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 Jonas Carnemark to learn more about his creative process in designing the Kitchen and Master Bath for this project.
aspire design and home: How much time did you have to complete this room, start to finish?
Jonas Carnemark: I was brought in early as a vendor to supply the kitchen cabinetry (KONST SieMatic) as well as furniture and fixtures for all the bathrooms (KONST Union) throughout the house. All of my kitchen appliances were also from Dacor. So I didn’t experience the same time crunch as other designers who joined later in the planning process.
aspire: What was your biggest challenge? Did you have a Eureka moment during the process?
Jonas: Sticking to a simple vision—when more is always wanted. There’s a tendency to go big in show house projects, to design for that attention-seeking “Instagram moment.” My design philosophy centers on minimal, modern, and functional plans with clean simple lines. So I had to make a conscious decision to resist that temptation and stay true to my design aesthetic.
aspire: What did you and your team accomplish that you thought would not happen in time?
Jonas: Partnering with Artisan Builders, as both designer and vendor/supplier, enabled me to control for typical delays and timing issues. Working closely with their Project Manager from the start for sure helped clear a smooth path to completion.
aspire: What was your inspiration for this room?
Jonas: Artisan Builders approached me with the showhouse concept of Monticello in the 21st century. So I wanted the kitchen to be timeless and enduring—but still strikingly modern. Black fit the bill perfectly. It’s not avocado. Black is a classic. In the primary bathroom, the palette went lighter, with crisp white and pale wood finishes. The neutral color choices also mirrored the house’s most visible structural elements, including its white stucco exterior, black window frames, and black hardware accents. I always think about art when I design spaces, and working with The Modern Bulldog on sourcing modern art and furniture was a real treat. In both the bath and the kitchen, we found the perfect pieces to make each space pop.
aspire: Did you step out of your comfort zone for this project, and if so, why?
Jonas: No, but the reverse may have happened. Initially, there was concern about my kitchen plan, which included furring out the walls to create recessed niches for all the perimeter cabinetry. This technique lends itself so well to the finely crafted details and of SieMatic cabinetry. Once in the finished space, everyone understood. It was fun to see the smiles.
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?
Jonas: My early involvement—as both designer and vendor—meant my plans took shape before most other designers joined in the fun. That said, the home designed by Harrison Design had such wonderfully classic spaces that lent themselves to a common vision. I also think the design chair Mary Douglas Drysdale played an important role in how well everything flowed.
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?
Jonas: Each size offers its own challenges. At the McLean house, the large kitchen easily carried the bold black cabinetry, creating a dramatic backdrop. Similarly, in the large primary bathroom, the lighter neutral palette set the scene for an open, spacious spa-like atmosphere. Both designs also paid careful attention to balance and proportion against the soaring ceilings and abundant light that define the spaces.
aspire: Describe the town of McLean in one sentence.
Jonas: Having worked in McLean for decades, I’m always pleased to find more and more room for modern design to make itself at home in this traditional enclave.
This or That?
aspire: Paint or wallpaper?
Jonas: Paint
aspire: Hardwood or rug?
Jonas: Hardwood
aspire: Beach or Mountains?
Jonas: Mountains
aspire: Saturated Color or Black and White?
Jonas: Black & white
aspire: Brunch or Dinner?
Jonas: Dinner
aspire: Midcentury or 18th Century?
Jonas: Midcentury
aspire: Draperies, shades, or nothing?
Jonas: Nothing
aspire: 2001: A Space Odyssey or The English Patient?
Jonas: Space Odyssey
aspire: Week at the spa or Week of Broadway shows?
Jonas: Spa
Click Here to view more interviews with our Aspire House McLean designers.
Photography by Ron Blunt.
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