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A Houck Designs Creating Spaces

Behind the Scenes at the DC Design House

September 13, 2016

There’s a controlled chaos that goes on the weeks before the opening of a show house — and this year’s DC Design House certainly fit the pattern. The event opens on October 1, and participating designers, myself included, have been scrambling to get their spaces ready to dazzle the expected crowds. And, trust me, these spaces will dazzle!

But before all that, there was a moment when I wondered how in the world all the amazing design elements we selected for the Mademoiselle Chambre could possiblity come together in time (there was another moment when I wondered if my living room would ever be the same again because that’s where I’d been storing all those elements). The day the wallpaper was installed, I finally exhaled…just a little. The vision was starting to take shape:

Installation of wallpaper at DCDH 2016
The amazing team at Marly’s Superior Interiors installs the Mademoiselle Chambre wallpaper at DC Design House 2016

I knew the Eykon wallpaper would look great but it exceeded my expectations! The Lavish pattern features tone-on-tone, sugary circles made with real mica flecks. We installed Lavish on three walls. Here’s a closer look at a shimmery circle:

Close-up of mica-flecked circle on Eykon Source One Ulf Moritz Wall Couture's Lavish pattern

On the other wall, we installed Lavish Swag, which features a geometric motif and floral accents, along with the shimmery circles. As the wallpaper went up, other designers and staff kept stopping by to admire it. The flowers just pop off the wall.

Close-up of Eykon Source One Ulf Moritz Wall Couture's Lavish Swag

Installation in progress of Eykon's Source One Ulf Moritz Wall Couture's Lavish Swag pattern

Every design element was chosen to reflect a girly yet glamorous vibe. I love how the wallpaper’s flowers connect with the crystal florets and buds on the silver-leafed AERIN pendant we selected. I am obsessed with this gorgeous light fixture! I won’t give away its full effect now, but here’s a little peek:

Close-up of floret details on AERIN Claret Short Pendant

The shot above also gives you a sneak peek at the sophisticated pink shade we chose for the ceiling (my design assistant, Kim Joshi, is an amazing photographer…she snapped all the photos for this post!).

Once the wallpaper crew and equipment cleared out, we brought in the first two pieces of furniture. How fun is this vintage chair we scored at Miss Pixie’s in DC? The Currey & Company table, appropriately called the Princess Drinks Table, is studded with rose quartz crystals. Fabulous!

Shot of vignette with Miss Pixie's chair and Currey & Co. accent table

We also freshened up the look of the en suite (also known as the Salle de Bains). Here’s a glimpse at what’s in store:

Close-up of mirror in Salle de Bains in DC Design House 2016

Please plan to visit the DC Design House next month to see the Mademoiselle Chambre and Salle de Bains in all their glory. The show house will be open from October 2 through October 30. The Preview Day event is October 1. Proceeds benefit the Children’s National Health System. For more information or to order tickets, visit the DC Design House website.

About Andrea Houck

Andrea Houck is a highly recognized interior designer based in the Washington, D.C. area.  She founded A. Houck Designs, a full-service firm providing residential interior design and construction consulting. She is also the founder of Creating Spaces, where she shares her latest design inspirations and tips, as well as behind-the-scenes project updates.

With a fine arts background, Andrea is known for her carefully crafted compositions that prioritize balance, scale and proportion. Her design portfolio runs the style gamut, from traditional to modern to somewhere in between. Andrea’s wide-ranging work has been featured in Elle Decor, Flower Magazine, The Washington Post, Home & Design and Arlington Magazine, among others.

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A Houck Designs Creating Spaces