A Tiered Approach
The 2-acre parcel of land that came with designer Alex Deringer’s historic Alexandria farmhouse was a big draw for her family, which includes her husband, three kids, two dogs, and two cats. She envisioned creating a multitiered landscaped lot with a swimming pool, tennis court, and several patios.
“We wanted to be able to expand our indoor living spaces during the warmer months to include outdoor spaces that possessed the same level of comfort and style as our home,” Deringer says. “We also entertain a lot as a family, and the additional space was going to be critical.”
Deringer worked with landscape architect Susanne Fyffe to create a coveted exterior featuring a series of tiered patios, including one with an above-ground pond and a dining pergola covered in grapevines and one centered around a stacked-stone outdoor fireplace.
“They provide different areas for large groups to find comfortable gathering spots, whether dining, lounging, or having a drink at the bar,” she adds.
The outdoor furnishings are done in Deringer’s signature wanderlust style, with colorful textiles and vintage pieces such as ceramic elephant garden stools and an antique armillary sphere on the dining table.
Dreamy Dining
“Our whole house is about indoor-outdoor living. We wanted an exterior dining space that could accommodate alfresco summer meals with our family and friends,” says Andrea Maaseide of Vienna-based design firm Casa Millie of the dining spot she created in her backyard.
The key was defining its layout in proximity to the home’s kitchen for flow and function. “We designed it off the heart of the home, so it is easily accessible for us or when entertaining.”
Sliding glass doors connect the space to the interior. The flooring is Virginia flagstone, and the ceiling is a motorized louvered pergola by Equinox that allows the family to enjoy the space, rain or shine.
For décor and furnishings, Maaseide says, “We wanted to keep the palette relatively quiet, so that the focus would be on the outdoors.”
The selected dining table is long and narrow, fitting the niche beautifully, and comfortably seats up to 10. For larger groups, Maaseide has room beneath the pergola to add extra tables and chairs.
“We designed the space to enjoy family outdoor dining, as well as entertaining friends and extended family for special events, seating up to 20 people in the niche,” she says.
Pristine Porch
Nothing says summertime — and a bug-free one — more than a perfect screened-in porch with serene views and an overhead fan.
“This porch was part of a larger house renovation. I helped to finalize its design, including selecting the fireplace stone and then furnishing the space,” says Arlington-based Erin Tripodi of Erin Tripodi Design. She collaborated on the project with Matt McDonald of MCDStudio.
The screened-in porch, which is adjacent to the primary suite, has a private, wooded view. Its white tray ceiling features a tongue-and-groove finish and central fan. The porch also features a rectilinear stone chimney with an integrated flatscreen TV and wood-burning fireplace.
“The porch screens are all motorized and can open up the space completely to the outdoors if desired,” adds Tripodi.
A comfortable transitional-style sectional in weather-resistant faux wicker, and a pair of matching armchairs provide ample seating in the space. They are centered about a simple planked wood table. Though the palette is largely neutral, Tripodi layered in blue-green throw pillows to add a hint of color and subtle pattern.
“We added those blues and greens to complement the woodland views, for interest, while allowing the focus to remain on the surrounding nature,” she says.
Pool House Perfection
“Our clients desired a detached structure that packs a ton of functionality, with the goal of elevating their daily indoor-outdoor lifestyle,” says Kevin Kurdziolek of Pristine Acres, who designed a custom 1,620-square-foot pool house and garage. The interiors were decorated by Hannah Goldberg of Hannah Charlotte Interiors, in collaboration with the homeowners.
The pool house fully opens to the infinity-edge swimming pool through retractable screens that offer insect protection, sun shading, and vinyl panels for weather control. It’s divided into two functional zones: a kitchen and dining area, and a lounging area. These spaces are separated by a built-in bar with a stone veneer base.
“The lounging area has a four-sided gable roof design; it’s a structural element that also doubles as a custom design feature,” adds Kurdziolek of the ceiling design, which also helps define the space on the open floor plan.
Other special features include a wood-burning fireplace in the lounging area, a well-equipped kitchen for outdoor entertaining, and marble countertops.
“All the furnishings are in a contemporary, coastal-inspired style, with a neutral palette and an emphasis on natural textures to complement the architectural finishes,” says Goldberg. “It’s an amazing space to use in the summer for entertaining large groups.”
Catchy Cabana
Like a summer tune, this McLean cabana designed by Tracy Schlegel and Kelcey Huff of Waterlily Interiors simply sings.
“It used to be a walkway to the swimming pool with no apparent function,” says Schlegel. “We saw an opportunity to create a fun custom cabana.”
First things first: Because the mosaic circular medallion in the flooring was staying, the team chose to play off its design with a ceiling-mounted, coconut-beaded light fixture that evokes island vibes.
“We then designed a built-in wall of open cubbies to store all the essentials for a day by the pool. It’s the perfect spot to kick off your shoes, grab a towel or floatie, and apply sunscreen before heading out for a dip,” says Huff.
The cubby wall was executed by the building firm BOWA. It features white beadboard backing and brass hooks in the individual cubbies, as well as a wood-topped bench seat for contrast, warmth, and a nautical vibe.
“While we kept to a neutral palette true to the rest of the house, we amped up the space’s personality with a fun textured grasscloth wallpaper in a tropical beachy pattern,” Schlegel adds of the finishing touch.
Feature image project by Pristine Acres and Hannah Charlotte Interiors, photo by Robert Radifera for Stylish Productions
This story originally ran in our July Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
