--- title: "Cliff Elmore Architects PLLC — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/cliff-elmore-architects-pllc-pfvwus-pf~1133461202 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1133461202.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Cliff Elmore Architects PLLC" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/81e3977c06167f3d_5018-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1228 1/2 31st Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007, United States" latitude: 38.9144 longitude: -77.074 phone: "(202) 237-8955" website: http://www.celmorearchitects.com rating: 5 review_count: 2 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 87 last_updated: 2026-09-23 --- # Cliff Elmore Architects PLLC Original Houzz profile: [Cliff Elmore Architects PLLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/cliff-elmore-architects-pllc-pfvwus-pf~1133461202) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Washington, DC - **Serves:** Washington, DC (Washington), Alexandria, Arlington, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Falls Church, Langley Park, Mclean, North Bethesda, North Kensington, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, South Kensington, Takoma Park, Tysons Corner - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (2 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2016–2018), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - 10,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Offers Custom Work - 22 years in business Founded in 2000, Cliff Elmore Architects, PLLC has been selected by for inclusion in The Washingtonian magazine’s list of top architects. We have completed hundreds of projects here in Washington DC and along the east coast. We are a small architecture and design firm where each project receives close attention. Our goal is to design buildings and spaces that seem natural and inevitable, where the hand of the architect is invisible or only subtly revealed. Our work does not shout for attention; we like to think it is bold and innovative, but at the same time discreet enough to remain timeless and age gracefully. We maintain an attention to detail and a commitment to quality that have earned wide recognition. We are careful listeners and our buildings grow easily from our client’s needs and desires. We excel in exceeding client's goals and expectations and in meeting their budgets. We carefully refine and edit our own and our client’s ideas until our buildings attain a sense of inevitability and a naturalness that will age gracefully and hold up indefinitely. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Green Building - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Universal Design - Drafting - Historic Building Conservation - Barn Design & Construction - Deck Design - Laundry Room Design - Landscape Plans ### Areas Served - Washington - DC (Washington) - Alexandria - Arlington - Bethesda - Chevy Chase - Falls Church - Langley Park - Mclean - North Bethesda - North Kensington - Potomac - Rockville - Silver Spring - South Kensington - Takoma Park - Tysons Corner ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Cliff Elmore Architects PLLC | | Address | 1228 1/2 31st Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20007, United States | | Phone | (202) 237-8955 | | Website | http://www.celmorearchitects.com | | Followers on Houzz | 87 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Cliff Elmore Architects PLLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/cliff-elmore-architects-pllc-pfvwus-pf~1133461202) - **Website:** http://www.celmorearchitects.com - **Phone:** (202) 237-8955 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2016–2018), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 2 reviews** ### All 2 reviews **★★★★★ — Lilly E, Sept. 2018** > He Is so amazing! He can make your house so beautiful and just how you want it. Amazing architecture! Definitely recommend him! **★★★★★ — charlesbirney, Oct. 2015** > I have known Cliff Elmore for many years, and my wife and I hired him for to design a project on our home. He is absolutely excellent and his eye for design and is understanding of the client's needs are a wonderful match. I strongly recommend him! ## Selected projects - [48th Street House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/48th-street-house-pj-vj~1498329) - Location: Washington D.C., DC - Photos: 10 - Description: The existing colonial house was enlarged and remodeled to include space for a family with three daughters. A large family room and kitchen with a master bedroom suite above were added to the rear of the existing house. A glazed hallway helps to connect the new and old spaces and brings light into the existing rooms. - [House in Potomac MD](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/house-in-potomac-md-pj-vj~1031282) - Location: Rockville, MD - Photos: 11 - Description: The client’s original instructions were to tear down the existing ranch house and build a new home. A change in circumstances encouraged us to scale back the project and reconsider modifications to the existing house and landscaping. A new loggia with an adjoining pool helps to conceal and integrate the house’s original bedroom wing with the rest of the structure. A kitchen, family room, screen porch and mud room were added at the opposite side of the house and create an exterior courtyard and s… - [Chevy Chase House 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chevy-chase-house-2-pj-vj~1030968) - Location: Silver Spring, MD - Photos: 7 - Description: An existing brick colonial house in Chevy Chase Maryland was enlarged and renovated. A spacious new kitchen and adjoining family room and library were added, and additional bedrooms and bathrooms were added to the second floor. - [Chevy Chase House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chevy-chase-house-pj-vj~1030883) - Location: Silver Spring, MD - Photos: 9 - Description: Built in 1909, this Chevy Chase House, known as “Greenacre,” featured generously scaled formal rooms but lacked informal living spaces when it was acquired by its new owners, a growing family. A new addition supplements the original house with a new kitchen opening to a large family room with a playroom below. A bay window breaks down scale of the new room and encourages intimate gatherings, while pocket doors and panels conceal nooks for a desk and storage, a TV, bar, and a new stair connecting… - [Lowell Street House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lowell-street-house-pj-vj~1498255) - Location: Washington D.C., DC - Photos: 16 - Description: This first phase of this project involved the renovation of the existing house, including kitchen, and a three-story addition with a new master bedroom and bath, family room, and garage and mudroom below. In a second phase, a new front door surround was constructed and dormers were added to an attic bedroom. - [Massachusetts Avenue Apartment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/massachusetts-avenue-apartment-pj-vj~1498322) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 3 - [Tilden Street House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tilden-street-house-pj-vj~1498310) - Location: Washington D.C., DC - Photos: 7 - Description: An existing house was made fully accessible for a handicapped father and his family without drawing attention to the barrier free design. Accessible features are integrated into the design to seem commonplace and unremarkable, and are used by everyone as a natural part of the house. A ramp is integrated into the landscaping at the rear of the house. An elevator provides access to all floors, and bathrooms, closets, doorways and the kitchen are all easily accessible. The house was renovated and e… - [Roland Place House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/roland-place-house-pj-vj~1498337) - Location: Washington, DC - Photos: 6 - Description: This small structure is an addition to an existing house in the historic Cleveland Park area of Washington DC. The gambrel roof reduces the height and scale of the addition and avoids blocking existing third floor windows. Columns between the new kitchen and family room conceal existing plumbing. A new child's bedroom was added to the second floor. - [Kalorama House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kalorama-house-pj-vj~1031207) - Location: Washington D.C., DC - Photos: 7 - Description: The Frances Perkins House is located in the Sheridan-Kalorama area of Washington DC and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is the former home of the first female U.S. cabinet member, who served as Secretary of Labor for president Franklin Delano Roosevelt from 1933-1945. The existing house had suffered a series of unsympathetic additions and renovations, which were removed. A new three story extension was added at the rear to allow for an enlarged modern kitchen and a strong connectio… [See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/cliff-elmore-architects-pllc-pfvwus-pf~1133461202) ## Community Q&A **Q: who makes the beautiful tub?** *(in Photo Questions)* Tub A: The tub is a Kohler Tea- for-Two tub. If I remember correctly, it is the 6' model. Its is undermounted with a stone top and a wood apron. **Q: Can you tell me more about the tub sides? Wood? Thanks!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Yes, it is a removable panel. In the past few years we have started having them made from synthetic materials such as Azek to minimize maintenance and the possibility of water damage. The Azek can be milled and painted so that it matches wood details in other parts of the room. The panel can be removed in the unlikely event that the plumbing for the tub needs to be accessed. **Q: Exterior paint color** *(in Photo Questions)* Hi! What is the exterior paint color of this house, please? A: Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, this project was completed a number of years ago, and we do not have easy access to information on the paint colors. I'm sorry not to be of more help. **Q: Ceiling color** *(in Photo Questions)* Hello What color blue is on the ceiling. Thank you! A: Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, this project was completed some time ago and I do not have access to the paint colors. It is a Benjamin Moore paint though. **Q: Counter tops** *(in Photo Questions)* Could you please confirm counter tops are marble and if so what color/name? THX! A: The stone tops are white carrara marble with a honed finish. This project was completed 10 to 15 years ago. In my experience, it is more difficult to find carrara marble that is really white now. Much of what I have seen that is currently available has more gray in it than the stone in this picture. **Q: Windows** *(in Photo Questions)* Please let me know the type of windows used over the vanity and bath. Thanks! A: Thank you for your interest in the project. They are Marvin wood casement windows over the tub and matching Marvin wood awning windows over the vanity. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*