Home and Design

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W hen you can’t buy your favorite
architect’s home, why not hire
her to design one specially for
you? Julie and Grant Geyer
were on the lookout for a new
house when they toured the
chic, innovative interiors of

architect Carmel Greer’s DC

abode, then on the market.

“The style was incredible,” enthuses Julie. “We were looking for

modern but not uber-minimalist modern, and Carmel’s house had

the perfect sensibility.”

Sadly, the home’s location made it impossible; with three tween-

age kids, the couple wanted to stay in the Maryland school system.

Still, they met with Greer—and serendipitously discovered a tear-

down for sale in their Bethesda neighborhood at the same time.

“The property was stunning,” recounts Julie Geyer, who has since

hung out her shingle as an interior designer; Grant is a cybersecurity

expert. “We asked Carmel to take a look and that was it.”

Greer conceived an L-shaped layout in which front-facing public

rooms occupy one leg of the L while the other leg is dedicated “to

family and practicality,” she explains. “It’s a nice way of organizing

a home, to group the practical elements together. And it worked well

aesthetically with the lot’s square configuration.” As a bonus, the L

Architecture: Carmel Greer, LEED AP, District Design, Washington, DC. Interior
Design: Julie Geyer, Julie Geyer Studio, Bethesda, Maryland. Builder: GBI
Corporation, Alexandria, Virginia. Landscape Design: Everett Conroy & Landis
Garden Design, Chevy Chase, Maryland.

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In the dining room (these pages), walls and trim in Sherwin-Williams’ Tricorn Black enhance glamorous chandeliers from Sunpan and
Jeffrey Alan Marks draperies. A canvas by Agnes Rathonyi hangs above a sideboard from Noir LA. The table and chairs are from RH.

HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021 ■ 101

Calacatta Vagli marble surfaces lend drama to the kitchen, where globe pendants hang above the island. Greer let in natural
light by installing open oak shelving in front of windows in lieu of upper cabinets. The temperature-controlled wine cellar
(opposite) features a tasting room displaying the couple’s most prized vintages; wings on either side store up to 3,000 bottles.

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JENN VERRIER

creates a courtyard in back that neatly accommodates an outdoor
kitchen and a porch equipped with heaters and retractable screens.
A recently installed swimming pool nestles into the lawn. The three-
quarter-acre corner lot enabled the owners to tuck the three-car
garage they desired around the side, away from the front façade.

With its subtly abstracted traditional forms, the stucco-clad,
7,839-square-foot dwelling fits happily into its neighborhood of
sprawling, traditional homes. “It’s simple, clean and modern, but
not loud or attention-grabbing,” says Greer. The interiors echo the
same restrained-modern aesthetic—starting with the front entry
hall, which showcases a sculptural staircase without railings that
curves up to the third floor. “I told Carmel we wanted a grand
foyer, and she hit it out of the park. The stair is our mini-Guggen-
heim,” marvels Julie Geyer, laughing.

“The house is really a series of simple masses, so I mimicked that
idea with the stair,” Greer notes. “The simplicity of the stair lets
other elements have their day.”

The foyer flows into a formal living room on one side; on the
other, a long gallery leads past the dining room to the kitchen,
which joins the legs of the L. The family room shares space with the
kitchen; beyond it are the garage, mudroom and Julie’s home office.
The back courtyard is accessible from both legs via glass doors that
foster indoor-outdoor connectivity.

The second floor houses the owners’ suite and laundry as well
as the kids’ bedrooms and hang-out space. A third story contains
Grant Geyer’s home office, while the basement features a rec room,
guest suite, gym and—the pièce de résistance—an elegant, clima-
tized wine cellar embellished with oak that stores 3,000 bottles.

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“ THE SIMPLICITY
OF THE STAIR
LETS THE OTHER
ELEMENTS HAVE
THEIR DAY.”—CARMEL GREER

Greer and her clients easily found common ground when it came Greer’s sculptural staircase (top) is a highlight of the home’s design;
to the interiors. Against the backdrop of 11-foot ceilings, eight- a chandelier by France & Son is suspended beside the second-floor
foot-tall charcoal-gray doors, character-grade wide-plank oak landing. With its restful off-white walls, warm oak accents and custom
flooring and steel-look window frames, chic lighting abounds and bedding, the owners’ bedroom (opposite) “feels like a retreat,” says
fixtures and finishes blend harmoniously. The Geyers collect art Geyer. Nero Marquina marble tile in a chevron pattern clads the floor of
and antiquities, so Greer created spaces for display, including a cli- the owners’ bath (above), where floating his-and-her vanities are painted
mate-controlled case in the foyer that showcases an ancient Greek glamorous black.
vessel. “I always dreamed of clean, all-white spaces that wouldn’t
interfere but would be a canvas for everything,” Geyer comments.

However, she also wanted “moments of drama,” and specified
a pure-black dining room with giant cove moldings and a bold,
abstract painting. Another example is her home office, entirely
enveloped in Benjamin Moore’s vibrant Mulberry—including the
millwork. The main powder room, clad in Nero Marquina marble,
offers its own touch of glam.

Geyer and Greer collaborated on the kitchen. Inspired by the
one in Greer’s former home, it combines dark-gray cabinetry with
expanses of swirling Calacatta Vagli marble on both countertops
and backsplash. White-painted beams adorn the ceiling; they carry
over into the family room where a vaulted ceiling conveys an airy
feel. “The rooms needed to interact and the painted beams tie them
together,” observes Greer.

Throughout the house, modern artwork, much of it by local
artists, and beautiful, carefully chosen lighting add interest. Twin
crystal chandeliers dominate the dining room, while an oversized
chandelier in mid-century style perfectly fits the family room’s
vaulted space. Cascading globes are a centerpiece above the stairs,
suspended at eye level on the second floor.

During construction, Geyer enrolled in an interior design pro-
gram at the New York Institute of Art & Design; since the home’s
completion in 2018, her business has taken off. “I pinch myself
constantly,” she says. “I think, ‘How did I get so lucky?’” ■

SOURCES OF NOTE

Kitchen Cabinetry & Vanity Fabrication: dkandt.com. Kitchen & Bath Countertops:

marblesystems.com. Powder Room Sconces: circalighting.com. Rug in Owners’

Bedroom: greenfront.com. Windows: weathershield.com through qualitywindow

anddoorinc.com. For a complete list of resources, see homeanddesign.com.

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BarnesVanze Architects drew inspiration for
the gracious home from Arts & Crafts style
and a quaint 1800s cabin salvaged on-site.

Architect Stephen Vanze and designer Lauren Liess conceive a
21st-century home in Vienna that embraces humble roots

ENGRLIESHDCUOUXNTRY

Text by CATHERINE FUNKHOUSER | Photography by ANICE HOACHLANDER

The great room (opposite)
combines two seating areas
and a casual dining zone. An
upstairs hallway with a balcony
overlooking the vaulted-ceiling
space connects four bedrooms.
This page, clockwise from
right: The architects organized
the kitchen around two large
windows to achieve a light and
airy feel. Sherwin-Williams’
peaceful Jogging Path coats the
perimeter cabinets, while white
oak lends rusticity to the island.
Pocket doors separate the
kitchen from the great room.

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Off the great room, a bluestone terrace and screened side
porch expand the entertaining space outdoors. The pool,
bordered by a mix of herbs and perennials, was sited to one
side to leave the home’s pastoral vista unobstructed.
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““I like to take credit for finding it,” quips initial instinct was that we had to save that log cabin,” Vanze
Neada Onufrychuk, referring to the cap- recounts. “It’s an important part of the story of the site.”
tivating parcel of former farmland she
discovered on the outskirts of Vienna, The Onufrychuks quickly got on board. And the storied struc-
Virginia. The lot’s now-owner vividly ture, which was lovingly restored and improved, was integrated
recalls the day she happened by a for-sale into the residence’s three-volume plan. It now serves as a dinner-
sign and followed a gravel road to the site party venue/pool house at one end of the main residence, while a
of her future home. “The property was so three-car garage, with an office above for Brian, forms an “L” at
the other. Glass-lined hallways link the side volumes to the center.
magical. The way the light came through Says architect Melanie Giordano, “We wanted to make the log
cabin feel like part of the composition.”
the trees,” she describes, “I could just see my kids running down to
Landscape architect Jennifer Horn reinforced the home’s old-
the creek and being free here.” meets-new narrative with thoughtfully designed gardens and
outdoor living areas. For example, she specified irregular pavers
Neada and husband Brian, a wine and spirits distributor, were with planted joints for the cabin’s more informal “remnant garden”
and clean-lined bluestone for the terrace and pool surround. “The
living in downtown Vienna with their two young children at the idea was to create the feeling that everything around the cabin had
been preserved and had existed for generations,” she reveals.
time and searching for a buildable plot. After purchasing the five
Architecture: Stephen Vanze, FAIA, LEED AP, founding principal; Melanie
acres in 2017, they assembled an expert team, which included Giordano, AIA, principal; Sydney Davenport Katz, AIA, LEED AP, project manager;
Nancy Rizk, project architect, BarnesVanze Architects, Washington, DC. Interior
architect Stephen Vanze and designer Lauren Liess. The brief: Con- Design: Lauren Liess, Lauren Liess, Great Falls, Virginia. Builder: CarrMichael
Construction, Oakton, Virginia. Landscape Design: Jennifer Horn, RLA, Jennifer
jure a timeless, built-to-last abode that supports casual living and Horn Landscape Architecture, Arlington, Virginia.

social gatherings. Airy interiors that capitalize on the sylvan setting

figured prominently in the couple’s vision.

With a demolition on the horizon, the pair not only gave short

shrift to the tumbledown brick residence on the lot, they over-

looked altogether an attached log cabin obscured by dense bushes.

Vanze and his colleagues, however, spotted the 1800s-era edifice

on their first visit and recommended a course correction. “Our

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In the entry hall (opposite), Liess created a gallery wall with pieces from
Neada’s collection. Hung on the stair landing, an original door salvaged
from the log cabin pays homage to the past. The linen draperies showcase
a fern motif from Liess’s own textile collection. The library (this page) sits to
the right of the foyer; the designated dining room lies to the left.

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“ OUR INITIAL INSTINCT WAS THAT

WE HAD TO SAVE THAT LOG CABIN.”—STEPHEN VANZE

A glass-enclosed link (above) connects the library and the log cabin, At the heart of the 11,000-square-foot plan, an expansive great
which is now a pool house and party venue. During the restoration, its room celebrates its scenic surroundings. Abundant windows drench
walls were painstakingly re-chinked (top). Inside, its stone fireplace the well-used hub with natural light. “The house is an expression
(opposite) was retained and its ceiling opened and vaulted. of the way [the Onufrychuks] live,” asserts Vanze. “All the rooms,
including the upstairs, are organized around that living space.”

The architectural style, which Vanze dubbed Modern English
Country, borrows from homes that came out of England’s Arts
& Crafts movement. In particular, the work of pioneer architect
C.F.A. Voysey (who was active during the late 19th and early 20th
centuries) inspired the home’s asymmetrical design, sloping roofs
and white-stucco exterior, as well as the spare interior detailing.
“We essentially did a modern version of a Voysey house,” says
Vanze. “It’s cleaner, simplified a little bit.”

Natural materials play a starring role inside—from the great room’s
ceiling beams to the library’s white-oak built-ins. The plainspoken
architecture—and outdoor splendor—provided a perfect backdrop
for Liess, who espouses a down-to-earth design philosophy.

As she pored over the wife’s archive of inspiration images, a
project vocabulary emerged. “Soulful, quiet and romantic, with a
little bit of edge—that’s how I saw it,” she states. Starting in the
kitchen, the designer selected decorative finishes and paint colors
in muted shades “that got spread throughout the house and then
embellished with tonal, watercolory fabrics,” she says. “I didn’t
want anything in the house to overpower what was going on out-
side the windows.”

White-washed walls showcase original artwork, passionately
curated by Neada. Lighting selections sport dark finishes for added
contrast. “Bringing in that little bit of black creates a tension that
makes it interesting and not so one-note,” offers Liess.

For the laid-back furniture plans, the designer specified many
pieces from her own upholstery and case-good collections. A smat-
tering of found elements, she points out, introduces “a bit of patina
and quirk.” A pair of antique mirrors, hanging in the entrance hall,
sets the tone.

The resulting blend is just what Neada had envisioned. “I
wanted a mix of some old, some new but I didn’t want it to feel
too dusty,” reveals the homeowner. “This is a nice in-between and
it feels authentic to me.”

Friends and family gather for game days in the great room and
relaxed dinners by the cabin’s fireplace. Says Neada, “It makes me
love my home even more when I feel like other people enjoy being
here too.” ■

SOURCES OF NOTE

Kitchen Flooring: architessa.com. Paint Throughout: sherwin-williams.com. Kitchen

Countertops: caesarstoneus.com. Kitchen Backsplash: cletile.com through ann

sacks.com. Hardwood Flooring Throughout: cochranslumber.com. For a complete

list of resources, see homeanddesign.com.

HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021 ■ 115

An iron bed from Tara Shaw anchors the upstairs owners’
suite. Draperies crafted from a hand-blocked Les Indiennes
print frame a verdant view from the soaring window and line
the wall behind the bed to add softness.
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al fresco

RETREAT

Landscape architect Richard Arentz
reimagines fields of empty farmland near
Easton, creating a versatile waterfront oasis

Text by KAREN AHLFELDER WATKINS
Photography by ROGER FOLEY
HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021 ■ 119

Previous spread: Against the backdrop of the Miles River, a swimming pool and pool house offer tranquility, relaxation and space for entertaining

amidst stately loblolly pines and lush perennials. A parking court welcomes visitors to the Shingle-style house (above), designed by Grina-Lavie

Architects. A clipped hornbeam hedge and American boxwood lend structure to the lawn and entryway. Surrounded by a bounty of flowers,

a waterfowl sculpture by John Dreyfuss (opposite), commissioned by the homeowners, is poised for flight.

It is hard to fathom that this 25-acre waterfront prop- as visitors approach and encounter their first water views. “There
erty in Easton, replete with lush gardens, statuary, was a lot of thought given to the entrance drive—the sense of arrival
outbuildings, a pool and a tennis court, was once and letting people understand that they’re actually on a peninsula,”
nothing but farmland. “It was all just soybean fields,” Arentz explains.
recollects landscape architect Richard Arentz, who
answered the call of its suburban Maryland-based Once up the drive, the sprawling, Shingle-style residence comes
owners to transform four acres surrounding their into view, adorned with a columned pediment and fronted by a
vacation home on the undeveloped parcel into an al courtyard rimmed in clipped hornbeam hedges, American box-
fresco retreat for both immediate and extended family wood and expanses of bottlebrush buckeye. Looking out from the
nearby columned pergola, the eye is arrested by a dramatic focal

to enjoy over weekends and holidays. point: a striking sculpture of a goose in flight by Washington, DC,

Besides expansive views of the picturesque Miles River, what sculptor John Dreyfuss. Set atop a pedestal and surrounded by lush

excited Arentz most was “the calm energy of the site,” he observes. greenery, “it just feels of the place,” says Arentz. The sculpture also

“You don’t really see any other houses from it, so it feels like you’re draws the eye to the water beyond.

on the water by yourself. The location has a really calming effect.”

That effect starts at the sweeping driveway, which was designed Landscape Architecture: Richard Arentz, ASLA, Arentz Landscape Architects,

to establish an immediate sense of place and a feeling of tranquility Washington, DC.

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Western light filters through a stand of loblolly pines, accessed
via a bluestone walkway flanked by lush perennials including
acanthus, lilies, coneflowers and nepeta.

A main feature of the property is the formal lawn facing south
toward the river. It flows out from the expansive porch at the
back of the house, where the owners love to sit with their guests
and enjoy long views across the grass to the water, with the town
of St. Michaels visible in the distance. This gathering spot is also
a place for the family to play games on summer evenings, while
the lawn is large enough to accommodate tents for weddings and
other large-scale events.

Arentz worked to create a sense of flow on the property, ensuring
easy access to all the activities the family enjoys, from swimming
to boating to relaxing on the porch. Existing loblolly pines stretch
high into the sky, encircling the landscape and providing a stabi-
lizing buffer between the yard and the shoreline. Arentz’s team
further anchored the site by planting a mixture of hollies and trees
that offer shade.

The majestic loblollies are a beautiful backdrop to a wide border
of perennial flowers bursting with color and texture. This garden
overflows with vibrant blooms: lilies, coneflowers, nepeta, hyssop
and baptisia are punctuated by tall spikes of acanthus and softened
by both large and dwarf varieties of billowy limelight hydrangea.
“The perennial border is really geared to the summer months of
entertaining, which is high season for the owners,” Arentz notes.

The eastern part of the property lends itself to the family’s favor-
ite water pastimes. There is a dock from which to launch boating,
crabbing, sailing and fishing expeditions, with a cottage nearby
that stores fishing equipment. And when they’re not out plying
the river, the residents can take advantage of water a little closer
to home in the form of an expansive swimming pool with a pool
house beside it.

Complete with a kitchen, bathroom and changing rooms, the
pool house was designed to reflect the look of the portico and per-
gola attached to the main residence. A deep covered area anchored
by columns faces the pool; its overhang makes al fresco dining a
breeze—it’s the perfect spot for a crab feast, perhaps. Umbrellas
positioned on the wide bluestone pool surround offer shady perches
with views of the river beyond the loblollies.

Throughout the property, Arentz devised opportunities to mean-
der along bluestone paths and walkways, with scenic resting spots
where the owners can pause to admire garden beds or enjoy refresh-
ments. Among other destinations, the paths lead to a guest house
and tennis court—popular hubs along the site’s eastern spine.
Though there’s a lot of structure and order to the property, notes
Arentz, “you don’t feel it as you move from one spot to the next.
The landscape feels effortless.” ■

HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021 ■ 123

Clockwise from above: Beyond a large perennial border, the pool house porch caters to al fresco
dining. A pair of Adirondack chairs occupies a serene spot overlooking the Miles River where existing
loblolly pines stand as a buffer to the shoreline. The home’s morning room windows reflect the sunrise;
a path embellished with flowers, trees and ornamental shrubs leads to an adjacent columned portico.

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“ THE WATER IS SO PLACID AND CALM;
WITHIN MINUTES, ITS PRESENCE TAKES
YOU TO A WHOLE DIFFERENT PLACE.”
—RICHARD ARENTZ

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SPECIAL PROMOTION

INNOVATIVE LANDSCAPE SOLUTIONS
How top designers problem-solve

Fresh Perspective

McHale Landscape Design gives PHOTOS: KEITH MAYER

a dated property in Great Falls a FACTS + STATS

new lease on life With a staff of 300 executing 50 projects a year, McHale
Landscape Design offers one-stop shopping for residen-
What was the scope of the project? tial design/build landscape architecture, with in-house
We were asked to rejuvenate the landscape with carpentry and masonry, maintenance and aftercare.
an emphasis on materials and craftsmanship.
McHale landscape architect Anthony Cusat 6212 Leapley Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(below) combined travertine walks and patios; 301-599-8300 • mchalelandscape.com
a cedar pergola; granite cobblestones; and lush
plantings. The pool was renovated with an en- HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021 ■ 127
larged sunshelf while the spa was rebuilt. A river
rock water wall is an architectural focal point at
this updated poolscape.

List the hardscape materials and plantings you
selected.
Plantings include Japanese maple, tree-form
hydrangea, sweetbay magnolia, boxwood, astilbe
and liriope.

What challenges did the project pose?
Renovating existing hardscape walls to seamlessly
integrate into the new design was challenging.
The client wanted the project to look as if was
done at the time the house was built, matching
the architectural details while updating the style.

expert advice landscape design

GARDEN VARIETY

DAVID BURROUGHS

Local landscape pros
dish on how to

make your outdoor
spaces bloom

EXPLAIN HOW TO DEVISE A GARDEN A garden designed by Campion Hruby Landscape Architects converted an obsolete, sloping
SCHEME IN A SMALL SPACE. rear lawn into a vibrant four-season garden, complete with a pool anchored by an elegant stone
Even small spaces deserve a big design. water feature (top); dramatic lighting enhances the space. McHale Landscape Design conceived
In fact, a small space often demands a and built a brick pool house (above) for clients in Potomac looking for a multi-season space for
more thorough analysis and more pre- entertaining; it boasts a kitchen, bathroom, fireplace and attached pergola.
cise calculations than a larger yard; the
design must accommodate multiple uses
in one area (play, relax, swim, grill, dine,
host and more) rather than being able to
spread the functions out. This also holds
true when considering utilitarian factors
such as fluid circulation, drainage miti-
gation and proper furnishings that allow
homeowners to enjoy their yard. The
smaller the space, the more complex the
project becomes in terms of layering its

128 ■ HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021

Designed by D.A. Dunlevy, a diminutive brick-walled courtyard in components. And always keep in mind
Georgetown is embellished by a travertine patio and ashlar stone that no matter the size of the lot, estab-
retaining walls that support flower beds. The garden perfectly lishing a seamless connection between
reflects the home’s charm and historic character. outdoor spaces and their indoor counter-
parts is critical.
MASON SUMMERS/ANCHOR PICTURES
—D. Blake Dunlevy, PLA, D.A. Dunlevy

HOW DO YOU INTEGRATE A WATER
FEATURE INTO A LANDSCAPE?
A relatively small garden can have a big
impact—and water can play a surpris-
ingly large role in how you experience
your outdoor space. For instance, we
use water features to disguise otherwise-
noticeable traffic noise and to focus
attention on the immediate surroundings.
When considering a water feature for
your garden, be very specific about the
effect you are trying to achieve, audibly
and visually as well as seasonally. And
remember when designing and locating
a pool on your property that in our cli-
mate it will be covered and unusable for
almost half the year.

—Bob Hruby, RLA, ASLA, and Lindsey
Tabor, associate, Campion Hruby
Landscape Architects

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO
INCORPORATE A POOL HOUSE
INTO A LANDSCAPE PLAN?
When selecting the elements to include in
a new pool house, homeowners should
consider the distance of the structure
from the main residence, their family’s
needs and habits and their approximate
budget. There should be a relationship
with the architecture of the residence—in
most cases, similar styles and materi-
als work best. A professional landscape
designer or landscape architect will be
able to seamlessly integrate your home
and your pool house.

—Phil Kelly, McHale Landscape Design

WHAT TIPS CAN YOU OFFER FOR
INSTALLING A POOL ON A
WATERFRONT SITE?
Every good design should take into
account existing natural elements and
find ways in which to enhance the natu-
ral environment and blend the built

HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021 ■ 129

expert advice

environment with it. We find that endur- TOP: MICHAEL PROKOPCHAK; ABOVE: J.R. PETER
ing river views are strengthened by the
presence of a pool with an infinity edge, A raised-beam pool clad in natural stone veneer and Indiana limestone coping (top) was designed
which seamlessly blends with the body by Walnut Hill Landscape Company with an infinity edge that creates the appearance of water
of water next to it and creates a striking flowing directly into the adjacent Chesapeake Bay. Colao & Peter bordered a welcoming DC pool
vista. When designing a landscape by (above) with a privacy wall that doubles as a water feature; it supports a lush bank of hydrangeas.
the water, it is critical to enlist a designer
and contractor who are familiar with
local building codes and regulations. If
your project is within a critical area, the
pool’s location will drive the rest of the
design. Knowledge of codes allows for a
landscape design that is both compliant
and beautiful.

—Michael Prokopchak, ASLA, Walnut Hill
Landscape Company

DISCUSS STRATEGIES FOR POOL PLACE-
MENT ON COMPACT URBAN LOTS.
When creating a landscape plan for a
small, urban lot, consider siting the pool
at an angle perpendicular to the house
to gain more usable lawn space and

130 ■ HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021



expert advice

lengthen the sight lines to the end of the JUDY DAVIS
property. This orientation can make a
significant impact in maximizing the Clockwise from above: On a McLean property, Surrounds, Inc., installed a driveway made of
space and enhancing the overall aes- Delaware Valley River Jack stone bordered by granite cobblestones. A sculptural planter adorns
thetic. Incorporating a raised-wall water a pool scape in a Falls Church project designed by Joseph Richardson Landscape Architecture.
feature beside the pool creates additional A curved Trex deck is part of an extensive Vienna landscape designed by Kane Landscapes’
visual interest and can cut down on the Alan Blalack; Techo-Bloc pavers clad the pool surround and patio below.
amount of paving needed if the raised
wall supports plantings. Also consider
installing a wall or pergola in a spa
design, as this is an element that will add
privacy as well as interest to a yard by
screening the view of the neighbors.

—J.R. Peter, RLA, ASLA, and David

D’Amato, RLA, Colao & Peter

WHAT FACTORS DO YOU CONSIDER
WHEN LAYING OUT THE APPROACH
TO A HOME?
First, we try to ensure guests will be
able to view the home as they arrive; we
achieve this either by siting the drive so
it crosses in front of the home or with
a U-shaped drive and drop-off area. A
straight drive that is centered on the
home will create a more formal look,
particularly with allées of trees that
frame up the home in the distance. We
use architectural elements such as gates
and walls to accentuate the home’s fea-
tures—maybe through paint color or

MORGAN HOWARTH GEORGE E. BROWN

132 ■ HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021

703.721.4979 SURROUNDS

surroundslandscaping.com LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE + CONSTRUCTION

expert advice

EP HENRY

Using EP Henry cast-veneer stone and bluestone steppers, Scapes, Inc., designed a terraced
stair down to a patio; the structure stabilized a steep slope along the back of the Riva, Maryland,
property. Garden rows were planted with boxwood, hypericum, nepeta and carex.

by mimicking a window shape. Pavers, HOW DO YOU APPROACH A DESIGN
which vary hugely in price and style, THAT NEEDS EXTENSIVE HARDSCAPING?
can also reflect degrees of formality. The If your landscape plan will require a lot
other major factor to consider is drain- of hardscaping, be sure to select materi-
age, which is the biggest concern for all als that will complement the home and
hardscapes, including drives. The fol- existing landscape to ensure that every-
lowing are key points to be aware of: thing fits together aesthetically. It is
Positive drainage away from the home, important to consider drainage, which is
planting beds and hardscape surfaces is always a huge component yet is easy to
preferable; draining water across a hard- overlook because it isn’t visible once a
scape will deteriorate hardscape materi- project is completed. Poor drainage and
als over time; and overspraying hard- bad water management will likely lead
scapes with irrigation should be avoided. to failures of walls and steps.

—Chad Talton, PLA, Surrounds, Inc. —Jeff Crandell, Scapes, Inc.

WHAT’S THE SECRET TO CREATING SHARE THE BEST WAY TO PLAN A
BEAUTIFUL POTTED ARRANGEMENTS? MULTI-PURPOSE LANDSCAPE?
If you’d like to incorporate planters as A comprehensive and detailed plan is
part of your garden design, there are the best way to start a complicated proj-
three main elements to consider. A great ect. Having everyone on the same page
design typically includes a “thriller,” and knowing exactly what the end goal
which is a tall plant that makes a strong is helps, as revisions and changes will
statement of form and color; a “filler” have to be made in order to meet town
plant that hides the soil; and a “spiller” or county requirements—and in a large
that weeps over the edge of the pot. The project, there typically are revisions and
result of using all three elements is a 3-D changes. Note that stormwater manage-
arrangement that looks opulent, mature ment and impervious surface limits can
and permanent—and will beautifully add costs and create delays for projects
enhance your outdoor space. located in densely populated areas. ■

—Joseph Richardson, PLA, Joseph —Alan Blalack, RLA, ASLA,

Richardson Landscape Architecture Kane Landscapes, Inc.

134 ■ HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021

DESIGN. BUILD. ENJOY.

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136 ■ HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021

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144 ■ HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021

SPECIAL PROMOTION

INNOVATIVE LANDSCAPE SOLUTIONS
How top designers problem-solve

Garden Spot

Kane Landscapes creates an FACTS + STATS

elegant garden to complement Kane Landscapes has been designing and installing
landscapes for 36 years. Its staff of 52 completes about
a Leesburg, Virginia, estate 30 projects a year, ranging in price from $50,000 to
more than $1 million.
What was the scope of the project?
Clients completing construction on their custom 105 Douglas Ct. Sterling Virginia 20165
home turned to Alan Blalock, RLA, of Kane Land- 703-803-3146 • kanelandscapes.com
scapes to design and install a structured yet relax-
ing garden centered on a picturesque fountain. HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021 ■ 145
Paths encourage strolling while benches enjoy
views of the garden and its bucolic surroundings.

What challenges did you encounter?
The rear yard sloped away from the house and
required more than 3,600 cubic yards of clean fill
soil to allow for a level garden area. The gran-
ite fountain weighs over 12,000 pounds; it was
imported and customs delays meant that it had to
be craned in piece by piece after the garden was
completed.

List hardscape materials and plantings.
We used a mix of broken bluestone, large blue-
stone slabs, cobblestone and decorative river
stone. Boxwood provides structure for roses, Eu-
ropean hornbeams, Japanese cryptomeria, deodar
cedar, crape myrtle and perennials.

146 ■ HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021

SPECIAL PROMOTION

INNOVATIVE LANDSCAPE SOLUTIONS

HOW TOP DESIGNERS PROBLEM-SOLVE

Stylish Setting

Fine Landscapes transforms a FACTS + STATS

small infill lot to complement a Fine Landscapes has been in business for 43 years.
Its staff of 100 executes more than 100 projects a year,
chic custom home in McLean in the price range of $100,000+. Projects include all
aspects of design-build.
Describe the scope of the project?
Fine Landscapes made the most of a small lot with 21558 Stonetree Court, Sterling, VA 20166
a landscape plan that encompassed a spacious 703-421-7441 • finelandscapes.com
screened pavilion, plunge pool and patio.
HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021 ■ 147
What was the plant and material palette?
Hanover Architectural Appian random pavers on
the patio and around the pool are accented by
flagstone coping. The pool is a Latham fiberglass
pool and adorned with four deck jets that serve
as a water feature. Shrubs and perennials provide
three-season color in a palette that
emphasizes white on green.

Talk about the screened pavilion.
Conceived by Harrison Design, the pavilion
reflects the clean-lined style of the homeowner,
designer Tracy Morris, and provides a transition
from indoor to outdoor spaces, which were de-
signed in the same clean, crisp style.

What challenges did the project pose?
Primarily that of limited space, which we over-
came through a sensible design strategy.

148 ■ HOMEANDDESIGN.COM sep/oct 2021