Tour an Elevated and Chic Jewel Box Maryland Getaway

Northern Virginia designer Kati Carter is the woman behind K Carter Interiors, a Washington, D.C. design studio for projects of all sizes. She’s also the COO and resident designer for the Oasis Alliance, a non-profit focused on the mental health benefits of a well-designed space, and dedicated to creating beautiful environments for people who have suffered trauma. The combination of design savvy and heart made her the perfect choice for a client who needed to create a little space to get away.

This 1,200-square-foot pied-à-terre condo located in Fort Washington, Maryland, was newly built when her client moved in two years ago, so a full renovation was not necessary. What the space really needed was personality. Kati provided it by starting at the beginning. Though it doesn’t boast the largest rooms, the space was more than enough for Kati, who describes her style as “elevated and chic,” to make her mark. “The living room is a quaint, open concept space,” she says, “in which we also had to include a space for entertaining and dining.” Kati used wallpaper to create a brick feature wall so eye-catching that there’s no need for additional decor on the walls.

“This cozy condo is my client’s home away from home,” Kati says. A spin on the backyard she shed, this space is a "she" apartment used by Kati's client as a weekend or short-term getaway for her personal wellness and relaxation.

To elevate the industrial look of the brick wallpaper, Kati used metallic elements in the table, accessories and pillows. Those gold finishes look clean and polished, paired with the layered, neutral-toned rugs in the space.

Kati accented the gray tone of the wood flooring in the entryway with a bench and wallpaper in similar shades, then punched it up with brass and gold elements.

Lining the hallway between the entryway and living area is this home’s sleek and modern kitchen. Following her client’s mandate of “polished, clean, modern design,” Kati kept the kitchen simple and minimal. A subtly patterned runner keeps the color scheme going from the entryway while adding a geometric counterpoint to the smooth, solid surfaces of the appliances.

What would a dining room be without a bar cart? Kati takes it a step further with a credenza styled for entertaining. “The shagreen bar cabinet is my favorite piece in the home,” she beams. Editor's note: Shagreen is a popular material introduced in the Art Deco era and used to ornament writing desks and cabinets. Shagreen was typically made from hide (shark, stingray or dogfish), though man-made materials are now used to replicate the look of real shagreen. Perfectly color-blocked with the walls, the light color and smooth textures are a clear contrast from the living room, which helps keep the two spaces distinct despite.

Metallics, specifically gold, are a subtle through line that connects every room in this home. The mirrored tray holds a small collection of tumblers and a single decanter — a simple, elegant arrangement.

“My client’s main home is busy with older kids and extended family,” Kati explains, so to help her client keep her condo as the escape it was meant to be, Kati designed it for intimate dining. This bistro setting is perfect for weekends away from home, complete with romantic lighting, modern furnishings and art.

For Kati, there’s nothing more important than design that heals. For a client with a full house and a need for an easy refuge for work or relaxation, that meant a space that was equal parts relaxation and luxury, big enough to get lost in, but small enough just for her. Kati was happy to deliver it all. “I love that this space serves as my client’s getaway for a peaceful work environment and weekends away,” she says.

For a home designed to be a quick getaway space, there’s no room more important than the bedroom. Kati took this to heart when designing this cozy, resort-style space. The four-poster bed, lush, comfy bedding and an army of pillows all invite comfort. “The bedroom is my favorite room in the whole home,” Kati confesses. “It gives off such chic vacation vibes.”