DC Design House 2014 - Sneak Peak at my Design

I'm so excited to be one of the designers picked to transform the DC Design House 2014!  This year's house is a beautiful stone home built in the 1920s with over 7,900 square feet.  It has 6 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 2 half baths, a three car garage and a swimming pool.

Three weeks ago, I decided to tour the house.  I thought chances were slim that I would submit a presentation because it would be a huge time commitment.  Turns out I have a soft spot for old homes.  Especially ones with lots of character and wonderful architectural elements like this hallway that leads the way to the family room.

DC Design House 2014

One of the last rooms I saw on the tour, I knew immediately I wanted to design the space.

Here's what the room looks like now.  As you enter the room, the wall straight ahead is just calling for a great piece of art to provide a strong focal point.

DC Design House 2014

You can see here we have to work with some crazy angles. We also need to address the radiator.  The crescent window is great!  The base moldings are pretty but need some tlc.

Design House 2014

Loving the dormer window that needs a custom built seat!

DC Design House 2014

This wall is mostly all "door" to a closet.  So glad Closet America agreed to join my team to help me transform the closet.

DC Design House 2014

This wall has a door leading to the bathroom which is going to be completed by TJ with Ibby.  Definitely check out Ibby's super cool website that allows you to design your bathroom online.  

DC Design House 2014

After the tour, I couldn't stop thinking about the space and began collecting fabrics, looking at lighting and furniture and before I knew it, a design was coming together that I was really liking.

Here's the board I submitted…

Instead of playing it safe with neutrals, I was in the mood for color and pattern!  

It all started with the peacock fabric.  Three years ago, a very talented local textile designer, Victoria Larson,  showed me her new fabric line.   Today, Victoria's fabric line is represented in design centers located in Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Sydney, Australia.  She's also currently featured in the spring issue of Home & Design!  

Victoria's peacock fabric is the jumping off point for the room and will be used throughout the space.  Below you can see it on the custom headboard and bedskirt.

  

My goal was to create a fresh modern space that combines fabrics with an organic feel and the clean contemporary lines of the furniture.  Custom details such as the leather straps "secure" the pleats on the bedskirt.  The brass and glass ceiling fixtures adds shine and glamour.  I want to add whimsical artwork with splashes of yellow.  I'm super excited about the chili red banding detail we're adding to the walls to accentuate their angles and add a tailored preppy vibe to the space.  

Since I found out last week that I was selected to participate in the house, life has become busier.  Assembling a great team of contractors to help implement the design is critical .  Electrical work, custom carpentry, painting, custom furniture design, and so much more needs to be completed by March 31!   

There is a Bare Bones Tour open to the public on Saturday, March 1st from 11am to 3pm.  You have an opportunity to see the home before the work begins.  Each of the designers selected will be in their room with their presentation board describing their vision.  As soon as the tour is done, we can begin work!

I hope you enjoyed this look behind the scenes!  The house will be open to the public beginning April 13th and runs through May 11th.  The DC Design House is the leading annual fundraiser event benefiting the Children's National Medical Center.  

I would love to see you there!  Click here for more event info.

P.S.  The February 28th deadline is quickly approaching to vote for Melissa McLay Interiors for Best of Annapolis.   Click here to vote for us and your other favorite local business!