Nelson St House

TYPE OF PROJECT: INTERIOR DESIGN

LOCATION: ROCKVILLE, MD

A gorgeous mid-century home in Rockville, quietly diminished by a 1980s addition that fractured its flow and muted its character. The bones were still there — the proportions, the connection to the landscape, the original spirit. It just needed someone to restore what had been lost.

The client had recently returned from Japan, inspired by the calm precision of Japanese interiors. That became the design thread. A shoji-inspired translucent wall was introduced at the connecting staircase — filtering light rather than blocking it, unifying the levels while maintaining a sense of privacy. In the master bedroom, the same element continues, turning natural light into something almost architectural.

The master bath was reorganized into distinct zones — each serving a different rhythm of the day. The lower level guest suite was updated to maintain continuity with the original mid-century language throughout. Externally, a fresh coat of gray paint gave the facade a quiet, modern presence without competing with the home's original character.

The result is a home that remembers what it was — and finally feels like it again.