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By Dylan Roche | Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
It started small. Cathy Newman of C. Newman Interiors started working with a client on a single-family home tucked away in downtown Annapolis to redo the lower-level entryway. But as the owners collaborated with Newman, one inspiration after another emerged as they considered ways to turn the house into a sophisticated retreat. “It was not a typical project where we planned it all out in advance—it grew as we went,” Newman says. “They thought they would come back and remodel the kitchen in a year, and I said, ‘Why? Why would you want to live through that after you’ve already moved into the house? Why don’t you stay in your condo and renovate now, and then you can move in when it’s all fresh and ready, and you don’t have to live through that renovation?’”
Once Newman convinced them to tackle the entire project at once, it was about leaning into the particular style they wanted. They didn’t want anything themed, such as the nautical motifs so popular in Annapolis, nor did they want anything that was going to age or risk being outdated in a few years. Newman created something that was elevated, timeless, and comfortable. It’s eclectic and leans more toward modern than some of the fussy traditional styles so commonly seen in the historic district.
The design makes use of contrast and texture. Black-and-white patterns appear from room to room, in the dining room, and in the bedroom. In the kitchen, the dark wood island and range hood strike a bold contrast against the white cabinets and the dreamy light-colored marble. Finding just the right dark and light cabinetry proved to be a search for Tina Colebrook of Tina Colebrook Kitchens, who sourced from different manufacturers to get the right look. But it was worth it, especially for the contrast on the island. “The island really pulls together the lights and the dark beautifully,” Colebrook says. The ribbed hood and the lighted display cabinets in the living room came from DOCA, a European manufacturer; the traditional light-colored cabinets around the kitchen’s perimeter came from an American manufacturer, Kountry Kraft.
One of the big changes to the primary floor was opening up the space in a significant way by removing columns that divided the main room. Newman then used the layout of the furniture to create three distinct spaces, flowing from the kitchen to a sitting and entertaining area to a cozy living room. The living room, situated around the resurfaced stone fireplace, is where texture plays a key role, from the nubby knit carpet to the touches of faux fur, shearling, and leather on the sofa and throw pillows.
“It’s about mixing shapes, colors, patterns, textures—it’s how I approach any project, whether it’s modern or traditional,” Newman says. “It’s about looking for textures that all work together.”
Newman has a keen eye (and love) for patina—any kind of aging or imperfection that can create a sense of character. In the main room’s central sitting area, the chairs encircle a coffee table with a textured surface. Positioned beside the barrel chairs with houndstooth upholstery, the effect results in layer upon layer of interest within the room.
Upstairs in the bedroom, Newman found a way to reformat the layout to suit the owners’ needs: a simple wall creates a private hallway with his and hers closets and a built-in vanity, separate from the bedroom itself. This meant slightly less square footage in the bedroom, but that only pushes the bed closer to the magnificent view of the water. Grasscloth on the walls brings an element of nature and adds to the tranquil atmosphere.
Distinctive artwork, character-rich furniture, and layers upon layers of texture provide the contrast and the sophistication these clients sought, and when worked together with Newman’s instincts, they created a home that emanates personality and welcomes visitors in.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Cathy Newman, C. Newman Interiors
ARCHITECTURE & CUSTOM CABINETRY: Tina Colebrook Kitchens
BUILDER: Salt Creek Landscaping with Remodeling by Gomez
Paint: Tony Taupe and Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams
Upholstery: Interlude, Vanguard, and Theodore Alexander
KITCHEN
Range Hood/Lighted Display Cabinets: DOCA
Kitchen Cabinets: Kountry Kraft
FOYER
Bureau: Antique from Art and Antiques Hunter
Mirror: Gio Ponti (1950s)
POWDER ROOM
Sink: In Home Stone
LIVING ROOM
Sofas: Theodore Alexander
DINING ROOM
Table: Vanguard
Head Chairs: Lexington
Side Chairs: Theodore Alexander
BEDROOM
Vanity Chair: Chaddock
Bed: Interlude
© Annapolis Home Magazine
Vol. 16, No. 5 2025