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

See how heirloom pieces and a tranquil color palette make this Arlington designer's home feel soothing.

By: Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason

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Photo By: Malcolm Simmons

Photo By: Keyanna Bowen

Photo By: Malcolm Simmons

At Home In Virginia

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.

Designing a Small Outdoor Space

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.

Creating a Space for Entertaining

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.

A Main Bedroom Makeover Delivers a Sleek, Stylish Transformation

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.

A Family Heirloom Takes on New Life

Even more than colors and furnishings, one of the most calming elements to include in a room are simple and familiar things that have a story you love. For Malcolm, the unofficial center of his bedroom is his nightstand. ‘“It’s one of my favorite pieces,” he smiles. “It has been passed throughout my family for decades and my grandmother used to use it as a sewing desk. I feel grateful to have it in my space now.” In a space that he was designing to help keep anxiety at bay, the table is a perfect finishing touch, one that helped Malcolm reach his goals for the room and for himself. “In designing a room that is calming, highly intentional, and utilizes both DIY and heirloom pieces to feel truly unique to me, I confronted some of the anxieties of 2020 and largely overcame them,” Malcolm reflects.

DIY Designer Headboard Is Crisp and Tailored

The bedroom is a beautiful example of Malcolm’s design style, which he describes as “classic, collected and tailored.” The room is a treasure trove of subtly blended colors and textures, fit together as neatly as the lines of a bespoke suit. A lover of vintage finds and DIY projects, Malcolm has woven both elements throughout the space. Admitting that the eye-catching headboard wall that he created behind his bed was one of his most challenging projects, he just as quickly points it out as one of the most rewarding. “In my mind,” he confesses, “there's nothing particularly easy about a space for yourself!”

A Calm-Inducing Bedroom Design

Living alone during a pandemic carries a significant amount of stress and Malcolm began designing his home to meet these growing challenges. “The concept for the bedroom revolved around creating a space to help mitigate some sources of my anxiety,” he explains. Calming elements such as the room’s neutral color palette and strategic use of plants mix perfectly with energizing moments. Vibrant pops of pink and gold on the bed and the addition of warm metallics through the lighting, picture frames, closet handles and even the electrical outlets bring visual excitement to the space.

A Well Thought-Out Gallery Wall Takes Color and Shape Into Consideration

Away from the bed, Malcolm continued the work of shaping his sanctuary. This stylish seating nook combines all of the room’s elements, with the addition of well-placed art. Playing with size and orientation in the presentation of the works, Malcolm even included gallery-style lighting to highlight the most important works. The careful layering of elements in the room speaks to the level of care and importance that Malcolm placed on the project. The design process itself Malcolm says, turned out to be a calming exercise.

An Extensive Bathroom Renovation

The design journey of the bathroom is similar to that of the bedroom not only because it was extensive, but because it was part of an important self-care program for Malcolm while in quarantine. “The bathroom design was all about continuing to perpetuate therapeutic routines,” he says. Within that, he had a list of goals he wanted the space to accomplish along with his aesthetic requirements. “Maintaining the colonial heritage of the home was at the top of the list,” Malcolm explains. But like any renovation project, it came with its share of lessons as well. “Like pivoting expectations to meet changing requirements; like a bad leak,” he laughs.

Keeping Things Classic in the Bath

Like the bedroom, the bathroom was an area of the home sorely in need of repair when Malcolm first came to the home. “The bathroom and bedroom were gut renovations,” he reveals. “These two rooms were renovated slowly over the course of about a year and a half.” In giving this space its new lease on life, Malcolm opted for a classic black and white color palette with metallic accents. The floor and wall tiles, along with the detail of the vanity mirror add subtle patterns that deepen the visual aesthetic. “I wanted the bathroom to feel truly classic and timeless,” the designer confirms, “while showcasing the unique characteristics of my design style.”

Bespoke Bathroom Details

One of the unique features on display in the bathroom is a dramatic triptych of framed images of American abolitionist Frederick Douglass. “The shower curtain is the showstopper in this space,” he offers. “It gives the small bathroom a dramatic, feature wall that is completely custom and feels high end.”

Risky Design Revs Up a Home Office

Just remodeled at the beginning of 2022, the office is one of the spaces Malcolm is most excited about, especially because it pushed him to make so many “risky” design choices.

Adding Art to the Office

One of Malcolm's risky choices is this nod to Michelangelo’s famous sculpture David in neon. This piece was so central to Malcolm’s vision for this space that it even appears on his mood board. A brightly-hued contrast to the deep and moody wall color, this modern take on a classic image is the perfect note of fun that every home office needs.

A Beautiful Handmade Home

“What I love most about my home is that it feels truly tailored to me. There is a unique sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with a handmade home, and I wake up every day feeling grateful to call this place home," says Malcolm.