My Houzz: Fashionable, Organic Style in a Compact Virginia Condo
Mirrors, clever storage solutions and elegant custom touches make a 628-square-foot home in Arlington naturally stylish
For Sandy Grabowski of Virginia, decorating her first home was a family affair. Enlisting the help of older sister and interior designer Shanon Munn of Ambi Design Studio, fiancé and aircraft maintenance manager Andrew Clark, and Clark's grandfather, Grabowski now has a condo that shows off a well-cultivated sense of style.
A fashion show and event coordinator for Nordstrom, Grabowski often jets around the country. She wanted her place, shared with fiancé Clark, to reflect "an aesthetic built over time — natural and organic, but also modern and cool," she says. She collaborated with her sister to mix in found pieces, and elegance now shines throughout the home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sandy Grabowski and Andrew Clark
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Size: 628 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: The home's quiet pocket neighborhood feels like a world away from the bustle of neighboring Roslyn, but it's actually within easy walking distance.
A fashion show and event coordinator for Nordstrom, Grabowski often jets around the country. She wanted her place, shared with fiancé Clark, to reflect "an aesthetic built over time — natural and organic, but also modern and cool," she says. She collaborated with her sister to mix in found pieces, and elegance now shines throughout the home.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Sandy Grabowski and Andrew Clark
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Size: 628 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
That's interesting: The home's quiet pocket neighborhood feels like a world away from the bustle of neighboring Roslyn, but it's actually within easy walking distance.
Sheer silk curtains on the large windows allow plenty of natural light along with privacy — essential, as the condo is on the first floor.
Curtains: JCPenney; drapery hardware: Ikea; sofa: Cara, Mitchell Gold; pillow fabric: Highland Court; rug: Pottery Barn
Curtains: JCPenney; drapery hardware: Ikea; sofa: Cara, Mitchell Gold; pillow fabric: Highland Court; rug: Pottery Barn
"So many little stories go with everything in my place. I've taken the time to make it right and didn't just get stuff to fill a room," says Grabowski, who moved into her space three years ago. The cushioned ottoman was rescued from a neighbor's sidewalk by Munn and paired with a lounge chair from Overstock.com.
Bookshelves, desk: Sloane, Crate & Barrel; console: Newport Demilune, Ballard; mirror: Spiegel; lounge chair: Overstock.com
Bookshelves, desk: Sloane, Crate & Barrel; console: Newport Demilune, Ballard; mirror: Spiegel; lounge chair: Overstock.com
This custom-built credenza is made of birdseye maple; it was inspired by a Jonathan Adler piece. Clark's grandfather, Ed Carter, built the unit by hand and shipped it from Kansas City, Missouri, without the acrylic supports. Clark says, "The biggest worry was putting the acrylic pieces on it after it arrived."
Centered on top of the credenza is Grabowski's favorite collected piece, a handmade ceramic bowl found on a trip to Maui. To the left of the storage unit is another illustration by Ruben Toledo.
Table lamp: Donghia
Centered on top of the credenza is Grabowski's favorite collected piece, a handmade ceramic bowl found on a trip to Maui. To the left of the storage unit is another illustration by Ruben Toledo.
Table lamp: Donghia
Grabowski found her dining room chandelier at a Jonathan Adler warehouse sale on a trip to New York.
Dining table, chairs: West Elm; kitchen floor: metallic porcelian tile, Prosource
Dining table, chairs: West Elm; kitchen floor: metallic porcelian tile, Prosource
A mirror with multiple squares complements the round features of the Jonathan Adler chandelier and adds another reflective surface without overwhelming the space.
Mirror: Ballard Designs
Mirror: Ballard Designs
Clark did most of the kitchen remodeling, using cabinets salvaged from Munn's own kitchen remodel, with a few new cabinets and doors from KraftMaid.
To optimize space in the tiny galley kitchen, the couple adopted several space savers, including a cabinet-depth refrigerator and a shallow glass-front display cabinet at the end to free up counter space and provide extra storage. Also, Grabowski went with an extra-deep stainless sink, a narrow range top and a full-size dishwasher.
The countertops are chocolate-brown granite with silver flecks that Munn got as remnants at her stone vendor.
Dishwasher: Bosch; granite: Dynamic Stone; backsplash: Home Depot
To optimize space in the tiny galley kitchen, the couple adopted several space savers, including a cabinet-depth refrigerator and a shallow glass-front display cabinet at the end to free up counter space and provide extra storage. Also, Grabowski went with an extra-deep stainless sink, a narrow range top and a full-size dishwasher.
The countertops are chocolate-brown granite with silver flecks that Munn got as remnants at her stone vendor.
Dishwasher: Bosch; granite: Dynamic Stone; backsplash: Home Depot
The strategic use of a mirror in the four corners of the bedroom brightens the room and helps create the illusion of spaciousness. A daybed is available for the occasional sleepover guest.
Bed: Target; rug: Dash and Albert; drapery hardware: Ikea; silk draperies: JCPenney
Bed: Target; rug: Dash and Albert; drapery hardware: Ikea; silk draperies: JCPenney
Twig curtains on the far wall of the bedroom add an interesting element of texture and offer a surprising solution to limited storage.
Nightstands: Cost Plus World Market; lamps: Jonathan Adler
Nightstands: Cost Plus World Market; lamps: Jonathan Adler
The curtains slide open to reveal an efficient small closet with freestanding storage for the couple to share. To get the curtains the correct size, Grabowski had to carefully untie them, remove twigs and retie them. Clark then mounted the curtains on standard drapery rods using zip ties.
Twig curtains: Arhaus
Twig curtains: Arhaus
Clark uses the closet's original features for his clothing, while Grabowski's fashionable wardrobe and
extensive collection of shoes are organized on an Elfa storage system from The Container Store.
extensive collection of shoes are organized on an Elfa storage system from The Container Store.
Back in the main living room, Sandy Grabowski relaxes in her office area, near two of her beloved leopard-print shoes.
See more photos of this home
See more photos of this home
Sponsored
Top-Rated Home Improvement & Exteriors Contractor in Northern Virginia
Accent table: Target; wall lamp: Jonathan Adler; small rug: Pier 1 Imports