Before + After: Modern Oasis

Clients moving to the DC area from San Francisco settled on a mid-century abode in Potomac that needed some work. They turned to interior designer Laura Fox to help them transform its drab, traditional interiors. “They wanted an updated, modern oasis with lots of texture, neutrals and contrast,” Fox says.

She and her team worked with SugarOak Homes on an extensive renovation that imparted a crisp, contemporary feel to the residence. In addition to the major tasks of redoing the kitchen and overhauling the basement, they refinished the floors, installed large-format stone-look tile in the foyer, removed wainscot and replaced trim and baseboards with a more contemporary profile. In the family room, Fox traded out sliders that overpowered the skylights for large, black-framed glass panels—the center one opens to the deck— that seamlessly dovetail with the frames of the skylights. “We wanted to keep the framing as open as possible while being functional and modern,” Fox notes. “This property backs up to forest, so the views are lovely.” Lillian August chairs and an Arteriors coffee table complete the revamped space.

Interior Design: Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, Kensington, Maryland. Renovation Contracting: SugarOak Homes, Herndon, Virginia.