Barbara Hawthorn, President of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors Ltd (Photo by Joseph Allen)
WIDE OPEN SPACES: A creator of timeless interiors, Barbara Hawthorn, president of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors Ltd., designed the terrace and exterior living spaces of the CharityWorks GreenHouse in McLean, Va. The outdoor areas, seen from almost all of the rooms in the house, included places to comfortably dine alfresco or lounge beside the salt water lap pool. Other special touches included five romantic, clean-burning fireplaces – all adhering to green standards. “Functional opulence” defines Hawthorn’s desing mentality of creating beautiful spaces that are in tine with today’s style of family living. She is currently working on several restaurant projects, including acclaimed chef Roberto Donna’s Galileo III, an Italian trattoria on the canal in Georgetown, and an American-style bistro on Capitol Hill. “The days of don’t touch interiors are over” proclaims Hawthorn, but welcoming spaces still need that “wow” factor.
Here are some of our other top interiors professionals.
Darryl Carter, Interior Designer, Furniture Designer
Light, bright, airy, and elegant. The residential interior designer has become a household name with his new traditional style featuring white washed floors, country details, and surprising flea market finds. Carter also has three namesake lines: outdoor furniture, a lighting line, and a home collection.
Ralph Cunningham. Architect, Founder – Cunningham | Quill Architects PLLC
A leader in sustainable planning and green building design, Cunningham and his team provide environmentally conscious spaces for The Washington Ballet, National Cathedral School, Roanoke City Market, and Catholic University.
Barry Dixon. Interior Designer, Barry Dixon Inc.
The bowtie-wearing Warrenton-based designer’s not-so-traditional interiors have been a class-apart for decades. He recently served as design chairman of the CharityWorks GreenHouse.
Frank A. Florentine, Lighting Designer
A theatre kid growing up in Cumberland, Md., the lighting designer of the National Air and Space Museum got his start as a stage technician for GW’s Lisner Auditorium and is now a formidable force in his field.
Lila Fendrick, Landscape Designer, Owner – Lila Fendrick Landscape Architecture & Garden Design
With a focus on the architectural features of green spaces, Fendrick is known for working in close collaboration with home owners turning sparse spaces into English country gardens and fashioning residential gardens after the grounds of Dumbarton Oaks.
Robert M. Gurney, Architect, Principal – Robert M. Gurney FAIA
A modern man in a classic town, Gurney came to Washington father on a basketball scholarship at Catholic University. Now the award-winning architect builds modern marvels that include the much touted Wissioming Residence in Glen Echo.
Robert Cole and Sophie Prévost, Co-Founders of ColePrévost
The husband-and-wife architecture and design team joined forces in 1997 to create ColePrévost. They seeks to go beyond function and style in their work and blur the lines between the conventional and the unexpected.
Suzane Reatig, Architect, Principal – Suzane Reatig Architecture
The principally residential architect gives buildings in historic areas like Shaw and Mount Vernon Square modern nips and tucks while respecting the history and spatial views. With artists, non-profits, and churches as clients, Reatig proves that remarkable architecture is within reach even if your pockets don’t run deep.
George S. Sexton III, Lighting Designer, Owner, George Sexton Associates
The light always shines for Sexton who recently illuminated the Star-Spangled Banner Exhibit for the National Museum of American History. Past Projects include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, National Portrait Gallery, and the renovation of Eastern Market.
Michael Vergason, Landscape Architect, Michael Vergason Landscape Architects, Ltd.
Form and function are Vergason’s mots du jour, having created beautiful useable spaces for Washington National Cathedral, National Aquarium, and Johns Hopkins and Catholic Universities.
We can’t list everyone. Who do you think should be here? Paste your comments below.
