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Avoca​

Created for the 2016 Historic Ellicott City Decorator Show House, Avoca encompassed the library and adjoining reception area of the historic residence.

Before the rooms could be considered decoratively, their existing conditions required attention. Plaster repairs were necessary, window frames had been damaged by water intrusion from a leaking roof, and the flooring presented a particularly difficult combination of deteriorated and visually inconsistent surfaces. Restoring a sense of order to the architectural envelope became the priority. Period-style push-button light switches replaced the conventional switches, a small detail that helped return a measure of architectural authenticity to the rooms.

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Once that foundation was established, the rooms were developed as related but distinct spaces. The library was conceived as a comfortable place for reading and conversation, while the reception area provided a natural transition between it and the surrounding rooms of the house.

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Rather than recreating a period interior, the design brought antique and modern furnishings together with art, books, textiles and collected objects. The contrast allowed older pieces to retain their history without making the rooms feel fixed in another era, while contemporary elements gave the composition freshness and relevance.

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The result reflected an approach that continues throughout my work: historic rooms need not become museums. With respect for their architecture, they can accommodate different periods, different objects, and contemporary life with ease.

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Additional project photography and details will be added as this portfolio continues to evolve.