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 Janie Molster to learn more about her creative process in designing a ladylike living room for this project.
Inside the Showhouse with Janie Molster
Inside the Showhouse with Janie Molsteraspire design and home: How much time did you have to complete this room, start to finish?
Janie Molster: Unlike many showhouses, with COVID delaying our opening, we all had an extended timeline for completion. With the freedom that a showhouse space brings, (I was only designing for myself and my own preferences), the bones of the room came together within a few days. I was able to scratch a few itches that I had been dying to do for a while.
aspire: What was your biggest challenge? Did you have a “Eureka!” moment during the process?
Janie: A “Eureka!” moment came when we discovered that we would be able to install Julie Neill’s Farfalle chandelier. Long a fan of Julie’s, Circa Lighting was able to provide a prototype of the chandelier for us—the actual fixture wasn’t scheduled for release until after the showhouse opening date.
aspire: What did you and your team accomplish that you thought would not happen in time?
Janie: I was impressed with my team’s organization and resourcefulness. Sherwin Williams was lovely to work with and provided local painting contractors to gift their services. Our painter was ill at the last moment, and my team was able to scramble and find a replacement crew—a small miracle!
Seeking Inspiration and Finding Cohesiveness
Seeking Inspiration and Finding Cohesivenessaspire: What was your inspiration for this room?
Janie: My inspiration was to create a sophisticated salon for the lady of the house. I envisioned the room as an elegant but welcoming sanctuary. Furnishings were selected for beauty as well as comfort. We wanted her “lair” to be friendly to children, husbands and miscellaneous four-legged friends.
aspire: Did you step out of your comfort zone for this project, and if so, why?
Janie: No. The magic of a designer showhouse is that I was designing with my own preferences as a guide. My selections were all about my own comfort zone.
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?
Janie: We did not collaborate at all, and magically it worked! My room was saturated with color and texture and bold pattern—here and there. I was bordered on either side with serene spaces that were very quiet from a color perspective but elevated and flawlessly executed.
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?
Janie: I say go big or go home. An equal amount of work goes into creating small spaces and when a showhouse is busy and bustling with docents and visitors, it’s sometimes hard to see everything and really appreciate a tiny area. The bigger the room, the more design messages you can share.
aspire: Describe the town of McLean in one sentence.
Janie: McLean—great lunch spots, gorgeous neighborhoods!
“This or That?” with Janie Molster
“This or That?” with Janie Molsteraspire: Paint or wallpaper?
Janie: Wallpaper.
aspire: Hardwood or rug?
Janie: Both.
aspire: Beach or Mountains?
Janie: Beach.
aspire: Saturated Color or black and white?
Janie: Color.
aspire: Brunch or Dinner?
Janie: Brunch.
aspire: Mid-century or 18th Century?
Janie: 18th century.
aspire: Draperies, shades, or nothing?
Janie: Draperies, we prefer “curtains.”
aspire: 2001: A Space Odyssey or The English Patient?
Janie: English Patient.
aspire: Week at the spa or week of Broadway shows?
Janie: Broadway Shows.
Want More Good Design?
Click Here to view more interviews with our ASPIRE HOUSE McLean designers.
Photography by Gordon Gregory.
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