The owners of a 1930's French Provincial cottage in the Arlington Ridge neighborhood of Arlington VA had a home that was starting to show it's age. In addition, an original closet next to the front door created a cramped entry condition that the couple wanted to change. The owners intended to give their entry foyer and living room fireplace an update that responded to their clean, modern aesthetic that still referenced the traditional qualities that they like about their house.

studioSML responded by creating several design schemes; the owners chose a scheme that combined handcrafted materials, such as bespoke oak wainscoting, traditional plaster finishing and hand cut glass tiles, with clean modern lines. The result is a modern language that celebrates the beauty of natural materials and traditional craft. This project is currently under construction.

The owner of this 1950's brick home has two active teenage sons, and room for everyone inside the house was becoming harder to come by. The intention of the client was to take a seldom used, low-ceilinged rear porch and turn it into a four season room that her two teenage sons could use, both as a quiet place of study and an place where they and their friends could socialize. The client is also a graduate of the University of Virginia, and has a fond attachment to the architecture of Thomas Jefferson.

studioSML created several design schemes which incorporate the Jeffersonian aesthetic. The owner chose a hybrid of schemes to fit her budget as well as her design aesthetic. The final design successfully integrates an interpretation Jeffersonian Classicism with the more neocolonial architecture of the existing house. The Interior Design and all interior appointments were performed by Lee Design and Interiors.

This one bedroom condominium in Falls Church, VA had a sorely inadequate kitchen that lacked essential storage and work space. In addition, an oddly placed stacked washer and dryer unit was prominently situated and detracted from the aesthetics of the room. Outdated materials and inadequate lighting made this windowless corner of the unit seem dull and depressing and did not reflect the personalities of the owners, who love to cook and entertain.

To remedy the situation on a very tight budget, studioSML utilized standard inexpensive cabinets, chose simple classic finishes and reused existing appliances while rearranging the space to create an open welcoming kitchen that now accommodates two persons simultaneously. The kitchen now seamlessly connects to the adjacent living space, allowing the clients to entertain guests more effectively. New standard sized washer and dryer units were placed under the countertop to minimize their visual impact while the existing stove and refrigerator were repositioned to provide better functionality. Additional countertops provide more prep space, while the height of the countertops was raised two inches above the standard height to function better for the clients. Finally, the lighting design brightened this dark windowless corner of the unit and helped transform the kitchen into a welcoming room.