CASE STUDIES House in the Woods HUNTER MILL, VIENNA Our hospitable and generous clients desired to repurpose their home to reflect light, beauty, comfort, and a welcome environment for diverse groups large and small, informal and formal. Flexible space was requested to accommodate all ages, pets, and a wide variety of social gatherings including Thanksgiving dinner for 35. Current Dining room – not enough room to fit everyone while entertaining. Design flowed from a desire to offer a warm welcome and honor the views of the wooded setting. Style is transitional, edging toward contemporary with a warm autumn palette and a preference for walnut wood. Lighting also needed to be augmented. Space planning began by establishing a focal point. A new double-sided wood-burning fireplace in copper slate with a wraparound limestone mantel was centered between the living room and foyer. A large mirror, surrounded by a custom glass tile frame with mirror-mounted sconces, reflects light and welcomes visitors on the foyer side. The living room side is treated with a contemporary diagonal; the sculptural fireplace provides an anchor in the space. Doorways were widened and raised to create better circulation. A lit niche wall was created to display the curated glass art collection and accommodate the need for instrument and TV storage. Antique oriental carpets were the inspiration, with all finishes chosen to coordinate. Furniture and materials were chosen for comfort, beauty and durability. High ceilings demanded appropriate scale; glass-topped tables function without intruding. The living room stepdown tripping hazards are marked with a walnut floor transition. Window treatments were chosen to give a finished appearance without obscuring the view, or inviting cat interference. Expandable tables provide foyer landing and serving space and accommodate the larger dinners. Foyer lighting was positioned to function for these occasions, as well as for general use. Custom –colored wallpaper with a slight shimmer was selected to enhance the light effects in the dining room and foyer. A playful Gabeh carpet leads to the lower level stairs arriving at the big screen TV and other game rooms. Back hallway to Master bedroom features quieting cork wallcovering, fine art photography. New leather clad gas log fireplace in Master Bedroom exudes quiet serenity. Carpets, comfortable seating, new bedcoverings update this nest. The often-used dining table needed to be expandable and beautiful – espresso-stained ash with marquetry base was chosen. The design highlights original artwork that the clients had commissioned in watercolor including a triptych of water colors on paper in the living room, on cradled panels in the foyer, a triptych on silk in the dining room, and fine art photography in the back hallway. 703-750-1151 © 2021 Fisher Group, LLC. All rights reserved.