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 Christian Daw to learn more about his creative process in designing the “Parking Pad” for this project.
aspire design and home: How much time did you have to complete this room, start to finish?
Christian Daw: Far too much time was spent on this space… ha! Well maybe just enough, but it was still a lot! Before we settled on a super fun, indoor/outdoor family retreat, there were several full design iterations of this space, each accommodating one of several different primary functions: ranging from an industrial French cafe, complete with massive brass and marble bar where visitors could grab pastries and snacks, to a high-fashion market with vendor tables and even a prize Ferrari on display.
aspire: What was your biggest challenge? Did you have a Eureka moment during the process?
Christian: While COVID was throwing us all curveballs, as one of the largest spaces in the home with direct access to the outside, our design had to flex and change several times to allow the showhouse to plan accommodations for a lot of different restrictions and necessary precautions in the lead up to opening. And I think the closest thing to a “Eureka” moment would be when faced with looming and missed deadlines, we made the call to leave one of the bays completely open as a flex/overflow space for the house, which ended up working really well for all the different groups that ended up needing space.
aspire: What did you and your team accomplish that you thought would not happen in time?
Christian: Install! We cut it so close that we almost missed photography… And still, some of our items didn’t make it into the space at all, due to shipping delays. But in the end, with the amazing support from our team and sponsors, and by incorporating some things from my personal home, it turned out perfectly!
aspire: What was your inspiration for this room?
Christian: With so much open space to play with, and very little in terms of architectural interest to play off of, we really had a lot of leeway in terms of direction. We loved the clean lines of the big glass doors, and were pleasantly surprised by the texture we were able to achieve with just a simple diamond grind and epoxy on the floors… together they created a cool, modern Californian vibe, like sand and steel – felt like we were in Manhattan Beach. So the rest of the design came together easily after that.
aspire: Did you step out of your comfort zone for this project, and if so, why?
Christian: Short of traditional storage and utility/workspace, I’d never designed a garage before… at least with family living and entertainment in mind. And in 2020, when people were staying home more than ever, it seemed more important than ever. So turning that kind of typically undeveloped (or underutilized) real estate into a space that met so many social needs felt right for the time (and even inspiring to me – I’m recreating this space at our own home with a lot of the same pieces!).
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?
Christian: We were probably more on the individual process side with our space, but I’m thrilled that our little casual getaway blended in with such an amazingly tailored home – great company to keep!
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?
Christian: I might have to Goldilocks this: not too small, and not too large… I still want enough space to have fun, but not so much area so that it becomes near impossible to control the casual visitors’ experience and introduction to the design.
aspire: Describe the town of McLean in one sentence.
Christian: It’s a beautiful community just outside DC where so many homeowners are fortunate enough to be able to make significant investments in the form and function of their homes.
This or That?
aspire: Paint or wallpaper?
Christian: Millwork (sorry to be difficult)
aspire: Hardwood or rug?
Christian: I’m a sucker for a great rug
aspire: Beach or Mountains?
Christian: Beach in the summer, mountains in the winter
aspire: Saturated Color or Black and White?
Christian: Saturated color
aspire: Brunch or Dinner?
Christian: Brunches that break just in time to change for dinner
aspire: Midcentury or 18th Century?
Christian: 18th
aspire: Draperies, shades, or nothing?
Christian: Draperies with shades
aspire: 2001: A Space Odyssey or The English Patient?
Christian: Neither really…
aspire: Week at the spa or Week of Broadway shows?
Christian: Give me ALL the Broadway musicals!
Click Here to view more interviews with our Aspire House McLean designers.
Photography by Ron Blunt.
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