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Dining Room

Rita St. Clair Associates
An abundance of natural sunlight flooding in from the bay window provided both a focal point and inspiration for the collaborative efforts of Rita St. Clair, Ted L. Pearson and Joseph E. Bowers, all of Rita St. Clair Associates Inc. The designers wanted the dining area to be a “room for any meal,” says Pearson. To achieve that goal, they divided the room into two seating areas, which was possible given the generous dimensions of the room.

The main dining area contains a 60-inch Pollard oak and elm table from Grant Antiques and six skirted chairs upholstered in a bright plaid and floral overlay fabric. The table sits in front of a massive marble fireplace topped by whimsical Lyre cache pots and an antique white marble angel. An antique Chinese print, whose colors and shape balance the scale of the fireplace, completes the vignette.

The gracious sitting area by the bay window is furnished with a Wilton sofa in woven velvet and armchairs from Grant Antiques in the Tracia fabric by Brunschwig & Fils. A Chinese needlepoint rug by Stark Carpets and a Venetian tea table by Brunschwig & Fils complete the sunny nook that’s perfect for light lunch or tea. -McLean Robbins

RESOURCES
Interior design by Rita St. Claire Associates Inc., Baltimore, 410-752-1313, http://www.ritastclair.com.
Antique furnishings from Grant Antiques, Laurel, 410-792-4538.
Lighting by Jones Lighting Specialists, Towson, 410-828-1010.
Painting and wallpaper installation by Preferred Painting & Wallcovering Services Inc., Bel Air, 410-663-9782.
Window Treatments by Meadow Mill Draperies, Baltimore, 410-889-0156.

Breakfast Room

Victor Liberatore Design
Designer Victor Liberatore describes the family breakfast room he created as “a bright, cheery space to warm the heart at any time of day.” Large windows allow sunlight to bathe the two-toned yellow walls, no doubt contributing to the cheery feel. But even on a rainy day, the room uplifts with its flight theme and hot-air balloon motif.

“The balloons were a way to lift the room- we like to have fun when we design,” says Liberatore. “Nearly everything in the room deals with flight- even the cast-iron bust of Mercury.” The window treatments are printed with images of historic hot-air balloons and the dinner plates were hand-painted with balloons by Gail Lieberman.

A duck rests on the center of the antique tilt-top tavern table that sits below a massive iron-work light fixture, Liberatore’s favorite piece in the room. Blue glass drinkware complements the blue border on the carpet and blue-striped window seat, creating a “very nice environment, very warm, rich and comforting.” -Katy O’Donnell

RESOURCES
Interior design by Victor Liberatore Interior Desing, 410-444-6942, http://www.victorliberatoreinteriordesign.com.
Decorative paiting from Gail Lieberman Collection, 443-415-4418.
Cushions by Encore Upholstering, Halethorpe, 410-242-6692.
Window treatments by Drapery Contractors, Baltimore, 410-727-5333.
Pillow and chair pads from Pillow Salon, Pikesville, 410-653-0991.

Multimedia Room

Morgan Truesdell Interiors
Designers Susan Burch Obrect and Terry Lewis of Morgan Truesdell Interiors LLC were excited to discover the home’s “diamond in the rough”: a former owner’s trophy room that could be transformed into a family multimedia room. They immediately removed heavy paneling to highlight the bay windows and allow light to flood the room. Faced with a long rectangular space, they divided the multimedia area into three separate living spaces. Otherwise, says Obrect, “if people were sitting at opposite ends of the room you would need a walkie-talkie to communicate.”

To tie everything together, Obrect and Lewis settled on a modern-day twist on a British Colonial theme. Using a striking combination of turquoise and mink, the designers sought innovative and cost-effective ways to decorate the room. The Kravet fabric of the accent pillows was bound into a Crate and Barrel rug. The vases that top the window shelves at either end of the room were filled with turquoise-colored water, creating the effect of colored vases at a fraction of the cost.

Using a combination of traditional fabrics such as toile for the sofa (fabric by Quadrille) with more modern ones like the circular pattern of the pillows kept the room in theme without verging on “fussy.” Palm trees in the corner of the room helped bring the outdoors in and comment on the Indian influence on the British Colonial theme. -McLean Robbins

RESOURCES
Interior design by Morgan Truesdell Interiors LLC, 410-486-6262.
Fabrics by Fabric Workroom, Bel Air, 410-420-9166.
Upholstery by Fox Upholstery, Pikesville, 410-484-3231.
Media equipment from Moxey Multimedia, Parkville, 410-529-3358.
Pillows from Pillow Salon, Pikesville, 410-653-0991.

Master Bedroom

Ludwig Design
“Old houses exude an inimitable charm and romance,” explains designer Ludwig of his passion for period houses and rooms. It was no surprise, then, that he decorated the master bedroom in the style of 18th-century France. An impressive but refined marble Louis XVI mantel imported from Paris anchors the room, which is filled with feminine touches like delicate pink furniture and a lavish bed draped in a custom-made canopy. The canopy was hand-embroidered with tiny, delicate flowers, says Ludwig. They “add to the room’s ‘oneoff craftsmanship,’ which is always very important.”

A pale gray Gustavian Swedish secretary in the corner of the room also adds interest, but Ludwig’s favorite touch is the cluster of letters, postcards and photographs he found in New York and “stuck willynilly in the Louis XVI giltwood mirror frame, to look as if the lady of the house was of a highly sentimental sort.”

Even with its carefully planned details, the room possesses a simple, happy mood. Ludwig chose bright colors- yellows, blues, greens and pinks- to create a feeling of optimism and to provide a “sunny respite from a difficult day.” -Katy O’Donnell

RESOURCES
Interior design by Ludwig Design, Chateau de Sereville, 89150 La Belliole, France, 011-33-3-86-88-78-16, http://www.ludwiginteriordesign.com
Wallpaneling by Husseyin Ege, 410-598-0128.
Paint treatments by Patty Burgee, Parkton, 410-329-2538.
Ironwork by Slaysman Forge, Baltimore, 410-325-8620.
Canopy upholstery by Drapery Contractors, Baltimore, 410-727-5333.

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