Photo by Michael K. Wilkinson
Oh, boy: The couple was expecting their third child—their first boy—when they moved in, so Elliott created a nursery with plenty of sensory punch. An accent wall with Quentin’s ABC wallpaper by Osborne & Little is the focal point: “We thought it was so fun to do on this big, unbroken wall—that’s what you look for when doing an accent wall,” Elliott says. Durable FLOR carpet tiles in a festive pattern add spark to the mix, which includes a bright orange glider the couple already had.
Photo by Michael K. Wilkinson
Turning the page: Elliott played up the front parlor’s small size by transforming it into a library. “We didn’t overcrowd it,” she says. Elements such as the custom shelving by Landis Architects/Builders, along with sleek leather chairs on a chunky felted-wool shag rug, stand out as art pieces in themselves. “We really love the rug,” Shannon says. “Whenever my kids’ friends come over, they call it the sea.”
The Bright Spot
Photo by Angie Seckinger
A certain responsibility comes with purchasing a historically designated home that was built in 1898 and bears a plaque at the front door that spells out its past. Shelley and Andrew Rudge embraced the Chevy Chase home’s legacy and all of its charming details, but they still wanted to express the vibrancy of their young family, which includes daughters Avery, 11, and Kate, 9. “It’s an old, beautiful house, but I wanted it to be young and fun, too,” Shelley says. The Rudges called on Bethesda designer Marika Meyer to accomplish that goal.
Color family: Filled with bright notes of blue and green against glossy white trim, the family room reflects Shelley’s favorite colors. “Let’s work with what you already love,” Meyer tells her clients. The room was designed to accommodate TV watching, games and conversation. An added note of freshness: potted lemon trees in the corners.
Photo by Angie Seckinger
Fresh start: The Rudges overhauled the kitchen, sheathing the walls in glossy white subway tile to reflect light. They kept the existing Viking range and Sub-Zero refrigerator where they were, but traded dark cream cabinets for bright white and added an island topped with pendants from Rejuvenation. Meyer chose the quartzite countertops because they resemble marble with their willowy gray veins but are much more durable. “We wanted there to be some interest—not too much monotone in a white kitchen,” Meyer explains. Perky counter stools match the seat fabric in the adjacent breakfast area.
Photo by Michael Ventura