Showcase Home Offers Design Inspiration
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Showcase Home Offers Design Inspiration

DC Design House was transformed by local designers to raise money for charity.

Betsy Barmat Stires chose furniture from Thomas Moser to adds an element of classic modern architecture to the kitchen.

Betsy Barmat Stires chose furniture from Thomas Moser to adds an element of classic modern architecture to the kitchen. Photo by Angie Seckinger

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When designing the laundry room, Allie Mann chose a light and airy palette.

”I wanted to keep the usefulness and simple utility that the original design presented as well as maintain a comfortable and spacious feeling.”

— Betsy Barmat Stires, of Frog Hill Designs LLC

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Andrea Houck’s goal for the mademoiselle chamber was to create a girly-yet-glamorous space that balanced sophisticated furnishings with playful touches.

Those in search of interior design ideas now have a source of new inspirations, at least temporarily. The 2016 DC Design House is now open to the public and runs through Oct. 30.

Some of the area’s top designers competed for an opportunity to donate their talent to transform a local, grand home into a showcase home to raise money for charity. On the market for $10.8 million, the five- story, 11,242 square-foot home includes seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, two half baths, three kitchens, five fireplaces, sauna, exercise and party rooms, wine cellar, elevator, plus an infinity pool.

Area tastemakers unleashed their creativity transforming 21 spaces into dream rooms like the la salon del celebrity, the mademoiselle chambre and the chic laundry room.

Spaces created by local designers include the family room by Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design, the powder room by Lena Kroupnik of Lena Kroupnik Interiors and the sitting room by Camille Saum of Camille Saum Interior Design, all in Bethesda, Md. The library and whiskey bar was designed by Josh Hildreth & Victor Sanz of DMG Interiors, Reston, and the living room by Pamela Harvey of Pamela Harvey Interiors in Oakton. The kitchen and breakfast room was designed by Betsy Barmat Stires of Frog Hill Designs the master bedroom suite by Victoria Sanchez of Victoria At Home the vintage cabana and roof deck by Quintece Hill-Mattauszek of Studio Q Designs, all of Alexandria. The mademoiselle chamber was designed by Andrea Houck of A. Houck Designs in Arlington, the chic laundry room by Allie Mann of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., and the formal in the woods lower garden by Stephen Wlodarczyk & Joshua Dean of Wheat’s Custom Landscape in Vienna.

The home’s original kitchen was expansive and light-filled. “I wanted to keep the usefulness and simple utility that the original design presented as well as maintain a comfortable and spacious feeling,” said Betsy Barmat Stires of Frog Hill Designs LLC in Alexandria. “I continued the neutral color palette set with the existing cabinetry, millwork and stone, but added a soft teal and other complementary neutrals to bring the outdoors inside.”

The laundry space was designed to take occupants beyond the monotony of wash, dry, fold and repeat, says Allie Mann of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc. “It presents a moment to stop, breathe and restart,” she said. “The most memorable days often end with the dirtiest clothes so why not have a sleek and sophisticated laundry room to tackle this task, a place where design trumps utility.”

Andrea Houck of A. Houck Designs, Inc. in Arlington designed a girl’s bedroom, called the Mademoiselle Chambre, which is reminiscent of a room one might see in a home in Paris. “The muse for our design is a French ingénue with diplomatic parents looking for worldly sophistication beyond her years,” said Houck. “With a childhood spent in Paris, our imagined inhabitant is accustomed to high fashion and elegant style. And like most young ladies her age, she also loves a little sparkle and shine.”

The home was built in 2010 and is located in the Wesley Heights/Berkley neighborhood of Washington, D.C. It was most recently was used as the temporary residence of the French ambassador while his home was undergoing renovations.

Since its inception in 2008, the DC Design House has had more than 70,000 visitors and raised more than $1.5 million raised for Children’s National Health System. For more information, visit www.dcdesignhouse.com, Facebook and Twitter.


DC Design House

Now Through Oct. 29

Closed Mondays; Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday- Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday, October 30: DC Design House, last day, 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Tickets $35

For more information, visit www.dcdesignhouse.com, Facebook and Twitter.