to share some of the exciting concept ideas and also some of the very unique accessories the client would like to incorporate into the design.

Master Bath Vanity,  Urban Archaeology, Victorian Washstand

I love the simplicity and elegance.  It's going to look perfect in the room with polished nickel fixtures and Carrera marble. We are going to use a verde tile on the floor with accents of Carrera marble and a rose clored stone throughout.

The client loves floral and intricate boarder tiles, such as this one from Urban Archaelogy called Acanthus Scroll Border.

I can't wait to see the finished product which will include wall paper from Bradbury & Bradbury such as this Victorian style in Burgandy

Here is an image from the clients own collection.  The mirror will be placed over the bathroom vanity.

Be sure to check back and see the progress.

Turning Point

As a project architect, one of your responsibilities is to develop the construction drawings for a residence and assist the builder with any issues that may develop during the construction phase of the project.  I spent the earlier years of my career as a project architect who also detailed the architecture of the interiors.  I had the opportunity to develop the drawings for this residence designed by Mark Sullenberger, president of CDC, and also detail the interior millwork and built ins.  It was a ton of work, and after spending  time meeting with the client, developing the CDs, and also designing the architecture of the interiors I reallized that I had to focus my energy just on interior architecture. After all, it can take months to develop these drawings and months more to develop the interiors.


It was sort of a Turning Point in my career.  I set aside the large scale construction drawings and proceeded to expand the interiors department.  Although I often step back into the world of technical drawings and residential design, my main focus is interior architecture and design.

Here's to the Turning Point  and here are just a few samples of the project that led to the switch.
All photography by Apertures Inc.

Overlooking the golf course

The Main Entry

The fully paneled Library and custom desinged Mud Room

LongView

Designed by Custom Design Concepts and recently featured in Washington Spaces, is a residence worth seeing.  I was honored to be a member of the design team involved on this project and my main focus was Interior Millwork.  As you will see, there is much to enjoy!

Here are just a few images of the extensive details!
all photography by Kenneth Wyner Photography

The Main Entry

Mark Sullenberger, architect and president of CDC,

Project Architect Joan Janicki and Architect Richard Radcliffe were members of the design team

The Porte Cochere

Through out the Foyer and many of the other rooms

you will find elaborate paneling and wood accents

The Family Room has an intricate wood beamed ceiling and

paneled walls that encase the entertainment system

I love the herringbone patterned floor!

I worked closely with Joan Janicki to detail the structure of the iron grate floor and metal columns

detail of the Library bookcase and window seat

View to the Conservatory

Since many of the rooms are continuously paneled, I thought it would be nice to incorporate fabric into the panel of the Dining Room.  The ceiling has a soft plaster cove with some subtle uplighting.

One of my favorite rooms to detail- The Bowling Alley.

I just love how comfortable, warm and retro it is.

Be sure to visit Washington Spaces, An Enchanting Estate

Showhouse : The Family Vestibule

This past season, Custom Design Concepts Architecture + Interiors had the opportunity to participate on the CharityWorks Greenhouse.  It was a showhouse to remember!
A carbon neutral house that featured 19 premiere designers with a challenge to create luxury environmentally friendly interiors. The CDC team members included Miriam Dillon and Rebecca Foley.

The Family Vestibule

Our goal was to create a comfortable and welcoming Family Vestibule using repurposed materials, antiques, and environmentally friendly products.

The Family Vestibule includes a Mud Room, Hallway, Powder Room, and Laundry Room

Photography by Gordon Beall