The Map of Luxury

The ultimate guide to adding Oomph & Ahhh to your spaces

By Ashley Nichols

Homeowners often seek to achieve a boutique hotel feel with their decor. And why not? Who doesn’t want a little luxury to come home to? But when it comes to creating opulent spaces, it’s sometimes tough  to draw the line between tasteful and tacky.

We convinced a few local designers
to dish on their favorite looks and the brands they use to pull it all together. We’re not saying their suggestions are the only ways to go, just that they know a thing or two about design, so the map we’ve created is a pretty good start on the road to elegant interiors. They tipped us off on the latest trends, as well as traditional looks that will never go out of style. And they emphasized one very important idea: the more customized a space is, the more luxurious it can feel. Read on to find out which oven range will look amazing and fit your cooking needs, which paint treatments will pamper your powder room, and why you should consider upholstering your bedroom walls.

What’s underfoot?
Flooring options that treat your feet (and eyes!)
The first step toward luxurious design includes well-laid flooring. While hardwood floors and wall-to-wall carpeting have been staples for years, there are some new twists and alternative options to consider.

André Sabbagh, designer for The Absolute Splendor Interiors in Falls Church, emphasizes the importance of considering a room’s predicted traffic and usage when selecting flooring. “I wouldn’t want to do stone in a kitchen,” he says. “It will stain fast.” He suggests opting instead for a ceramic tile that mimics natural stone.
Faye Seigert of Faye Seigert Design in Chantilly explains that tile size and wood types can be major considerations when going for a luxurious look in flooring. When she uses actual stone, she says she tends to do larger scales, like 15-by-15-inch or 18-by-18-inch squares. The trick, she says, is to make sure the scale complements, rather than overwhelms, the room.

Wide-plank wood has a similar effect. Seigert recommends ProSource (showrooms in Alexandria and Dulles) as a supplier. Shanon Munn of Ambi Design Studio in Springfield likes to use natural flooring and strives for environmentally friendly designs whenever possible. One of her favorite flooring options is antique wood floor made from reclaimed wood found in old barns or homes. At first glance, they appear to be simply gorgeous wood floors, she says, but a closer look reveals historical appeal.

“It’s been used and loved over time, and it takes on more and more character,” Munn explains. She says using wood with an actual history is better than attempting to fake character. Although it may be pricey, it makes a huge impact, she says. In a recent project, she wanted to use the antique wood floor throughout, but her client’s budget prohibited it. She ended up using it on the main floor, where it could make the most impact. Locally, Munn suggests trying the Amicus Green Building Center (www.amicusgreen.com) in

Maryland, a treasure-trove of Earth-friendly products, which carries a line of reclaimed wood.
In addition to using wide planks and reclaimed woods, giving a little thought to the way your floors will be laid can result in a unique custom look. “I like a custom herringbone design using cherry,” Sabbagh says. For your not-so-grand rooms, high-quality carpet is a good option. Both Sabbagh and Seigert recommend custom carpeting by Masland Carpets. “They offer intricate designs that other sources are not able to do,” Sabbagh says. “And they have a huge variety of fiber types.”

Can your walls talk?
Treatments to make them sing
While simply changing a paint color can transform a room, when it’s pure opulence you’re going for, some pretty fabulous wall treatments can add a signature appeal. For those who aren’t afraid of a room with a little individuality, try hand-mixed lime paints to produce a rich, velvety look. Le Décor (see www.transmineral.com) customizes a pigment for your room that creates a highly textured, somewhat porous look. “You have to be open to not exactly know what the color will be like in the end,” advises Munn, who loves the washes that result after layers of paint are applied. In addition to paint, there is also lime plaster for even more dimension on a wall. Another popular approach is Venetian plaster, which has little bits of marble in it. Munn recently completed a dining room ceiling that layered Venetian plaster and was hand-waxed to give it luster and depth. American Clay, carried at Amicus Green, is a go-to brand for earth plasters in standard colors.

While there has been resurgence in wallpaper in recent years, designers warn that you’ve got to really love the design if you’re going to commit to it. Sabbagh and his firm tend to stay away from wallpaper, opting instead for faux paint finishes that can be easily repaired if damaged and also allow for changes over time. “If a client is traveling and they see something they like, they can add a mural,” he says.

In wallpaper, Munn and Seigert prefer brands like Donghia, Thibaut and Osborne & Little. Munn also raves about a product from Innovations, which uses sand-sized pieces of Murano glass on a woven backing for a wall application with a little sparkle. She says she thinks it would look great in a powder room. But her absolute favorite is upholstering walls with batting and fabric. “It really gives you a super luxurious look,” she says. “If you can afford to do the entire room, that’s awesome. Or you could just do one wall and use a complimentary paint color for the others. That would really give tons of presence to that wall.”

Similarly, Sabbagh recently completed a room where he used straw on the walls to create the look and feel of a winery in Southern France. With so many options, it’s good to take the time to find something you really like, since it will be staring back at you for years to come.

Missing pieces?
Furniture that lasts
What’s a room with beautiful flooring and gorgeous walls to do without some special furniture to define the spaces? From sofas to china cabinets, choosing furniture that looks like it belongs in your signature space and nowhere else is a little daunting, especially when you’re not sure how things will look together. Don’t make rash decisions. Consider each room a piece of a puzzle that must be carefully placed together to really fit and look good.

For eco-friendly pieces, Munn tends to turn to Q Collection. “It’s absolutely top-notch as far as detailing,” she says. She also likes Holly Hunt, and both Munn and Sabbagh say Baker has been a long-time favorite. Sabbagh also notes a preference for Shirrell, MotionCraft, Leathercraft and Century. He and Seigert agree that custom upholstery can really make a piece. “Look for people who know how to put the fabric together without wrinkles or pleats that are not necessary,” says Sabbagh. Seigert, whose designs are often contemporary, points out that furniture is sometimes an area where you can reign in the budget. “Even at a luxe price point, people don’t want to spend money across the board,” she says. “Don’t rule out putting a distinctive fabric on a chair from Crate and Barrel.”

Ready for your curtain call?
Window treatments that do more than keep the sun out
Well-edited draperies can do for a window what a matte and frame do for a lackluster photograph. Finding the right fabric types and patterns to accompany the other features of your room is a must if you want a luxurious, pulled-together look.

“Cotton is becoming super sophisticated,” Munn suggests. “And linen is always great for casually sophisticated interiors.” She promotes using custom drapery in every room and bases length choices on a room’s height and architectural details. “For a short room, floor-to-ceiling can make it seem taller. But don’t hide moldings. And try to keep them lower in really tall rooms,” she offers. She also only recommends puddling (allowing excess material to puddle on the floor) when looking to achieve a romantic feel.

For Seigert, who likes a more contemporary look, simple, sheer draperies are a great way to add subtle softness. Some of her favorite fabric design brands are Robert Allen, Donghia, Pindler and Pindler, and Kravet. Sabbagh shares a preference for these suppliers and also mentions some newer lines to which he is drawn. “Beacon Hill has some beautiful stuff, it’s gorgeous. And there’s a new one I like called Tapestria,” he says.

Barefoot much?
Rugs that feel as good as they look
When you use wood, tile or stone flooring, an area rug can help eliminate that bare feeling. And even the most luxurious of homes should take crawling babies into consideration. “With rugs, it depends on where you’re putting it,” Seigert explains. “When I do a dining area I like wool and silk combinations.”

The hot name on the market right now is Odegard. Munn loves the company because it looks great and is very Earth-friendly. “A lot of the dyes are natural plant-based,” Munn says. The D.C.-based company is headed up by Stephanie Odegard, who has received much press and major accolades for her commitment to using artisans for her hand-knotted rugs. Her philanthropic philosophy and the divine designs she brings to life are highly praised.

Ready to accessorize?
Hardware options like jewelry for your cabinetry
Though it may seem trivial, using nice hardware can add that custom touch that takes a room from simply nice to really special. Unless you want a seriously streamlined look, forget plain old pulls and handles.
Sabbagh recommends Expo Design Center in Fairfax and Le Petit Chateau in Falls Church. One of his favorites is Van Dyke’s, an Italian line. Seigert prefers Union Hardware, also in Falls Church. “They’re almost like an art studio where you can get cabinetry knobs,” she says. Seigert also looks to Reico and the Mockett catalogue.

Munn says the brand Emtek has a high-end feel, as well as Rejuvenation. And she finds good options at Restoration Hardware if the budget is a little tighter. “You still get an upscale look,” she says.

Are you turned on?
High-tech and good-looking electronics and appliances
Anyone who’s ever decked out a kitchen with appliances knows that it can get expensive. “It’s not a small investment,” says Sabbagh. “It can be equally as expensive as your cabinets.” That’s why, unless you’re looking to cook at an almost professional level, he recommends upper-middle of the line brands, like KitchenAide and General Electric. For those who want more, there’s Sub-Zero and specialty brands like Boffi. The only problem, he says, is that the specialty brands aren’t as readily available, so it’s tough to encourage a big purchase when he hasn’t seen much of the product and isn’t able to show it to his clients.

Munn agrees, although she has found a brand that makes what she claims to be a sensational range. Lacanche is a French line with a vendor in Seattle. Luckily, Munn was able to have the vendor connect her with someone in the area who already had the range and who was willing to let her client take a look. You can give them a look at www.frenchranges.com. For most high-end projects, Munn is fond of using Bosch, Wolf and Viking. And she highly encourages Energy Star appliances for their energy efficiency.

Are you finished?
One detail that adds drama
It’s always a little tough to decide when a room is complete. You might want to step back and, instead of analyzing whether or not you need more accessories or throw pillows, ask yourself if the lighting is optimal for different occasions. One sign of a luxurious, custom-decorated room is well-placed lighting.

“Lighting is the most important element in an interior space,” Seigert says. One of the sources she likes to use is Illuminations, which has showrooms in downtown D.C. and Georgetown. “You have to find the correct sources of light,” she recommends. “A really distinctive chandelier in a dining room can define the space.” She turns to Dominion power company, which works in conjunction with Lutron Electronics to create lighting systems.

Munn also talks about programmed lighting, saying that the best programs give you options for daytime, nighttime, parties and any other mood you’d like to create.

Pulling together a high-end look is a tremendous task. For minor changes, you may feel comfortable going it alone, but for larger projects, turn to the American Society of Interior Designers to find someone who’ll put your wants and needs on a pedestal while also ensuring your roof doesn’t cave in.

(December 2007)

Tags: Home & Design