2501 pennsylvania ave, dc

Poliform|sagartstudio partnered with developer John Mason to transform a historic building in DC’s West End into a boutique condominium with 16 units plus a custom penthouse designed to be Mason’s own residence. We worked with the architect to develop European-style apartment layouts with open spaces and built-in storage solutions, including libraries; dressing rooms and closets; kitchens and bathrooms. We completely furnished and outfitted the building’s two model units, which illustrated a choice in finish between light and dark wood grains.

— Dark, wenge-wood cabinetry with contrasting Carrera marble countertops and backsplash that anchors an open-plan layout of dining, living and family-room spaces. [pictures 1-4]

—Pale, quarter-cut-oak Varenna cabinetry in a kitchen/sitting area tucked away from the main living and dining rooms. The floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that frames Carrara marble counters and a full-height backsplashes provides a warm glow in a space without windows to the outside. [pictures 5-8]

—Mason’s penthouse design incorporates the kitchen area with the dark, clubby warmth of the den; dark cabinetry flows into the den’s shelving system, with both spaces framed within substantial crown molding and herringbone-patterned hardwood flooring that hearken back to the building’s 19th-century origins. The clean, modern built-ins and creamy tile are repeated in the unit’s dressing room and bathroom, making the penthouse a cohesive and crisp. [pictures 9-13]