Excerpted from Washington Home & Design Magazine, Jan/Feb 2012 Full Potential Once ridiculed as “antipasto on the Potomac,” the Watergate complex designed by Italian architect Luigi Moretti has become one of Washington’s most respectable addresses. But its curvaceous 1960s architecture still poses design challenges for residents seeking to transform their outdated apartments for contemporary living. Inside, the living area now extends from the terrace door to the kitchen and an adjoining nook for watching TV. The rear wall of the kitchen isn’t tiled or painted, but covered in boards made of recycled wood fiber, fly ash and cement. A row of fir cabinets stands out against the gray panels and white-lacquered drawers under the Corian countertops add more contrast. “I now enjoy cooking so much more,” says the homeowner. “The previous kitchen had very little counter space and storage, and very little connection to the rest of the apartment.” “A neutral color scheme allows sculptural objects, in this case iconic furniture, and artwork to stand out,” says Santalla. “An element of contrast, such as a tone or a texture, adds richness to the palette.” In the master bedroom, Santalla designed the bed frame with attached nightstands and upholstered the adjacent wall to create an oversized headboard. He created a television stand on the adjacent wall that allows the screen to swivel so it can be viewed from the bed or terrace. Of all the renovation challenges facing the couple, one of the most problematic was deciding what to do with the original parquet floors in the living space. Santalla came up with the idea of staining the existing wood and extending the same dark tone to the terrace floor. “Now the indoor and outdoor parts of the apartment are integrated to create an almost seamless space,” says the homeowner. “The design succeeds in realizing the promise of what the Watergate can be.” Project completed in collaboration with Treacy & Eagleburger. Photography by Alan Karchmer

When the clients for this 1940's Minneapolis home came to us with their kitchen, they wanted to really make a kitchen they could be proud to come home to and entertain friends and family. With a Scandinavian focus in mind, we played with a number of different elements to bring the whole design together. The cabinets are painted a blue/gray color and the tops are a marble-like quartz. The backsplash is a simple, yet elegant, gray elongated subway tile that tucks up right under the floating shelves and upper cabinets. The floors are a wood-looking luxury vinyl plank. Finally the open shelves are made of reclaimed barn wood sourced from Minnesota. One of the focuses in this kitchen was to create a space for coffee. The coffee nook was specifically designed to accommodate the specific coffee maker the homeowners selected. Overall, we are completely in love with this look and how beautiful it turned out!

Kids Bedrooms can be fun. This preteen bedroom design was create for a young girl in need o her own bedroom. Having shared bedrooms with hr younger sister it was time Abby had her own room! Interior Designer Rebecca Robeson took the box shaped room and added a much needed closet by using Ikea's PAX wardrobe system which flanked either side of the window. This provided the perfect spot to add a simple bench seat below the window creating a delightful window seat for young Abby to curl up and enjoy a great book or text a friend. Robeson's artful use of bright wall colors mixed with PB teen bedding makes for a fun exhilarating first impression when walking into Abby's room! For more details on Abby's bedroom, watch YouTubes most popular Interior Designer, Rebecca Robeson as she walks you through the actual room! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2ZQbjBJsEs Photos by David Hartig

white bathroom design from www.AllMarbleTiles.com using 3x6 subway tiles and marble mosaic borders.

Cupboards painted in "PP11-12-13WA" (Oil Eggshell) by Paper and Paints. Boarded wall panelling painted in "PP11-12-13AD" (Oil Eggshell) by Paper and Paints. White farmhouse sink by Villeroy & Boch. Tap in pewter finish by Perrin & Rowe.

Builder: Markay Johnson Construction visit: www.mjconstruction.com Project Details: This uniquely American Shingle styled home boasts a free flowing open staircase with a two-story light filled entry. The functional style and design of this welcoming floor plan invites open porches and creates a natural unique blend to its surroundings. Bleached stained walnut wood flooring runs though out the home giving the home a warm comfort, while pops of subtle colors bring life to each rooms design. Completing the masterpiece, this Markay Johnson Construction original reflects the forethought of distinguished detail, custom cabinetry and millwork, all adding charm to this American Shingle classic. Architect: John Stewart Architects Photographer: Bernard Andre Photography

Heidi Zeiger Photography

Modern family loft in Boston. New walnut stair treads lead up to the master suite. A wall separating the master bedroom from the double height living space was replaced with a folding glass door to open the bedroom to the living space while still allowing for both visual and acoustical privacy. Surfaces built into the new railing atop the stair create a functional work area with a fantastic view and clear shot to the play space below. The baby nursery below now includes transom windows to share light from the open space. Photos by Eric Roth. Construction by Ralph S. Osmond Company. Green architecture by ZeroEnergy Design. http://www.zeroenergy.com

This home was completely renovated, including an addition. It was transformed from a Colonial style to Greek Revival, which was more fitting for the neighborhood. The screened porch was added as a part of the renovation, with Greek Revival style pillars separating the screens, and durable ipe decking for a floor.

Photos by Bob Greenspan

WINNER - AIA/BSA Design Award 2012 - 2012 EcoHome Design Award - PRISM 2013 Award This LEED Gold certified vacation residence located in a beautiful ocean community on the New England coast features high performance and creative use of space in a small package. ZED designed the simple, gable-roofed structure and proposed the Passive House standard. The resulting home consumes only one-tenth of the energy for heating compared to a similar new home built only to code requirements. Architecture | ZeroEnergy Design Construction | Aedi Construction Photos | Greg Premru Photography

A Hotel Luxe Modern Transitional Home by Natalie Fuglestveit Interior Design, Calgary Interior Design Firm. Photos by Lindsay Nichols Photography. Interior design includes modern fireplace with 24"x24" calacutta marble tile face, 18 karat vase with tree, black and white geometric prints, modern Gus white Delano armchairs, natural walnut hardwood floors, medium brown wall color, ET2 Lighting linear pendant fixture over dining table with tear drop glass, acrylic coffee table, carmel shag wool area rug, champagne gold Delta Trinsic faucet, charcoal flat panel cabinets, tray ceiling with chandelier in master bedroom, pink floral drapery in girls room with teal linear border.

To learn more about us or the products we use, such as Dura Supreme, please call (571) 765-4450 or visit our website.

Photo Credit: Mark Boisclair Photography

Nels Akerlund Photography LLC