Photos By Susie Soleimani Photography | theeyebehindthelens.com
Family Room: On Sunday nights, the family will sit crisscross-applesauce and watch a movie. This “main hang out area” features Interior Define sofas, a Restoration Hardware coffee table and a CB2 rug; Target accent chairs; art by Josh Young Design House; side table by Lulu & Georgia; and a custom ceiling coffer.
Dining room: The canvas was painted by local artist Sugar Taylor. The room features a round dining table from Serena & Lily, Ruth dining chairs from France & Son and a West Elm rug.
Kitchen and Breakfast nook: “I’m often hosting in my home ... scratch-making everything,” Theodorou says. For the area, Shannon Claire Smith used a Brynne island pendant from Lightology, Breakfast nook chandelier by France & Son, One Kings Lane barstools, and dining table and chairs from Lulu & Georgia
She-shed: A “fun, creative and inspiring” space is how Theodorou describes a roomfeaturingamuralby local artist Meg Biram. “I try to support my local lady friends ... It’s part of the house that’s feminine and what I wanted it to be with no input from anyone else.” An Interior Define sofa, Belmont Cocktail ottoman from All Modern, West Elmcrescentswivelchair, Lulu& Georgia Moroccan shag rug and Waucoba one-light swing arm lamp from All Modern complete the look.
Upstairs hallway: Some “treasures and trinkets” that Theodorou loves, such as prints by Minted, and a Chanel book which she was gifted in 2006 by the luxury brand’s marketing director.
Bedroom: The bed is from Arhaus; Dresser and nightstands are West Elm; Curtains are CB2; Bench is from Houzz; Accent gray Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal and Wrought Iron; Wallpaper is Cole & Sons.
Vicky Theodorou’s love for food, fashion and family blends flawlessly together.
Vicky Theodoru, her husband James, and her children Maddox and Harper .
Sitting on her performance velvet couch in her “she- shed” room, which she utilizes as a home office at times, Vicky Theodorou, the founder of Heirloom Catering, creates modern menus that might include bite- sized donuts drizzled with lemon thyme or Parmesan- dusted penne nestled in a mini tulip-shaped glass. Her website showcases vivid dishes that are described as “immaculately designed as they are delicious.” So, when she moved to Aldie, Va., in 2018—after living in pint-sized dwellings on Capitol Hill, Logan Circle and Shaw—into a 3,564-square-foot new build with an expansive open floor plan, the house was of course going to be as immaculately designed as it was “cozy and comfortable.”
For Theodorou, design plus function rules. Just toss in some incessant rearranging. “I am the type of person that’s like, ‘oh, I’ve had this for five days now, time to get new chairs,’ or ‘oh, let me restyle this shelf 6,000 times in one week,’” Theodorou says. This kind of attention to detail she will attest—both in food and home style—is the result of her upbringing in the culinary industry (her Greek parents own Delia’s restaurants in Virginia) and time abroad in Milan working with such companies as Chanel, Disaronno Liqueur and Maserati Luxury.
Upstairs hallway: Some “treasures and trinkets” that Theodorou loves, such as prints by Minted, and a Chanel book which she was gifted in 2006 by the luxury brand’s marketing director.
While European culture, fashion and cuisine have impacted Theodorou’s aesthetic, the influx of style ideas have also led to internal waffling.“I overanalyze all my [design] decisions just like I do at work,” she says. It’s why Theodorou brought in Shannon Claire Smith, the founder and principal of Shannon Claire Interiors, for a modern, trusted vision on nearly every room. On a professional level, “it was kind of love at first sight between us,” she jokes on meeting Smith years earlier at a “Like a Boss”- themed holiday party for female entrepreneurs. “We’re two birds of a feather. We’re business women, we’re creatives.”
After working on Theodorou’s former residences, this time, the two-pronged goal for Smith was to “go big with the design” while making sure that the house “felt like a welcome respite.” Plants and textures with layered colors were included to give the house “a cozy feel that felt connected and purposeful.” The surrounding landscape and countryside of Aldie also played a role. “We wanted to make sure that the colors in the space felt organic and
Entry: Ceiling light, ottomans and mirror are from AllModern; Console is from West Elm; Curtains are Joss & Main; Ceiling paint is Mauve Hint by Benjamin Moore; Walls are simply white by Benjamin Moore
natural, so you will find a lot of floral, greenery, natural textures.” With two small children (Maddox, 3; Harper, 18 months) Theodorou shares with her husband James, one will also find a mixture of materials that withstand toddlers’ destructive abilities. (e.g.: “I may love marble somewhere, but then I might love a wicker basket,” Theodorou says).
The real blends and fusions happen in the kitchen.“I love making medleys at home,”Theodorou states before easily reciting family food favorites that include lime and cilantro rice, marinated adobe steak topped with charred corn, cotija and spiced black beans, often made in a “million different” forms.“Food means a lot to me. It brings people together in conversation and wine.”
A happy stylish home isn’t fully complete without happy full bellies.
