A Traditional 1910 DC Home Gets a Striking New Beginning

When Nancy Herman purchased her 1910 home in Washington, DC’s historic Cleveland Park neighborhood, the timing was anything but ordinary. In the middle of a separation, she needed a house close to her partner’s so her children could move easily between the two—and she needed it fast. The property she found was mid-construction, taken down to the studs by a developer, and ripe for reinvention.

With GTM Architects and Christopher Boutlier Interiors on board, Nancy set out to create a home that felt both grounding and adventurous—a place where white oak floors and classic millwork could coexist with bold, contemporary furnishings and museum-worthy art. What she ended up with isn’t just a renovation, but a home that carries her resilience, her reinvention, and the start of a new chapter.

Design: Christopher Boutlier Interiors | Architect: GTM Architects | Photography: Jennifer Hughes

Builder: Potomac Valley Builders | Landscape Architect: McHale Landscape Design

Reworking the Bones

By the time GTM Architects joined the project, the house had already been taken down to its frame by a developer. Their task was less about designing from scratch and more about refining the approved plans to fit Nancy’s life. The existing layouts left the living and dining rooms feeling cramped, so the framing was reworked to open them up.

Kitchen Design: Anne Decker Architects

Meanwhile, upstairs, the bedrooms were expanded to better suit a growing family. Circulation throughout the house was improved, and the home’s quirky staircase was expanded and moved to the rear addition, making the flow feel both practical and natural. Throughout, GTM was mindful of the home’s 1910 architecture, using materials that honored the historic structure while tying the new addition back to its original character.

Classic Meets Contemporary

Nancy wanted her new home to carry the ease and familiarity of her former one—white oak floors, crisp white walls, and simple millwork—but this time with more personality. Christopher Boutlier Interiors introduced that sense of adventure with sculptural pieces and layered textures, striking a balance between restraint and boldness. The palette stays tight but intentional: Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (a classic white paint) on the walls, Benjamin Moore’s Twilight as a moody counterpoint, and Fine Paints of Europe Black for moments of graphic contrast.

Art as the Anchor

If the architecture gave this home its structure, the art gave it its depth. Works by Robert Motherwell, Annie Albers, Louise Nevelson, and Donald Judd carry weight and history, grounding the interiors with an intellectual and emotional presence. These pieces shape the rhythm of each room, adding texture and dialogue to the clean palette of oak floors and white walls. Layered alongside Holland & Sherry rugs, Holly Hunt upholstery, and sculptural furniture, the artwork ties the home together, making it feel like a place for both living and looking.

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