1. Say it with tile
Using small-scale hex or penny tile to spell out a phrase or create a design is an especially fun choice for powder rooms, mudrooms, or kids’ bathrooms. Fowlkes Studio used one-inch hex tile for this DC-flag floor in an AU Park mudroom.
2. Layer your kitchen lighting
Multiple fixtures create more visual interest than recessed lights and make the kitchen feel more like a living space. Designer Lori Anderson Wier also added table lamps to the countertops in this Maryland home.
3. Pair open shelves with a graphic backsplash
Open shelving is usually reserved for the prettiest items, so why not give it an equally stunning backdrop? Designer Julie Riggin chose a Moroccan-inspired pattern for this Arlington kitchen.
4. Wallpaper a bathroom
Sure, you’ve seen it in powder rooms, but don’t be afraid to try wallpaper in a full bath, too. Many brands carry water-resistant options. Designer Lindsay Boudreaux used a Schumacher paper in this Alexandria space. A glass shower door, rather than a curtain, mitigates splashing.
5. Bring life to your walls
“Living walls” are an eye-catching option. Just be prepared for a commitment: An installation of live plants—such as this one in McLean by designer Martha Vicas—requires built-in irrigation and regular upkeep. Preserved moss is a lower-maintenance choice.
This article appears in the October 2021 issue of Washingtonian.
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 as a staff writer, and became a senior editor in 2014. She oversees the magazine’s real estate and home design coverage, and writes long-form feature stories. She was a 2020 Livingston Award finalist for her two-part investigation into a wrongful conviction stemming from a murder in rural Virginia.
