The Aspire House McLean project began in 2018, when Bill Harrison, renowned architect and principal of Harrison Design, introduced aspire design and home CEO and Founder Steve Mandel to a developer he worked with called Artisan Builders. Mandel was immediately impressed, and planning began for a showhouse in this elegant suburb of Washington, D.C.
The residence, which adapts Palladian concepts of geometry, proportion and symmetry, is modern and light filled, with vast windows to flood the space with sunlight. In order to make sure the interior design matched the caliber of the architecture, Mandel invited Mary Douglas Drysdale to be the design chair. Drysdale explains, “A talented group of designers and creatives from the Mid-Atlantic region displayed their skills to create a home that is a modern classic mix, referring to the architectural traditions of our region and to the lifestyle that people aspire to today.”
In our recently released aspire design and home Showhouse Issue, we sat down with J. Paul Lobkovich to learn more about his creative process in designing the master suite wardrobes for this project.
aspire design and home: How much time did you have to complete this room, start to finish?
J. Paul Lobkovich: We started the design process in October of 2019. House delivered in September 2020.
aspire: What was your biggest challenge? Did you have a Eureka moment during the process?
J. Paul: Our biggest challenge turned into a unique design highlight. By placing tall wardrobe cabinets side by side, you have a seam where they meet. Our “Ah-ha” moment was incorporating accent trim where the seam was located. In Her wardrobe, bleached walnut is inset between the off-white painted cabinets. In His, we used hickory beside dark painted cabinets. This accent trim also gave us a perfect spot to install the valet rods- great for staging outfits.
aspire: What did you and your team accomplish that you thought would not happen in time?
J. Paul: Our leather elements had the longest lead time, but luckily we timed it all just right on our end to execute a flawless install!
aspire: What was your inspiration for this room?
J. Paul: Our goal with designing the master wardrobe suite was to create spaces that were evocative of high-end boutiques and luxury dressing rooms.
aspire: Did you step out of your comfort zone for this project, and if so, why?
J. Paul: Our firm has not always been known for our luxurious wardrobes, but we have been doing them for years, so this was a good opportunity to showcase them to a larger audience.
aspire: Despite the fact that there were so many designers involved, there is an inherent cohesiveness to the home. Did you all converse/collaborate? Or was this a completely individual process?
J. Paul: I think that to some extent, each of the designers worked independently to achieve their design goals, but were aware of what others were doing, so this definitely impacted the cohesiveness of the final result.
aspire: Is your preference for a showhouse a small space or a large space? Does one or the other provide a better opportunity to stretch your creativity?
J. Paul: A small space is actually a great challenge as it forces us to be overtly creative with unique features. Small jewel box rooms mean attention to detail is a must, and that is one of our strengths.
aspire: Describe the town of McLean in one sentence.
J. Paul: Mclean is the quiet, but potent nexus of the very best and brightest of the DC area.
This or That?
aspire: Paint or wallpaper?
J. Paul: Wallpaper
aspire: Hardwood or rug?
J. Paul: Hardwood
aspire: Beach or Mountains?
J. Paul: Beach
aspire: Saturated Color or Black and White?
J. Paul: Saturated Color!
aspire: Brunch or Dinner?
J. Paul: Dinner
aspire: Midcentury or 18th Century?
J. Paul: Midcentury
aspire: Draperies, shades, or nothing?
J. Paul: A combo of all three
aspire: 2001: A Space Odyssey or The English Patient?
J. Paul: Neither, it’s complicated!
aspire: Week at the spa or Week of Broadway shows?
J. Paul: Spa
Click Here to view more interviews with our Aspire House McLean designers.
Photography by Ron Blunt.
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