This large 1980s detached home needed an updated master bathroom. Although the existing bath space was ample, it was poorly laid out, and lacked the aesthetic appeal desired by the young couple with two children. The space was reorganized to create public and private spaces within the large master bath.

Architect Bruce Wentworth, AIA, is principal of a residential remodeling design-build company located in Chevy Chase, Md. He was recently honored by Washington Spaces magazine with the Outstanding Award in the 2nd Annual Best of Kitchen Spaces competition. Here are a few pictures of the award-winning kitchen design, which uses bright colors for a modern look.

Chevy Chase, MD, April 1st, 2009 – The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named Wentworth, Inc. of Chevy Chase, Maryland, the 2009 National CotY Grand Award winner in the category Residential Exterior Under $100,000.
Wentworth, Inc., founded by architect Bruce Wentworth, AIA, is residential remodeling design/build company located in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The firm specializes in architectural design and remodeling of older urban homes. Wentworth, Inc. was named 2009 National Contractor of the year (CotY) in the category of Residential Exterior Under $100,000 by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Each year, NARI members from across the country submit their best remodeling work to be considered for the National CotY Awards.

The National CotY represents the best in the remodeling and design-build industry across the country.
Wentworth, Inc. was presented the award at NARI’s Evening of ExcellenceSM on March 28 at the Sheraton Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia. The Evening of ExcellenceSM is widely considered to be the premier event of the year in the remodeling industry, and was attended this year by more than 250 of the industry’s elite. Wentworth, Inc. received the Grand Prize award in the category Residential Exterior Under $100,000.
Wentworth, Inc. was also honored in 2009 with six DC Metro Regional CotY awards from NARI. Their awards include two Grand Prizes and four Merit Awards.

Photo Courtesy of Wentworth, Inc.

NARI METRO DC Honors Wentworth, Inc. With Six Capital CotY Awards

My garden is the place I come at the end of a day to forget the trials of running my remodeling business, a place to momentarily forget the difficulties of the world, a place to get refreshed. Designed environments should do that.

It took eight years to create the garden at my Northwest, Washington, D.C. home shared with my wife. It is a work-in-progress. Happily, our circa 1920 house was placed forward on its lot, 120' x 55', leaving ample space for a rear garden.

Inspired by tones to create a retreat from the stresses outside your home, color trends for 2009 are soothing and reflective of calm natural tones. Base colors create a casual attitude and neutral canvas for bright pops of color with a combination of warm and cool grays reflecting the purpose of the space. Neutrals range in vegetative and mineral shades found in nature like olive green, khaki, and bright pale blue. Contrast these with warm brown and golden leathers and woods in shades of camel, rust, and walnut to create a sense of warmth and coziness. Also, don’t be scared to brighten your home by using a play of light and dark with the use of silky pastels with vivid shades. Lavender and Yellow are your go to accent colors for the year.

by Candice Carver, Design and Marketing at Wentworth, Inc.

Guest blogger Jennifer Parker guides you through kitchen renovation selections; from cabinets to the precise shape of hardware this is an intelligent overview of what you may encounter when working with a designer/remodeler.

I like using analogies to describe the design process; so if we’re talking about making renovation/design selections consider this analogy. It’s like constructing a perfectly balanced mobile, one component at a time. Your architecture, fixtures, furniture, fabrics, flooring, wall color, and accessories—they’re all connected. Think creatively but also think holistically.

by Candice Carver, Design and Marketing at Wentworth, Inc.

 To finish up this week long celebration, here is a short list of other haunted sites that almost didn't make it on the blog....