Tour a Virginia Interior Designer's Sophisticated Indoor-Meets-Outdoor Space

Malcolm Simmons has been designing all of his life. A native of Virginia who spent years living abroad before studying graphic and interior design, he’s now known as the owner of the design consultation company, Mas Means More. For the last two years, the self-styled “environmental graphic designer,” has made his home in a 2-story colonial-style condo in Arlington, Virginia.

Anyone who’s ever lived in a city knows that outdoor space is a luxury at any size. And though it clocks in at a petite 80-square-feet, Malcolm has made the most of every inch, creating an outdoor space with enough visual interest to fill a country mile. This bird’s eye view reflects the overhead perspective of the sketches the designer made when conceptualizing the space.

From the start, Malcolm knew that he wanted an outdoor space for entertaining. That made seating a top priority. The stylish, black-topped wicker bench — reminiscent of the one that sits at the foot of his bed — is the perfect cozy seating option for the space. It also fits seamlessly into the color palette established by the raw wood privacy wall which he built himself. Malcolm opted for a neutral palette dominated by raw wood tones for the instant connection it made with the rest of the outdoor environment, which includes a shared garden with a small creek.

When Malcolm first discovered his home-to-be, it wasn’t exactly move-in ready. “It was in pretty poor shape,” he laughs. “Many mechanical issues needed to be resolved, and it needed an aesthetic refresh.” One of the main areas in need of a facelift was the bedroom. Over the course of a year Malcolm reshaped the space until it not only fit his needs, but became his favorite room in the house.