What a huge thrill and honor it was last Thursday to be presented with an “Award Of Excellence” by the Washington Metro Chapter of the ASID- American Society of Interior Designers! A. Houck Designs received the “Residential – Single Space – First Place Award” for a family room project in Arlington. We were recognized, along with other awardees, last night at a festive celebration held in the beautiful atrium of the Washington Design Center.
Our winning entry is a sophisticated family room, with a neutral palette and tons of texture. The space is our latest project for long-standing clients (a family of four) with whom we have worked for years. While their tastes lean toward the conservative, they wanted to inject warmth and personality into the family’s hang-out space in their colonial-style home.
We started with the fireplace. The builder’s interpretation, painted a bright white, lacked character and depth – and was too stark against the existing natural-stone surround . We played up the prominent architectural feature with a custom mahogany faux finish, adding layers upon layers to create just the right look.
Now the fireplace is a fitting focal point for the room. Original artwork and custom-finished sconces by Hammerton create added interest. A matching Hammerton chandelier hangs overhead.
The earthy palette, mixing browns with hints of blue and green, reflects the wife’s love of colors inspired by nature. To punch up the neutrals, we introduced plenty of rich texture, wrapping the room in a Phillip Jefferies glass cloth. Panels in an embroidered linen, featuring a large-scale leaf motif, frame the tall windows and unify the organic color scheme. Grass-weave shades diffuse the light and add privacy. A geometric-style rug by Stark Carpet provides a luxurious foundation for comfortable furnishings. And a custom cocktail table by Michael James Furniture combines beauty and function, with its patinated, metal base and dynamic granite top.
Behind the sofa on the left is a practical and pretty vignette, featuring another custom creation from Michael James Furniture – this time a streamlined console.
A bold landscape painting by a local artist Rob Vander Zee brings in more organic color and shapes. Underneath, a sumptuous Designers Guild cut velvet fabric adorns three Kravet ottomans on casters, which can be easily pulled out to provide additional seating as needed.
Flanking the French doors that join the family room and kitchen are mirror-image groupings. On each side are a Palecek side chair (also providing flexible seating options for large gatherings) and a custom-painted chest from Chelsea Textiles (the NDI greenery arrangements on top were thank-you gifts from our firm to our loyal clients).
Framed oil paintings, by a native Washingtonian artist, Kevin Fitzgerald, and two Currey & Company pendants complete the symmetrical scenes.
A. Houck Designs was thrilled, of course, to be recognized for our work by the local chapter of ASID. But our greatest reward for any project is a happy client — and these homeowners love hanging out with family and friends in their new, nature-inspired family room.
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