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Following the death of her husband, this homeowner decided it was time for a change. After selling her family home in Crownsville, she purchased a newly constructed single-family home in the Odenton master-planned community of Two Rivers.
The 55+ community offers homes up to 5,000+ square feet with first-floor master suites. It also features resort-style clubhouses, a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities including hiking and biking trails, a community garden, an environmental park, a dog park, and a lake.
“It’s not uncommon for people who have gone through a change in life to want something fresh and new,” says Stephanie Simmons, senior interior designer for Severna Park-based Karen Renée Interior Design, Inc.
Simmons, who was brought on board to help the homeowner accomplish just that transition, has a portfolio that includes a range of projects, from historic homes to contemporary construction. She was more than happy to help the homeowner achieve the look that would make her feel at home again.
The homeowner had already purchased several large pieces of furniture that Simmons could use as a base while adding paint, rugs, artwork, and other occasional pieces. “She wanted a more contemporary look than she had had in her family home,” Simmons says, explaining her choice for a neutral palette. Sophisticated touches of gleam and sparkle, such as light-reflecting chandeliers, glass-topped console tables, and acrylic picture frames provide additional shine. “It’s light and airy and relaxing,” says Simmons.
In the living room, which is bathed in natural light, Simmons included Benjamin Moore’s “Cumulus Cloud,” contrasted with “Balboa Mist” on the coffered ceiling. The wide-louvered plantation shutters by Perfect Fit Custom Shutters coordinate with the trim color for a cohesive look. Simmons is a fan of plantation shutters for their ability to soften the views while adding a sense of architecture to a space.
The open concept main floor also features the foyer, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom, kitchen, and powder room. Simmons sourced much of the lighting from home furnishings manufacturer Currey & Company. The beaded chandelier in the powder room adds a touch of sparkle and sophistication to the small space, especially when paired with the silvery gray faux bois wallpaper by Cole and Son.
Simmons carried the neutral palette of taupe and cream into the master bedroom, choosing an upholstered bed by Bernhardt, along with customized nightstands and dresser by Vanguard.
Much of the artwork in the home was selected from Left Bank Art when Simmons was attending the annual High Point Market in High Point, North Carolina. “I enjoy doing artwork for clients,” Simmons says, explaining that she sees the process as akin to putting together a puzzle. She is also partial to accessories—in this case, using some of the homeowner’s own handmade glass creations. “Accessories finish a job and complete the look,” says Simmons.
The project was relatively seamless, says Simmons, except for the occasional—and always to be expected—delivery delays. But in the end, the homeowner got the new beginning she was looking for.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Stephanie Simmons, Karen Renée Interior Design, Inc., karenreneeinteriors.com, Severna Park, Maryland
Annapolis Home Magazine
Vol. 10, No. 6 2019