a couple who had determined to maneuver from a big home in Baltimore found a two-story penthouse within the metropolis’s Guilford neighborhood. Although their tastes are fashionable and the two-bedroom residence within the venerable Warrington Constructing mirrored one other period – from lavish moldings to ornate fixtures – they cherished the structure, proportions and views from the expansive terrace.
After buying the property, the girl requested designer Joanne Fitzgerald to revamp the inside and create a contemporary, eclectic ambiance whereas respecting the house’s structure. “As soon as I noticed what the place seemed like and knew what she wished, it was thrilling to visualise how we had been going to make it hers,” Fitzgerald recalled.
The designer overhauled each inch of the three,400-square-foot condominium. She remodeled the kitchen and three bogs, created a bar close to the household room, and changed or reworked many of the flooring. The place doable, she chosen furnishings and artwork from her shoppers’ collections. “We additionally added fashionable furnishings and colours that made the normal components look far more spectacular,” she notes.
What influenced your design scheme?
You stroll into the condominium and see a phenomenal curvilinear staircase. I advised holding that motif as it’s a very linear house. We chosen spherical lights and an oval eating desk to proceed that widespread thread.
Clarify how artwork elevates a house.
Unique artwork makes such an influence and is a window into who the householders are. I urge shoppers to take the time and accumulate artistic endeavors that contact them. And after they journey, I inform them to purchase a bit of artwork – it is going to be a lifelong reminiscence of the journey.
For this venture, my shopper and I went to Montreal collectively and chosen some new artwork so as to add to her assortment. And we simply returned from an artwork shopping for journey in Mexico Metropolis and Oaxaca the place we discovered some outstanding pottery items from a household going again a number of generations.
How do you promote concord between conventional and fashionable components?
When you will have a swish architectural canvas, it is vital to honor it in some methods and distinction it in others. By including components with straight traces and supplies with out a lot sample, you possibly can obtain the specified distinction.
There was a lot architectural element on this home that we determined to maintain it very quiet. As a substitute of adjusting shade in every room, the partitions are painted the identical mild grey: Benjamin Moore’s Bruton White. We saved the frames in the identical shade, however sprayed them with a excessive gloss in order that they actually shine.
Why do you paint ceilings in a distinct shade?
I am a agency believer that the ceiling airplane is vastly underused and I am allergic to ceiling white. To create ambiance, I paint ceilings in very pale, subliminal colours that folks do not instantly acknowledge. On this condominium, the colour scheme is constant; all ceilings are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Grey Sky.
How did you improve the kitchen with out breaking the financial institution?
The prevailing supplies had been good and properly positioned. The traditional cupboard profile seemed good with the cornices and match very nicely into the architectural language. We determined to maintain the cupboards, however to repaint them in a light-weight grey shade; the paint has been sprayed on to present the cupboards a manufacturing unit look. Lastly, we added stunning new quartzite counter tops and polished nickel {hardware}.
What do you obtain by mixing completely different metallic accents?
Metallic is the right launching pad to make interiors look extra fashionable; the brushed and polished brass that we see so much now has one thing fashionable about it. One among my favourite issues is to combine heat woods and chilly metals.
Describe the transformation of the household room.
I wished to have enjoyable on this room, the place 3-meter excessive doorways open to a spectacular terrace. The Romo wallpaper has a graphic high quality that fantastically enhances the house; I selected a complementary darkish grey for the accent wall and molding. The grooved olive wooden espresso desk with acrylic legs is a play of conventional and fashionable. General, the house is informal however nonetheless very elegant.
What recommendation do you give shoppers doing rental renovations?
It is very important speak to constructing administration at an early stage. Discover out what you possibly can and might’t do. See if you may get plans, which is not all the time doable when coping with an older constructing. When you perceive how a lot flexibility you will have with plumbing and electrical, you possibly can work from there.
Present how and when to make use of wallpaper.
There are conditions the place wallpaper can anchor a room and provides it the creative dimension it wants. And there are others the place we would want a little bit little bit of sample. That was the case within the first bed room. Despite the fact that Phillip Jeffries’ wallpaper is quiet in shade, it has a huge effect in scale. I did not need to distract with patterns and colours – I wished to spark curiosity and create curiosity with out being overwhelming. ■
ASK JOANNE
What are your favourite artwork sources?
I like Susan Calloway’s gallery in Georgetown; the work she curates is excellent. I additionally ship shoppers to the Torpedo Manufacturing facility the place they’ll uncover what they like and the place they’ll meet the artists.
Identify your favourite daring hue proper now.
I’m a giant fan of Benjamin Moore’s Raspberry Blush. It’s a heat pink that’s simply incredible. I am most likely going to strive it in a bed room.
Share a favourite furnishings asset.
A dry sink I purchased once I was antiquing with my mother. It has a scalloped edge and unique zinc lining. I used it as a dresser and later transformed it right into a bar. My son as soon as engraved his identify on it, including to the historical past!
What’s a great way to replace a classic piece?
I like portray previous Bergère picket body chairs a enjoyable shade and livening them up with new cloth.
Inside Design: Joanne Fitzgerald, CKBD, Gatéga Inside Design, LLC, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: Delbert Adams Building Group, Baltimore Maryland.
